ntroducing the Mule: Your Ultimate Heavy-Duty Packraft for Big Adventures... Haul More, Adventure Further! Alpacka understand the challenge of finding high-performance outdoor gear if you're big and tall. That’s why they created the Mule, a spacious and super stable backcountry packraft designed to meet your needs. Whether you need extra space and comfort for longer trips or you're a hunter seeking a boat that can be easily packed into the backcountry without running out of space, the Mule is perfect for you. The Mule comfortably carries a 115kg paddler and 45kgs of gear without feeling bogged down. This makes it an ideal solo hunting and fishing packraft, capable of transporting medium-sized animals and fitting into a backpack. It's perfect for accessing remote rivers for fishing and hunting. Built with 11.7-inch diameter Cargo Hull, the Mule features a center panel stern and late rise bow, maximizing stability, buoyancy, legroom, and cargo capacity. The Mule comes in Open, Removable Whitewater Deck, and Self-Bailing configurations. It also comes with Alpacka's innovative Cargo Fly zipper internal storage system for additional convenience. BUILD CONFIGURATIONS Open A non-self-bailing or open style packraft has a sealed floor, meaning any water that gets in stays in, as there is nowhere for the water to drain. This style of packraft is best for still water and slow rivers where you are unlikely to find yourself in an unplanned inversion or have water enter your raft. Self Bailer A self-bailing packraft has drainage in the floor, so when water gets in, it drains back out. You will get wet in a self-bailing raft, so they are best for white water in warm weather or use with a dry suit. Alpacka's self bailing design features a lightweight 3/4 length 7-inch thick seat in the rear that is protected by a sleeve and a heavy-duty baffled foot brace in the front that keeps your feet up and out of the water. Removable Whitewater Deck The Removable WW Deck functions like a breakdown kayak style deck and features a large cockpit, one-piece pex coaming and an ultralight secure fitting spray skirt, plus a water-resistant perimeter zipper to convert to an open (non self-bailing) boat for more relaxing days. The Removable WW Deck maximises versatility for the broadest range of paddling conditions. Cargo Fly Zipper The cargo fly zipper is the ultimate packraft gear storage solution. The cargo fly is an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat to allow you to load your gear inside the tubes. The system provides drier and more secure gear storage and improved paddling performance due to a lower centre of gravity. The cargo fly zipper option is perfect for expeditions, whitewater performance and keeping your gear dry in wet conditions. Internal Dry Bags may be purchased separately and are designed to work with the Cargo Fly system. The bags clip in place along each side of the tubes with a side release buckle and allow for better organisation and weight balance than placing the contents of your pack loose inside the cargo fly. They also act as additional balanced air chambers to make it easier to get to shore in the event of a puncture. FEATURES & SIZING Features Manufacturing: Made to Order in Mancos, Colorado. Shape: Cargo Hull. Tube Diameter: 11.7 inches. Fit: Relaxed (See sizing and specifications) Valve: Temper assist valve for inflation and deflation. Attachments: 4 bow grab loops, 2 stern grab loops, 1 bow handle, and 2 strap plates. Seating: Classic Seat Bottom and Inflatable Seat Back. Materials: Proprietary 210 or 420-denier high count nylon hull and 840-denier ballistic nylon floor (Made in USA). Includes: Inflation Bag, Stuff Sack, and Basic Repair Kit. Sizing Boater Height: 6'2"-6'8" | 188-203cm Exterior Length: 254cm Exterior Width: 97cm Interior Length: 132cm Interior Width: 39cm Max Capacity*: 227kg *Max Capacity is the maximum total weight (paddlers and cargo) that the boat can reasonably carry in flatwater under ideal conditions. Actual capacity for any given trip will vary widely based on the paddler’s skill and water conditions. Please review our weight carrying capacity guide for further details. SPECIFICATIONS Build Option Weight* Packed Size** Open (OP) 3.2kg 46x18cm Open (OP) | Cargo Fly (CF) 3.3kg 46x18cm Removable Whitewater Deck (WR) 4.1kg 46x22cm WR | CF 4.1kg 46x22cm Self Bailer (SB) 3.6kg 46x20cm SB | CF 3.8kg 46x20cm *Weight includes all components except inflation bag, repair kit, and internal dry bags for Cargo Fly. **Packed size is a reference measurement based on folding each lengthwise edge of the boat to the center and rolling from the bow. There are many other methods of rolling and folding the boats that will result in a different packed size that may be more or less efficient for packing depending on the situation. USES & COMPARISON Uses Flatwater: The Mule is one of our favorite flatwater river trip packrafts. The larger size makes it extra-comfy for long days on the water, whether you are putting down miles or relaxing. The larger hull design is ideal for transporting larger cargo loads and more camp comforts. We recommend the Expedition or Tango if you are needing a faster packraft or better performance in headwinds. Lightwater: The Mule is a great lightwater boat, especially if you are a big and tall paddler. We recommend the Removable Deck or Self Bailing build options for lightwater. Smaller paddlers will enjoy the extra space on flatwater, but may prefer a better fitting or more nimble boat in lightwater like the Caribou, Expedition or Gnarwhal. Hunting: The Mule is our most backpack friendly hunting focused packraft. It won’t break your back on a 20-plus mile hike in and yet it will still comfortably carry caribou or elk sized game animals for the float out. This makes it ideal for sheep, goat, and deer/caribou hunters. Hunters needing extra cargo capacity should look at a Ranger or Forager, while hunters needing to cut every ounce possible should consider the Caribou. Dogs: Dogs love packrafting! The extra space in the front of the Mule is perfect for bringing along your four legged best friend, especially for average sized paddlers. Larger paddlers or larger dogs should consider the Ranger. Mule vs. Caribou vs. Ranger The Mule offers more legroom and cargo capacity than the Caribou, making it an excellent choice for those needing additional space for both themselves and their gear. This larger raft provides enhanced comfort for long days on the water, especially when carrying heavier loads. Despite its larger size, the Mule remains more backpack-friendly than the Ranger, offering a good balance between comfort and portability. This makes it ideal for those looking for more space without the bulk and weight of the larger, more rugged Ranger. The Caribou is prefered when weight and pack size are the most important considerations, particularly for solo adventurers or those with limited space for gear. The Ranger, while offering the most space, is suited for those who can handle its extra bulk, making it perfect for trips where carrying extra weight is manageable. However, the Mule stands out as a top choice for versatility. Its balance of cargo capacity, legroom, and lightweight design makes it a fantastic all-around option, ideal for a wide variety of trips where flexibility is key. Whether you're embarking on a short trip or a more extensive journey, the Mule delivers the perfect mix of comfort and portability.
