AllOutdoor Review – Alpacka Raft Caribou

Packrafting has completely altered how you can get into the wilderness, giving us the excitement of being on the water combined with the freedom of backpacking. And Alpacka Raft Caribou is at the center of this change. They didn’t just create the modern packraft, they keep finding ways to improve and increase its performance. The Alpacka Raft Caribou is a light, flexible packraft for all kinds of backcountry and sidecountry trips. It’s really good on calm water and easier rapids (up to Class II), and it’s a brilliant choice for bikerafting. Because it is so light, with Alpacka’s clever Cargo Fly storage and a really tough build, the Caribou is for people who want to walk, cycle, or carry all their gear into really wild places, and then get on the water when the path stops, or a river tempts them. It’s the ultimate ‘go anywhere’ boat for those who don’t want to be limited in their adventures.

AllOutdoor Watercraft

Packrafting First Impressions – Alpacka Raft Caribou

West Branch Penobscot River: Canoe Trip – Part 1

Alpacka Raft – The Brand Behind A Rafting Revolution

Plano Launches StowAll Pouches, Waterproof Pouches, & Packing Cubes

Alpacka provided the Caribou for this review, and even though I didn’t have much time with it before needing to return it, that won’t affect my opinion of their current or future products. Alpacka wasn’t allowed to read this article before it was published.

Specs –  Alpacka Raft Caribou

• Exterior Dimensions – 94.5″ L × 37.5″ W
• Interior Dimensions – 48″ L × 14.5″ W
• Weight – 5.9–6.2 lbs (complete setup with Cargo Fly)
• Weight Capacity –  Up to 400 lbs
• Hull Material – Ultralight 210d high-count nylon
• Floor Material – 840d ballistic nylon
• Key Features – Cargo Fly internal storage system, inflatable backrest, bow strap plates, stern grab loops
• Best For – Flatwater, Class I-II whitewater, bikerafting, and backcountry multi-sport adventures
• Country of Origin – USA
• MSRP – $995.00

Review – Alpacka Raft Caribou

I’ve always loved the thought of packrafting, taking a light boat into the wild, unfolding it, and paddling across rivers or lakes that very few people reach. Since I moved back to Maine I’ve done a lot more paddling in my Old Town canoe. But at 87 pounds, that canoe is very difficult to carry by myself! So when I got the opportunity to try an Alpacka Raft, I took it immediately. The Caribou was consistently recommended as one of their lightest and most versatile options, particularly for bikerafting and doing many different sports. I asked for one and was delighted to finally get it on the water near my home in Maine.

Why the Caribou specifically?

I wanted a raft that could manage many types of adventures, hiking, biking now and then, and exploring faraway waterways. The Caribou did everything I asked. Alpacka advertise it as their lightest full-size, all-purpose packraft, made for carrying heavy loads at the front (like a bike) while still being very portable. Its bow which rises gradually and its proven reliability make it perfect for bikerafting and extremely light trips into the backcountry.

As soon as I got the Caribou out of its box I was amazed by its size or, more accurately, its lack of size. The whole thing with the Cargo Fly weighs only a little over 6 pounds. That is incredibly light for a full-sized packraft. It folds down so small that I could easily put it in my rucksack along with my usual hiking stuff without even thinking about it. That level of being compact and easy to carry is a huge benefit.

The quality of the making is superb. The special 210d fabric of the boat’s body balances being strong and light, and the 840d ballistic nylon on the floor feels as though it can deal with rocky shores, gravel banks and the occasional rough landing. Every join, strap fixing and handle feels incredibly strong and has been carefully designed for being used in difficult situations. Getting it ready is surprisingly quick and simple. The large included bag for inflating it makes getting the raft onto the water really fast, I had it completely inflated in only a few minutes. The inflatable backrest provides a lot of comfort for such a streamlined boat. I chose the Cargo Fly version and I’m still amazed at how good this is. Being able to open a waterproof zip and put stuff inside the sides of the raft is a total improvement and it means you have a lighter bag to carry on the walk to the water, and your valuable items are safe while you’re on the water.

I used the Caribou on the lake close to my house. Even on a hot, still day it was very stable, and for something so light and that packs down so small, it feels amazingly solid and safe under you. I never felt it was going to tip or unsteady, and that gave me the confidence to go along the edge of the lake and out into the open water.

You need to really use your paddle with the Caribou. It needs you to be in control and have good technique to go in a straight line on calm water, especially if you’re used to longer, heavier boats. But when I got a good, strong paddling style going, I found a nice rhythm and started to really have fun. This quick response is part of what makes the Caribou so enjoyable and able to do so much when you’re in moving water or a current and it’s easy to turn and is happy to play. I really liked how easy it was to get back onto the raft from the water. I tried it a few times and it was much easier than getting into a normal kayak. That kind of sensible design is important when you’re far from help.

I can’t praise the Cargo Fly system enough. Being able to store things inside the main part of the raft isn’t just cool, it’s really useful. It opens up lots of chances for longer journeys, when you need to carry spare clothes, food, photographic equipment or even a bike that’s been taken apart on the front. Just this feature makes the Caribou feel like a proper companion for adventures, and not just a boat.

This raft is best for long bikerafting trips and several-day adventures in the backcountry, combining walking, biking and paddling. If you’re the sort of person who likes to connect paths with waterways, go into wild places, or just want to be free to go where roads and regular boats can’t get you, this raft will do it. Because it’s so light and packs away easily, it gets rid of the problems usually associated with traveling on water, letting you travel further and see more untouched nature.

Likes

• Incredibly lightweight and compact it is (really something you can carry on your back at a little over 6 pounds).
• Fast and easy it is to put up with the inflation bag.
• Cargo Fly system for storing things inside,
• Stable and reassuring it is on the water,
• Excellent quality of how it’s made and the careful design details.
• Ability for bikerafting and doing lots of different sports, and how easy it is to climb back on from the water.

Dislikes

• High price (but you are paying for quality, new ideas, and long-lasting materials made in America).
• The Raft needs you to actively use your paddling and keep control, particularly on calm water.

Final Thoughts – Alpacka Raft Caribou

I didn’t get much time to use the Caribou on the water before I had to return it, but it really stuck with me. It’s completely brought back my enthusiasm for going places. Because it’s incredibly light to carry, very tough, and has smart details like the Cargo Fly. It is expensive, sure, But think about the freedom it gives you. Walking in with all your gear, paddling on lovely clean lakes and rivers, cycling to the start of your next hike, and managing all of this with a boat that hardly increases the weight of your backpack. That makes the price worthwhile. If you are really into light backpacking with river or lake crossings, bikerafting, or if you just want a brilliant all-rounder for exploring the wilderness, you should definitely consider the Alpacka Raft Caribou.

The post AllOutdoor Review – Alpacka Raft Caribou appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.