Packrafting

[mjh]

Best packable PFD gor pack rafting

The most packable is the anfibio buoy boy PFD which is an inflatable lightweight PFD but that might not be the most appropriate depending on what you want to use it for.

cheers Mike

 

[OwenM]

I've just got an Anfibio buoy boy, it is very light and rolls up really small, although I've not tested it on the water yet it seems very comfortable. I should point out that it doesn't actually conform to any ISO's or EU directives as a PFD or life jacket. This is mainly down to the way it's made rather than any defect in the vest itself. You get lots of warmings in the manual and labels, it's up to you whether you trust it or not.

I quite like it.

 

[tom]

I've got a Spinlock airbelt PFD for slackwater or tital thames etc. Designed for SUPs, the airbelt is small and comfy to wear on a packraft. But I also have a full spec non-inflatable for off-shore use and rivers with rapids. Bulky but I do feel better in this in more exposed situations...

 

[jeha]

Helmet...
Reading about cycle helmets "falling apart" in the water, I have now checked and the "EN 12492:2012" standard (all Petzl's seem to have this) includes certification for whitewater use... It took a bit of digging to find so this might be useful for others here.

That´s interesting, because I always thought EN 12492 is for climbing and EN 1385 for whitewater use (with multiple and side impacts). Only a few helmets seem to be certified with both standards. (But that business is not a cheap one, I guess...)
Do you have a link for that? That would be really helpful, thanks in advance.

 

[tom]

That´s interesting, because I always thought EN 12492 is for climbing and EN 1385 for whitewater use (with multiple and side impacts). Only a few helmets seem to be certified with both standards. (But that business is not a cheap one, I guess...)
Do you have a link for that? That would be really helpful, thanks in advance.

I saw "whitewater" in a PDF document about "EN 12492:2012" which I deleted straight away after reading it (found via a link to Petzl helmets originally). Can't see it now but "Outdoor and water sports equipment" is also listed here for the 2012 version.... But a PDF with the "whitewater" standard listing is definitely online. EN 1385 is probably whitewater only?

 

[jeha]

Hmm... There was a version of the Petzl Meteor helmet some years ago, which had both certifications. (But then they changed the chin strap somehow and the helmet lost the EN 1385 certification, IIRC)

 

[OwenM]

I have the Petzl Meteor II hat which is supposedly rated for climbing, water sports and cycling. It's lined with polystyrene so it's one knock only, not so good if you're caught in recycling white water. It is very light only 225g. For running rivers I use a Predator helmet an Ace I think. It's 470g but has a thicker shell and high density foam lining so it can take multiple hits. I've not run any rivers in my packraft and probably won't, I'm getting a bit old for that now. If I did ever decide to do any more white water I know which helmet I'll be using.

 

[tom]

Interesting review "MRS Nomad S1 Review After 1 Year" - don't agree with all he says (about whitewater and I don't find the nomad that much heavier to carry than the Rebel 2K) but I enjoyed watching

 

[tom]

Finally a longer trip testing the Anfibio Nano RTC - Its small but the in-hull storage makes that secondary. For the usual "tame" rivers in Britain, it seems perfectly adequate. I actually prefer the Nano to my Rebel 2K. Handling is similar and the small packsize and weight and ease of drying makes up for any advantages the Rebel 2K may have...


Nomad and Nano ...


Sitting a little "forward" helps with bracing legs and keeps the Nano more level compared to sitting at one end. Seat and backrest are a MYOG combi