For me, coming across IKs and lately, packrafts, was like first discovering mountain bikes; suddenly the outdoors became a whole lot more interesting. With a packboat the hitherto ignored blue bits of the map became new byways to adventure.

Here among the cheap, plastic beach toys were functional, durable and portable boats and mini rafts. They could be backpacked to the water's edge (or even carried indefinitely) from where you could paddle off for a few days after which you air down, roll it up and to make your way home.

I've only been paddling since 2005 and was never into hardshells or boating; it was IKs that brought me to the water and an exciting new way of travelling. In 2010 I got myself an Alpacka packraft, a genuinely portable 3kg 'IR'.

Thanks for your occasional feedback. Enjoy the website.

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