Guide to Buying Used Packrafting Gear
So! You want to buy a packraft - HECK YEAH. Welcome to the coolest community on the river. But let me guess, you’re a little worried about the cost and you’re not sure how to buy used gear. I’ll go over where to buy used gear and what to look out for when you're buying a used boat.
5 Things to Consider When Buying Used Gear
1. Material Condition
Fabric Integrity: Check the wear, abrasions, or tears. Make sure any repairs were done properly and applied well.
T-Zip Inspection: Check for small leaks on the T-Zip by splashing/pouring water on it and looking for bubbles.
Patching or Repairs: While repairs aren’t necessarily a dealbreaker, they may indicate prior damage and could affect the boat’s performance.
Valve Functionality: Test all the valves (for inflation and deflation) to ensure they’re working correctly and don’t leak air.
Inflation Test: Inflate the packraft and leave it overnight to see if it holds air. If it loses pressure, this could indicate a leak that needs to be repaired.
Floor Punctures: Pay special attention to the floor material for signs of punctures, abrasions, or wear. This part of the packraft takes the most abuse, especially when navigating rocky or sharp terrain.
Paddles: Look for gouges in the blades and cracks in the handles.
PFD: Look for frayed material and extreme sun damage/fading.
Drysuits: Inspect for wear along the seams.
2. Usage History
Have you used it in the desert?
Especially important for T-Zips and break-down paddles.
Have you used in the ocean/salt-water?
Have you used it anywhere near invasive species?
3. Storage Conditions:
All gear should be stored in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. It should be cleaned after each use, and dried completely before being stored.
Boats -
Boats should be stored loosly rolled or folded. Boats should not be stored tightly rolled for any extended length of time.
Boats from the PWN and other humid environments are susceptible to bacterial and fungal growth INSIDE the boat if they are not cleaned and stored properly, so make sure to check out the interior.
Paddles -
4 Piece paddles must be stored in 4 pieces. Period. Take it from someone who had a 4 piece and now has a 2 piece.
4. Brand Reputation and Reviews
Brand Quality: Look into the brand's reputation for making durable, reliable packrafts. Popular brands with a strong reputation may offer better warranties and customer support. Brands I recommend are:
User Reviews: Research user reviews or forums about the specific model you're considering. You can get insight into potential issues that may not be immediately obvious during an inspection.
Repair Service: Does the company have it’s own repair service? How much does it cost?
5. Age
Manufacturer's Date: Find out how old the packraft is. Age isn’t always a deal breaker, well-maintained older packrafts can still be good options. I personally own a 2018 Kokopelli Nirvana that is still in great condition and works perfectly.
Where Do I buy used packrafting gear? [USA/North America]*
Well, the easiest place to buy a used packraft is online, but where is the best place to look?
Facebook
“PACKRAFTING - SELL & BUY” - The largest group with 23K members as of January 2025. You can also check regional paddling pages like “Colorado Packraftering”, “Utah Packrafters” or “UK Packrafters” for example.*
Mountain Buzz
“Mountain Buzz” is a very active whitewater forum that see’s a lot of traffic and used gear sales.
Backcountry Packrafts(.com) & Wildside Outdoors LLC(.com)
“Backcountry Packrafts” & “Wildside Outdoors” list used gear throughout the year and often do sales at the end of the season.
*Paddles, PFD’s, and other gear can be found on any used whitewater or used river gear site.
Other Things to Consider…
Ask for a Video
A LOT of boats are sold online, I would even say the majority of used boats are sold online, so I personally recommend getting a video of the boat inflated and holding air. It also lets you see the condition of the boat up-close, including the seams, T-Zip, and especially the floor.
Don’t be afraid to buy a boat with a patch or repair…
Don’t immediately pass up on a boat with a patch/repair. It’s not uncommon to get a pinhole leak or tear on a random sharp object while boating, and one of the best parts about packrafts it how easily they can be repaired back to full functionallity. It’s likely you’ll be patching your own boat at some point yourself. As long as the repair was well executed and does not affect the usability of the boat - its ok.
Stick to the Same Brand as Your River Tramily
If you and another person are considering doing a lot of boating together, consider getting the same brands for ease of repairs and sharing gear. This is especially important/helpful if you are doing multiday trips.
Barter with Accessories & Ask For More Gear
Put yourself out there and ask the seller if they will throw in a paddle or pfd or other accessories. Sometimes people just want to offload their entire kit.
