Alpacka Raft Mule

[matthausarchery]

I am going to get a packraft for a few trips this summer. Im a small guy and have narrowed it down to the Alpacka rafts Mule. The ine thing I can’t decide on is the material weight… 210d vs 420d. Spending a decent chunk of change on this I want it to last and be durable but it also needs to be packable for long mountain bike and hiking. Has anyone handles the 210d and 420d boats side by side? What are your thoughts? Is the extra weight and bulk worth the added rigidity and durability or is it a moot point? Save $150 bucks and be happy?

 

[rustednuts]

What are using it for, mountain lakes or running shallow rivers?

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I have the forger, and have used the caribou, mule, classic, and gnarwal. I’d go 420d it’s not that much heavier and it’s nice to have some extra durability.

 

[matthausarchery]

Ill be using it to run some shallow and occasionally glacial rivers. As well as just a river ferry. Often Ill have my mountain bike on the front etc. I cant see the .6lbs and 2” of extra bulk being the reason I don't use it.

 

[Khunter]

have not used side by side so not much help.

I used the 210 Mule for better part pf a month hunting. It is tuff. It was borrowed from a friend.

Enjoyed the loaner Mule so much I just bought a Mule and a Ranger for myself and my wife and chose the heavier material for the Ranger just because I could and the weight not that different.

I ran that 210d mule though a strainer/sweeper tree and it was under HIGH pressure I thought it mights pop but held up fine, as did I after some scary moments.

 

[matthausarchery]

Has anyone had a “blowout” catastrophic failure? What about minor repairs? What type of abuse led to the failures?

 

[Khunter]

What dod uou buy and how has it worked out

 

[matthausarchery]

I went with the mule in 420d, it is tough!! I have ran it into beaver logs/ dams, dropped my skinning knife on it, drug it across gravel bars, etc.

It is an awesome little boat. I think the 210 would have suited me just fine. While the additional weight of the 420d is negligible, the bulk certainly is. You could reasonable throw the 210d mule into your current pack setup. However, the 420d is bulky enough that I seriously have to plan around adding it to a pack. I would say with minimal frustration but tight packing, you can fit the 420d mule into a 30L sack.

I have no regrets, because I can strap it to the outside of my pack for locations that floating is the goal. I see a smaller lighter size pack raft in my future…

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I went with the mule in 420d, it is tough!! I have ran it into beaver logs/ dams, dropped my skinning knife on it, drug it across gravel bars, etc.

It is an awesome little boat. I think the 210 would have suited me just fine. While the additional weight of the 420d is negligible, the bulk certainly is. You could reasonable throw the 210d mule into your current pack setup. However, the 420d is bulky enough that I seriously have to plan around adding it to a pack. I would say with minimal frustration but tight packing, you can fit the 420d mule into a 30L sack.

I have no regrets, because I can strap it to the outside of my pack for locations that floating is the goal. I see a smaller lighter size pack raft in my future…

Any updates 2 year follow-up?

 

[Big Sky Guy]

have not used side by side so not much help.

I used the 210 Mule for better part pf a month hunting. It is tuff. It was borrowed from a friend.

Enjoyed the loaner Mule so much I just bought a Mule and a Ranger for myself and my wife and chose the heavier material for the Ranger just because I could and the weight not that different.

I ran that 210d mule though a strainer/sweeper tree and it was under HIGH pressure I thought it mights pop but held up fine, as did I after some scary moments.

Just clarifying, did you stick with the 210D for the raft you bought?

The weight isn’t as big of factor as it’s less than a lb more but packability and cost ($200 more), sounds like 210 is plenty tough.

Also, do you think it would resist a knife puncture if my knife fell off my pack while inside the raft? (Joking, from our convo on the other thread ).

 

[Khunter]

I think a knife would bounce off and no puncture. I have not hunted with the 420 weight ranger yet, just basic river raft day trips.

I stuck with the two rafts as purchased: 210 Mule and 420 Ranger. I presume I will have some benefit from heavier material at some point if take it on a big game hunt but cant say it is 'necessary'. As stated I hunted 20 days of day hunts for moose with a 210 Mule and it was tough, including coming out unscathed after it and (and almost me with it) got swallowed by a big strainer of a tree. It was so strained by river current wedging it into branches I thought it was going to burst but it came out fine when I pulled with all I have to pull it fully through that tree.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I think a knife would bounce off and no puncture. I have not hunted with the 420 weight ranger yet, just basic river raft day trips.

I stuck with the two rafts as purchased: 210 Mule and 420 Ranger. I presume I will have some benefit from heavier material at some point if take it on a big game hunt but cant say it is 'necessary'. As stated I hunted 20 days of day hunts for moose with a 210 Mule and it was tough, including coming out unscathed after it and (and almost me with it) got swallowed by a big strainer of a tree. It was so strained by river current wedging it into branches I thought it was going to burst but it came out fine when I pulled with all I have to pull it fully through that tree.

Ranger is available in self-bailer only? Is your Mule self-bailer or open? Open seems to be what I'd lean towards, not a fan of wet butt, but realize water dripping off paddle may result in wet butt regardless?

 

[Khunter]

Mule is not self bailer. I could have added that. And know I could sedn it in and they would punch the holes so I would think you could custom order a mule to be self bailer. Kinda think I should have but I did buy the apron or whatever that sheds water. I do like self bailer on the Ranger.

Wet butt or wear better clothing to prevent it I think are the options. One of the knocks I have heard on alpacka versus other options to have a seat above the floor of some sort. The blow up floor helps for sure.

I am by no means any sort of raft expert, not even a tiny bit.