PackRafting

Model Exterior Interior Packed Size Max Capacity      Weight
Length Width Length Width
Caribou 246 97 123 37 43 x 15 cm 181 kg 2.7kg
Mule 254 97 132 39 46 x 20 cm 227 kg 3.8 kg

Thinking of buying a raft for bike packing and hiking. My first thought was from Alpacka

https://www.packraftaustralia.com.au/on-sale-alpacka-raft/alpacka-raft-caribou-lw-cedar-5cj4d-tsxf6

– Open configuration, TZIP, ugly colour, $1,483.  Great price, low weight

What would I be using it for?

– Floating down the Yarra River
– Hugging the coast in Port Philip Bay
– Bike Packing (might need that just for the Yarra River)

Maybe .. in the future light rapids but it is very important to be able to tie down a Mountain bike or my folding bike.

I like the idea of a TZIP

packraftaustralia.com.au had some clearance specials on:

ALPACKA RAFT CARIBOU

Blue Berry LW 210D, Open, NO TiZIP, $1,395
++ $250 for TiZIP

Blue Berry LW 210D, Open, TiZIP, $1,645
++ $150 for Self Bailer

Blue Berry LW 210D, Self Bailer, TiZIP, $1,795
Standard Coated 210D Calypso (Bi-Colour Yellow/Magenta), Open, TiZIP, $1,483 (Save $162)

ALPACKA RAFT MULE

Sale Item:

ALPACKA RAFT MULE SELF BAILER – 210D CEDAR – NO TIZIP $1,746
Weight: 3.2 kg
Packed Size: 46x18cm

ALPACKA RAFT MULE – SELF BAILER WITH TIZIP,

$1,950
Weight: 3.6 kg
Packed Size: 46x20cm

In the end I went with the green (cedar) mule with a self bailing floor with 210D. I would rather the heaver and bulkier 420D, but it is much more expensive, especially since I am buying an onsale model and not the normal price.

The normal price from 210D to 420D is an extra $250.

Cedar Green 210D, Self Bailer, TiZIP, $2,295
++ $250 going from 210D to 420D
Cedar Green 420D, Self Bailer, TiZip, $2,545

Weight difference between LW 210D and Standard 420D fabrics = ~250-350grams (https://www.packraftaustralia.com.au/faq)

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