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Alpacka Raft Caribou Packraft

Original price $1,499.95 - Original price $1,849.95
Original price
$1,499.95
$1,499.95 - $1,849.95
Current price $1,499.95
SKU CAR-N20LC-OP-NO
Colour & Fabric: LW Cedar Green (210d)
Build Configuration: Open
Cargo Fly: No

The Ultimate Adventure Packraft for Unmatched Performance and Versatility.

The Alpacka Raft Caribou is a revolutionary packraft designed for large, multi-sport adventures. Traditionally, carrying gear on such expeditions required either placing it inside the boat or mounting it to the bow. This changed in 2011 with Alpacka Raft's invention of the Cargo Fly internal gear storage system, enhancing gear protection and handling performance. However, this system didn't address the challenge of carrying bulky items like bicycles and big game animals.

To solve this, Alpacka Raft designed the Caribou with the innovative Late Rise Bow. This design merges the stability and load-carrying ability of a rockerless hull with the wave-shedding performance of a rockered hull. The Late Rise Bow positions the rocker in front of the mounted load, providing a stable platform that keeps bulky items like bicycles high and out of the water. This ensures balanced and stable load handling both on water and land.

Constructed from lightweight 210-denier high count nylon fabric and featuring an 840-denier floor, the Caribou maintains Alpacka Raft's legendary durability while keeping weight to a minimum. It rolls up compactly for easy stashing in a pack or on a handlebar roll. The Caribou is also available with a Cargo Fly, allowing for dry internal storage and bulky gear mounting on the bow.

Combining durable tubes with a robust 840d Ballistic Nylon Floor and the Late Rise Bow, the Caribou is the ultimate backcountry front-end loader. Weighing just 2.3kgs (2.4kgs with a Cargo Fly), it is the lightest full-sized packraft on the market, making it perfect for bikerafting and ultralight backcountry adventures. Alpacka Raft's Caribou delivers unmatched performance and versatility for the most demanding explorers.

BUILD CONFIGURATIONS

Open



A non-self-bailing or open style packraft has a sealed floor, meaning any water that gets in stays in, as there is nowhere for the water to drain. This style of packraft is best for still water and slow rivers where you are unlikely to find yourself in an unplanned inversion or have water enter your raft.



Self Bailer



A self-bailing packraft has drainage in the floor, so when water gets in, it drains back out. You will get wet in a self-bailing raft, so they are best for white water in warm weather or use with a dry suit. Alpacka's self bailing design features a lightweight 3/4 length 7-inch thick seat in the rear that is protected by a sleeve and a heavy-duty baffled foot brace in the front that keeps your feet up and out of the water.


Self Bailer + Cargo Fly



Centered Image

The Caribou Self Bailer with a cargo fly is perfect for warmer conditions, quick entry and exit, and anyone that prefers a self bailing setup. No dumping water is required and includes a cargo fly


Cargo Fly Zipper



The cargo fly zipper is the ultimate packraft gear storage solution. The cargo fly is an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat to allow you to load your gear inside the tubes. The system provides drier and more secure gear storage and improved paddling performance due to a lower centre of gravity. The cargo fly zipper option is perfect for expeditions, whitewater performance and keeping your gear dry in wet conditions.

Internal Dry Bags may be purchased separately and are designed to work with the Cargo Fly system. The bags clip in place along each side of the tubes with a side release buckle and allow for better organisation and weight balance than placing the contents of your pack loose inside the cargo fly. They also act as additional balanced air chambers to make it easier to get to shore in the event of a puncture.

FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS

Features


  • Manufacturing: Made to Order in Mancos, Colorado.
  • Shape: Classic with Late Rise Bow.
  • Tube Diameter: 11.7 inches.
  • Valve: Temper assist valve for inflation and deflation.
  • Attachments: 4 bow strap plates, 2 stern grab loops, and 1 bow handle.
  • Seating: Classic Seat Bottom.
  • Materials: Proprietary ultralight 210-denier high count nylon hull and 840-denier ballistic nylon floor (Made in USA).
  • Includes: Inflation Bag, Stuff Sack, and Basic Repair Kit.

Specifications


  • Exterior Length: 246cm
  • Exterior Width: 97cm
  • Interior Length: 123cm
  • Interior Width: 37cm
  • Weight w/o Cargo Fly*: Open: 2.3kg — SB: 2.7kg
  • Weight with Cargo Fly*: Open: 2.4kg — SB: 2.8kg
  • Packed Size**: 43x15cm
  • Max Capacity***: 181kg


*Weight includes all components except inflation bag, repair kit, and internal dry bags.
**Packed size is a reference measurement based on folding each lengthwise edge of the boat to the center and rolling from the bow. There are many other methods of rolling and folding the boats that will result in a different packed size that may be more or less efficient for packing depending on the situation.
***Max Capacity is the maximum total weight (paddlers and cargo) that the boat can reasonably carry in flatwater under ideal conditions. Actual capacity for any given trip will vary widely based on the paddler’s skill and water conditions. Please review our weight carrying capacity guide for further details.

USES & COMPARISON

Uses


  • Versatile Our lightest multi-purpose adventure packraft, the Caribou is perfect for backcountry and sidecountry adventures on flatwater and lightwater. Its comfortable, stable and easy to carry awkward loads like bikes and packs.
  • Lightwater The Caribou is ideal for lightwater adventures. The perfect combination of minimum pack weight and a stable comfortable ride on the water. We recommend 210d standard fabric in Self-Bailing or Removable Deck builds for lightwater focused trips.
  • Flatwater The Caribou is our most popular flatwater model. Its comfortable for long days on the water and lightweight so its easy to carry in your pack. It also has great stability and maneuverability if you want to venture into lightwater trips.
  • Hunting The Caribou is for the hard core dedicated hunter that needs the absolute minimum of weight and bulk to hike deep into the backcountry to the most inaccessible locations. A mid-sized game animal plus you and all of your gear will be a tight fit, but you won't be complaining when you are floating instead of carrying everything on your back.

Caribou vs. Mule


The Mule and Caribou are like big and little siblings, both sharing similar layouts and intended for versatile trips on flatwater and lightwater. The Caribou is smaller, lighter, and more backpacking-friendly, making it ideal for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing performance. Its compact size is perfect for solo adventurers or smaller paddlers seeking easy transport and stability on the water.

The Mule, being larger, is favored by taller or larger paddlers and is better suited for heavier-duty trips like hunting or carrying additional gear, such as a dog. With its increased size, the Mule offers more capacity for gear and provides greater stability, making it a top choice for extended expeditions and rugged adventures.

Both models offer excellent versatility, with the Caribou catering to those seeking lighter, more agile trips, and the Mule providing a more robust option for those needing extra space and durability.