Anfibio Revo XL Review, A new concept in packrafting.

The Anfibio Revo XL is a game changer of a packraft. A whole new design with loads of innovative features.

The Revo XL is part of the Revo concept which is basically a self bailing packraft designed by Anfibio Packrafts.

The self bailer can be closed when paddling calmer water.

The Ventri Tube isn’t a new design as this type of self bailer has been around for years and found in R.I.B’s, sailing boat and many other types of boats.

It has just been adapted to allow the Revo to have a self-bailer that can be closed if necessary.

Due to the self bailer the boat doesn’t need a spray deck so has a completely open cockpit. This therefore reduces weight of the spray deck / combing and with the other features it makes the Anfibio Revo XL a perfect touring and expedition packraft.

Features of the Anfibio Revo XL.

TwinTail^TM – the V-shaped double tail of a surfboard for tracking and stability.

Comfort BackBand – the combination of backstrap and backrest
5P ThighStraps – the ergonomically adjustable harness system
stiff floor mat – the stiff and profiled floor. The inflatable floor really adds rigidity to the packraft. Although the floor isn’t a necessity it really does improve the rigidity of the raft (and keeps you out of the water in the raft to).
70l waterproof tube bags. On each side of the raft there is two waterproof zippers with directly airtight inner pockets. The tube bags are each 70L and so can hold plenty of gear.
Option for Stern Skeg. Using the removable skeg will help your packraft track in a straight line.

Specifications of the Anfibio Revo XL.

The tubes are made from 210 single sided TPU and the floor is made of 840 double sided TPU. The floor has also a different design compared to standard packraft as the floor covers a good part of the underside of the tubes, making the tubes more resistant to abrasions.

Construction

The Anfibio Revo XL has a new design in the stern which is the Twin Tail. The Twin Tail is the same design that some of the first ever surfboards had allowing for stability and manoeuvrability. The twin tails design really comes into place when paddling white water.

Asymmetric and tapering hull tubes with rocker (upturned, pointy bow), double stern (TwinTail^TM), overlapping and profiled floor, sealable bailing hose, 8 grab loops, 10 mounts for Comfort BackBand and thigh straps, main non-return valve, mount for fin/skeg

Build.

Glue-free construction with sewn and welded seams

Weight*

Boat (with TubeBags) without equipment: 2750g
Inflatable floor: 760g
Comfort BackBand: 160g
Packseat Light: 130g
Boat (with TubeBags) complete: 3800g

Thigh straps: 145g
Foamt seat
Pack strap: 25g
Inflation bag: 100g
Repair fabric: 20g

Dimensions

Inner

Length: 135cm
Width: 36cm

Outer

Length: 247cm
Width: 92cm

Waterline: 220cmTube diameter: 28cm

Packing size:without TubeBags: about 30 x 20cmwith TubeBags: about 30 x 25cm

Initial thoughts of the Anfibio XL.

Plenty of space for me, the dog and gear.

Initially I thought if this style of packraft would suit me. Living in a very flat area with hardly any white water I initially thought it wasn’t worth owning this style of packraft.

The Revo Xl is slightly heavier than any of the other lightweight packraft I have owned but you have to realise that you are also carrying the inflatable floor as well as the raft.

The inflatable floor is not required but it does have it’s advantages.

The inflatable floor adds rigidity to the packraft and also if you are paddling white water then the water that ingresses into the goes under the inflatable floor until its exits the raft by the self bailer.

The Self Bailer.

The thing that started to make me think that I really could use this packraft was the self bailer. As my packrafting skills improve and I start to paddle more moving water then a Self bailing raft is a great option.

The great thing about this self bailer is that it can be closed as not to allowing any water to enter the raft through the self bailer (if you are on slow moving water).

The way the self bailer works is by the venturi method which basically sucks the water out of the packraft.

Tube Bags.

One of the main points for me when purchasing the Alpacka Caribou was having the cargo fly. The cargo fly is a waterproof zip on the stern which allows you to store gear inside the packraft.

Now the Anfibio Revo XL has a dry zip on each side of the raft which when opened allows you to store you gear into 2 70L dry bags.

Just to mention these dry bags cannot be opened when the packraft is inflated.

Size.

There are two sizes of the Revo: The Revo XL and the Revo CL. The revo CL is slightly smaller and doesn’t come with the tube bags as standard.

Overview of the Anfibio XL.

Well, I LOVE IT!!! I didn’t think it would be for me but as I paddle it more I can see the advantage of owning this packraft. Owning a Revo basically means you need one packraft for many different types of paddling.

The Revo is perfect in calm water, white water and really excels as a expedition packraft.

Futher information on the Revo XL. The Revo XL can be purchased directly from Anfibio in Germany, don’t forget the 5% discount code.