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Example of packraft equipment for an expedition

20 days in the Grand Canyon of Colorado

By Packrafting.cat

January 6^th, 2026

Customised rucksack: Pinzat

For a trip like this, where we combine flights, days of travelling before and after, and long days in the canyon, our equipment has to be versatile, reliable and durable. That's why one of the key pieces of our kit is the custom-made Pinzat rucksack.

Pinzat are fellow packrafters who perfectly understand the real needs of mountain and river environments. They manufacture fully customised, waterproof rucksacks using the highest quality materials, paying attention to every detail. These are not mass-produced rucksacks: each one is designed for a specific use, and this is evident from the outset.

The rucksack I take with me is particularly interesting because of its adjustable capacity. It can be compressed enough to comply with flight luggage restrictions, yet expanded when more volume is needed. This makes it the perfect companion for days spent in the Grand Canyon, excursions on rest days, and also for the days before and after the trip, when the type of load is constantly changing.

In addition to its functionality, it stands out for its comfort and robustness, which is essential when you know it will accompany you for many days in a demanding environment. Without a doubt, it is a great purchase and an example of how well-designed equipment can make all the difference in an adventure of this level.

👉 More about his work at: https://pinzat.com

and on Instagram @pinzat

Example of packraft equipment for an expedition

And dedicated too (acacha_worlds) 😍😍😍

For the Packraft:

Clothes

3-layer clothing

Outer layer jacket
Mid-layer feathers
Merino base layer shirts

Thermal clothing

Ski socks and/or merino wool socks
Merino wool underpants
Ski trousers
Waterproof technical overtrousers
Waterproof

Camping equipment

For extra activities:

Canyoning harness with safety carabiner and figure-eight descender with mesh bag

Material for the aeroplane

JBL Tune 770NC. Over-ear headphones with noise cancellation
Neck cushion for aeroplanes
Turkish Airlines eye mask, earplugs and flight socks Tablet with keyboard
Extra batteries Powerbank 2000mAh

Others

Grand Canyon and United States Maps

Alphabetical list of material

Complete list of materials in alphabetical order:

Thermal camping accessories. Hat, balaclava and gloves.
Removable fin packraft
Turkish Airlines eye mask, earplugs and flight socks
Canyoning harness with safety carabiner and figure-eight descender with mesh bag
Extra batteries Powerbank 2000mAh
Mekong waterproof bow bag
80/120L Forclaz/Simond travel bag
Itiwit waterproof bag and rucksack
Inflatable Packraft bags (like dry bags)
Bestard Hydroline Canyon Guide canyoning boots
First aid kit
Casco hiko Buckaroo
Life jacket, cowtail and cowtail ribbon, knife and whistle
Raincoat/Waterproof poncho
Neck cushion for aeroplanes
HF Weasel rescue rope
Spot One Way GPS alert device
Bivouac groundsheet for sleeping bag
Waterproof mobile phone covers
Work gloves
Contact lenses
Ontrail Evadict 900 Lumen Trail Running Headlamp, USB rechargeable.
Grand Canyon and United States Maps
Packraft repair and maintenance kit
Customised Pinzat rucksack
Packraft (Mekong Pablo Whisky Bar)
Mekong 4-piece carbon paddle
3-layer winter clothing
Thermal clothing
Hyke & Byke Eolus 800 Sleeping Bag Ultralight Down Mummy Sleeping Bag -10ºC
Thermal safety: Neoprene hats, poogies, neoprene canyoning gloves and booties
Tablet with keyboard
LKVER dry suit
Ultralight 1-person tent

Here, the backpack's creator explains its features, including a USB charger connection, NFC, a waist bag, and available space configuration.

I am sharing a spreadsheet with all the Packraft equipment and links to the equipment, estimated weights and prices.

The totals are, well, interesting...

Grand Canyon Colorado Expedition 2026

More information about the expedition at 2026 Packraft Expedition to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

Common material. Ceiba Adventures

On this page, I focus solely on the personal equipment I am taking on the expedition. However, much of the equipment and basic logistics we will use in the Grand Canyon is not carried by us individually, but is provided by Ceiba Adventures through its complete Whole Shabang! package.

