Top 8 'Ridge-and-River' Ultralight Packrafts to explore Patagonia's Glacial Lakes for Thru-Hikers - Goh Ling Yong
Patagonia. The name itself conjures images of saw-toothed granite peaks, vast, windswept steppes, and glaciers that spill into impossibly blue lakes. For the thru-hiker, it's a paradise of long-distance trails and profound solitude. But this landscape presents a unique challenge: water. Glacial lakes, fjords, and wild rivers that are breathtaking to behold can often be impassable obstacles, forcing long, arduous detours around their shores.
But what if those obstacles could become your highway? This is the core idea behind 'ridge-and-river' travel, a philosophy that blends hiking with paddling. By adding an ultralight packraft—a durable, inflatable boat that weighs less than a full water bottle and packs down to the size of a sleeping bag—to your kit, you fundamentally change your relationship with the landscape. A multi-day trek around a lake becomes a serene one-hour paddle across it. An impassable river becomes a direct route to your next objective.
This isn't about becoming a full-time kayaker; it's about adding a powerful tool to your thru-hiking arsenal. The ideal packraft for this purpose must be incredibly lightweight and compact, yet tough enough to handle the rocky, often unpredictable shores of Patagonia's glacial-fed waters. It's a delicate balance. In this guide, we'll explore the top 8 ultralight packrafts perfectly suited for the adventurous thru-hiker looking to unlock the full potential of the Patagonian wilderness.
1. Alpacka Raft Ghost: The Featherweight Phantom
The Alpacka Raft Ghost is the embodiment of minimalist design from the company that started the packrafting revolution. Weighing in at a mere 2.2 lbs (1 kg), this boat is for the true ultralight purist. It's constructed with a 70d ripstop nylon hull and a 200d nylon floor, offering a surprising amount of durability for its weight class. It’s a stripped-down, no-frills vessel designed for one purpose: getting you across flat water with the smallest possible penalty to your pack weight.
Its spartan design means you won't find spraydecks or fancy seating systems. You simply inflate it, sit on your backpack or a foam pad, and paddle. The Ghost tracks surprisingly well for its size, but it's not designed for whitewater or significant wind. Its primary role is to be a tool for solving specific geographic problems, like crossing a calm alpine lake at dawn or fording a wide, slow-moving river that would otherwise be a dangerous wade.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: The Ghost is an ideal companion for routes like the Cerro Castillo Circuit. When you reach Laguna Duff, instead of a long rock-hop around the shore, you can inflate the Ghost in minutes for a stunning paddle amongst the ice floes, giving you a perspective few hikers ever experience. Just be hyper-aware of the wind; its light weight makes it susceptible to being pushed around.
2. Kokopelli Hornet-Lite: The Packable Pocket Rocket
If a race to the bottom of the scale is what you’re after, the Kokopelli Hornet-Lite is a serious contender. Tipping the scales at just under 2 lbs (0.9 kg), it’s one of the lightest packrafts on the market. Kokopelli achieves this by using a 70d TPU-coated nylon for the tubes and a more robust 210d TPU for the floor. This strategic use of materials provides a bit more abrasion resistance where it counts most.
The Hornet-Lite packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle, a feature that my friend and fellow adventurer Goh Ling Yong often says is the true test of ultralight gear—it should virtually disappear in your pack. It's designed exclusively for flatwater and mild river conditions. The included inflatable seat provides a bit more comfort and a better paddling position than sitting on your gear, which is a welcome touch for a boat this light.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: This is the perfect "just-in-case" packraft. When hiking sections of the Greater Patagonian Trail (GPT), you'll encounter numerous river crossings. The Hornet-Lite is so light you'll barely notice it until you need it, turning a potentially hazardous ford into a safe and simple paddle. Always carry a patch kit; the lighter fabrics are more susceptible to punctures from sharp Patagonian scrub.
3. Anfibio Rebel 2K: The Balanced All-Rounder
Hailing from Germany, Anfibio Packrafting specializes in gear for land-water adventures, and the Rebel 2K is a standout model. It strikes a fantastic balance between weight, durability, and features. At around 4.4 lbs (2 kg), it's heavier than the true featherweights, but that extra weight buys you significant peace of mind. It’s built from a robust 210d Urethane-Nylon on the tubes and a tough 420d floor, making it far more resistant to scuffs and scrapes.
The Rebel 2K features an integrated spraydeck option, which is a game-changer in Patagonia. A sudden squall or paddle drip can leave you soaked and chilled in minutes, and the deck provides crucial protection. It also offers more interior room and a more comfortable seating system, making it suitable for longer crossings where you might be on the water for an hour or more. For many, this is the sweet spot for serious thru-hiking use.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: On the Dientes de Navarino circuit, the world's southernmost trek, you'll encounter a chain of pristine, wind-exposed lakes. The Rebel 2K's stability and optional spraydeck would provide the confidence needed to link these lakes, creating a unique and efficient route through the rugged landscape of Isla Navarino.
4. MRS Tulo: The Lightweight Performer
Micro Rafting Systems (MRS) has earned a reputation for building high-quality, high-performance packrafts, and the Tulo is their answer for the ultralight hiker. Weighing about 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg), the Tulo is light enough for long-distance hiking but has the design DNA of a more capable boat. Its streamlined shape and slightly longer waterline help it track better in wind and move more efficiently through the water than smaller, "puddle-jumper" rafts.
