Best Packrafts of 2023
While interest in all paddlesports has grown in recent years and even more so during the pandemic, packrafts have seen some of the highest levels of new interest. So what's drawing all of this newfound interest? Well, first off, packrafts themselves are not a new concept and your fellow paddlers have been discussing their packraft experiences and questions on the message boards for years.
But packrafts represent and attract another breed of paddler and adventurer. Those that travel light, rugged, and want to push the prototypical limits to where they can paddle and how they can get there. Often combined as a multi-sport adventure with backpacking, biking, or hiking, these are the craft of choice for the adventurous paddlers.
Much of the explosion in interest of the packrafting category has been for the solo adventurer. The solo packraft lends itself to the minimalist adventurer seeking out lightweight, nimble excursions and especially for those harder-to-reach paddling spots. So while that's what the below list will reflect, it is worth noting that there are just as many tandem packrafts to consider. All of those can be found and compared in the Packrafts Gear Guide.
Fortunately, the paddling community has been testing, paddling, and reviewing packrafts and other craft long before you had ever heard of or thought to purchase one. By leveraging the reviews and experience that's been shared by thousands of your fellow paddlers, you can help narrow down the various types of craft and whether a packraft, folding kayak, or inflatable kayak makes the most sense for you.
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Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Packraft
Fortunately, your fellow paddlers have tested and debated the pros and cons of switching from hard shell kayak to a pack raft. There are plenty of other threads on the message boards about packrafting and other vessel types to consider. They'll also highlight other factors like overall weight, packed dimensions, transporting your packraft, storing your packraft, and more. While all packrafts are lightweight, they easily range from 4-20 pounds with each option lending itself towards particular adventures.
Below we'll lay out the best solo packrafts to choose from in 2021. Rather than publishing a single opinion, we've compiled this list using packraft reviews and experiences from thousands of paddlers just like you. So use this list as a starting point. Get some ideas, read some reviews, look through the entire Packraft Gear Guide, maybe browse the message boards, talk to your local paddlesports retailer or paddling groups, and get out and try it before you buy it!
And, of course, when you're done, be sure to help the next paddler in their search by submitting a review!
Your Review Matters
This list was based primarily on reviews from paddlers just like you. If you have paddled a packraft and have experience to share, be sure to submit a review to inform others and have a voice in how this list is made.
Best Solo Packrafts of 2021
- Recon by Kokopelli Packrafts
- Oryx by Alpacka Raft
- PackLite Kayak by Advanced Elements
- Rogue-Lite by Kokopelli Packrafts
- Tributary Spud by Tributary
- The Classic by Alpacka Raft
- Moki-Lite by Kokopelli Packrafts
- PackFish7™ by Sea Eagle Inflatables
- Caribou – The Bikeraft by Alpacka Raft
- Acadia Rover by Evermax Eco Industry, Ltd.
Recon
The Kokopelli Recon is not your traditional packraft. Engineered from the toughest and most bomber material, the Recon is perfect for road-to-river whitewater and after work laps. With the exact same shape as the Nirvana series packrafts, the Recon is self-bailing and weighs in at 18.0 lb (8.2 kg) constructed of a heavier duty PVC. Featuring 210 Diamond-Ripstop Nylon full length inflatable floor, a Leafield D7 valve, and thigh-strap attachment points, the Recon is built for whitewater performance.
IN THE BOX: 1 Packraft, 1 Inflatable Floor with Integrated Seat, 1 Backband, 1 Compression Straps (Set of 2), 1 Foot Pump with Pressure Guage, 1 Patch Kit
- More information about Recon
- View all products from Kokopelli Packrafts
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit Inside
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Recon Reviews
Kokopelli's Recon is, like…
A quality build. Seems…
Oryx
Our take on the classic open canoe, the Oryx provides all day seating comfort and easy paddling for two. Perfect for traversing lakes and flatwater river systems like the Boundary Waters and the Yukon.
- Structure: Inflatable
Oryx Reviews
I love this packraft! It's…
PackLite Kayak
Weighing in at 4 pounds, the PackLite™ Kayak is designed to be an extremely compact and lightweight recreational inflatable kayak equipped with several unique features to make it the perfect ultra-light kayak for paddling in the most remote locations. It has 3 chambers for optimum safety, packs down to 11”x11”x5”, and features easy to use Twistlok™ and military style valves for easy inflation. When out on the water, the mesh carry bag doubles as an on-deck gear bag for securing smaller items. Paddling a remote alpine lake or stream has never been this easy!
