Packrafting guide for beginners and UK paddlers — this is your complete starting point for learning how to choose a packraft, stay safe on the water and explore lakes, rivers and coastlines with confidence. Packrafts are lightweight inflatable boats that fit in your backpack, giving you the freedom to reach wild places you could never get to on foot.
By Martin Grove
This guide pulls together everything I’ve learned from years of exploring lochs, lakes, rivers and coastlines by packraft. It includes safety knowledge, techniques, fishing tips, comparisons of big packraft brands, real-world videos, and the sort of advice I wish someone had told me when I started.
If you’re thinking about getting into packrafting, you’ve come to the right place.
Table of contents
- 1. Packrafting Guide: Introduction to the Sport
- 2. Packrafting Guide: Types of Packrafts Explained
- 3. TiZip vs TubeBags Storage Systems
- 4. Packrafting Safety Guide: Essential Skills, Training & Courses
- 5. Packrafting Fishing Guide: How to Fish Safely From a Packraft
- 6. Beginner Packrafting Guide: How to Start the Right Way
- 7. Packrafting Guide: My Personal Packrafting Experience
- 8. Lessons I Wish I Knew Earlier
- 9. Packrafting Adventure Guide: My Top 10 Packrafting Moments
- 10. Packrafting Guide FAQs
- 11. Packrafting Guide – Packraft Reviews & Buyer Guides
- Packrafting Guide to Alpacka Raft — World Leader
- Packrafting Guide to MRS Packrafts — UK Distributor: Paqualife
- Packrafting Guide to Anfibio Packrafts
- 12. Ready to Start Packrafting?
- 13. Packrafting Guide Conclusion / Call to Adventure
1. Packrafting Guide: Introduction to the Sport
Packrafting has exploded across the UK, and this packrafting guide aims to give beginners and experienced paddlers everything they need to explore the water safely. A good packrafting guide covers skills, safety and equipment, and that’s exactly what this one does.
A packraft is a lightweight inflatable boat that fits into your backpack, giving you the freedom to hike into a remote spot and paddle across lakes, lochs, rivers or coastline in minutes. Packrafts open up a unique mix of hiking, paddling and wild camping, and this guide will help you understand the different models, brands and techniques you’ll need for the adventures ahead.Video: Open the Doors to Adventure
2. Packrafting Guide: Types of Packrafts Explained
Not all packrafts are the same. Here’s what you need to know before buying your first one.
Open Packrafts
The simplest and most beginner-friendly. Great for calm water like lakes, canals and easy rivers. Lightweight, stable and easy to climb back into.
Spraydeck Packrafts
These have a removable or fixed spraydeck to keep water out. Excellent for colder UK conditions, bigger lakes, sea lochs, wind and choppy water.
Self-Bailing Packrafts
These have drain holes in the floor, allowing water to escape automatically. Used mostly for white water or surf zones.
Ultralight Packrafts
Designed for long-distance hiking or bikepacking. Very lightweight, compact and perfect for carrying all day.
Specialist Packrafts
Some are designed for niche uses — like the Alpacka Caribou, built specifically for carrying a full-size bike strapped to the bow.
3. TiZip vs TubeBags Storage Systems
Packrafts often include internal storage for keeping gear dry.
TiZip (Cargo Fly)
- A waterproof zip giving access to the entire inside of the raft.
- Lets you store large items inside.
- Weight is balanced low, improving stability.
- Needs lubrication and cleaning.
- Important: If a TiZip leaks or fails, the raft won’t deflate — the internal drybags are airtight and separate.
TubeBags (Anfibio System)
TubeBags sit inside the tubes and are accessed via two small outer zips.
- Easier for packing/unpacking.
- Great for organisation.
- Dedicated internal drybags, not one big cavity.
- Does not give full interior access like a TiZip.
- Still keeps gear dry and balanced.
Video: TubeBags Demonstration
4. Packrafting Safety Guide: Essential Skills, Training & Courses
Packrafting is safe when done correctly. Here are the essentials.
Take a Proper Packrafting Course
This is non-negotiable. A course will teach:
- Self-rescue
- Re-entry
- Ingress & egress
- Ferry angles
- Hydrology
- Paddle strokes
- Safety kit
- Group management
A great option is the packrafting course with Tirio in North Wales.
Course Link:
https://vildmark.co.uk/packrafting/packrafting-course-with-tirio-in-north-wales/
Tirio Website:
https://www.tirio.co.uk/
Course Video:
Luc Mehl’s Book — Highly Recommended
Luc’s book The Packraft Handbook (Amazon):
https://amzn.to/441Hkqs
Arguably the best book on packrafting safety ever written.
Learning proper self-rescue skills is essential, and every packrafting guide should emphasise how important good training is.
5. Packrafting Fishing Guide: How to Fish Safely From a Packraft
Packrafting and fishing go together perfectly. With a raft, you can reach spots that would be impossible on foot.
You can paddle, drift silently, or tuck into bays to cast lures or flies.
Important Fishing Advice: Hooks & Packrafts
Hooks and TPU fabric do NOT mix.
- Unhook fish in the water.
- Keep the fish away from the tubes.
- Carry forceps and a small landing net.
- Keep spare lures, leaders and tippet.
Compact Rods
Travel rods like the Rigged & Ready World Traveller and S-Max are ideal. They pack small, are tough, and perfect for packrafting.
Gear to Carry
- Flies & lures
- Forceps
- Small tackle box
- Leaders & tippet
- Foldable net
- Mini first-aid kit for hooks
Video: Shore Fishing Setup (S-Max)
Video: Full 2-Week Packrafting Fishing Loadout
6. Beginner Packrafting Guide: How to Start the Right Way
This beginner packrafting guide has shown you the skills and habits to practise during your first few trips.
