was the crux of my testing of this inflatable kayak. I knew the boat could handle whitewater, but I was unsure of how well it would maneuver weighed down with 3 nights’ worth of gear and snacks.

Lightweight, inflatable boats are changing backcountry travel. Easier to paddle than a whitewater kayak, and more forgiving of mistakes, packrafts are opening up river sports to a wider audience.