It's been a few years since I started in the world of Packrafting, that incredible combination of hiking and sailing that allows you to explore rivers, lakes and remote places carrying your own boat in your backpack. At that time, I had discovered several people on social networks who were using these floating contraptions, and I was already determined to get one of them. In fact, I had already ordered my beloved Packraft Aoraki Valkyrie from Luis Mora of Packrafting Spain .
But while waiting for the order to arrive, I remember it was a Saturday, the devil tempted me! I don't know how, I ended up on the Decathlon website hi there were ten models available of the Inflatable Packraft/Kayak PR500 Rio TPU Sealed Zip Packraft. At that time (March 2022), this packraft cost 400 € (or 450 € maybe, now it costs 550 €, the #$"&$-# inflation) and few units were on sale, in fact on the same Saturday night all the packrafts were already sold out.
In 2025, with more experience in the world of packraft, I decided to do a test in the purest Do It Yourseld Packraft style and do a test and see how to build the cheapest packraft for whitewater.
I'm going to talk about these two packrafts in this article.
For those who don't already know, a packraft is an ultra-light inflatable boat designed to be easily transported, even on foot. Its great advantage is that it fits in a backpack and allows us to extend our routes beyond the land boundary. Ideal for mixed hikes and adventures where water is part of the way.
After comparing many options, I decided to go for the Decathlon models because of their excellent value for money, and the guarantee of easily accessible technical support and spare parts.
This model is the most basic, but no less fun. I was surprised by its stability, how fast it inflates (less than 3 minutes with the inflation bag included), and how compact it is: it barely weighs 2 kg and fits in any trekking backpack.
I've used it on quiet stretches of river, sea and marshes. It withstood rocks, branches and current changes without problems. However, it has no skirt or internal storage, so its light weight makes it ideal for day trips or calm water, but not ideal for whitewater. On multi-day trips you'll have to carry all the weight in extra backpacks. If you're looking for something light, simple and affordable, this is the model for you.
🟢 The best:
🔴 To be improved:
The big brother, the Packraft Itiwit 500, is a different story. More robust, with reinforced materials, removable skirt and space for internal cargo. Here we are talking about a boat designed for longer trips or more demanding stretches of water.
I've used it on a number of routes, backpack included, and it responded incredibly well. The system to store part of the luggage inside the float is very useful, and the skirt helps to keep you dry in areas with splashes or currents.
It's a little heavier (around 4kg), but still easily transportable. For me, it represents the ideal balance between performance and portability.
In the pictures you can see the parts that make up this Packraft. It must be said that the inflation bag is bigger than the inflation bag of the 100 (besides, the last bags of the 100 have some holes in the valves that prevent the return, but they make the inflation slower). These bags are not the lightest (compared to the typical fabric bags of other manufacturers) but they are very resistant, they can be placed on the ground when inflating and in fact they are my favourite for the inflation of all my packrafts.
About the thigh straps (calarodillas): they could be improved a lot. They only have two anchorage points and yes, that makes them very comfortable to put on, but in terms of safety they are much better than the usual ones of the rest of the Packraft manufacturers: the 4-point ones. The space for the knees is too wide and can become a point of entrapment.
But there is a solution with the calarodillas! Check out Catraft. Conversion of the Decathlon Itiwit 100 packraft into a whitewater self-bailer. The cheapest whitewater packraft. Do It Yourself Packrafting
List of routes done with this Packraft:
For as long as I had it, it was my favourite packraft for Bikerafting:
A video is worth a thousand words(Youtube channel packrafting.cat):
¡Nos vemos en el río!
More info on Packraft related material.
Both the Itiwit 100 and 500 have exceeded my expectations. Decathlon has managed to democratise packrafting with products designed for all levels, without the need to spend a fortune or complicate your life with technical equipment.
If you are thinking of getting started in this type of adventure or are looking for a different way to connect with nature, I recommend you try one of these models. Not only for their quality and price, but also for what they allow you to experience: routes that were impossible before, unique moments in the middle of nature and that feeling of freedom that only water can give you.
See you on the river!
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