This guide includes information and reviews on every packraft backpack on the market that is advertised, heavily marketed towards, or commonly used packrafting. It includes all the comparative specs, and calculated a “Backpack Efficiency Score” to compare volume and load carry efficiency. Reviews are unbiased, curated from around the internet from multiple manufacturers, websites, blogs, and Reddit. This list is meant to gather a lot of information into one place so you can identify and further research the backpack you want.
Please submit comments or corrections below.
A COMPARITIVE GUIDE TO EVERY PACKRAFT BACKPACK ON THE MARKET
How its Caculated
The “Backpack Efficiency Score” is a combination of several calculations per backpack to give an overall efficiency score, considering: empty weight of the pack, volume capacity of the pack, and weight capacity of the pack. I’ve typed efficient so many times it doesn’t look like a real word anymore.
(Volume Efficiency x Load Efficiency) ÷ 2 = Backpack Efficiency Score
SO WHAT? Efficiency = Energy/Calories/Morale
Calculation 1: Volume Efficiency
Volume (L) ÷ Empty Pack Weight (g)
A higher score indicates that a backpack provides more usable space and load capacity per unit of pack weight
Calculation 2: Load Efficiency
Max Carry Weight (g) ÷ Empty Pack Weight (g)
A higher score indicates that a backpack stronger, more efficient suspension/frame
Higher score = better balance of volume and load capacity for the pack’s weight
Efficiency Ranking
Most to Least Efficient Pack
Seek Outside - Unaweep 103L+
Southern Lite - Ultra Lite 90L
Superior Wilderness Designs - Big Wild 95L
Superior Wilderness Designs - Wolverine 95L
Superior Wilderness Designs - Wolverine 70L
Superior Wilderness Designs - Big Wild 70L
Southern Lite - Heavy Duty 90L
Hyperlite Mountain Gear - Porter 85 (90L)
Whippa Packs - Wollemi 90L
Virga Packs - Cliffrose 55 (63L)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear - Southwest 70L
Sockdolager Equipment - Bad Larry 90L
Fiordland Packs - Alpine 60-70L
Mountain Hardware - Alpine Lite 55L
Seek Outside - Silverton 38L
Six Moon Designs - Flex PR 75L
Six Moon Designs - Flex PR 50L
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ratings
Fiordland Packs
Alpine 60-75L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)
Lots of love for “lightweight + sturdy,” but repeated abrasion/wear complaints
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG)
Porter 85 (90L) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Simple, durable, affordable, water-friendly, points off for suspension and lack of accessories/customizationSouthwest 70L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5)
Simple, durable, affordable, water-friendly, points off for suspension and lack of accessories/customization
Mountain Hardwear
Alpine Lite 55L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5)
Lightweight, comfortable, durable, but it’s not truly packraft-specific and its pretty small
Scoparia Designs
The Beast 90–110L ?????
Seek Outside
Silverton 38L ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)
Great “grab-and-go” concept, but multiple reviews complaining it doesn’t carry as well as a true framed pack.Unaweep 103L+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Consistently praised as a legit heavy-hauler that still carries well for the weightWetlands 163L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5)
Awesome for the weird/niche job, not a normal backpacking pack.
Six Moon Designs
Flex PR 50L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Great idea, mixed execution.Flex PR 75L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Great idea, mixed execution.
Sockdolager Equipment
Bad Larry 90L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Most packraft-specific designs, comfortable, compatible accessories, lower max carry weight, convertible straps can are only rated to Class II.
Southern Lite Packs
Heavy Duty 90L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
High vibes for the customization and big-volume guiding/packrafting; recurring strap padding + pocket swing complaints, expensive
Ultra Lite 90L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
High vibes for the customization and big-volume guiding/packrafting; recurring strap padding + pocket swing complaints, expensive
Superior Wilderness Designs (SWD)
Big Wild 70L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Expedition load hauling ratings; comfort drops once loads get truly huge.Big Wild 95L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Expedition load hauling ratings; comfort drops once loads get truly huge.Wolverine 70L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Comfort/light/durable/efficient, seams not fully taped, it’s an awkward middle size for some trips.Wolverine 95L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)
Comfort/light/durable/efficient, seams not fully taped
Virga
Cliffrose 55 (63L) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Strong reputation for frame/carry (40–50 lb loads), with the main drawback being small-maker availability/lead times.
Whippa Packs
Wollemi 90L ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Very light for its volume and praised for heavy-load carry, but reported to be uncomfortable at higher weights.
