Packraft.ee

HOW IT WORKS

Beginner's guide to the world of packrafts.

What is a packraft?

A packraft is a small, lightweight and easily packable boat. A boat you throw in your backpack or attach to your hiking gear and go wherever your feet and paddle take you.

If you are interested in the technical side, it may be useful to know what packrafts are made of. All our packrafts are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). It is a thermoplastic elastomer combining the properties of plastics (remeltable and mouldable) and elastomers (high elasticity and flexibility). TPU is waterproof, airtight and extremely wear-resistant — making it an excellent material for packrafts.

How to choose a packraft?

Choose a packraft primarily based on what you intend to use it for. Like bicycles — there is no single model that suits everything.

  • A whitewater specialist cannot haul large loads.
  • A fishing boat is not meant for running rapids.

Next, think about whether the boat fits your height and build. If the boat is too small, choose a larger model.

Finally, consider the details: do you need a skeg, thigh straps, TIZIP etc.

How durable is a packraft?

Packrafts are surprisingly durable — much more so than they appear at first glance.

However, keep in mind that a packraft is designed to be:

  • lightweight,
  • very compact,
  • easy to fit into a backpack.

Therefore, packrafts are thinner and lighter than other inflatable boats that weigh several times more and fill an entire 70-litre bag when packed.

Yes — a packraft is not as strong as a large rubber raft. But to seriously damage one, something really bad must happen:

  • a sharp rock,
  • a metal object on a weir,
  • a branch puncture,
  • or a knife used too carelessly on sausages.
If the floor gets a hole Nothing serious happens. A little water comes in and flows back out. At the next stop you put on Gorilla tape and carry on.
If a tube gets a hole Air will start to escape. Usually slowly — you can apply a temporary patch and repair it properly at home.
If a very large hole occurs The boat sinks quickly and you must swim. That is why you must always carry a life jacket, spare clothes, throw bag and if necessary a helmet. Even a large hole can be repaired — it does not mean the end of the boat.

How much can a packraft carry?

A simple question, a complex answer. A packraft can carry a lot, but you must distinguish between:

  • how much the boat can carry without sinking,
  • how much it can carry safely and manageably (lake crossing vs WW IV rapids).

In general, a packraft carries the paddler(s) it was designed for and one large pack of gear. It can carry more, but handling deteriorates. For example, you can cross a lake with an Eddy heavily overloaded, but you must not take it into serious rapids.

Tip Before an expedition, test the boat with exactly the load you plan to take. Do this in calm water — on a pond or riverbank. If the boat behaves unstably on a home pond, it will not improve in rapids.

Every boat behaves differently depending on load weight, load placement (front/rear/inside) and the paddler's weight and style. Take time to find what works for you.

How to get started?

  • Get a packraft — or try one first via our rental.
  • Pack the boat, hop on a train, head to your favourite spot and go exploring.
  • Do not start with rapids — practise in calm water first.
  • Do not overestimate your skills — a packraft is forgiving but does not automatically make you a good paddler.
  • Do not go alone.
  • Follow safety rules.
  • Bring a life jacket, throw bag, helmet and spare clothes.

It is actually quite simple.

What is TIZIP and how to maintain it?

TIZIP is a waterproof and airtight zip developed in Germany over 20 years ago. It is used wherever equipment needs to be kept dry. On packrafts it is especially useful because in addition to being waterproof it is also airtight — TIZIP essentially turns the packraft into one large dry bag.

If your packraft has a TIZIP, it requires regular maintenance.

Cleaning the TIZIP

You will need:

  • a small cloth,
  • an old toothbrush,
  • TIZIP silicone lubricant.

The biggest enemy is sand and fine debris that gets between the teeth. Always check and clean with a toothbrush before closing the zip.

When loading gear into the boat (ideally in a waterproof bag), make sure the outside of the bag is clean — dirt transfers easily onto the zip.

Lubricating the TIZIP

The TIZIP must be lubricated regularly.

  • Never apply lubricant directly to the teeth.
  • Close the zip and apply lubricant with a cloth to the outside of the closed zip.
  • Wipe off excess lubricant.
  • Open the zip and lightly lubricate the ends of the slider.
  • Open and close the zip several times — it should move completely smoothly.
Note! A new packraft is not lubricated — do this before first use.

How to store a packraft with TIZIP?

  • After use, leave the zip open so it can dry completely.
  • If you need to travel home with a wet boat, pack it so air can reach the zip.
  • At home, fold the packraft so the TIZIP does not end up at a fold point.

Inflating your packraft

Inflating a packraft takes just a few minutes. You can use an inflation bag or a small electric pump.

The valve

Before inflating the packraft, you need to assemble the valve, which is supplied separately and consists of:

  • a one-way valve,
  • a two-way valve,
  • a gasket,
  • a locking ring.

Assembly:

  • Place the gasket on the valve.
  • Place the ring on the gasket.
  • Close both valve parts.

Valve maintenance

  • Keep the valve clean.
  • Make sure there is no sand or dirt in the thread.
  • Check that the gasket sits properly in the valve.
  • To avoid losing valve parts, check that O-rings are in the correct positions both at the base of the valve and under the cap.

Inflating with inflation bag

  • Unscrew the base of the valve and screw the inflation bag thread onto the valve.
  • Open the bag and let it fill with air. A light breeze helps but is not necessary.
  • Close the bag, roll it and push the air into the boat.
  • Repeat until the packraft is about 80% full (usually ~10 cycles).
  • Unscrew the bag and quickly close the two-way valve.

The inflation bag cannot create final pressure, so the boat must be fully inflated by mouth or hand pump.

Final inflation

  • Unscrew the top cap of the two-way valve and blow the boat fully inflated.
  • The upper valve part is one-way, preventing air from flowing back.
Maximum recommended pressure 0.08 BAR / 1.2 PSI. Simply put: the tube should feel pleasantly firm after inflation.

Tempering

Before use, let the packraft sit in water for a few minutes — cooler water cools the air inside, pressure drops and the boat softens. Then pump it up again to stabilise the pressure.

Inflating with electric pump

  • Fully unscrew the valve.
  • Insert the pump nozzle into the valve and inflate the boat.
  • Remove the pump and quickly re-close the valve, accounting for a small air loss.

You can also just remove the top cap — pumping is slower but the valve will not let air out when the pump is removed.

Even with an electric pump, the boat must be fully inflated by mouth or hand pump.

Best field kit

Our preference in the field is:

  • A small pocket-sized electric pump (e.g. Max Pump 2 Pro) — inflates the packraft in minutes and the battery lasts several days.
  • A hand pump for final inflation (convenient even when sitting in the boat thanks to the long hose).
  • An inflation bag always as backup — electronics can fail; air in a bag never does.
Tip If you are not obsessing over every gram, the MAX Boat Pump also works well, capable of generating up to 1.7 PSI pressure.