Packrafting Essentials: A Guide to What You Need

Here’s my packrafting essentials and what I carry in my packrafting day bag really depends on what I’m doing and what the weather is. Here is a general gear load out of what I carry and what I carry it in (or on).

A 30L / 35L rucksack is undoubtedly sufficient for all your packrafting essentials. It is my firm belief that gear should be versatile, serving multiple purposes. Therefore, I highly recommend opting for a packrafting day bag that can double as a reliable companion for day hikes and even short overnight trips. In order to fully enjoy your packrafting adventures, it is crucial to select a functional, comfortable, and spacious bag capable of carrying all your necessary equipment.

Packrafting Essentials.

My Packrafting gear day bag.

The bag I use is the AlpKit Ledge, which is a 35L bag. it is designed mainly for rock climbing but is perfect as a day bag for packrafting.

One of the main features of the Alpkit Ledge to be used for packrafting is the stretchy side pockets which will take your paddle (and even a fishing rod and net) each side.

It has straps above the side pockets which will hold your paddle / fishing rod in place.

The other reason to choose this bag is the fact that it doesn’t have a hard frame.

If you’re using a packraft with a cargo fly or internal storage system sometimes a hard frame can push on the inside of the packraft giving a critical point.

A critical point is where there is a hard surface inside the raft which isn’t as forgiving if it is knocked on a rock or a branch, meaning there’s more chance of a puncture.

The MRS Microraft and Anfibio Wave paddle packed on to the Alpkit Ledge using bungees.

The other main point with this bag is it is really comfortable and can easily carry a packraft attached to the back or the bottom.

Top Pocket of my packrafting essentials day bag.

In this pocket I carry all my essentials, things that I might need whilst hiking that are easily accessed and also the first things i’ll need when setting up a packraft.

70L dry bag (this has two functions: 1. to sit / kneel on & 2. if i’m mounting my bag on the front of the packraft.
Skeg for the packraft.
Filling bag.
Snacks.
Paddle leash (calm water paddling only).

Inside lid pocket of my packrafting day bag.

Here carry my first aid equipment which is stored in a small dry bag and car keys.

Main Compartment of my packrafting essentials day bag.

As mentioned above it really depends on weather and what i’m doing, but here’s a list of all of the main gear.

Dry Suit: Anfibio Packsuit. This is stored in another drybag which can be used if I want to carry some items such a batteries / drone in the packraft with me. The Anfibio pack suit is a really lightweight, durable and packable drysuit.

Small titanium pot with rocket stove and a Real Turmat Fish Stew.
The aluminium windshield is a must.

Cook gear: this comprises of a titanium cup, aluminium windshield, rocket stove and a 100g gas can, and a spork.
Food: normally it will be one real turmat meal
Wind beater jacket
Inflatable jacket. I say inflatable jacket as the Anfibio Buoy Boy is not CE rated and therefore cannot be classed as a PFD. For calm water paddling the Anfibio Buoy Boy is perfect as its packable and light.
Sit Mat
Flextail Gear battery pump. I don’t use this all the time but it is a handy thing to carry.
Repair Kit / Possibles pouch: This comprises of many different thing but it has patches, tear aid, tyvek tape, aqua sure. I also carry a lighter which has duct tape wrapped around it. Zip ties, silicone grease, a small piece of cloth, needle and thread, emergency fire lighting kit, spare compass, epoxy putty and a few other bits I can’t remember.

Hip strap pockets.

Here I keep all my small packrafting essentials, a compass, swiss knife, small amount of sun screen and insect repellant. My 1L water bottle is attached to the hip belt using a One Tigris water bottle holder.

Whilst we are talking about water, if i’m out on my bike I carry a camelbak water bottle with a Lifesaver water filter.

Using this bottle with the water filter allows me to collect water. As the bottle can be squeezed I can filter clean water into my main water bottle.

If I’m fishing I’ll carry the rod on the side of the bag. I pretty much always use a Rigged and Ready Travel rod.

My preferred travel rod is the X5 adventure which is perfect for many styles of travel fishing. Have a look at the article on travel sea fishing.

Don’t forget the 5% discount code on any Rigged and Ready Travel Rods: VM5

Paddle.

On the Alpkit ledge the Anfibio Paddle blades fit perfectly in the stretchy side pockets and with the two securing straps the paddle is kept really secure.

If you bag has smaller pockets that don’t stretch to much then invert the paddle.

By attaching the packraft after you store your paddle / fishing rod the bungee is adding security by gripping these items and the packraft to your bag.

Attaching the Packraft to my day bag.

There are many different ways to do this but the easiest way i’ve found is to attach the packraft on the front of the day bag.

Using the same bungee straps that i use to attach my day bag to the bow of the packraft.

The great thing about these bungees is it also more tightly secures your paddle (and fishing rod etc) to your day bag.

Attaching your packraft to your day bag really depends on your daybag, the straps it has and of course the packraft you are carrying.

When walking with the MRS Nomad, this packraft has to be rolled up longer to keep the dry zips flat, therefore it makes the packraft longer and needs to be attached higher up.

Also using the MRS Nomad you will need to think about carrying the other pieces of gear required for the packraft, I.E. the spraydeck frame, spraydeck and backrest.

Whatever you decided to take, try to make your gear multi functional, don’t carry too much but make sure you have the correct equipment / clothing if the fertiliser hits the fan.

Multi day trips.

I’ve recently started using the Six Moons designs Flex PR for my longer trips. It’s so nice to finally have a bag specifically designed for Packrafting.