Most Packrafting
Features
Sockdolager Equipment
Hip and shoulder straps become the thigh straps and backband on packraft
Integrated bow and captains bag
Robust compression strap configurations specifically for tying down a packraft
Southern Lite
Fully customizable
Robust compression strap configurations specifically for tying down a packraft
Superior Wilderness Designs
Integrated bow bag
Robust compression strap configurations specifically for tying down a packraft
Six Moons Designs
Robust compression strap configurations specifically for tying down a packraft
Hybrid Drybag Style
Break it Down
Highest Rated Online
Superior Wilderness Designs
Big Wild
Wolverine
Sockdolager Equipment
Big Larry 90L
Seek Outside
Unaweep 103L
Hyperlite Mountain Designs
Porter 85 (90L)
Southwest 70L
Most Durable for Expedition
Southern Lite
Heavy Duty 90L
Made of Ultra800x
Scoparia Designs
The Beast 60-110L
Sail Cloth + Ultra800x
Hyperlite Mountain Designs
Porter 85 (90L)
Southwest 70L
Made of Dyneema
Virga Packs
Ultra400x + 800x
Double-Layered Bottom for max abrasion resistance
Six Moons Designs
Flex PR
Nylon 240
REVIEWS
Reviews are unbiased, curated from around the internet from multiple manufacturers, websites, blogs, and Reddit.
Seek Outside
Cons:
“It just doesn't carry that well. The back panel does not want to keep its shape, and it often bows out into a concave form.
“It doesn't matter how much I tighten the shoulder straps and waist straps -- it seems like the pack wants to sag down towards my butt as much as possible”
“hip-belt pockets are comically small”
Pros:
“three big stretch pockets on the outside are awesome”
“high marks for gear accessibility” thanks to its design with beefy UltraStretch pockets and good frontal access
Mountain Hardware
Pros:
“It’s a very lightweight pack with a lot of volume.”
“Best 50L pack I’ve tried… lightweight, durable and functional.”
“Ski loops fit a packraft paddle perfectly.”
Great for all around packrafting and technical climbing
Cons:
Smaller Capacity
No packraft specific features
No Side pockets, side straps
Six Moon Designs
Cons:
“There are so many straps hanging off this pack … it gave me my first case of strap anxiety.”
“The dry bag often tipped to one side or the other when I was hiking… making it uncomfortable to carry.”
“…transitioning from pack rafting to the hiking takes longer … because the pack has to be reassembled around the dry bag…”
“…the ‘frame’ is very narrow so the bag swings left to right… No amount of tightening down the drybag seems to help.”
Pros:
“…the great suspension made the load comfortable and the paddle pocket was very handy. I enjoyed using the detaching side pockets”
“With all the well-thought out features and the external straps/attachment points I was able to load up all my gear (47 lbs!) comfortably… I am a true convert!”
“…new strap configurations gave me countless ways to load the pack… these pockets are invaluable.”
“…can easily fit a bigger dry bag… comfortable … adjustable straps and pockets… versatile.”
Cliffrose 55L (63L)
Virga Pack Company
Cons:
Smaller Capacity
Difficult Production Timelines
Pros:
“When I clip the hipbelt on, it stays. Period. I haven't experience any slipping, any sagging, any need for readjustment, nothing.”
“I haven't had a pack where the shoulder straps fit my traps so
well…Super super comfortable, super easy.”
“But dang, the way this bag distributes the load is pretty remarkable.”
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Cons:
“It has no load lifters, rendering the frame useless and the hip belt a glorified fanny pack.”
“…backpackers who prefer numerous organizational options or require substantial padding for heavier loads might find better options elsewhere.”
“…expensive… minimal features.”
lack of load lifters and simpler suspension making heavy loads feel less comfortable
Pros:
“…almost indestructible… Dyneema fabric is waterproof and
seam taped… protects contents from abrasion.”
“…one of the most weather-resistant packs we’ve tested.”
“…capable of comfortably carrying respectable loads…”
“…carried it for over 3000 miles…”
Superior Wilderness Designs
Cons:
70L can be an awkward size, not quite big enough to fit everything inside, but too big for shorter trips
“SWD packs are narrow and tall and they run small in volume compared to other manufacturers.”
Pros:
Compatible Bow Bag/Front Bag
“long-term durability and comfort”
“good choice for trips where you’ll carry a lot of food, water, or shared gear”
“I’ve been very impressed with how the Ultra 400 fabric has held up to significant abrasion.”
Fiordland Packs
Cons:
Users noted wear and abrasion where paddle shafts rubbed the bottom corners
Pros:
“really lightweight and sturdy.”
