I am very grateful for the number of people who placed orders immediately after I announced the new fabric shipment had arrived, and now I am working to fulfill the orders as quickly as possible. DIY Packraft is just me (Matt), so it’s taking me several days to respond to Read more…
At long last! The Skeena, Telkwa, and 2-Person packraft kits are now available in all colors and sizes, and spray decks and spray skirts are also available. (Bulk fabric sales and Ultralight packraft kits will not be available for the foreseeable future.) Every DIY Packraft kit is custom made by Read more…
The past several months have sure tested my patience, but barring further delays, the new DIY Packraft fabric shipment will arrive in 2-3 weeks (early to mid-February). Then I will start making packraft kits again! Orders will be processed in the sequence they are received, so if you’re keen to Read more…
The American Packrafting Association is hosting an online whitewater packrafting skills clinic called, “Boat, Don’t Float” presented by Mark Oats. I’m not associated with Mark or the APA, but it looks like a really cool event, so I will be participating and if you’re interested in whitewater paddling, you should Read more…
I have just finished editing a “highlights” video from the 30-day solo packrafting/hiking trip I did this past summer, so if you’re interested in seeing what that trip was like, please check it out. I’m also working on a written trip report that includes maps, pictures, and a gear list Read more…
Since I announced there had been a delay in the fabric manufacturing process, a number of you have asked to be notified when the Skeena, Telkwa, or 2-Person packraft kits are back in stock. I’m delighted that you’re keen to know when the kits will be available, but I probably Read more…
I have returned from my 30-day hiking/packrafting trip and I look forward to sharing the details of this fantastic voyage with you, but first I have a large backlog of emails to respond to and plenty of work to do in order to get the DIY Packraft shop up and Read more…
I am embarking on a solo packrafting expedition for several weeks. This is the trip I have been dreaming about for many years, and it’s the reason I started making packrafts in the first place, so in a very real sense, DIY Packraft owes its existence to the idea of Read more…
This is just a heads up that tomorrow will be my last trip to the post office before I leave for my month-long packrafting trip, so today is your last opportunity to purchase a fabric sample pack, valve, etc. (packraft kits are already unavailable). I appreciate your patience and understanding!
As mentioned in a previous post, I will be away on a packrafting trip for the month of August and so I will not be processing orders during that time. Because it takes a couple of weeks to make a packraft kit, I must halt orders well in advance of Read more…
There are lots of packrafting videos online, but most of them focus on the paddling and don’t show much of the hiking and camping part. I prefer videos that have a bit of a story to them, so I decided to try making one myself. I just walked out my Read more…
Thanks to everyone who has supported DIY Packraft over the years! I will be embarking on a solo packrafting expedition for several weeks later this summer. This is the trip I have been dreaming about for many years, and it’s the reason I started making packrafts in the first place, Read more…
After Pilotpeat posted a question in the forum about packrafting paddles, I decided to make a permanent page to address the subject in the FAQ. Here’s the paddle page. I also received an email from Kait P. asking about life jackets (“Personal Flotation Devices”), so I started a PFD page Read more…
Here are a few pandemic-related questions and their answers (plus a couple of rants), which I will update as things change: Is DIY Packraft still making and shipping packraft kits? Yes! My region has been mercifully spared by the pandemic, so things go on here with few disruptions aside from Read more…
I’m running low on several of the DIY Packraft fabrics, and due to all the craziness in the world right now, it’s uncertain when I’ll be able to receive new shipments. For that reason, I’ve removed the bulk fabrics from the DIY Packraft shop until further notice. I really enjoy Read more…
Due to a shortage of black fabric, all packraft seat parts will be made from colored fabric until further notice. I will use the same color as the packraft’s tubes or a complementary color, depending on availability. Seam strips and attachment points will still be made from black fabric until/unless Read more…
TL;DR: Any order placed during the COVID-19 pandemic may be subject to unavoidable shipping delays; by placing an order, you accept this possibility and agree to wait. For up-to-date postal service status information, check the following links: Available shipping methods by country (outside USA & Canada): International All Postal Service Read more…
All this frightening news about the coronavirus pandemic is enough to make one want to pack a bag and take an extended packrafting trip deep into the backcountry – or at least hole up with some canned food and spend time making packrafts alone. Fortunately, experts at the Centers for Read more…
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that I’m constantly working to improve the DIY Packraft designs, instructions, and materials. Today I’m excited to introduce a new fabric that has been specially made for the DIY Packraft floors. It’s only 450 grams per square meter (13.3 Read more…
Ken S. recently sent me some pictures of his growing DIY Packraft fleet, which looks fantastic. He also sent some really useful feedback for me, which I have turned into the Telkwa build report linked below. I try my best to make the DIY Packrafts as easy to build as Read more…
I’ve been working on an article about how to evaluate different packrafts when you’re shopping around online. It started out as a blog post, but it ended up being quite long and detailed (over 4000 words!), and I think it will remain useful indefinitely, so I decided to post it Read more…
If you’d like to save some money on a DIY Packraft and give to a worthy charity at the same time, you can bid on a $200 (CAD) DIY Packraft coupon at the annual Rotary Club online auction here. At the time I write this, bidding is at $111, so Read more…
While doing some research for an upcoming packrafting trip, I came across a very useful resource that I’d like to bring to your attention. It’s a concise 38-page PDF called Backpacking Food: Recipes, Rations, Stoves & Storage, written by legendary long-distance backpacker/ultrarunner/explorer Andrew Skurka (named “Adventurer of the Year” by Read more…
