If you want a boat that you can carry in a backpack or on the back of a bike that is then strong and stable enough to carry you, all your kit and even the bike to boot across lakes or down rivers that you come across, then you need a packraft.
German company The Packrafting Store specialises in this new type of adventure craft, with options ranging up to packrafts capable of taking on serious whitewater, yet only weighing as little as 2.5kg, and rolling up into a tiny package that will even fit into a day bag.
At the other end of the scale, this entry-level package includes a Russian-built Nortik Trekraft inflatable raft, an Anfibio Buoy Boy inflatable floatation vest, and a basic but solid Moll Playa four-piece paddle.
The Nortik raft inflates easily with the supplied inflation bag in about five minutes, depending on how well-practiced your 'bagpipes' technique is for squeezing air into it. Inflating the seat takes a few minutes more.
As the bottom of the raft is a single layer of TPU Nylon (the same tough, abrasion-resistant material used for the tubes and seat) this seat is a good idea for comfort on longer trips, especially for on very cold water, where you'll be grateful of its isolating properties.
It's this seating position which gives such fabulous stability, as you sit on the floor of the boat, almost on the water between the tubes. According to Packrafting Store the expected speed is about 4kph.
With the classic packraft shape of a slightly upturned bow and higher, elongated stern, the Trekraft is easy to paddle and holds its course pretty well, except in strong winds - which is only to be expected.
Higher end Nortik models can be fitted with splash decks for tackling whitewater but without one the Trekraft is better suited to moderate water trips across rivers and lakes.
As it is slightly longer than some packrafts, with a 133cm interior space, it is well suited to bikerafting duties, where the bike is strapped across the bows. The extra space also makes it a family double for softer adventures and mucking about in.
Although not a certified lifejacket, which would be guaranteed to float an unconscious paddler face up in the water, the Anfibio Bouy Boy buoyancy aide gives easily enough bouancy for assisted swimming, only weighs 310g and packs down to just a litre in volume.
The twin air chambers are inflated by east-to-use spring-lo0aded mouth valves, which can be topped up with the vest in place. A supportive fit is assured by a chunky front zip, a crotch strap and a waist clip.
The Moll Playa paddle is basic but perfectly functional paddle for entry-level paddling adventures, and well-suited to this package, featuring an anodized aluminium shaft, with asymmetric paddle blades and drip rings.
The whole package - packraft, paddle and bouyancy aide - weighs 4.2kg and will fit in a 30 litre backpack.
