Description
The Packlite+ is a highly versatile, ultralight packraft from Advanced Elements, designed for adventurers who need portability, modularity, and decent performance. It sits somewhere between a traditional inflatable kayak and a packraft: light enough to carry, yet with features that improve tracking, comfort, and utility.
Key Features & Design
Here are the design elements that differentiate the Packlite+ and make it attractive:
| Feature | Description / Purpose |
|---|---|
| Modular Design | The Packlite+ can be configured in three “modes” depending on how much performance vs. weight you want. You can use it with its full complement of parts (seat + floor), or remove the drop-stitch floor, or remove both floor and seat to lighten it. This allows you to trade off weight vs stability and comfort. |
| Removable Drop-Stitch Floor | The drop-stitch floor provides rigidity, improving tracking, reducing “floppiness,” and enabling better performance. It helps the raft behave more like a traditional kayak when going straight, and even offers some stand-up potential (for fishing or photography) under suitable conditions. The floor is removable so you can drop weight when you don’t need it. |
| Inflatable Seat | A comfortable, adjustable inflatable seat is included, giving more comfort than just sitting on the floor. It helps with posture, fatigue, especially on longer paddles. |
| Robust Hull Material | The body is made from 210D nylon with TPU (thermoplastic urethane) coating. That gives strength, puncture/abrasion resistance, and decent durability for packrafts. The design includes two main air chambers for redundancy. |
| Gear Storage & Access | The raft has a 530 mm (≈21 in) Tizip airtight zipper for cargo access—handy for storing things you want to keep dry. There are numerous D-rings for tying gear, bow & stern carry handles to facilitate moving/dragging, etc. |
| Military-Style Valves | For inflation / deflation, the raft uses military-style spring (H3 / Spring™) valves. These are robust and relatively quick to use. A pump with a pressure gauge is included to help inflate properly. |
| Carry Bag / Packability | Comes with a backpack-style carry bag so when deflated, it can pack down small. The folded dimensions are compact so it can be carried by one person on trekking or stored easily. |
Performance & Use
Where it Shines
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Portability: Because of its light weight (especially in ultralite mode) and packability, this is ideal when you need to hike, backpack, bike-pack to water, or travel.
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Modularity: The ability to remove the floor or seat gives flexibility: carry less when needed, add performance back when you want more stability.
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Stability with Performance Boost: With the drop-stitch floor in place, you get better tracking, less flex, more stiffness—leading to more efficient paddling, less fatigue, maybe even ability to stand (cautiously, in calm water).
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Accessory Utility: The storage zipper (Tizip), D-rings, handles make it easier to stow gear, carry the raft, attach tools. For lightweight kayak-type adventure, this adds a lot.
What to Be Aware Of / Limitations
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Durability vs Hard Shells: While the materials are strong for a packraft, punctures, abrasions, wear on seams or on sharp objects under water or when launching from rocky shores are risks. Repair kits are included, but you need to treat it carefully.
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Tracking & Speed Limitations: Even with the drop-stitch floor, this raft is relatively short (≈7’3″) and has no long keel or skeg, so in windy conditions or when you want to go long distances or maintain course, it will require more effort. The short length limits glide.
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Comfort for Taller / Heavier Users: The seat is adjustable, but space for leg stretch, upright posture, longer trips may be less comfortable than rigid kayaks or longer boats.
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Setup Time: You will need to unpack, inflate, possibly install floor, seat, etc. The more components you use, the more set-up to do. If you’re going ultralite mode, you save time, but lose seat comfort or floor stiffness.
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Water Conditions Limits: Best suited for Class I-II rivers, lakes, bays—calm water. Waves, heavy chop, surf require more robust hulls with higher sidewalls, and likely enclosed designs or spray skirts which this lacks.
Summary
The Advanced Elements Packlite+ Packraft is a thoughtful design, well suited for users who demand lightweight, modular, and packable watercraft without giving up too much in terms of performance or utility. It balances several trade-offs well: you get a craft you can haul far (literally), yet when assembled fully you get more rigidity and comfort than standard soft packrafts.
It’s not perfect for all situations: for long distance touring, surf, big waves, or rugged whitewater, you’ll want a more specialized hull. But for many people, especially those wanting adventure without the burden of weight, or just wanting to explore remote water without worrying about transport, the Packlite+ is among the stronger options available.
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