Aqua Xtreme Alpha Packraft. Reviewing this great all round packraft.

I’ve paddled the Aqua Xtreme Alpha packraft for a few times now so felt it time to sit down and tell you guys what I think about it.

Aqua Xtreme Alpha packraft

The specifications for this packraft are fairly similar to the X1 packraft but there are a few small differences.

Firstly this pack raft looks brilliant the colours chosen (red & black) make this packraft.

Firstly lets look at the specs:

Weighing only 2.59kg the Alpha is still lightweight enough to carry with you for a hike and paddle adventure.

Internal Size – 120cm x 40cm x 30cm which is the same as a the X1 but personally it seems smaller ( icant stretch my legs out as far).

I’m 1.83 tall and I fit really well in the X1. I’m not saying the alpha is too small but there doesnt seem to be as much leg room.

I think this is down to a difference in the inflatable seat,

Talking about the seat, the valve is different it is exactly the same as the main inflate valve on the packraft.

Construction

The webbing used to attach the seat to the pack raft has quiklock buckles. So it isn’t as fiddly as trying to thread webbing through the loops on the packraft.

The Alpha packraft is made using 210d Urethane-Nylon (single-sided, multiple coating and surface finish).

Double urethane coated 840d nylon floor with V-Tape construction for extra durability.

Carrying gear

You have 4 loops on the bow and stern and you can order this pack raft with a cargo fly installed so you can utilise the inner chambers to carry gear.

Quiklock Fittings – backrest/seat/thigh braces.

I found that as I don’t use thigh braces and as the packraft comes with both male and female parts of the quicklock buckles in place.

They have the tendancy to get hooked up on your feet and gear.

I got around this problem by cutting a small piece of 25mm webbing. Then attaching to the thigh brace buckles to keep them tight to the tubes.

The pack raft packs up to around 20cm x 30cm. (but I can’t seem to get it packed up as small as the X1.

The Alpha packraft comes as an open boat, self bailer or cockpit models.

The alpha has a carryload of 170kg. So plenty of scope to carry a multi day rucksack, bike or loads of fishing gear.

The design has 30cm (12″) main tubes. With an extended oversized stern and upturned bow that performs well in any water conditions. Maximum paddle speed is around 4km.

Items included with the Aqua Xtreme Alpha packraft

Packraft, seat, back rest, inflation bag and repair kit.

Don’t be fooled by false economy on the Aqua xtreme Packrafts.

It is not built well, and at $599 delivered it recommend investing in another packraft to help you get outside and explore different areas or the same area from a different perspective.

After a few months both the Alpha and the X1 failed. The weld around the inflation valve started to leak on both Packrafts

If it was just one that failed I’d think it was a one of issue but as they both failed I’d say it’s build quality.

So my view on this Packraft, it’s cheap and you get what you pay for. Personally I’d recommend spending a bit more on a Packraft and getting one from a reputable manufacturer like the MRS Microsoft.

You can see a comparison of both packrafts on this post when we visited a sauna along the river Waveney