Packraft Comparison | NRS Neutron vs Alpacka Expedition

In this video, I compare two packrafts that I reviewed this summer - the NRS Neutron and Alpacka Expedition. Should you be considering a packraft? If so, which packraft should you get?

Other gear I use and suggest:

Paddles:

PFDs:

Dry Wear:

Base Layers:

Warm Weather:

Footwear:

Other Paddling Gear

[chrismcduffie]

Always enjoy your videos! I hope and pray your shoulder heals up well.

[HeadwatersKayak]

Cool to hear about the ACA program. Wasn’t aware of this.

[DanRansom]

The primary reason to not use dual coated TPU fabric in a packraft is because of it's reduced tear strength. TPU coatings reduce the flexibility of the nylon yarns, which has the effect of reducing tear strength. Think of it like a strand of rope, try and cut it with scissors while it is loose, and it's very difficult. Pull the strand of rope tight, and it's easy to slice. Single coatings reduce the tear strength already, but double sided coatings reduce it even more. So while dual sided allows for welding without seam tape on the exterior of the raft, it does make the raft more susceptible to tears and punctures (all else considered equal in the woven fabric.) And of course, single coated TPU has a huge advantage for a packraft because the packed volume is greatly reduced. In regards to deniers of fabrics, there are multiple Alpacka models that can be ordered stock with 420d. And of course, you can have any Alpacka boat built to whatever specifications you would like. Custom colors, 420d fabric, graded sizing, full length floors, short floors, two point thigh straps, four point straps, decked boat, self bailer, or pretty much whatever else you can think of.

[gavada]

Here in Finland, the MRS packrafts are the most popular ones

[remoeisner]

We love our Alpacka Gnarwahls Selfbailers (in 210d for more safety in some aspects). We would for us never choice a boat with spraydeck. There are so many benefits with a self bailer. How I can see, the Alpacka has much more holes then the NRS, maybe that helps to drain faster. On the other hand, you have always some water on the deepest point in the boat, what can give you some more stability. I can also see, that a lot of very good white water paddlers here leaving the spry deck behind and going with a self bailer. Our Gnarwahls are now more than 4 years old, we had a lot of contact with stones etc., but there was not one punctuation or anything else. :-)

[geschichteundreisen]

Love the Alpacka Expedition, thanks for the review.

[almightyT]

would love to see a reveiw of the new nrs vector vest;D And you should try the alpackaraft valkyrie, a more kayaklike packraft.

[JeffW-fw]

Sorry to here about your shoulder, love your videos, i continue to learn and your reviews have been helpful in updating my paddling gear. If you are continuing to do reviews, while your are recovering would it it possible to do a review of wing/teardrop paddles vs euro and Greenland paddles?

[EZPrAnCs]

Alpacka also has the Gnarwhal which is available in 420 denier nylon tubes, A very similar boat to the NRS but an alpacka version 😏

[amateur_adventurist]

Hey Ken love your videos, sorry you always say the link is in description but I can't find any youtube video link, is it a technical issue?

[slighwentwalking]

Other than your videos I had never seen
those types of water craft. 'Who knew'?🤔
Thanks again for your gear reviews tips
and tricks for safe paddle adventures.

[aaronli]

Alpacka has something called a Valkyrie which is like a mix between a kayak and a packraft, have you ever tried it?

[rschreck]

One is made in the US by a small business… the other…is not. The choice is easy.

[matthewreynolds]

I don't agree with your comment that the open cockpit self-draining packraft allows hundreds of pounds of water to enter. Now I've never paddled the NRS model but I have the Kokopelli equivalent (Recon) and because my body and the inflatable floor/ seat take up so much Cockpit space of the boat I find that when I do get swamped by a wave it's maybe 20 litres of water and it drains in less than 3 seconds.

[alexclaar]

From the jump the alpacka looks like a way more whitewater worthy beast. However ive never been disappointed in any of NRS's products. Not sure about the price range but i love look and Aesthetics of the alpacka! So cool.