Packraft-Reviews.de
All our reviews of Anfibio and Mekong boats, with specs and gear.
“A packraft is just an inflatable dinghy. It can't take much, right?”
How we test packrafts
We're Judith and Chris, passionate packrafters since 2017. We don't test packrafts on a single afternoon at the local lake, but in long-term tests, in tough real-world use and over several years.
How much can a packraft really take?
Anyone can do pretty product photos. We want to know what's really inside. That's why we don't just test packrafts on the water, we push them to their limits. Our toughest candidate so far: the Anfibio Rebel 2K, an all-rounder weighing 2055 g according to the manufacturer.
Our videos are in German. On YouTube, most of them are automatically dubbed into English, and some reviews have an English voice-over.
Rebel 2K review with destruction test: ultralight and indestructible?
What we put the Rebel 2K through
- Towed behind a jeep over snow, dirt and scree, even with Chris sitting in it
- Dragged over rocks
- Had a pallet thrown onto it, plus other heavy objects
- Jumped onto the boat from 1 to 2 m high, several times (in a pool)
- Jumped on it while it was lying on sharp-edged rock
- Used to haul firewood on a winter camping trip
- Pulled a pregnant Judith through the snow in the packraft
- Went sledging in the snow with the packraft
And afterwards?
It was back to normal: on trips, in whitewater and everywhere a packraft belongs. We show how the boat handled each test, unvarnished, in both videos.
Please don't try this at home. We go to the limit so you don't have to with your boat.
XXL stress test: will the Rebel 2K burst?
Why we test like this
Manufacturer figures tell you what a boat weighs and how much it should carry. What's left of the material after scree, rock and years of trips isn't on any spec sheet. That's why we don't rely only on manufacturer figures, we test ourselves: in stress tests, in whitewater and in long-term tests over years.
More stress tests and real-world tests
Rebel 2K reviewRevo CL stress testMRS Alligator on a whitewater courseDelta MX after 9 yearsStress test in the glossary
Why we packraft in the first place
Every one of our holidays has something to do with packrafting. Wherever we go, there's almost always a packraft with us: several in the car, several in our backpacks, one on the bike or some other way. Even on a summit hike in the Alps we carry our ultralight packraft. Our film explains why better than anything:
Why we packraft: freedom and adventure by packraft
How we test
Long-term testing over years
We paddle our boats for as long as they last. The Delta MX has been with us since 2017, the Nanos since 2020. That's how we see what still works after years and what doesn't.
Tough, real-world use
Wilderness trips in Scandinavia, 120 km solo across the Hardangervidda, 298 km down the Rhine, whitewater, winter trips with a tent stove: our boats have to survive real trips, not just photo shoots.
Always with us
In the car, in the backpack, on the bike: a packraft comes along on every trip. So we use the boats the way you would, just much more often.
Ultralight all the way to the summit
Even on summit hikes in the Alps our ultralight packraft comes along. What an 830 g boat makes possible is shown on Ultraleicht-Packraft.de (German).
Durability tests
Some boats we deliberately put through the wringer, such as the Rebel 2K in the destruction and stress test or the Revo, which didn't come through our long-term test without scars.
Honest, including weaknesses
We show what's good and say just as clearly where a boat reaches its limits. New boats get a review first; the long-term experience follows.
What we look at
- Weight and packed size: how well does the boat travel in a backpack or on a bike?
- Setup and packing: how quick is it at the shore, and how small does it pack down again?
- Handling: tracking, speed and behaviour in whitewater.
- Durability: how does the material hold up after years and after durability tests?
- Gear and accessories: TubeBags, spray deck, bikerafting, seating comfort.
120 km solo across the Hardangervidda: the full film
Revo CL stress test, with a Revo XL review
Delta MX: long-term test after 9 years
How we rate: the TipiAndRaft coins
Instead of stars, we award coins with our logo, 1 to 5 per category. They're based on our own trips, long-term and stress tests. Manufacturer figures are taken into account but count for less than what we've experienced ourselves.
5 coins = outstanding in this category
3 coins = solid, with limitations
1 coin = not made for this
- WhitewaterControl, stability and safety in moving water
- Touring & expeditionsLoad capacity, luggage, comfort and space on multi-day trips
- Weight vs. valueWhat you get for the weight, including range of use
- RobustnessMaterials, build quality, stress tests and our long-term experience
- Flat waterTracking, speed and efficiency on lakes and calm rivers
- Value for moneyFeatures, materials and performance relative to the price
Important on weight: we don't simply rate how light a boat is, but what you get for the weight. A heavier boat that's fully whitewater-capable can therefore earn as many coins as an ultralight one. The overall score is the average of all six categories, rounded to half coins.
Our tests
You'll find all reviews with videos, technical specs and recommended gear on Packraft-Reviews.de:
Anfibio Nano SL / RTC / XL · in use since 2020
3Anfibio Delta MX · in use since 2017
4Anfibio Sigma TXLB+ · review
4.5Anfibio Revo CL / XL+ · durability test and review
4Anfibio Rebel 2K · durability test and review
4Anfibio Rebel Duo · review
4Anfibio Omega C2B+ · in action
3.5Mekong Pablo Pro · short review online
3.5- Mekong Davy Rocket · review in progress
- Mekong Kim Kong · testing now, first scenes filmed
Our sites
Packrafting.info
What is packrafting? Our trips with videos, packraft and gear finders, safety.
Ultraleicht-Packraft.de
Everything about ultralight packrafts like the Anfibio Nanos: why an 830 g boat changes so much (German).
Anfibio-Packraft.de
All Anfibio models at a glance, with packraft finder (German).
tipiandraft.de
Our main site: tipis, camping and all our adventures (German).
About us
We've been out with packrafts since 2017, and we paid for most of our boats entirely ourselves. Only in the last few years have we started working with Anfibio as affiliate partners, now very closely, and with other manufacturers such as Mekong too. Through these partnerships we regularly get loan boats that we're allowed to test free of charge. If you buy through our links, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. None of this changes our honest opinion, and we talk openly about weaknesses as well. You'll find all the details in our affiliate disclosure.
In Jülich (Germany) you can test packrafts with us by appointment, and other gear too, such as our tipis. Find out more at tipiandraft.de. Message us on Instagram or at kontakt@tipiandraft.de.
Frequently asked questions
How do you test packrafts?
In long-term tests, in tough real-world use, over several years. Our boats come with us on wilderness trips, on rivers, in whitewater, on our travels and in everyday life, and have done since 2017.
How long do you test a packraft?
For as long as we use it. We've paddled our Delta MX since 2017 and our Nanos since 2020. New boats get a review first; the long-term experience follows.
Do you get the boats for free?
We paid for most of our boats entirely ourselves. Through our partnership with Anfibio and other manufacturers such as Mekong, we also regularly get loan boats that we're allowed to test free of charge. All the details are in our affiliate disclosure.
How much can a packraft take?
More than many people think. We towed our Anfibio Rebel 2K behind a jeep over snow, dirt and scree, threw a pallet onto it and jumped onto it from 1 to 2 m high. After that it went back to normal trips and whitewater. We show it all in the video.
Can I test packrafts with you?
Yes, by appointment in Jülich, Germany, and other gear too, such as our tipis.