Back pack float tube

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Who packs a float tube ? I think the fat cat is a bit big. Long ago I would strap the tube to a back pack. Idea's thnx.
 
How far you going? For overnight and up into the mountains? For day trips the Super FatCat is just fine, I've walked up to 3 miles each way with it on my back. If I were going to do overnight trips and adding a float tube to my pack, I would use a lighter boat for sure. I have the straps for the SFC, I added a hip belts and that made a huge difference for longer treks. I did finally buy an old framed REI backpack and now hook it to that.
 
What Wayne said. I also strap my Super FatCat to my old Kelty frame. Waders, fins, neoprene booties, and net go in the pack. I’ve hiked moderate distances with it. Only challenge is in the high country with downed timber. The pack makes me much wider and hard to walk through the brush. But in the desert or on a maintained trail it works fine.
 
Josh said:
Anyone seen or used the new Outcast Summit? At 7lbs, might be a middle ground between a tougher full size tube and the UL ones.

www.outcastboats.com

Summit - Outcast Boats

The OSG Summit is the backpacking float tube you’ve been waiting for. *Available November 2022 – Contact your local dealer for availability
www.outcastboats.com www.outcastboats.com
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I’ve had my Outcast Trinity for years. It was their lightweight predecessor to this one. It looks like everything about it is totally redesigned. I like the Trinity, I sit nice and high above the water. Only dislike are the inflation valves. They work fine, but take a long time to deflate. Maybe that’s one of the things that have been improved upon. It came with a nice backpack, but I usually carry it in inflated on a pack board.
 
Greg Armstrong said:
I’ve had my Outcast Trinity for years. It was their lightweight predecessor to this one. It looks like everything about it is totally redesigned. I like the Trinity, I sit nice and high above the water. Only dislike are the inflation valves. They work fine, but take a long time to deflate. Maybe that’s one of the things that have been improved upon. It came with a nice backpack, but I usually carry it in inflated on a pack board.
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The web page says it has Summit II valves. Which are the same ones you see on some rafts. So I'd think they would deflate quickly?

www.nrs.com

Summit 2 Valve for AIRE Tributary | NRS

Summit 2 is the replacement two-piece, one-way valve for AIRE Tomcats, Strikes, and Tributary Rafts.
www.nrs.com www.nrs.com
 
Eastside said:
What Wayne said. I also strap my Super FatCat to my old Kelty frame. Waders, fins, neoprene booties, and net go in the pack. I’ve hiked moderate distances with it. Only challenge is in the high country with downed timber. The pack makes me much wider and hard to walk through the brush. But in the desert or on a maintained trail it works fine.
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I'm trying to picture how you set this up.
Do you load the pack bag with accessories then strap the float tube over the pack bag to the frame.
Essentially this is a sandwich of pack bag between the float tube and the pack board.
Am I picturing this correctly?
Thanks,
Fred
 
Wanative said:
I'm trying to picture how you set this up.
Do you load the pack bag with accessories then strap the float tube over the pack bag to the frame.
Essentially this is a sandwich of pack bag between the float tube and the pack board.
Am I picturing this correctly?
Thanks,
Fred
Click to expand...
I worked quite awhile on this, I did not want the tube attached too far back to mess with my balance. I load the backpack, then lay it on my seat of the float tube. I found some quick straps to attach it. The back of the float tube that is curved up goes over my head, keeping the weight closer to my body. With the attachments I use, the tube does bounce around some, not enough to be annoying though. I put everything I can in the backpack so that the tube is as light as it can be. The SFC is only 12 pounds. I did order some of the Outcast backpacking fins this past year as my fins were by far the heaviest thing I was bringing along all the time.
 
@Josh that tube looks awesome!!! I scavenged the material and valves from my ultralight hand made long ago and since have been hiking a 14lb Outcast.

To me the bladders are a necessity for high lake hikes, as you can repair the bladders with simple patches onsite. The bladderless material types are a PITA to repair quickly.
 
Divad said:
@Josh that tube looks awesome!!! I scavenged the material and valves from my ultralight hand made long ago and since have been hiking a 14lb Outcast.

To me the bladders are a necessity for high lake hikes, as you can repair the bladders with simple patches onsite. The bladderless material types are a PITA to repair quickly.
Click to expand...
FYI the Wilderness Lite tube has two bladders.
 
Zak said:
FYI the Wilderness Lite tube has two bladders.
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I was going to ask if that was how they were so light, if they were bladderless. Good to know they use dual bladders. I don't think I'd want a bladderless one. And I know @Billy has opinions on dual vs single bladders.
 
Josh said:
I was going to ask if that was how they were so light, if they were bladderless. Good to know they use dual bladders. I don't think I'd want a bladderless one. And I know @Billy has opinions on dual vs single bladders.
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The Wilderness Lite has one big u-shaped bladder and one backrest safety bladder.
 
Zak said:
The Wilderness Lite has one big u-shaped bladder and one backrest safety bladder.
Click to expand...
The Outcast Summit page mentions an "inflatable backrest" so I'm kind of suspicious that it's the same layout. Not quite the same as a "dual" bladder tube in my mind. But better than nothing I suppose. I wish one of the photos showed the valve setup.
 
Josh said:
I wish one of the photos showed the valve setup.
Click to expand...
If you are talking about the Wilderness Lite, it has a unique valve setup, one valve in the side pocket and one valve in the backrest pocket. The valves are very small twist to open valves with a length of plastic tubing that fits over the valve and into which you push the skinny cone head of the pump they provide. Personally, I would prefer a standard valve that I could use my KPump mini in, even if it increased the weight a bit.
 
Zak said:
If you are talking about the Wilderness Lite, it has a unique valve setup, one valve in the side pocket and one valve in the backrest pocket. The valves are very small twist to open valves with a length of plastic tubing that fits over the valve and into which you push the skinny cone head of the pump they provide. Personally, I would prefer a standard valve that I could use my KPump mini in, even if it increased the weight a bit.
Click to expand...
I was thinking of the Summit in that instance. But good to know about the Wilderness setup too.
 
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Wanative said:
I'm trying to picture how you set this up.
Do you load the pack bag with accessories then strap the float tube over the pack bag to the frame.
Essentially this is a sandwich of pack bag between the float tube and the pack board.
Am I picturing this correctly?
Thanks,
Fred
Click to expand...
I am out of town on Whidbey Island for the holidays but will send a photo when I get home. I put straps and clips on both sides of the frame top and bottom. The float tube has rings that I fasten the clips to. The seat side of the tube rests against the pack. It works well. Got the idea from @Bakerite.
 
The one U bladder is optimal for weight and the fact its still a bladder inside an outer material is easily repaired.

Definitely will think about one this spring.
 
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