Klymit is the brand you can always expect inflatables from. Klymit is known for innovative products using inflatable vests, funky looking sleeping pads, and cushions to make your pack lighter. So their brand falls within backpacking and camping, but water-sports?
Klymit has a new product called the Light Weight Dinghy: A Packraft. So a boat? In my backpack? Yes and it is surprisingly legit too. I’ll break down all of your concerns concisely.
1. Durability- This packraft is the lightest of all packrafts. It only weights 31 Ounces. The material is tough and has a much beefier construction than their sleeping pads. I haven’t been out on the water with it, but it can float 300lbs easily. This Packraft is not designed for scraping bottom. It is built to be a floater for yourself and a backpack to float down river. It first came to my mind for jumping out into a lake and wetting your line to catch dinner.
2. Inflation/deflation- It has two valves on the back end. You have a purge value that only allows air in and a deflate plug that you simply open for deflating. It comes with a Stuff sack. this stuff sack is used to fill the packraft. It is really easy. Absolutely easier on you than wasting a lung on 180 liters of volume. I have inflated and deflated the LWD a few times and it hasn’t taken me more than 7 minutes. You will get better at efficiently inflating the dinghy with time, but it really is a synch. Once deflated and compressed you can stuff it down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. Purdy awesome.
3. Paddles- I had to do some searching, but the best option I could find for a versatile, functional option is right here. Other than that, you will have to bring a paddle that might weigh more and/or be bulky. Of course you can just pole your way around the water with trekking poles, if it is shallow enough, but once you’re deep out there you might have to get your hands wet.
Above is the Light Weight Dinghy in the store.
All I can think about is getting to the places you can’t get to without a boat. Getting out far on duck lake and getting your line wet where no one has fished before sounds like pure bliss to me. You can go deeper with the dinghy and not kill yourself lugging a heavy packraft. Of course if you are considering getting one, check it out and take it for a float right here.
Leave a Reply