The Whole Shabang! is an all-in-one system designed for river expeditions like ours. It is fully configurable according to the size of the group and ensures that nothing essential is missing to safely and comfortably face the days on the river.

What does the package include?

Among the items and services provided by Ceiba within the Whole Shabang! are the following:

Boat equipment and navigation

Fully equipped rafts (18') with everything you need for rigging and navigation.
Complete equipment for kitchen and dining room in camp.
Complete sanitation system (toilets and emptying/cleaning services, mandatory NPS).
All mandatory equipment according to National Park Service (NPS) regulations, including hand washing systems and first aid kits.

Food and planning

Joint planning of the daily menu.
Purchase and pack all food for the 20 days in chronological order.
Adjustment of diets and dietary restrictions according to the needs of the group.

Shuttles and logistics

Return transport from Flagstaff to the river's put-in (Lees Ferry) and take-out (Diamond Creek) points for the entire group.
Coordination of rig and de-rig with Ceiba advisor.

Additional material included

Battery and solar panel
Boxes of 50-calibre ammunition per person for watertight storage.
Parawing kitchen tarpaulin, drag bags, lifelines, life jackets and spare parts for life jackets.
Others...

Environmental services

Recycling and waste management with composting options in collaboration with local initiatives.

Packraft material

Packraft (Mekong Pablo Whisky Bar)

This is the Pablo Whisky Bar by Mekong model, possibly one of the most versatile and best value for money packrafts, handcrafted in Europe by the team at Mekong Packraft.

For a winter expedition, it was essential for me to take a packraft with a spray deck to help keep warm, but at the same time it had to be a whitewater packraft good enough to paddle class III–IV rapids, which are the ones we will be facing in the Grand Canyon.

Includes thigh straps and lumbar support, as well as lifeline cords and two straps that keep the packraft gathered.

Likewise, the Internal Storage option with TIZIP zippers was not optional either, although you have to be very careful with them in the Grand Canyon due to the annoying fine sand that is everywhere, and always keep them well lubricated with specific grease for TIZIP zippers.

With regard to weight, as this is a long trip where we will not have to carry the packrafts, the Armour model, with reinforced TPU, is ideal for a 20-day expedition and for minimising potential puncture problems.

Although I could probably have managed with a normal-sized model.

PESO: 5,1kg aprox. 3372g ( medida plus) + 655 g (armour) + Acessories weight : 1062 g (Seat : 226 g / Backrest: 254 g / Sprayskirt: 260 g / Coaming ring: 124 g / Inflation bag : 98 g / Manual pump : 78 g / Straps: 22 g)

If you would like to purchase or try one, contact the team at River Guru. On their website, you can purchase and try all Mekong packrafts.

The bag should also contain the bath support, bath cover, inflation bag and hand pump:

Manual Pump Mekong peso 0.1kg

LKVER dry suit

The truth is that these Chinese dry suits from Ali Express are very reasonably priced. If they can withstand 20 days of routes without incident, they will pass the test.

https://es.aliexpress.com/i/1005006322951397.html

Weight: 1.75kg
Price: €160

Merino thermal clothing, leggings, T-shirts and socks

Although we wear a dry suit, the suit itself does not provide protection against the cold (although it does provide considerable protection against the wind). That is why it is essential to wear warm clothing under the dry suit.

The reason for choosing Merino is because it is a type of wool that tolerates unpleasant odours very well, which is much appreciated on long expeditions.

Life jacket. Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

One important point to bear in mind is that although European life jackets are identical in design and safety, National Park Service rangers often do not accept them unless they bear the specific US approval label. This is because in the US, PFDs must carry a certified approval from the US Coast Guard (USCG), and this visible label is usually the official verification that the life jacket meets the buoyancy and safety requirements of that country.

The USCG certification may appear as a label on the life jacket with the approval number and, under the latest system, buoyancy level icons (e.g. Level 70, traditional equivalent of the old Type III for kayaking/whitewater) indicating its suitability for recreational activities and inland water navigation. 

