Lattitude Packraft Materials and Construction

Lattitude use specific nylon base cloths combined with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coatings for their lightweight packrafts. [1]

Fabric Specifications

• Tube Material: Typically uses 210D or 420D nylon coated with a 90A Ether TPU (single-coated for tubes at ~250 GSM, roughly 0.28 mm thick) to maintain a balance between low weight and pliability. [1, 2]

• Floor Material: Uses heavier 420D or 840D nylon with a 90A Ether TPU double-coating (~560 GSM, roughly 0.4 mm thick) to resist abrasion and punctures from rocks and gravel. [1, 2, 3]

• Seats & Accessories: Seats are commonly constructed from 210D/118T laminated nylon, with accessory parts utilizing 70D ripstop nylon. [1]

• Lattitude Also offer 840D medium weight semi-rigid floor and PVC drop stitch Rigid floor.

  
  

• Material Properties & Construction

• Coating Technique: Features an asymmetric coating application (thinner on the inside, thicker on the outside) treated for a smooth, scratch-resistant surface finish that helps the fabric roll and pack down easily. [1]

• Environmental & Thermal Performance: The TPU formulation is UV-tolerant, non-aging, eco-friendly/recyclable, and flexible in low/freezing temperatures. [1, 2, 3]

• Joining Method: Assembled using glue-free hot-air welding and rotary sealing rather than simple sewing or standard gluing. [1, }

  
  

• What is the life expectancy of the TPU

The life expectancy of Chinese-made TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) used in Lattitude packrafts typically averages around 10 years of reliable service. The ultimate lifespan depends far less on its country of origin and much more on the specific chemical formulation, seam construction, and how well the raft is maintained. [1, 2, 3].  

The Rafts are made with Welded Seams, similar to MRS (Micro Rafting System, which utilize high-frequency or hot-air welding to fuse the TPU layers together. This creates a permanent bond that easily lasts over a decade. [1, 2]

Environmental and Storage Conditions

• Moisture: Storing a packraft while it is wet inside the tubes is the leading cause of early failure. Trapped humidity accelerates the chemical breakdown of the TPU. [1, 2]

• UV Exposure: Intense sunlight breaks down polymers over time. Regularly applying a specialized UV protectant spray can significantly extend the fabric's life. [1, 2]

Comparison: TPU vs. Other Packraft Materials

Material Property	Recreational PVC	TPU (Lattitude)	Premium TPU (e.g., Alpacka)
Typical Lifespan	2 to 5 years (Budget)	Average 8 - 10 years	10 to 20+ years
Puncture Resistance	Moderate (Prone to cracking)	High (Excellent elasticity)	Superior (Thicker denier options)
Weight & Packability	Heavy and bulky	Extremely lightweight & compact	Extremely lightweight & compact
Failure Mode	Material stiffening and cracking	Delamination	Eventual micro-porosity

Material & Quality Realities

• The TPU Fabric: Official product specifications show that Lattitude uses Ether-based TPU (e.g., 210D Nylon on tubes, 420D Nylon on floors).

• Polyether-based TPU: This is the industry standard for high-quality packrafts. It features excellent hydrolysis resistance (it does not break down easily when exposed to water or moisture over long periods) and stays flexible in freezing temperatures. [1, 2] 

• Construction: Glue-free heat welding for the main chambers. High-frequency welding machines to bond D-rings and handles directly to the main body, which greatly reduces the risk of hardware peeling off over time. [1]

   

• The Hardware Compromises:

   

  • Valves: Standard Boston valves rather than Leafield valves.  Boston valves feature softer plastic threads that can degrade quickly if sand or grit gets caught in them. However, we have never had to replace a valve in these packrafts in over 10 years of using them, and the one valve fits both the floors and the tubes, which is a bonus. Having the same valves on the floors and seats is actually better than some of the other brands where the tube fittings degrade quickly and leak.

