There have been specific scenarios after hiking into a particular area that contained a lake or stream system that I’ve found myself wishing I had some sort of watercraft to maximize the area’s potential. However, the majority of the time a traditional canoe or kayak is just out of the question. But what if you could hike a number of miles in, and then deploy a raft? This would undoubtedly aid in mobility when encountering a body of water that needs crossed, thus opening up areas for hunting that otherwise might be inaccessible. Not to mention the extra level of adventure (and luxury) that would be added if you could access an area, hunt hard until the last minute, and then simply pack up your camp along with the meat from your kill, and casually float back to a take-out point.

I was fortunate to recently test a pack raft from Alpacka Raft. Using cliché phrases like “game changer” to describe a certain product annoys me, but this is exactly how I feel about these rafts. When you combine the possibilities of both covering ground on foot, along with the ability to navigate a body of water at a moment’s notice, your horizons suddenly broaden.

I first saw Alpacka Rafts appear in social media feeds seven or eight years ago. I recall an Alaska-based husband and wife duo who showcased their backpack-in/float-out hunts for moose and caribou. To me, the potential for adventure seemed boundless and I knew that I needed to acquire one at some point. The basic concept of these rafts is an ultralight, yet rugged, watercraft that can be deflated and carried inside of a backpack. When it’s the end of the trail for a traditional canoe or kayak, it’s just the beginning for a pack raft. Instead of portages that involve lugging a heavy, awkward boat overland, a pack raft can be easily deflated and stowed, saving much needed time and energy. Besides longer forays that might involve miles of trail, broken up by time on the water to access prime hunting grounds, think of the high alpine lakes full of hungry trout that aren’t easily fished from steep and rocky shorelines. If you can manage the extra 11 to 15 lbs. of boat and paddle in your pack, it’s all 100% feasible to achieve.

Luke’s paddle choice for the Alpacka raft, the fourpiece Manta Ray from Aqua Bound.

Luke’s paddle choice for the Alpacka raft, the fourpiece Manta Ray from Aqua Bound.

The model I tested was the Ranger. Weighing in at only 12 lbs., the Ranger is designed for one adult paddler and gear. It can comfortably facilitate a multi-week hunting trip and haul out elk-sized game with ease. These boats are a self-bailing design (water can flow in and out) and are rated for Class III whitewater. I found that paddling upstream was slightly more arduous than with a flat-bottomed canoe or kayak, yet it wasn’t impossible. Maneuverability in free-flowing water, as well as on flat water, is also on par with a standard canoe or kayak. However, when paddling against strong currents, I found myself working a lot harder to stay on tack than with my 16-foot Easy Rider canoe. This is understandable, all things considered. Setup is relatively quick and fairly easy. My first trial-by-fire test run took 15 minutes, including inflation and getting everything properly configured.

There’s one feature of these boats that I did not test, which is the internal storage compartment that Alpacka refers to as a cargo fly. This feature is definitely novel and when in use apparently increases paddling performance due to a lower center of gravity. This cargo fly system is facilitated through an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat that allows storage of your gear inside the tubes of the raft body. While you’d want to be careful about placing hard-sided items inside of the raft’s internal cavity, it certainly comes in handy by storing items that need to stay dry and secure, like electronics and game bags full of boned-out meat.

Some accessorizing will be in order to complete your raft system. Paddle options are abundant, but I found Aqua Bound’s Manta Ray fiberglass four-piece paddle to be a high-performance yet cost-effective option. And since you’ll be toting all your typical gear and the raft, you’ll require a backpack with a capacity for the job. I fit a week’s worth of gear, food, raft, paddle, and PFD inside the spacious Ma Deuce pack by Kifaru International.

The maximum carrying capacity of the Ranger pack raft is 750 lbs. (under “reasonable conditions”) with the dimensions being large enough for you to ride comfortably with your gear, meat, and trophy. These rafts were originally designed for Alaska caribou and moose hunts, so that tells you everything that you need to know about their sturdiness and overall potential. If you’re looking to maximize the efficiency of your hunt while elevating the potential for adventure give these pack rafts a hard look.