AlpackaRaft Accessory Guide — Storage, Seats, Inflation, Maintenance | Packraft Hokkaido / パックラフト北海道

🇯🇵 日本語 | 🇺🇸 English

Beyond the boat itself, AlpackaRaft offers dozens of accessories — storage bags, seats, foot braces, inflation gear, maintenance kits. This guide consolidates the accessory write-ups previously scattered across the site into one reference, organized by category so it’s easy to find what you actually need. For exact pricing, stock, and model-year fitment, check the linked product pages.

Storage and Packing Gear
Seats, Floor, and Foot Braces
Deck and Spray Skirt
Straps and Rigging
Inflation and Valves
Maintenance and Repair
DIY Customization and Rigging
Nobdody’s Headwear
Other Gear
Related Links

Storage and Packing Gear

Hybrid Bow Bag and its dedicated liner — the successor to the discontinued Expedition Bow Bag, which used a waterproof zipper. The Hybrid’s defining feature is a mesh bottom that drains automatically, so whitewater and rain don’t leave standing water inside. The trade-off is that the zipper itself isn’t waterproof, so anything that needs to stay dry — food, electronics, spare layers — goes into the separately-sold liner (20L, 220d Blue Oxford) before it goes in the bag. The liner pulls out whole onto your lap for easy access mid-paddle. Four quick-attach buckles secure it to the bow grab loops. Bag (243g) and liner are sold separately.

New Lap Bag — a 10L waterproof bag that sits between your legs, below the seat. Good for snacks, a water bottle, sunscreen — anything you want within reach while paddling. The attachment hardware was updated from a plastic D-ring to a Gatekeeper Lock Hook, extending compatibility to most current models including the Mage self-bailer. Not compatible with the Forager, Rendezvous, Ghost, or the legacy Wolverine and Gnarwhal. Uses a NiteIze TRU® waterproof zipper that’s easy to operate one-handed.

Chuckwagon Pod — a staff bag in two variants: Black (mini diamond ripstop, approx. 159g) and Key Lime & Blue Smoke (Challenge UltraGrid, approx. 142g), both approx. 24L. Works for sorting clothes on multi-day trips or as a camp kitchen bag; two of them fit side by side inside a Gunny Sack Internal Duffel.

Gunny Sack Internal Duffel — an alternative to the standard internal dry bag that trades some waterproofing for easier access (X-Pac + 210d nylon, approx. 36L, approx. 295g). The full-length top zipper gives quick access to packed gear, but it isn’t fully waterproof — pair it with a separate waterproof stuff sack for anything that needs to stay dry, or just use a standard roll-top inner dry bag instead.

Cargo Fly inner dry bags (roll-top and zipper-style) — a roll-top bag is the right answer for most trips. Three sizes: Small (30L, for Refuge/Scout/Valkyrie), Standard (34L, fits all models), and XL (64L, for Forager/Oryx/Ranger — may be a snug fit in the Ranger), all sold in sets of two. For big or high water where hull rigidity matters, or for multi-chamber permit rivers (none currently apply in Japan), the zipper-style Standard (32L, with a TRU® Zip airtight zipper) is the right choice — it has a built-in inflation tube that doubles as a secondary air chamber and a buoyancy backup if the Cargo Fly tube is ever punctured. Packing basics apply across the board: distribute weight evenly, keep heavy items low, wrap hard items in clothing.

Stuff sack (replacement) — comes in four sizes (Small, Medium, Large, XL), with the right size depending on model and build configuration (open deck / self-bailer / spray deck) — check the compatibility table on the product page before ordering. For long-term storage, take the boat out of the stuff sack: hang it or fold it loosely in a dry place out of direct sunlight, since extended compression stresses the fabric and coatings.

Scrap Tote Bag — made from the offcuts left over when AlpackaRaft packrafts are cut and sewn in Mancos, Colorado (the same TPU-coated nylon, water-resistant, approx. 28 x 15 x 33cm). Since it’s made from production scraps, no two are exactly alike. Works as a sub-bag for the approach to the river, or for carrying wet gear after paddling.

Seats, Floor, and Foot Braces

AlpackaRaft’s self-bailer and whitewater-deck models use a two-piece floor system that differs from the simpler open-deck models: a seat (rear) and a foot brace (front) together cover the cockpit floor, keeping feet and hips out of direct water contact while adding buoyancy and warmth.

Replacement seat guide — seats attach one of two ways: lace-in (through lace tabs on the hull interior) or floor-toggle (a D-ring clipped to a floor toggle loop), and which one you need depends on model and year. A lace-in seat will fit a toggle-mount boat, but not the other way around. Valkyrie and Mage use the WW race seat; Caribou, Mule, Classic, and Expedition (2019–2024) use the standard toggle seat; Scout, Ghost, and pre-2025 Refuge use the toggle-mount version; 2025-and-later Refuge uses lace-in; the Ranger uses its own dedicated lace-in seat. If you’re not sure which your boat needs, confirm the year and configuration before ordering.