- More information about PackLite Kayak
- View all products from Advanced Elements
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner
PackLite Kayak Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the PackLite Kayak. Please help out the community and share your experience!
Rogue-Lite
The Rogue series packrafts won a ‘Gear of the Year’ selection by Men’s Journal magazine for 2019. The Rogue-lite is one of the lightest packrafts in Kokopelli's fleet weighing in at 5.2 pounds. Kokopelli has designed the Rogue-lite packraft to be functional while reducing weight and maximizing compactness. This packraft is ideal for backcountry river crossings, high alpine lake fishing and wide calm rivers. The Rogue-lite packraft can be rolled up into the size of a roll of paper towels make it ideal from bike-packing and backpacking alike. The Rogue-lite is a single chambered packraft and includes an inflatable seat cushion.
IN THE BOX: 1 Packraft, 1 Inflatable Seat, 1 Compression Straps (Set of 2), 1 Inflation Bag, 1 Inflation Tube, 1 Emergency Patch Kit
- More information about Rogue-Lite
- View all products from Kokopelli Packrafts
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit Inside
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Rogue-Lite Reviews
I've had my Rogue-lite for…
Fantastic experience with…
Tributary Spud
The Tributary Spud is designed for ages Youth+. It’s small enough for younger paddlers to handle and won’t break the bank, which makes it an easy choice when you’re introducing kids to whitewater sports. The Spud doesn’t stop at kids though. It’s a wild, playful boat for smaller adults as well.
- More information about Tributary Spud
- View all products from Tributary
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child
- Skill Level: Beginner
Tributary Spud Reviews
Overall, I am especially…
The Classic
The gold standard by which everything else is measured, the Classic delivers adventure driven fun from your backyard to the backcountry. All of the quality materials and workmanship that we’ve built our reputation on, with minimalist features to take us back to our roots and budget friendly pricing to boot.
- Structure: Inflatable
The Classic Reviews
Since 2019, I have purchased…
They call it the Classic now,…
Moki-Lite
The innovative and minimalist Moki-Lite only weighs 25lbs (11.3kg). It’s perfect for adventure paddlers seeking a high-performance durable inflatable kayak. The Moki features a high pressure rigid drop-stitch floor, user friendly push-push valves, and 9” removable tracking fin. It’s ideal for flat open waters, touring, and ocean paddling.
- More information about Moki-Lite
- View all products from Kokopelli Packrafts
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- Includes:
- 1x Moki-Lite
- 1x Nano Barrel Pump
- 1x EVA Seat
- 1x Drop-Stitch Floor
- 1x Repair Kit with Glue
- 1x Removable Fin
- 1x Animas River Bag - XL
Moki-Lite Reviews
My Moki Lite is wonderful.…
PackFish7™
The Sea Eagle PackFish7™ packraft weighs just 22 lbs. It goes anywhere, sets up in under 5 minutes, and is the perfect backpack boat for hiking into the most remote locations. It's as simple as that. We call it the "Grab & Go BackPack Fishing Boat!"
- More information about PackFish7™
- View all products from Sea Eagle Inflatables
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child, Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Ideal Paddler Size: Smaller Adult/Child, Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
PackFish7™ Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the PackFish7™. Please help out the community and share your experience!
Caribou – The Bikeraft
Combining light and durable tubes with a full strength 840d Ballistic Nylon Floor and our innovative Late Rise Bow, the Caribou is the ultimate backcountry front end loader. At just 4lbs 12oz (5lbs with a Cargo Fly), the Caribou is also the lightest full sized packraft on the market. It’s the perfect packraft for bikerafting and big ultralight backcountry adventures.
- Structure: Inflatable
Caribou – The Bikeraft Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the Caribou – The Bikeraft. Please help out the community and share your experience!
Acadia Rover
The Acadia Rover is the lightest packraft from EverEarth. The Acadia Rover is developed as a functional product and is super light weight with a high loading capacity. EverEarth combines pump, storage and seat as a 3 in 1 accessory, and uses TPU material for packraft. This packraft is ideal for lakes, fishing and wide calm rivers.
IN THE BOX: 1 Packraft, 1 3 in 1 accessory (seat, pump and storage bag), 1 Straps for carry purpose, 1 Emergency Patch Kit
- More information about Acadia Rover
- View all products from Evermax Eco Industry, Ltd.
- Structure: Inflatable
- Cockpit Type: Sit on Top / Open Cockpit
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
- Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Additional Attributes
- ECO friendly
- Lightweight
- Functional
- Durable
Acadia Rover Reviews
No one has submitted a review yet for the Acadia Rover. Please help out the community and share your experience!
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