Packrafting opens the door to adventure. You can turn your daily dog walk into a short paddle, reach wild islands for camping, or explore rivers you’ve only ever walked beside.
There is loads of packrafting content on YouTube — everything from basic skills to full expeditions. Check out the Playlist for Packrafting Fundamentals on the YouTube Channel
Be Careful: Not All YouTube Content Is Safe
Some people paddle:
- Without a PFD
- With a skirt under their PFD
- In dangerous conditions
- With no training
- In unsuitable rafts
Learn from reputable sources and from qualified trainers.
Most important beginner skills:
- Ingress & egress
- Re-entry (getting back in)
- Paddle strokes
- Reading wind
- Simple safety planning
7. Packrafting Guide: My Personal Packrafting Experience
Packrafting has taken me across Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Poland and the UK. It has allowed me to explore lochs, rivers and wild lakes I would never have reached on foot.
I’ve paddled in storms, calm sunrises, snowstorms and long summer evenings. I’ve camped on remote islands, drifted quietly with otters, fished sea lochs, crossed Swedish lakes and paddled through deep forest.
Packrafting has changed how I explore the outdoors.
8. Lessons I Wish I Knew Earlier
1. Don’t Buy Cheap Rafts
I started with Aqua Xtreme packrafts.
They were tosh — and I regretted it.
Cheap rafts can fail, leak, or fold in wind.
2. Pack Less
Multi-day packrafts require smart packing.
The lighter you travel, the safer you are.
3. Buy a Dedicated Packrafting Bag
The Flex PR by Six Moon Designs is perfect.
Video:
9. Packrafting Adventure Guide: My Top 10 Packrafting Moments
- Paddling out onto Loch Etive
- Catching my first spurdog using the R&R S-Max
- Watching otters on my local river
- Drifting across Södra Örsjön, Sweden
- Ostmarka, Norway – deep forest lakes
- Paddling to an island in Glaskogen in October
- Northern lights above the camp
- White water on the Welsh Dee
- Summer camping on the River Spey
- My first cold sunset paddle in Suffolk
10. Packrafting Guide FAQs
Is packrafting safe?
Yes — with a PFD, training, and calm water to start.
What packraft should I buy?
A stable touring model, such as:
- MRS Surveyor
- MRS Microraft
- Anfibio Rebel 3KL+
- Alpacka Classic
Can you fish from a packraft?
Yes — it’s brilliant. Just unhook fish away from the tubes.
How long do packrafts last?
5–15 years depending on use and care.
Where can I learn?
Tirio, North Wales (excellent courses).
11. Packrafting Guide – Packraft Reviews & Buyer Guides
In this packrafting guide we look at the major packraft brands, from Alpacka to MRS to Anfibio.
Here are the major brands and my recommended models.
Packrafting Guide to Alpacka Raft — World Leader
Their build quality is unmatched.
Models to consider:
- Alpacka Classic
- Alpacka Expedition
- Alpacka Mule
- Alpacka Caribou (bike-rafting specialist)
Bike-Rafting Post:
https://vildmark.co.uk/adventures/bike-rafting-with-the-alpacka-caribou/
Video:
Packrafting Guide to MRS Packrafts — UK Distributor: Paqualife
Paqualife stocks:
Surveyor Article:
https://vildmark.co.uk/packrafting/the-mrs-surveyor-packraft/
MRS Nomad Video:
Paqualife Stand at Outdoor Expo:
Microraft Review Video:
Packrafting Guide to Anfibio Packrafts
Anfibio packrafts offer some of the best lightweight European designs on the market. They’re known for being durable, minimalist, and extremely packable — ideal for long hikes, bikepacking routes and multi-day linking trips where weight really matters. Their fabrics are tough for the weight, and the designs often include clever internal storage and versatile layouts.
Recommended Models
• Anfibio Omega C2+
A brilliant two-person packraft that balances weight, speed and stability. Great for shared expeditions, big lakes, calm rivers and carrying extra gear. Despite being a tandem, it packs surprisingly small.
• Anfibio Rebel 3KL+
A lightweight touring packraft with a J-zip spraydeck, internal TubeBags option, and excellent load capacity. Fast enough for covering distance yet stable for beginners. One of the best all-rounders Anfibio makes.
• Anfibio Revo & Revo XL
Their ultralight model. This is the true “carry it all day” packraft, perfect for long hikes where weight is everything. Great for linking routes, alpine lakes, Scotland ridgeline circuits, or anywhere you need a tiny, reliable packraft.
The Revo XL is a larger, more spacious packraft ideal for taller paddlers or anyone needing more internal room. Great for longer expeditions, large storage loads, and rougher water where stability matters.
12. Ready to Start Packrafting?
Explore real-world trips, reviews and adventures:
- Loch Etive adventure: https://youtu.be/wE3nEyRrgOk
- Glaskogen Sweden trip: https://youtu.be/IKA9AT58UZk
- Scotland overnighter: https://youtu.be/YIJu-E_Xq6E
- MRS Microraft review: https://youtu.be/7H_Ssccd0Ig
- Fishing packraft trip: https://youtu.be/JmMEKeX117w
- Paqualife stand: https://youtu.be/BWfrddth0b8
Your next adventure might be one paddle stroke away.
13. Packrafting Guide Conclusion / Call to Adventure
Packrafting is freedom.
It lets you explore wild corners of the world with nothing but a backpack, a paddle and a sense of curiosity.
Start small, stay safe, get proper training — and you’ll unlock a lifetime of adventures on water you never imagined paddling.
If you ever need help choosing gear, planning a trip or getting started…
send me a message.