Self-bailing foot brace (front component) — a self-bailer’s mesh floor drains water, but that also means your feet sit in it. This piece attaches to the strap plate on the seat sleeve and fills the front of the cockpit floor, keeping feet out of the water and adding warmth and buoyancy. Compatible with the Gnarwhal, the discontinued Wolverine and Nar-Mule, and the self-bailer versions of the Classic, Caribou, and Mule.

Whitewater foot brace — a different product with a different job: it shortens the cockpit and works with thigh straps to improve control (weight: 110g). The attachment method has changed across three production generations (2025+: Gatekeeper lock hook; 2019–2024: D-ring hook; 2017–2018: aluminum hook), so confirming your boat’s year before ordering matters.

Back band and inflatable backrest — two options for reducing back and hip fatigue on long paddles. The back band is custom foam, dries fast, and gives a stronger sense of connection to the boat in whitewater; the inflatable backrest lets you fine-tune firmness with air and is the cheaper replacement option. Attachment style (single strap plate vs. ladder strap plate) varies by boat, so check before ordering.

Thigh straps — the accessory that fundamentally changes boat control by locking your legs in, enabling leans, edging, and rolls. Three configurations: 2-point (ankle + hip, fits every model, lightest), 3-point (adds a side-tube ladder plate), and 4-point (needs a long or double ladder plate, the highest control ceiling). Note that the 4-point version isn’t compatible with the 2024+ Refuge, the 2025+ Expedition, or the Gnarwhal.

Since the foot brace, seat, and backrest are all inflatable, the Pack-A-Pump Adapter (see “Inflation and Valves” below) is the easiest way to top them off after tempering.

Deck and Spray Skirt

There are three whitewater-deck-related parts, each with a distinct role. The WW spray deck coming is the skeleton the skirt stretches over (a 98″ PEX pipe), sold as a replacement for a damaged or deformed one — required cut length varies by model year, and since a cut can’t be undone, measure twice. The Ultralight spray skirt is the replacement skirt itself (approx. 210g), available in three variants by year and cockpit size. The AlpackaRaft × Immersion Research Sixmile skirt is the top-tier option — the first bungee-style skirt built for packrafting, developed for paddlers running Class 3–4+. Size it by taking your waist measurement and subtracting 5cm. Its release mechanism is a pull-handle, different from other packraft skirts, so practice the exit before you need it for real.

Straps and Rigging

Cam strap (tie-down) — a 1-inch nylon webbing strap with a CNC-machined billet aluminum cam buckle (approx. 117cm long, 37g). Used for strapping a folded boat to a bike, securing gear to a roof rack, or lashing wet gear to the outside of a pack on approach. Not rated for life-safety use such as climbing.

See “Seats, Floor, and Foot Braces” above for thigh straps.

Inflation and Valves

Since 2017, every AlpackaRaft has shipped with a wide-bore Temper Assist Valve that includes a check-valve mechanism — it opens and closes as air passes through and seals automatically as pressure rises, making inflation-bag filling smoother. The easy-to-miss detail: the valve is only truly airtight once the cap is screwed on. A missing gasket inside the valve cap is a common, overlooked cause of slow air loss — keep a spare gasket in your repair kit and always close the cap before packing, and that alone prevents most valve problems. In the field, wrapping a scrap of plastic bag around the valve before screwing the cap down works as an emergency substitute.

Inflation bag and adapter — the standard inflation gear that ships with every AlpackaRaft (approx. 142g), connecting via a 360-degree rotating press-fit swivel nozzle. If the bag itself is torn or lost, replace the whole bag; if only the adapter fails, buy the adapter alone. The adapter is also compatible with third-party inflatable sleeping pads from Exped, NEMO, and Sea to Summit (not Big Agnes). Note that the inflation bag alone can’t reach operating pressure (1.5–2.0 PSI).

Pack-A-Pump — the dedicated pump for reaching operating pressure, using a polycarbonate tube that threads directly onto the valve — about 30–40 strokes gets you there. This matters especially on high-performance whitewater models like the Mage and Valkyrie, where proper pressure is what lets the hull perform as designed. It’s built exclusively for the 2017-and-later Temper Assist Valve and isn’t compatible with other brands. Over-inflating past 2.5 PSI risks rupturing the hull or the Cargo Fly zipper — never push past that.

Pack-A-Pump Adapter — bridges the Pack-A-Pump to the twist-seal inflation tubes used by the seat, backrest, and foot brace, so you can top those off after tempering without getting out of the boat. Also compatible with sleeping pads from Therm-a-Rest, Exped, and REI (not Big Agnes). Since those accessory tubes are designed for mouth or low-pressure inflation, be careful not to over-pressurize them with the Pack-A-Pump — add air slowly and stop as soon as it feels right.

Maintenance and Repair

Basic Repair Kit — the same seven-item kit that ships standard with every AlpackaRaft (Aquaseal, adhesive tape, Patch-N-Go tape, alcohol wipes, 840d floor fabric, a waterproof storage bag, and more). Use Patch-N-Go or adhesive tape for a temporary field fix, then do the permanent repair with Aquaseal once home (about 12 hours to cure).

