GEAR:3019 Sep 2025

The Company that Created an Industry: Alpacka Raft

We see new brands pop up all the time, but what happens when your idea is so novel that it essentially births an entire sport and industry? That was the case when Thor Tingey and his mom, Sheri, started Alpacka Raft.

So today, Thor and Luke Koppa discuss the unique challenges and advantages this scenario presented; how and why Thor and Sheri were able to craft these ultralight rafts themselves; the ways in which the packrafting industry has evolved and grown over the years; Alpacka’s manufacturing operation in the United States and how that’s changed with the recent shakeups to worldwide trade; and a whole lot more. This is an origin story unlike most in the outdoor gear world, and Thor does a great job telling it.

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Alpacka Raft

TOPICS & TIMES:

Thor’s Unique Upbringing (3:33)

When & Why Did Packrafts First Come About? (6:02)

Making a Better Packraft (13:39)

From Homemade to Commercial Products (17:34)

Who Are Pack Rafts For? (21:20)

Whitewater Demand & Evolution (33:39)

Notable Advancements Over the Years (35:43)

Making Gear for a New Sport: Pros & Cons (37:08)

Alpacka’s U.S. Manufacturing Today (41:03)

Predictions: Future of Packrafting (54:36)

Info for Packraft-Curious People (57:03)

Evolution of Packrafting Gear vs. Mtn Biking, Skiing, & Surfing (58:22)

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