If you bring a PFD purchased in Europe that only has CE certification (ISO 12402) and does not clearly show that it is approved for use in the US, rangers may refuse to allow its mandatory use at certain checkpoints, regardless of whether its actual performance is equal to or superior. Some groups have explained to us that what some people do if they want to wear their own non-American life jacket is to show the Ceiba one at the checkpoint when entering the Grand Canyon and then put on their own.

Thanks to the fact that Ceiba includes PFDs in the Whole Shabang!, we don't have to worry about this: they ensure that the life jackets they carry are suitable for white water and comply with the necessary certifications to navigate and pass NPS inspections without any issues. For our part, we simply verify the size, adjustments, and that everything is in perfect condition before putting them into use.

Just in case, one thing I have packed is a cowtail with a carabiner (I'm sure I'll catch a Packraft or two that has lost its packrafter 😜), as well as tape for the cowtail.

I have also added a whistle, which always comes in handy (plus the one I carry has a built-in thermometer, which is ideal for knowing how cold it's going to get), and a knife (not ideal for kayaking because I lost it in the Lumi i Shales River in Albania), but a carabiner-style substitute for canyoning.

Weight: 1.36 kg

Hiko Buckaroo whitewater helmet

Hiko Buckaroo helmet: probably the simplest, cheapest and lightest helmet for white water. I've wanted a Sweet Protection Rocker for a long time, but I haven't got the money yet.

NOTE: I always wear a cap with my helmet, which is useful for keeping water off my face and for when the sun is shining in my eyes.

Weight: 430 g

Mekong Carbon Vario, 4-piece paddle, lightweight and durable 4-piece carbon paddle from Mekong Packraft.

Weight: 1.05 kg

I don't usually use specific whitewater shoes, but I do wear my Bestard canyoning boots (this will probably be their last trip).

Weight: 1.150kg

Thermal safety: Neoprene hats, poogies, neoprene canyoning gloves and booties

Set of neoprene pieces to keep your extremities warm. I don't think I'll use the neoprene gloves, but it's good to have some extras and, in case we go canyoning, one more "just in case".

I think poogies are the best solution for continuing to paddle comfortably when it's cool and windy.

Weight of the set: 600-700g

Mekong waterproof bow bag

Mekong Waterproof Bow Bag, small waterproof bag to be placed in the bow with a capacity of 15 litres.

Weight: 400 g

Removable fin packraft

Removable Mekong fin and base. The base was already incorporated into my Mekong Packraft. I often think that we talk a lot about the rapids and Lava Falls, Hance, Upset and other rapids, but we forget about the long stretches of calm water in the Grand Canyon. I think this fin could be an extra help for navigation on stretches like the last day, with long stretches of calm water.

When I get back from my trip, I'll explain... And I'm tempted to take the candle with me, you never know...

HF Weasel rescue rope

HF Weasel rescue rope at the ProKayaker shop.

Weight: 510 g

Inflatable Packraft bags (like dry bags)

1 Itiwit PR500 Packraft Tube-Free Pump Bag | 2 Itiwit PR100 Packraft Tube-Free Pump Bag

Weight: 0.2 kg

Itiwit Black Waterproof Backpack, 20 litres | IPX4 Waterproof Bag, 30 litres, Orange

Weight: 0.7 kg

Work gloves

Guantes de trabajo termales Wonder Grip

Waterproof mobile phone covers

I carry several mobile phone cases to protect my devices: IPX8 Waterproof Mobile Phone Case | IPX8 Waterproof Mobile Phone Floating Case with Floating Lanyard Waterproof Case/Keys/Sports Camera/Phone

80/120L Forclaz/Simond travel bag

80L/120L Duffle Bag Forclaz Travel Bag, it looks very large, but it fills up very quickly 🤣

Weight: 1.75kg.

Packraft repair and maintenance kit

For an expedition lasting so many days, although it is not necessary to carry a kit for each member of the group, you do need to carry a few kits and a variety of items. Personally, I carry:

Mekong patch kit, for my packraft.
Generic patch kit from previous packrafts, insulating tape, TPU patches, glue, scissors, lighter and other useful repair components.
Grease for maintaining Tizip zippers.
Sewing kit: If there is a large tear in a packraft, it must be sewn up before waterproofing. These kits are also useful for other small repairs to clothing or other items.

