$1,500.00
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Caribou Boat

Caribou Boat
Caribou Boat
Caribou Boat
Caribou Boat
$1,500.00 Excl. tax
In stock (2)

Alpacka's lightest multi-purpose adventure packraft, the Caribou is perfect for backcountry and sidecountry adventures on flatwater and lightwater. Its comfortable, stable and easy to carry awkward loads like bikes and packs. Read more..

Spray Skirts Sold Separately For All Decked Models in 2025

The Caribou is a multi-purpose adventure packraft focused on backcountry and sidecountry trips on flatwater, lightwater, and bike rafting.  

The Caribou features a high volume hull with a classic stern to minimize weight and bulk, so you won’t have to worry about fitting everything in your pack, or your boat once you are on the water. The late rise bow provides additional foot room and makes carrying bulky heavy items like bikes and packs a breeze.  

The Caribou is available with Open, Removeable Deck, and Self Bailing configurations, plus you can add the innovative Cargo Fly zipper internal storage system.  

The Caribou is also available in both the lightweight and standard 210d hull fabrics so you can choose whether to optimize packability for backpacking or durability for a broader range of uses. 

What's New in 2025

The Caribou hull design is unchanged for 2025, but they’ve added two features to improve versatility and replace some of the options from the discontinued Classic.   

First, they added an inflatable backrest which provides more comfort for longer days on the water. This will make the Caribou closer in fit and comfort to the Classic. Of course, you can leave it behind if you want to minimize weight. 

Second, they added a standard weight 210d hull option. Previously, the Caribou was only available with the lightweight 210d hull. The standard weight fabric is more durable for a broad range of uses while the lightweight fabric maximizes packability. They recommend standard fabric as a replacement for the Classic.

How Does it Compare?

Caribou vs. Expedition

Both the Caribou and Expedition are outstanding versatile packrafts. The Caribou is more focused on flatwater, bike rafting, and minimizing weight and bulk for backpacking. The Expedition is more focused on lightwater and whitewater performance. 

Caribou vs. Mule

The Mule and Caribou are like big and little siblings. Both have very similar layouts and intended uses focusing on versatile trips on flatwater and lightwater. The Caribou is smaller, lighter and more backpacking friendly. The Mule is larger and preferred for larger and taller paddlers as well as heavier duty trips like hunting and carrying a dog.  

Caribou vs. Scout

The lightweight open Caribou is the closest full sized packraft to the Scout. The Scout has the edge for weight and bulk and so is the preferred option for trips that are focused on short stretches of water or mountain lakes. But the Caribou is more versatile for longer stretches of water without having too much weight penalty when you are just hiking into your favorite mountain lake.  

Caribou vs. Classic

While discontinued for 2025, the Classic was their longest running model and is still available as a custom lab option. The Caribou is an ideal replacement for the Classic with the only difference being that the Classic is available in multiple sizes, but the Caribou will still be a comfortable fit for most people. Paddlers looking for more performance should consider an Expedition. 

Features

Attachments

4 bow strap plates, 2 stern grab loops, 2 stern strap plates, and 1 bow handle

Seating

Standard Toggle Seat and Inflatable Back Rest

Materials

Proprietary lightweight or standard TPU coated 210d hull with 840d nylon floor (Made in USA)

Includes

Inflation Bag, Stuff Sack, and Basic Repair Kit

Build Configurations

Open: The Caribou is available in the open build configuration.
Open with Cargo Fly: The Caribou with Cargo Fly is available in the open build configuration with Cargo Fly zipper so you can store your gear inside the packraft.
Self Bailer with Cargo Fly: The Caribou Self Bailer with cargo fly zipper is perfect for warmer conditions, quick entry and exit, and anyone that prefers a self bailing setup. The self-bailing floor tends to stabilize the packraft which helps boaters navigate through tricky spots. No dumping water is required.
Removable Deck with Cargo Fly: The Caribou with removable deck is great for keeping the paddler more dry in splashy conditions. The removable deck zips off if you want the versatility of having an open packraft or one with a whitewater deck.
 

Weight Capacity

The Caribou is designed for extra capacity at minimum weight. The following capacities are general guidelines based on experience and performance goals.

  • Paddler. Up to 250lbs 
  • Cargo. Optimum performance with up to 80lbs balanced load in the Cargo Fly, plus bicycle on bow. Up to 140lbs depending on conditions and paddler experience. 
  • Hunting. Hunter plus 50lbs of personal gear and 120lbs animal weight, more weight possible depending on conditions. 
  • Max. 500lbs on flatwater under ideal conditions 

Dimensions and Sizing*

Boater Height 5'2"-6'4"
Exterior Length 94.5in
Exterior Width 37.5in
Interior Length 47in
Interior Width 15.5in

*Due to the handmade nature of the packrafts, dimensions will vary slightly from boat to boat.

Weight*

Build Option Base Weight Kitted Weight Complete Weight
Open 4.5lb 5.25lb 6.0lb
Open w/ Cargo Fly 4.75lb 5.5lb 6.25lb
Removable Deck w/ Cargo Fly 6.0lb 7.1lb 7.8lb
Self Bailer w/ Cargo Fly 5.8lb 6.25lb 7.0lb

*Due to the handmade nature of the packrafts and natural variances in weights between different colors and production runs in the fabrics, all weights are estimated and will vary from boat to boat.

*Base Weight is boat without any seating. Kitted weight is boat with seating and rigging. Complete weight is everything in the stuffsack. Weights are the LW 210d versions. Add ~0.75lbs for Standard 210d.

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