How to Choose a Packraft Paddle

Choosing the best paddle for your packraft will be based primarily on the type of water you’re paddling. While there is a basic paddler height × paddle length formula, the feel of the paddle in your hands also plays a role. The best way to ensure your new paddle meets both criteria is to pop into a paddle shop and put paddles into your hand.

But if you’d like to do some research beforehand, let’s start with paddle nomenclature, so you’re familiar with blade styles and paddle materials. From there, we’ll break down the type of paddles best used depending on the type of water you plan to paddle, including a basic paddle length starting point and our paddle recommendations.

Blade Styles for Packraft Paddles

Materials for Packraft Paddles

A paddle made from stiff, lightweight materials will lead to less fatigue, allowing you to run more drops, surf more waves, paddle farther and perform better. A lighter “swing weight,” or effective weight of the paddle through the stroke path, will allow you to feel fresher as the miles and hours wear on. A paddle with a stiffer material will flex less, causing less water to “escape” from the blade face, requiring less energy from your stroke to create more motion. Carbon fiber paddles are generally the lightest options. Fiberglass models are the most durable and are still quite light. Some brands offer a hybrid model, which balances swing weight with durability.

Choose a Paddle to Match Your Type of Water

Packrafting on Calm Water

If you’re looking to take your packraft on lakes and calm water, a paddle designed for a relaxed, lower-angle style is recommended. The lower the paddling angle, the less stress on smaller muscle groups (arms and shoulders), letting you explore farther and longer. As for paddle length, while height is a factor, also consider that a longer paddle will cause less water to get into the boat or drip down on the paddler.

• Paddle Blade Style: Touring, Low-angle
• Paddle Length Starting Point: 220cm
• Model Suggestions: Werner Camano; Aqua Bound Sting Ray Hybrid, Sting Ray Carbon, or Tango

Packrafting on Moving Water

This may be the hardest discipline to pick a paddle for, as depth and volume can vary depending on the river, the season, etc. If you like moving water, you may find yourself exploring deep water one day and shallower water on the next adventure. We recommend playing the percentage game. Where do you see yourself paddling the most? Choose the paddle best for that water type.

Assuming you plan to paddle more shallow sections of river with mild whitewater, look for a paddle with a more robust blade that can handle these conditions. As for paddling style, as one begins to maneuver in a more advanced river environment, paddle angle tends to get higher to keep the boat going straight and accommodate vertical turning strokes.

While we recommend both high angle touring paddles and whitewater paddles for moving water, keep in mind that touring paddles are not built for the rigors of the whitewater environment. Although whitewater paddles are heavier and sometimes more expensive, it’s the only way to assure strength and impact resistance in shallow, fast-moving water.

• Paddle Blade Style: Touring, High-angle or Whitewater, river runner
• Paddle Length Starting Point: 194cm to 210cm
• Model Suggestions:
  • Touring High-Angle: Werner Pack-Tour M, Aqua Bound Manta Ray Hybrid, Manta Ray Carbon, or Whiskey
  • Whitewater River Runner: Werner Sherpa or Powerhouse; Aqua Bound Shred Hybrid or Shred Carbon

Whitewater Packrafting

Once you commit to the whitewater environment, you must commit to a strong, impact-resistant paddle that’s designed to handle the abuse current and rocks will dish out. Buying a cheaper paddle could put you in a dangerous situation with a broken paddle half-way through a committing run.

• Paddle Blade Style: Whitewater, river runner
• Paddle Length Starting Point: 194cm to 205cm
• Model Suggestions: Werner Sherpa or Powerhouse; Aqua Bound Shred Hybrid or Shred Carbon

Fishing from a Packraft

Adventure anglers will want quiet strokes and efficient paddling to get to the next fishing spot while using the least amount of energy. Like paddles designed for calm water, a lower angle stroke puts less emphasis on the smaller muscle groups and a longer paddle will cause less water to get into the boat or drip down on the paddler.

• Paddle Blade Style: Touring, Low-angle
• Paddle Length Starting Point: 220cm
• Model Suggestions: Werner Camano; Aqua Bound Sting Ray Hybrid, Sting Ray Carbon or Tango

There are a multitude of different paddle brands on the market. The two we have highlighted have impeccable reputations and we highly endorse them. When shopping for paddles, talk to paddlers—either in the packrafting community or at your local paddle shop. As with any product, there are pros and cons of any brand. Be sure to understand those. At the end of the day the paddle is an extension of your body and a key element in you being more efficient and enjoying your time on the water.

Note: Considering the nature of packrafting is being able to access more remote waters and pack down your paddling craft for easy transport, we recommend a four-piece breakdown paddle.