Ep 5, Packrafting for beginners: What packraft to buy!

[@aspireroaming]

Enjoyed that Martin. Even though I absolutely love my mrs microraft. It's nice to see alternatives as I'm trying to persuade my mate to change from a normal 20 odd kg inflatable kayak to a packraft for them multi day trips in Scotland. His is fine on the broads but when it comes to expeditions .it's where these things really shine

[@gardeningtaka]

Hi from Japan! It was fun watching your video👍✌️Thank you 😊

[@mrspackraft4341]

Thank you for your detailed introduction

[@Willabsolutkeinalias]

I bought a Mrs Microraft and a Current-raft Arrow, i Love them both

[@ApocGuy]

alpacka rafts are awesome. pricey but darn awesome :) i have classic one (medium one) and is good enough for me (5ft10) and 40 liters backpack (with slightly bended legs. will have to go few sizes up now, my dog is fully grown up now, need some space in raft too. nice presentation, clear and well explained.

[@ChocoSuisse521]

There's a lot of new french brands like Mékong (the most famous), Jaws and Hultra. They're producing really good packrafts and must be added to this comparison video !

[@remoeisner2613]

We have several Alpacka Packrafts since more than 4 years and couldn't be happier. They never failed and have for sure the best quality.

[@Tluquero]

Hi great vid first timer just what need purchased the sigma from your link for me and my husky 😊

[@Vildmark]

Great. Let us see some photos on Instagram. @vildmark.co.uk

[@redclover619]

Thanks for all the information. I’m shocked at how pricey they are. I bought an inflatable kayak for £100. Would love to get one though 😊

[@Vildmark]

The materials used in a inflatable kayak are much more inferior than the tpu used in Packrafts and that’s where the price comes from. It really depends on what you use these craft for and how many times. Also the weight of a pvc kayak is much more than a packraft. They are expensive but it’s an investment.

[@redclover619]

@@Vildmark Yeah looking at how light these are is amazing. My kayak is so heavy and it takes up as much space as a suitcase. I’m looking to go out on the sea & fish from it,mind you a new SIB is £600 lol

[@Vildmark]

@redclover619 that’s true. But look at how more versatile a packraft is compared to a sib. If you’re going out on the sea then have a look at the mrs nomad kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp3KoJRsgKurmposi=6FXpdZ01n-18igYm

[@redclover619]

@@Vildmark Will do thank you. I bought a tentbox lite 2.0 at camping show last week. So lots of adventures on the way 😎

[@psychonaut6074]

I'm sure the materials are more expensive in packrafts, but I also think manufacturers are milking the trend. For example, Decathlons packraft was sold for around € 550 last year. This year, it is € 950. That's more than just inflation and supply chain issues.

[@timcarter264]

Great info and super video. Thanks!

[@jonashubalekwhiskyandthewild]

Brilliant informative video for somebody like me who is planning to start with packrafting trips. My problem is I've got two labs I do outdoor stuff with and I would like to take them with me. The idea is 2/3 days trips with pack raft, walking and on water. I really like Anfibio Sigma TX packraft from your video, 200 kg limit is ok but not sure whether there is enough space..? Alternatively I could have that last one in video you reviewed but it looks a bit bigger and heavier to carry.. Is there any waterproof floating bag I could pull my rucksack behind the boat on rope to save space in the raft perhaps? Or is it silly idea? Which one you would recommend for me and two labrador dogs? Thank you Jonas

[@Vildmark]

Hi there. I think the sigma tx might be a bit small for two labs. One would be ok but two I think too small. The last one, the Anfibio omega c2 is perfect. It’s not heavy at all it’s about 2.2kg without the inflatable floor. For two labs I would recommend a C2 packraft. Have a look at this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnLGdZZpd9yVo6Msi=yppPl4nYLdFEdfdc I have a 5% discount code available on any Anfibio packraft.

[@jonashubalekwhiskyandthewild]

@@Vildmark Thank you again. Very helpful indeed and I think I will go along with your recommendation.

[@Vildmark]

@jonashubalekwhiskyandthewild the great thing about that packraft is that it can be paddled twin blade or single.

[@stevenwood7131]

Would any of these pack rafts do well for fishing, Backpacking to mountain lakes?

[@Vildmark]

Yeah the Mrs surveyor

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

Fantastic review, and information

[@Vildmark]

Thank you

[@JoaJoh]

With no budget what would you pick for lake fishing? I live in the Stockholm area without a car so in need of a packraft. I'm considering the Nomad and willing to carry up to 5 kilos since I won't be hiking far to the water. I'm just not sure if It's the best for my applications, I won't paddle too far and for fishing stability seems like it would be a priorty. (Will also get a MRS anchor)

[@Vildmark]

The nomad is a good option also I’d consider the Microraft or the Anfibio rebel 2k or 3k. I’ve just done a review video on the 3k

[@JoaJoh]

​@@Vildmark Which would you say is the most stable when stationary on the water? I'll check them and the Tyresta, videos out. I live a few kilometers away! I really appreciate the help

[@Vildmark]

@JoaJoh the Microraft is the most stable.

[@TipiAndRaft]

You have a nice collection haha 😁👍🏼

[@michajura3670]

Nice video, I'm considering buying a packraft. It would be used mostly for day or weekend trips. While paddling I wouldn't mind some fishing. I know you have experince with it. What would you recommend? I'm looking at a polish brand Bushraft Biker Classic Pro spraydeck version would be about £675. It's 420D and 840D floor, no tzips but ca ntake 2 60l bowbags. Seems liek a good deal.