NOTE: I have taken into account that the rafts carry their own repair kits with glue and other items that may also be useful to us.

Contact lenses

To packraft comfortably, contact lenses are essential for those who are short-sighted:

Spot alert device Globalstar Arva Spot Gen4 Satellite which we combine with Overwatch rescue plus insurance. If you would like to know more about insurance and these devices, read:

Insurance and rescues in Packraft

Other colleagues carry two-way communication devices, which are useful for communicating with the Ceiba Adventures team to coordinate the pick-up day at the departure point and for any other unforeseen circumstances. On this trip, we are also taking a Starlink, so we will have no shortage of connectivity (when there is coverage).

Camping equipment

Ultralight 1-person tent

Tienda de campaña ultraligera 1 persona Camp 2 Seater Tent Minima 2 SL Blue I am delighted with this 1.5 kg shop.

Hyke and BIKE sleep bag

Hyke&Byke Eolus 800 Goose Down Sleeping Bag Hyke & Byke Eolus 800 Ultralight Mummy Down Sleeping Bag -10ºC

Weight: 1.5 kg

Thermal insulating inflatable mattress

Aislante hinchable para trekking 180x52 cm. Forclaz MT500 Air L

Thermal camping accessories. Hat, balaclava and gloves

For the coldest moments, I carry:

Reusch Decathlon Goretex ski gloves
balaclava
Woolly hat
Weight of the set: approximately 500 grams.

Ontrail Evadict 900 Lumen Trail Running Headlamp

Linterna Frontal Trail Running Ontrail Evadict 900 Lúmenes USB rechargeable.

Peso: 139 g

Raincoat/Waterproof poncho

Forclaz MT500 60L waterproof mountain and trekking poncho

3-layer winter clothing

Bivouac groundsheet for sleeping bag

A cover that a friend gave me, which is useful in damp conditions to prevent the down jacket from getting wet with condensation.

Extra material and other activities

Canyoning harness, safety carabiner and figure-8 descender

Decathlon's basic Maskoon model with protective seat pad. The seat pad is an interesting feature because we are very likely to descend the water gullies wearing the same dry suit we use in the river, and we have to be careful not to tear it.

Peso: 570 g

First aid kit

Weight: 200 g

Aircraft and travel equipment

In addition to the essentials:

Passport and other identification systems (driving licence)
Travel credit and debit cards
Wallet and money
Insurance documentation
Medicines

...

JBL Tune 770NC

https://www.jbl.es/TUNE770NC.html

Neck cushion for aeroplanes

So you don't nod off...

Extra 2000mAh batteries. Powerbank

I carry two extra 2000mAh Powerbank batteries.

Peso: 0.9kg

I put them all together in a medicine box.

Turkish Airlines eye mask, earplugs and flight socks

Turkish Airlines eye mask, earplugs and socks, left over from a previous flight with Turkish.

Tablet with keyboard

The intention during this trip is to document everything on the blog and, thanks to the Starlink connection, we will occasionally post information about the trip on social media:

Subscribe If you want to stay up to date with all the latest news about the Grand Canyon expedition

It will also be useful for getting through the transoceanic flight of more than 10 hours.

Grand Canyon and United States Maps

A couple of maps I've kept from previous trips.

Mountain Summit Gear Anytime Chair

Weight: 3.2 kg

What is Packrafting?

Our colleagues at Planeta Packraft, experts in technical and ultralight equipment, shared this information with us about the equipment they took on an expedition to the Grand Canyon in 2025.

Grand Canyon 2025: https://lighterpack.com/r/cfcdrn

All photos at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6RthB3guYHiYVRTn8

See you at the Colorado River!

The river is a living, changing environment that is subject to constant development. The publishers of the river sketches and the creators of this website cannot be held responsible in any way for any inaccuracies, omissions or errors in the river sketches. The publishers of topos and website creators decline all responsibility in the event of any accident that may occur on the rivers described in this guide.