     

    Internal Storage Zippers: Lattitude utilize the German-engineered TIZIP® SuperSeal (#11) and TIZIP® MasterSeal (#10) waterproof zippers for their cargo fly / internal gear storage systems.

    TIZIP® SuperSeal (#11): This heavy-duty polyurethane zipper featuring a metal slider is highly favoured for heavy structural load applications. It provides a maximum sealing strength of 1.0 BAR (14.5 PSI), ensuring the packraft's tube remains perfectly airtight even when carrying 30 to 40 pounds of gear inside.

• TIZIP® MasterSeal (#10): Frequently used for lightweight technical setups, high-end technical outdoor bags, and drysuit systems. [1, 2, 3]

   

  Features:

• Lattitude Nangana / Jumu: 4-point thigh strap system with adjustable ladder and d-rings, with heavy duty nylon straps. When adjusted correctly, the fit ensures a locked thigh, and great control for most paddlers.

• Alpacka (Gnarwhal/Mage): Their 4-point thigh strap system distributes pressure across your lower thigh and knee, locking your hips completely into the center of the boat. Combined with their rigid inflatable foot brace, you can control the boat's tilt using your lower body just like a hard-shell kayak. [1, 2]

• MRS Alligator 2S Pro: Similar outfitting quality to Alpacka, but the cockpit is physically tighter and narrower. Excellent for smaller-to-medium frame paddlers looking for instant response, but can feel claustrophobic for larger paddlers. [1]

• Kokopelli Nirvana: Highly stable, utilizing thick 210D TPU walls and an ultra-tough Kevlar floor. However, it relies on a wider 3-point wrap strap system rather than a true 4-point anchor plate. You remain safe in big rapids, but you lose a fraction of the micro-edge control found on the Alpacka rigs. [1, 2, 3]

   

  Lattitude also incorporate webbing anchor points on bow and stern, which are customizable, as well as webbing loops for securing the floor or dry bags on the floor, and a hard inflatable foot brace system secured to the under floor with a ladder.

  The semi rigid and rigid floors lock in around the sides of the tubes ensuring that the craft is more rigid than it would otherwise be, and allows the paddler to have a more optimized and responsive rider on whitewater, allowing  the packraft to perform more like a hard shell kayak. The drawbacks of this system are that the drainage is slower than with the lightweight floor, but worth the compromise. Other floor designs are in production.

   

   

  The updated comparison of costs for Complete High-Performance Whitewater Setup with TiZip (Cost in AUD)

Brand & Model		Internal Storage System (Cargo Fly / TiZip)		Total Packaged Cost (AUD)		Performance & Handling with Gear Loaded
Lattitude Nangana or Jumu	Includes Tzip with internal drybag clips ( bags optional), thigh braces, foot brace, seat, backband and floor		A$ 1300-1500		Stable and manoeverable, With great primary stability, and ability to carve into eddies when loaded. The responsiveness of this model is highlighted with the semi-rigid ir rigid floors.
Alpacka Mage SB (Technical)		Standard/Included: Factory-installed Cargo Fly system with 2 internal dry bags.		A$2,599 – A$2,899		Elite carving. Storing gear inside the tubes anchors its aggressive rocker, allowing it to punch through holes while remaining highly agile.
Alpacka Gnarwhal SB (Big Volume)		Standard/Included: Factory-installed Cargo Fly system with 2 internal dry bags.		A$2,700 – A$3,050		The Unstoppable Tank. Massive primary stability. When loaded internally, it safely plows through large wave trains with zero lateral flexing.
MRS Alligator 2S Pro SB		Standard/Included: Built-in ISS (Internal Storage System) using premium German TiZips.		A$1,999 – A$2,250		Slalom precision. The slim profile combined with centralized gear weight makes it incredibly fast and snappy into tight eddies.
Kokopelli Nirvana SB		Optional Upgrade: Must select the "TiZip" specific model variant at checkout.		A$2,150 – A$2,450 (Includes add-on thigh straps)		Stable and stiff. The heavy-duty 840D Kevlar floor resists twisting well, keeping a reliable line through high-volume drops.