The Tulo is constructed from 210d TPU-coated nylon throughout, offering a consistent and reliable level of durability. It feels more substantial and rigid on the water than its weight suggests. This makes it a great choice for thru-hikers who anticipate not just simple lake crossings, but also longer paddles down meandering rivers or along exposed coastlines where performance is a key component of safety.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: Imagine hiking along the shores of Lago General Carrera. The Tulo would be the perfect craft to launch from a protected cove and paddle out to the magnificent Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol), allowing you to explore this world-famous geological wonder on your own terms, away from the tourist boats.
5. Supai Adventure Gear Matkat: The Ultralight Innovator
Supai is a brand synonymous with true ultralight design, and the Matkat is their most capable flatwater boat. Weighing an astonishing 1.75 lbs (0.8 kg), it’s a masterclass in minimalist engineering. What sets the Matkat apart is its unique construction. Instead of traditional rounded tubes, it uses a flatter, wider design that provides excellent stability for its weight.
Made from a 75d ripstop polyester, it's surprisingly tough for its tissue-paper-like feel. It packs down to an incredibly small size, making it a favorite for FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempts and long-distance treks where every gram is scrutinized. The design is simple and effective, focusing purely on providing a stable and ridiculously lightweight platform for crossing water.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: The Matkat is an excellent choice for a fast-and-light traverse of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. When navigating the maze of meltwater lakes and outlet streams, the ability to rapidly deploy and pack away a sub-2lb boat is a massive tactical advantage. Its bright yellow color also adds a crucial element of visibility in a vast, monochromatic landscape.
6. DIY Packraft Telkwa: The Ultimate Customization
For the thru-hiker who loves to tinker and wants ultimate control over their gear, a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) packraft kit is the answer. DIYPackraft.com provides kits with pre-cut fabric panels and all the necessary materials to build your own boat. The Telkwa model, when built carefully, can weigh as little as 3 lbs (1.4 kg) and offers performance that rivals commercially produced rafts.
The process involves using a heat-sealing iron to bond the TPU-coated fabric panels together. While it requires patience and a bit of skill, the reward is a custom-built raft tailored to your exact specifications. You can choose the fabric weight, add extra tie-down points, and truly understand the construction of your most critical piece of water-crossing gear. This is the path for the ultimate gear nerd.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: Building your own raft gives you an intimate knowledge of its construction, making field repairs far less daunting. If you get a puncture from a sharp rock while launching into Lago Pehoé in Torres del Paine, you'll know exactly how to apply a heat-activated patch for a permanent, reliable fix—a skill that provides incredible peace of mind deep in the backcountry.
7. Alpacka Raft Scout: The Original Minimalist
Before the Ghost, there was the Scout. It’s slightly heavier at around 3.25 lbs (1.5 kg) but offers a bit more volume and stability. The Scout is a time-tested design that has been carried on countless adventures around the globe. It's built with Alpacka's legendary 210d ripstop nylon hull and an 840d ballistic nylon floor, making it significantly more durable than the sub-2lb phantoms.
For many, the Scout represents the perfect compromise for rugged terrain. It’s light enough that you won’t curse its presence in your pack, but tough enough that you won’t constantly worry about popping it on a sharp rock. It’s the trusty workhorse of the ultralight packrafting world. From my own experience and in conversations with guides like Goh Ling Yong, this level of durability is often worth the small weight penalty in an abrasive environment like Patagonia.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: The Scout is the ideal craft for a traverse of the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina. You can link trails and lakes, paddling across Laguna Frías and Lago Nahuel Huapi itself to create a spectacular and logical route, relying on the Scout's proven durability to handle the varied conditions.
8. Packrafting.de Trail-Lite: The European Specialist
This is a lesser-known but highly regarded option from the European packrafting scene. The Trail-Lite is specifically designed for the hiker-paddler, with a focus on creating a lightweight boat that doesn't sacrifice handling. It weighs approximately 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg) and features a long, narrow design that prioritizes tracking and speed over maneuverability, which is exactly what you want for lake crossings.
The materials and construction are top-notch, reflecting the high standards of German engineering. It’s a boat for the discerning user who values efficiency on the water. If your planned routes involve long paddles where covering distance matters, the Trail-Lite's performance can save you significant time and energy compared to shorter, "bobber-style" ultralight rafts.
Patagonia Pro-Tip: For an ambitious trip involving paddling long sections of the Baker River or exploring the fjord-like arms of Lago O'Higgins, the Trail-Lite's superior tracking would be a huge asset. It would allow you to handle mild currents and afternoon winds with more authority, turning a potentially stressful paddle into an enjoyable journey.
Your Next Chapter in Exploration
Choosing the right ultralight packraft is a deeply personal decision, a trade-off between weight, durability, performance, and your own tolerance for risk. The featherweight options are brilliant for the minimalist who sees the raft as a tool for specific, short crossings. The more robust models offer greater versatility and peace of mind, allowing for more ambitious water-based travel at the cost of a few hundred extra grams.
Ultimately, carrying a packraft in Patagonia is about more than just crossing water. It’s about unlocking a new dimension of travel. It’s about seeing the landscape not as a linear path to be followed, but as an open map to be explored. It transforms your thru-hike from a walk in the mountains into a true amphibious expedition. The right packraft doesn't just carry you over water; it carries you into the wild heart of Patagonia.
What's your go-to ultralight packraft for big adventures? Have you used one to unlock a unique route? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below! We'd love to hear your stories.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!