Packraft
Also: backpack boat, trail boat, ultralight dinghy
A packraft is a small, very light inflatable boat that packs down small enough to fit in or on a backpack.
- 1Bow
- 2Stern
- 3Tube
- 4Floor
- 5Seat
- 6Backrest
- 7Main valve
- 8Attachment points (grab loops)
- 9Fin mount
The name combines “pack” (backpack) and “raft”. Typically it's a solo boat with a double-bladed paddle, but there have long been tandems and whitewater boats too.
Unlike a PVC pool toy, a packraft is made of coated nylon fabric (usually TPU). That makes it light, tear-resistant and robust against contact with rocks. Many models weigh only two to four kilos, ultralight boats even less than one kilo.
What packrafts are used for
- Combining hiking and paddling (hike & float)
- By bike to the river and on by boat (bikerafting)
- Lakes, rivers, coasts and whitewater
- Travelling by train, bus or plane, since no car is needed for transport
We've been packrafting since 2017, and there's at least one on every trip. Which boats we use and why is on our page Buying a packraft.
Our videos on this
Our videos are in German. On YouTube, most of them are automatically dubbed into English, and some reviews have an English voice-over.
Packrafting: freedom and adventure
Sources and further reading
Research as of 13 Nov 2026. We have marked manufacturer information as such.