DIY tube patch set — heavier-duty patch material (one rectangular patch plus five round patches in two sizes) for repairing larger tears in the hull. Adhesive (Clifton Urethane LA4123 or Sta-bond) and solvent (acetone or MEK) aren’t included and need to be sourced separately — hazardous-materials regulations keep this shop from selling them. Work in a well-ventilated space, ideally around 24°C and under 50% humidity, follow the ten-step process, and allow at least 24 hours to cure. Reach for this for larger tears or extensive damage; the Basic Repair Kit covers smaller field-to-permanent repairs.

Tyvek® sheeting tape — originally a construction material, it’s become the go-to field repair tape for packrafts thanks to its lack of stretch and strong adhesion to TPU fabric. A 4.5m roll handles anything from a pinhole to a large tear. It doesn’t adhere well to textured surfaces — the floor, the seat, or around the valve — so stick to smooth outer-tube surfaces. It’s a field fix only: peel it off once you’re home and do a permanent repair with Aquaseal+FD or equivalent.

TiZip maintenance kit and Cargo Fly zipper care — if your boat has a Cargo Fly, treat this kit (lubricant, cloths, instructions) as a consumable. The single most important rule is sequence: clean first, then lubricate — lubricant is viscous and attracts sand, so applying it to a dirty zipper makes things worse. The process: ① with the zipper closed, work a thin layer of lubricant into the outer surface, ② wipe off the excess, ③ open it and apply a light coat to the chain and sealing edges, ④ add a small dab at the docking end, ⑤ cycle it open and closed a few times to confirm smooth operation. Always let it dry fully open before closing it for storage, and if you’re packing up wet, roll the boat with the Cargo Fly on the outside so it can keep drying on the way home.

Hull care and storage — field maintenance is minimal — mainly keeping sand and grit out of the Cargo Fly zipper, and being mindful of abrasion where the boat is strapped to a pack or bike. After use, wash with a mild detergent and dry completely before storing (storing it wet is what causes zipper degradation and odor). Store it hanging, loosely rolled, or loosely folded somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight — avoid long-term compression in the stuff sack. Never use a UV protectant spray on the hull; the coating it leaves behind interferes with adhesion for field patches and repairs.

DIY Customization and Rigging

Models outside the whitewater lineup — Caribou, Zephyr, Scout, Mule, Classic — typically ship without a foot brace. That leaves a real risk: if the boat flips, anything loose in the cockpit can wash away in seconds. A simple fix is to bond a DIY grab loop near the foot end of the cockpit interior and clip a dry bag to it with a carabiner or strap — Gear Aid’s Aquaseal+FD is the recommended adhesive for the job.

AlpackaRaft sells a handful of parts for exactly this kind of customization: the grab loop itself, a strap plate for lashing a bike frame or rod case with a Voile or Titan strap, a carrying handle that makes hauling the boat around easier, and a single D-ring plate for a stronger attachment point than a grab loop alone. Being able to shape a production boat into something that fits your own use is one of the real pleasures of owning a packraft. These are DIY parts with no included instructions — if you haven’t bonded a permanent attachment to a packraft before, think through placement and method carefully before committing.

Nobdody’s Headwear

Nobdody’s is a waterwear brand based in White Salmon, Washington. Co-founders Sam and Sarina, both dedicated whitewater kayakers, started the brand out of a shared frustration on a Grand Canyon trip: a skull cap keeps you warm but doesn’t block the sun, and there was nothing that fit comfortably under a helmet. Immersion Research helped bring the design to production. Packraft Hokkaido became Nobdody’s Japan distributor through connections in the paddling community.

Three products cover different seasons and fields. Soli (natural rubber, 5-panel skull cap, 2 sizes) suits spring through fall and cooler conditions, and fits under a helmet. Guru (fuzzy rubber, full balaclava, 3 sizes) is built for fall through deep winter, covering the whole face and doubling as mountain gear for skiing and snowboarding. Sensei (a non-insulating polyester-spandex blend, full balaclava, 2 sizes) takes the Guru’s balaclava shape and adapts it to warmer temperatures, staying breathable rather than warm. All three share a flat brim and helmet-compatible fit. Size by head circumference, and if you’re unsure, include your helmet’s brand, model, and size when asking.

Other Gear

Adrenaline Sled — an inflatable sled built from the same high-performance materials and Colorado manufacturing as the packrafts (approx. 101cm, approx. 1.22kg). Suited to backcountry ski and snowboard days with a sled along for the ride, or any snow-specific, packable activity. For ages 18+ only, with no brakes or steering, and not for use on ice, gravel, wood, or rock.

River Station Gear — a whitewater rescue gear brand based on the Arkansas River in Cañon City, Colorado, known for throw bags, mesh bags, and dry bags in bold, distinctive colorways. Packraft Hokkaido is the first shop in Japan to carry the line, including a 55ft throw bag sized for kayak and packraft use, a 60ft artist-collaboration throw bag, and the Rapid Pack — a quick-release, waist-mounted 60ft throw system.