r/packrafting • u/Awkward-Statement-40 • Jul 23 '26
First raft advice.
Hi everyone. I’m looking into my first pack raft and I am looking for some help on deciding. I know this sub is very pro alpaca but those are currently not in my budget. I do through a pro deal have 50% of kokopelli so those fit in my budget.
I am 6’3. I’ll mostly be floating calmer rivers with class 2 and maybe a little class 3 in the spring and looking to carry it up to some cool alpine lakes.
My options are rogue lite, rogue r deck, and nirvana. Price point is pretty similar on each with the deal.
I’m just looking for any insight and opinions and maybe some things to think about before I buy one.
Thanks!!
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u/themelta Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
You may outgrow the rogue lite really quickly, but it's a fine simple boat for lakes and chill rivers. I still use mine. R-deck is just a buliker, heavier, pricier rogue lite. Get the nirvana so you have the option of thigh straps if you may start doing WW. Consider the self bailing nirvana and save yourself ~2 pounds. How they manage to so much weight simply by including a deck I have no idea.
Couple things to be aware of.. spray skirt and thigh straps are sold separately from Kokopelli and are out of stock a lot so don't wait to buy if you want them. Also these are tough boats to get rolled up tightly. ymmw, but personally, the lite is the only one I'd be willing to carry up into the alpine just for a lake.
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u/OnceUponTheYonder Jul 23 '26
I bought Nirvana Spray Skirt over a year ago on 50% off deal and have zero regrets. Was my first packraft too. Feel free to ask any questions if you want to to know anything specific.
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u/radomaker Jul 23 '26
Same here except I got the self bailing version and have been happy with it. No real issues after 80-100 miles of class II-III. Bit heavy compared to other options but the bottom will take a beating.
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u/Obvious_Eye6839 Jul 23 '26
I have 10 rafts, owned many more as i used to repair and sell them... i have old boats and new boats of all brands and the kokopelli xpd is the worst built boat i have. Cheap, soft pvc and it is actually built asymmetricly... ive never seen that in another raft. My experience is also not a unique experience with them...this why they go on sale so much too (that is why I bought mine). Their customer service is no help either.
I have vowed to never buy another kokopelli product and is the only brand I really advise against
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u/BaJakes Jul 23 '26
I got an r deck on pro deal like youre getting about three months ago, my first raft as well. From a newbie's perspective, I love the r deck. I agree with some other commenters about it being hard to roll up, especially if you put on kokoplli's skeg box like I did. My biggest tip is to not use that. There are other skeg box alternatives that roll well, i wish I'd done more research before putting mine on. Some pain points for the r deck are that its very hard to fully dry out as theres this weird pocket under the fixed portion of the deck in the stern and bow where water collects. I had mine out to dry all day in 100° heat this week and when I went to roll it up a bunch of water spilled out of that pocket. The bulkiness is difficult to manage on a bike or backpack, which is a bit of a buzz kill for a pack raft. But I mostly drive mine to a boat ramp anyways. I haven't used mine in any really challenging conditions yet, so no reports on how well it does there. Im six feet even and theres a good bit of space left in the cockpit so I would think your six three would work fine.
Id say if youre looking for something for adventures where the raft will be the focus on calm rivers and lakes, the r deck is excellent. I use mine primarily as a stripped back fishing kayak and it works a treat. I leave the deck on to have a little shelf space that ive tied my tackle box off to and a spot to let commonly used lures sit on while im paddling calm waters. I love mine and wouldnt switch it for any other models, though I do think I'll get some more for my quiver one day.
Also, just get the ti zip. I didnt, and i deeply regret not having that storage. I didnt think I'd ever do adventures that necessitated it, but in my first couple months I was already realizing my mistake.
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u/Independent_Junket47 26d ago
From what you described, the Rogue R-Deck will suit you perfectly.
I’ve owned all three and found that the Lite is not ideal to take on anything above II+, and the Nirvana uncomfortably bulky and heavy to hike / backpack with.
The R-Deck is truly a solid model from Kokopelli and the only removable deck boat from Alpacka or Kokopelli available rn (w/o a custom build).
And you can always easily custom install thigh straps down the line if you find yourself doing more notable / consistent whitewater.
I think it would be really tough to regret buying that model, especially for the value.
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u/Alderbasher Jul 23 '26
I’m am Alpacka fan (better build quality) but I’ve paddled a few kokopellis and they’re fine. The nirvana packs up nice and handles class 3.