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Rafts

Recent Raft Reviews

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Klymit LiteWater Dinghy (LWD)

I use it in the sea, and I like it. It's light, easily packable, and it holds its own quite well once in the water. I became attracted to the concept of packrafting since the first time I knew about it. The idea of a boat you can carry with you everywhere really turned me on. The problem was that most packrafts are quite expensive... until I found the Klymit Litewater. I ordered it via Amazon. I was a bit worried, as it had to get through Spanish Customs, but it arrived O.K. I use it in the sea,… Full review

rated 3 of 5 stars
Klymit LiteWater Dinghy (LWD)

OK, but not robust. We don't have much water—even less white water—down here in Australia, but I decided to buy a LWD anyway. I've taken it on two Lilo trips down the Colo River (near Sydney) and while it definitely outperformed the conventional Lilo, on the second trip it developed a leak in the seam between the main chamber and the otherwise un-inflated floor. There was also air escaping from this leak to the outside. There does not seem to me any way to repair such a leak as it's in the heat… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Alpacka Raft Mule

This pack raft has been a game changer in the types of trips that I am able to do. I've owned the raft for six months and it is now a key part of my gear. I haven't taken it through any rapids yet — mostly calm waters on lakes and rivers within Southern Ontario — so my review is limited to those uses. It is very light (a bit over 5 lbs), and impressively strong. I am taller (6'2"), and usually carry a lot of gear so the Mule's larger specifications were perfect for me. Like most of my gear,… Full review

rated 3.5 of 5 stars
NRS PackRaft

Excellent product for getting into packrafting. Durable, easy to inflate, fine for short paddle trips away from roads. Too bulky to carry on a long backpacking trip. I'd been wanting to try packrafting, so when I found the NRS Packraft on clearance at REI, I picked it up. I'd been reading reviews of the Alpacka Rafts, and this product is heavier, bulkier, and less evolved than those top-of-the-line packrafts.   But the NRS raft is much cheaper (especially on sale), was available locally, and lets… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Klymit LiteWater Dinghy (LWD)

This is one of the most fun things I've thrown in my backpack in some time! Check out my new review on YouTube. Here you can watch the review. Have fun.   Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Klymit LiteWater Dinghy (LWD)

This product is well suited for anyone wanting to enhance their backpacking experience by floating or paddling mild rivers and flat water lakes without adding excessive weight to their backpacking kit. This ultra-light product works as advertised with some small caveats. This is one of the most fun things I've thrown in my backpack in some time!     About the raft: The Klymit Lite Water Dinghy is an ultra light entry into the pack-raft market. The manufactures specs and story on this boat are… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
FlyWeight Designs FlytePacker Packraft

The Flytepacker raft by Flyweight Designs is a great lightweight stillwater rafting option for mountain lake fishing. The $299 price tag and weight of less than 3 lbs appeal to backcountry fisherman. I purchased my raft used on a packrafting forum only because that was the only place that I could get my hands on one. Because of their popularity they are almost constantly out of stock. When a new batch does come onto the market it sells out remarkably fast. I have been using my raft for 1 year now… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Feathercraft BayLee 1

The Feathercraft Baylee is a true whitewater-worthy packraft that is crafted of super high quality urethan that has been electronically welded. This boat will give you many many years of service. For anyone who wants to paddle rivers, lakes, the ocean, this is a fantastic boat that you can take anywhere in the world. Feathercraft is well known in the paddling world for their uber designed and constructed folding sea kayaks. They are the best in the world. Feathercraft ventured into the inflatable… Full review

rated 3 of 5 stars
Stansport Sea Cloud 2P

I got this inflatable for my older kids. They enjoy the water and I figured it would be a great training aid for them.  The Sea Cloud 416-2 is an inflatable 2 person boat that has three separate air chambers. It is constructed of heavy weight vinyl. Has an inflatable floor. Self locking safety valves. Tow Rope around. Two oarlocks. The color is Yellow and Blue two-tone combination.  The oars are a pair of 45" Plastic oars and plastic foot pump. My overall assessment of this product is that… Full review

Other Types of Paddling Gear

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Canoes

Kayaks

Stand-Up Paddle Boards

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