A packraft is a lightly inflatable boat that can be worn in the backpack and used on lakes, quiet rivers and easier trips where hiking and paddling are combined.

Is packraft good for beginners?

Yes, in calm waters, but it requires the same safety thinking as other paddling. Start close to the country, choose to leather and avoid streaming water without education or guide.

Can you paddle with packraft????

packraft is used in rapids, but beginners should not start there. Powerful water requires the right equipment, rescue skills, helmet and experienced assessment of water level and obstacles.

packraft for Beginners

packraft attracts for a simple reason: you can carry the boat to water that is hard to reach with canoe or kayak. It is suitable for tours where you walk, blowing up the boat at a lake or river, paddles a stretch and continuing on foot. Freedom is great, but precisely that is why the margins need to be larger than on a regular rental tour at a bridge.

Starting in calm water

The first trip should be short and protected. Choose a small lake, quiet bay or slow river without rapids, decayed trees or crowded passages. A packraft is stable, but it is also lightweight and wind sensitive. Paddle close to the country and try to swing, brake and get ashore before you go out further.

Equipment that always comes with

Life jacket is obvious. On cold water, you need to dress for water temperature, not just the air. Pack dry change in waterproof bag, phone in waterproof case, pump/inflation bag, repair kite and extra energy. If the tour goes in the mountain environment, you also need to think like a mountain tour: weather covers, distances, mobile coverage and backup plan.

Powerful water is a step of its own.

packraft can be used in streaming water, but that doesn’t mean that rapids are a beginner activity. Power, rollers, stones, trees and cold water make the consequences bigger. Read our forsgradsguide, paddle with guide or go course if you want to further from flatwater. Helmet, casteline and rescue skills belong in streaming water.

Plan the road as well

packraft tours don’t always end where you think. The wind can change, the water level can be wrong and landing can be more difficult than the map suggests. Plan both paddle distance and retreat: where can you go ashore, how do you get back and who knows when to stay home?

Hire first

Hire or go a guided tour before you buy. Then you will try size, sitting, paddle and packing without guessing. At packraft-sidan we collect rentals and actors where packraft is included in rental, course or guided tour.