Six Moon Designs
Cons:
“There are so many straps hanging off this pack … it gave me my first case of strap anxiety.”
“The dry bag often tipped to one side or the other when I was hiking… making it uncomfortable to carry.”
“…transitioning from pack rafting to the hiking takes longer … because the pack has to be reassembled around the dry bag…”
“…the ‘frame’ is very narrow so the bag swings left to right… No amount of tightening down the drybag seems to help.”
Pros:
“…the great suspension made the load comfortable and the paddle pocket was very handy. I enjoyed using the detaching side pockets”
“With all the well-thought out features and the external straps/attachment points I was able to load up all my gear (47 lbs!) comfortably… I am a true convert!”
“…new strap configurations gave me countless ways to load the pack… these pockets are invaluable.”
“…can easily fit a bigger dry bag… comfortable … adjustable straps and pockets… versatile.”
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Cons:
“When fully packed, the Porter pulls noticeably backward, throwing the wearer off-balance.”
“simplified suspension is light but may be less comfortable for heavy loads compared to models with more padding or load lifters. “
“I asked about load lifters because I dislike having weight on my shoulders; no lifters available.” — mixed opinion on minimal design.
Dyneema fabric, while waterproof and strong, shows abrasion differently compared to heavier nylon packs
Pros:
“Carries weight surprisingly well and very versatile for such a large pack.”
“Better load-to-hip weight transfer than most ultralight packs I’ve tested.”
“Simple roll-top closure and waterproof Dyneema fabric are ideal
for water travel and keep contents dry during swims or unexpected wet conditions. “
“200+ days in the woods with my Porter… reliable and durable through extended use.”
Superior Wilderness Designs
Cons:
Comfort declines past ~65 lb loads
“SWD packs are narrow and tall and they run small in volume compared to other manufacturers.”
Pros:
“After testing 6 packs … I have fallen in love with the Superior Wilderness Designs Big Wild and have over 100 days on it.”
“Something 95 L that's truly comfortable at 60 lbs, but weighs ~2.5 lbs”
“For packrafting (especially multi-day whitewater) that’s a great amount of capacity.”
Southern Lite
Cons:
“the padding in the shoulder strap has compressed a lot… with heavy loads it can often wear on the shoulders,”
“the side pockets being only secured with two straps… swing a lot… especially with a water bottle,”
Pros:
“It’s definitely been a decent pack that performs what it does.”
“used it for packrafting, and then most when guiding where they needed to haul more capacity… very handy.”
“Side pockets wide enough to hold paddle blades were definitely appreciated.”
Sockdolager Equipment
Cons:
Pause in production
“The straps are really flimsy for paddling, I wish I had brought my own thigh straps”
“The hip belt clasp broke the first day”
Pros:
“The Bad Larry checks all the boxes.”
““swallow a large Alpacka Mage or Valkyrie,”\
“Sockdolager understands pack fit really well. The order form is really thorough…”
“Nice thing about Bad Larry is hip belt and shoulder straps are fully removable so worst case you can have someone make you a different shape belt.”
Superior Wilderness Designs
Cons:
Awkward and large for anything else but expedition use
“Not actually 95L”, multiple comments saying the size is a bit smaller than listed
Seams aren’t fully taped, so many recommend using internal dry bags
“SWD packs are narrow and tall and they run small in volume compared to other manufacturers.”
Pros:
“The amazing balance of comfort, light weight, and durability.”
Roll-top closure and internal frame make it easier to compress
“With a 90 or 100 L roll top you can roll it down to 50 L with no problem if needed…”
“I’ve been very impressed with how the Ultra 400 fabric has held up to significant abrasion.”
Compatible Bow Bag/Front Pack
Seek Outside
Cons:
“I was excited about the top pouch but it is smaller than I expected.”
“…not a fan of the big side zipper… and it has an annoying tendency to work open at the bottom.” — A critic on one version’s zipper design.
“…it’s comfortable for me up to 85 pounds day in day out, over that gets old”
Pros:
“This external frame … carries better than pretty much
any other pack I’ve ever used.”
“Made to be comfortable with 100 lbs or more…”
“It took quite a beating and held up well.”
Scoparia Designs
Cons:
TBD
Pros:
TBD
Seek Outside
Cons:
Heavy
Not Waterproof
Can’t really use backpacking otherwise
Pros:
10,000 cubic inches—massive capacity for wet gear storage.
Airflow + shade—mesh keeps contents cool while draining.
No hidden pools—gear dries faster, stays lighter.