[@Vildmark]

Sounds like a good price. I’ve not heard of them, I’ll take a look.

[@Vildmark]

For me the MRS Microraft is the best all round.

[@epics8034]

Since today I have owned an MRS Baracuda R 2 Pro. I am very happy to use this when I have transportation by car. However, the total weight and pack size is a bit large for a walk of more than 3 miles. Now I'm thinking about purchasing a 1-person Paccraft. I'm deciding between the MRS Microraft and the Anfibio Rebel 2 K. What would you do?

[@Vildmark]

Personally, I’m a lover of the Microraft, the rebel 2k is lighter but I just love the Microraft. Love the fact that the deck can be removed completely. Where do you live? Maybe I have a discount code for you to use.

[@___Chris___]

Do you know what the weight capacity numbers mean exactly? I ordered the Anfibio Sigma TXLB+ yesterday. It supposedly has a weight capacity of 200 kg (or 130 kg with the self-bailer Venturi funnel opened), however, if I roughly estimate the total volume of the air chambers, it should have more than 200 l displacement even in an emergency situation with the raft filled up with water to the brim, the buoyancy of the multi-mat floor not even included. I can only guess that the capacity numbers are calculated for a certain design water line, however, a calm lake and white water are different animals. So what's your take on weight capacity? At what point are they only recommendations and when does it actually get critical? Is there any reason not to slightly exceed the numbers e.g. on a calm lake or for short river crossings? What exactly is the risk? Sinking or just getting a bit more wet? Especially the 130 kg with self-bailing seem a bit low and I don't understand what would happen. Maybe weight capacity would be a great topic for a dedicated video(?). Thanks for the video. Liked and subscribed.

[@Vildmark]

The 130kg (I’m guessing) is due to the pressure required to open the self bailer allowing water to flood into cockpit. As with the other numbers I’m not sure, I’ll hazard a guess that after that the packraft won’t be stable or handle very well.

[@reviewsandprojects]

Nice comparison vid, but the price! 🤕for a quick river crossing, or anchored boat to shore type thing I'm going for a $100 inflatable kayak. They're around 1kg and while a lighter weight material if I bust one on something - not likely given the use case, than I'll just buy another one and still be $'s of dollars ahead.

[@Nell-Hamilton]

Where are you finding 1kg kayaks for 100$? The intex cheapies are a lot of fun but weigh over 10kg

[@outeast999]

Hi @reviewsandprojects, please follow up on that 1kg $100 kayak question! I've not seen anything like that anywhere and it would be perfect for my needs.

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

Klymet LWD? That's about €200 and 1.2kg. Not nice to paddle but OK for a short crossing.

[@alexmultimodalpackrafting915]

@@highloughsdrifter1629 Good for you if those two folds due to the design of the LWD next to your hips don't start to let water in very soon😉. I got mine many years ago and like all other longtime owner I have spoken to, the "wet pants factor" is a big downer. I basically only use it for snorkeling and as an upgraded pool float that keeps stuff from falling out. Bottom line: real packrafts are the lightest, most compact and due to their TPU-surface the most reliable paddle inflatables available. The currently lightest kayak on the market (Aquaglide Cirrus Ultralight 110) weighs in at 14lb/6.4kg and will set you back 1300.- . If you want to have the best of both worlds: MRS Nomad V1 & V2 ("Mini Shark"), maybe even Surveyor that Martin presented in the video and their cheaper knock-offs. Even the all time cheap beginner classic kayak imitation/"slackraft" (Intex challenger K1) weighs around 10kg/21lb, is a v e r y sluggish paddling experience and starts to tear and leak soon.

[@mikeyseibert1406]

No fishing pack rafts?

[@aaronlacroix3722]

Can you review the x1

[@Vildmark]

By aquaxtreme? I’ve tried it and they are rubbish. Poor quality material, poorly made and bad customer service. I used one when I made this video and as you can see it failed. kzbin.info/aero/PLC4XQXYeQTQReSAEGd7lY3zjqjbsWN1FX&si=iJ0rnWXIVivkR6QF

[@hoser7706]

No Kokopelli?

[@Vildmark]

Never tried them. Perhaps that’s one to tryout

[@stalevolsen]

Is it really a "gaggle" and not a "bunch" or "flokk" ?

[@Vildmark]

No idea.

[@danlackey9120]

I guess it's not exactly easy getting out.maybe your buddy gives you a hand .

[@martinginsburg7222]

Save your $ on these ridiculously priced pool toys. For under $20 you can get the same light duty boat at any sporting good store. Been paddling those $20 ones for over 30 yrs before this hype started...

[@Vildmark]

If the $20 ones are as light as a packraft and as durable then please send the link to them.

[@charliemoreno8244]

I would to see your videos showing this.

[@luckysixteen9361]

Post a video of you running class V in it too…

[@Vildmark]

I would not attempt even a class II in a pvc kayak. There’s plenty of videos out there of people paddling class V in Packrafts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gF61f6xnbreretksi=ZtOjNDjbAhwqmOB3

[@Adam_Outdoors]

Tell us you're a crack addict without telling us you're a crack addict.