All Outdoors Review – Alpaca Raft Caribou

Packcrafting has completely changed the way you go into the wilderness, giving us the freedom of backpacking along with the thrill of being on the water. And alpaca raft Caribou is at the center of this change. He not only created the modern packet, he also kept finding ways to improve and enhance its performance. alpaca fleet caribou A lightweight, flexible packraft for all types of backcountry and sidecountry trips. It’s really good on calm water and easy rapids (up to Class II), and it’s a great option for bikerafting. Because it’s so light, with Alpaca’s clever cargo fly storage and really tough construction, the Caribou is for people who want to hike, cycle, or carry all their gear into really wild places, and then get down to the water when the trail stops, or the river tempts them. This is the ultimate ‘go anywhere’ boat for those who don’t want to be limited in their adventures.

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Alpaca provided the Caribou for this review, and even though I didn’t have much time with it before it was returned, it won’t affect my opinion of their current or future products. Alpaca was not allowed to read this article before it was published.

Features – Alpaca Raft Caribou

• external dimensions – 94.5″ L × 37.5″ W
• Internal dimensions – 48″ L × 14.5″ W
• weight – 5.9-6.2 pounds (full setup with cargo fly)
• Weight Capacity – up to 400 pounds
• Hull Material – Ultralight 210D high-count nylon
• Flooring Material – 840D ballistic nylon
• key features – Cargo Fly Internal Storage System, Inflatable Backrest, Bow Strap Plate, Stern Grab Loop
• Best for – Flatwater, Class I-II whitewater, bikerafting, and backcountry multi-sport adventures
• country of origin – usa
• MSRP – $995.00

Review – Alpaca Raft Caribou

I’ve always liked the idea of ​​packcrafting, taking a light boat into the woods, unpacking it, and sailing down rivers or lakes that few people access. Since I moved back to Maine I have done a lot of paddling in my Old Town canoe. But at 87 pounds, it’s very difficult to carry that canoe alone! So when I had the opportunity to try out an alpaca raft, I jumped at it. The Caribou was consistently recommended as one of their lightest and most versatile options, especially for bikecrafting and many different sports. I asked for one and was happy to finally find one in the water near my home in Maine.

Why caribou specifically?

I wanted a fleet that could handle a variety of adventures, hiking, occasional biking, and exploring remote waterways. caribou I did everything asked. Alpaca advertises it as their lightest full-size, all-purpose packraft, designed to carry heavy loads on the front (like a bike) while still being very portable. Its bow that rises slowly and its proven reliability make it perfect for bikecrafting and extremely light trips into the backcountry.

as soon as i got it caribou Taking it out of the box I was surprised by its size or, more accurately, its lack of size. The entire Cargo Fly thing weighs just over 6 pounds. It’s incredibly light for a full-sized pack. It folds up small enough that I can easily throw it in my rucksack with my normal hiking stuff without thinking about it. That level of compactness and easy to carry is a big advantage.

The build quality is excellent. The special 210d fabric of the boat body is balanced between being strong and light, and the 840d ballistic nylon on the floor feels like it can tackle rocky shores, gravel shores, and the occasional rough landing. Every joint, strap fixing and handle feels incredibly strong and has been carefully designed for use in tough conditions. It is surprisingly quick and simple to prepare. The included large bag for inflating it makes the raft float on the water very quickly, I had it fully inflated in just a few minutes. The inflatable backrest provides great comfort for such a streamlined boat. I chose the Cargo Fly version and I’m still amazed at how good it is. Being able to open the waterproof zip and store items inside the sides of the raft is an absolute improvement and means you have a lighter bag to carry around on the water, and your valuable items will stay safe while you’re on the water.

i experimented caribou On the lake near my house. Even on a hot, calm day it was very stable, and for something so light and so small, it feels surprisingly solid and secure beneath you. I never felt like it was going to bend or become unstable, and that gave me confidence going out into the lakeshore and open water.

You really need to use your paddle caribou. You must have control and good technique to sail in a straight line on calm water, especially if you are used to long, heavy boats. But once I got a good, strong style of paddling, I got a good rhythm and started really enjoying it. This quick response is part of what makes the Caribou so enjoyable and capable of doing so much when you’re in running water or a stream and it’s easy to turn and a joy to play. I really liked how easy it was to get back to the boat from the water. I tried it a few times and it was much easier than sitting in a normal kayak. That kind of intelligent design is important when you’re away from help.

I can’t praise the Cargo Fly system enough. Being able to store things inside the main body of the raft is not only nice, but really useful. This opens up a lot of opportunities for long trips, when you need to carry extra clothes, food, photographic equipment or even a bike that is disassembled in the front. This feature alone makes the Caribou feel like a proper companion for adventures, not just a boat.

This raft is best for longer bikerafting trips and multi-day adventures in the backcountry that include walking, biking, and paddling. If you’re someone who likes to connect with waterways, venture into wild places, or simply want to be free to go places where roads and regular boats can’t get you, this raft will do the trick. Because it is so light and packs easily, it relieves the problems usually associated with traveling on water, allowing you to travel further afield and see more untouched nature.

like it

• It’s incredibly light and compact (in fact something you can carry on your back with a weight of a little over 6 pounds).
• It’s quick and easy to get hit by inflation.
• Cargo fly system to keep things inside,
• It is stable and reassuring on the water,
• The excellent quality and meticulous design details of how it is made.
• The ability to do bikerafting and many different sports, and how easy it is to climb back out of the water.

of dislike

• Higher price (but you’re paying for quality, new ideas, and long-lasting materials made in America).
• The raft requires you to actively use your paddling and keep control, especially on calm water.

Final Thoughts – Alpaca Raft Caribou

I didn’t get much time to use it caribou I had to turn it back on the water at first, but it really stuck with me. It has completely brought back my enthusiasm for going places. Because it’s incredibly light to carry, super tough, and has smart details like a cargo fly. It’s definitely expensive, but think about the freedom it gives you. Walking with all your gear, sailing on beautiful clear lakes and rivers, cycling to the start of your next hiking trip and managing it all with a boat, the weight of your backpack will hardly increase. This makes the price worthwhile. If you’re really interested in lightweight backpacking with river or lake crossings, bikerafting, or if you want a great all-rounder for wilderness exploring, you should definitely consider the Alpaca Raft Caribou.