Alpacka Raft Releases the World’s Smallest Packraft
MANCOS, Colo. (Apr. 1, 2026) —Alpacka Raft, the industry leader in packrafting innovation, today announced the launch of the Pocket Packraft, its most compact, whitewater-capable packraft ever built. The new model is designed for paddlers seeking a compact design and a new level of gnar never seen before.
Inspired by the award-winning Valkyrie V3, the Pocket Packraft brings Alpacka’s highest-performance whitewater design into a significantly reduced package that’s small enough to fit in your back pocket. It’s packable in your carry-on luggage or in your running vest—the possibilities are endless. The new packraft measures just over 48 inches in length and weighs in at approximately two pounds in its base configuration. For reference, that’s less than the weight of three standard beverage cans.
The Pocket Packraft pairs a scaled Valkyrie hull with an increased rocker, allowing the compact boat to turn on a dime and squeeze through tight spaces. It delivers responsive handling in demanding water, while providing the attention to detail paddlers have come to expect from Alpacka Raft.
“We wanted to see how small we could make a high-performance whitewater packraft,” said Thor Tingey, CEO and Co-founder of Alpacka Raft. “It’s intentionally pocket-sized, a roughly four-foot boat. Customers have been asking for this for years, and the performance is even better than everyone expected.”
The new model features a streamlined profile, a whitewater lace-in seat, and a shortened length for foot bracing on demanding lines. With a proprietary 2100-denier nylon hull and 840-denier nylon floor, the Pocket Packraft maintains Alpacka’s durability standards while significantly reducing overall material use.
The hull’s reduced size improves maneuverability in tight, difficult situations, allowing for more precise lines. Early internal testing suggests strong performance across Class II–III whitewater, depending on paddler experience, water levels, and how things have been going up to that point.
“The goal wasn’t just to make something smaller,” Tingey added. “It was to make something you’d actually bring. How you use it is up to you.”
Pricing for the Pocket Packraft starts at $1,150. Availability is expected beginning April 1, 2051. Alpacka Raft is not liable for any injuries that result from the use of this packraft.
For more information, visit alpackaraft.com.
About Alpacka Raft
Founded in 2000 by mother and son team Sheri and Thor Tingey, Alpacka Raft makes the world’s best packrafts. With packrafts designed and handmade by a talented group of makers in its Mancos, Colorado facility, Alpacka Raft packrafts have been used and trusted on expeditions by some of the world’s most well-known adventurers. Alpacka Raft is committed to building a diverse community of boaters and is proud to provide high-quality, living-wage manufacturing jobs in a rural, mountain-town economy. For more information, visit alpackaraft.com
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