The Pros & Cons

The Pros

Unbeatable Pricing: A fraction of the cost of a retail Alpacka or Kokopelli

High Customisation: Highly responsive to custom specs, allowing buyers to choose tailored colors, floors, and sizing.

The Cons

Thinner Coatings: Users report the TPU coat feels thinner than premium US equivalents. Shorter Life Expectancy: Average of 8-10 years for Lattitude compared with 10-20 for Alpacka. Lattitude does compare well with Kokpelli and MRS, though with a life expectancy of around  10-15 years for MRS and 6-10 for Kokopelli.   Maintenance:

The Recommended Cleaner & Protectant

If you choose to use a protectant, the gold standard used across the marine and paddle-sports industry is 303 Aerospace Protectant. [1]

• How it works: It acts like "SPF 40 sunscreen" for your boat. It bonds to the TPU surface to repel water, stains, dust, and—most importantly—destructive UV rays. It is water-based and 100% free of greasy silicone oils or petroleum distillates, making it safe for polyurethane. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Alternative: Marine brands like Star brite make dedicated Rib & Inflatable Boat Cleaners & Protectants that dissolve dirt and leave a protective polymer barrier. [1]

  ⚠️ The Catch: The Field Repair Dilemma

  Before spraying your packraft with a protectant, you must look at your manufacturer's specific guidelines:

• The "Pro" Protectant Camp: Brands like Kokopelli and NRS explicitly recommend using an inflatable boat cleaner and a UV protectant like 303 after cleaning to keep the fabric from breaking down under the sun. [1, 2]

• The "Anti" Protectant Camp: Industry pioneer Alpacka Raft explicitly warns against using UV-protectant sprays. These sprays create a chemical barrier on the TPU that prevents repair tape, patches, and adhesives (like Aquaseal) from sticking to the boat. If you get a puncture in the wilderness, a patched area coated in a protectant is highly likely to fail. [1, 2]

  
  

  ---

  The Safest Cleaning & Maintenance Routine

  The absolute best way to extend your packrafts life doesn’t actually require buying expensive chemical coatings. Instead, focus on mechanical cleaning and storage:

  1.     Wash with Mild Soap: After a trip, inflate the raft and wash it down using warm water, a soft sponge, and mild dish soap (or a specialized biodegradable boat cleaner). Never use harsh chemical solvents or abrasive green scouring pads, as they strip the micro-thin TPU coating right off the nylon core.

  2.     The "Bone Dry" Rule (Crucial for Ester-TPU): As established, humidity triggers hydrolysis. Use a towel or sponge to dry the inside crevices. If your boat has an internal gear storage zipper (T-Zip), leave it completely open in a cool, ventilated room for a few days so the inside of the tubes can dry.

  3.     Loose Storage: Never store your packraft tightly rolled inside its travel stuff sack. Keep it loosely folded or hung up in a cool, dark wardrobe or garage away from ozone-producing appliances and out of direct sunlight. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  4. Use a protectant:  303 Aerospace Protectant Wins for Packrafts, as it maximizes UV like expectancy- especially on a budget Ester-TPU raft. Wash the boat with mild dish soap first, let it dry, spray on 303, and buff it completely dry with a microfibre cloth. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  Crucial Zipper Maintenance for Whitewater Durability

  Integrating a Cargo Fly or TiZip introduces a critical mechanical failure point to your boat. To ensure your internal storage lasts as long as the TPU fabric, keep these rules in mind: [1]

1.     Keep it Lubricated: All premium models include a TiZip Maintenance Kit (silicone grease). Apply it to the docking end and teeth every few trips. If the zipper dries out, it will lose its airtight seal and slowly deflate your boat while paddling. [1, 2]

2.     Beware of Sand: Whitewater beaches are full of grit. Before opening or closing your zipper, rinse the teeth thoroughly with clean river water. Pulling the zipper slide over trapped sand grains will permanently tear the plastic teeth, destroying the zipper.

---