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880 g Ultra-Light Packraft
The MRS Nitrogen is the world’s lightest packraft, weighing an astonishing 1.9 lbs (880 g). Stripped of all non-essential weight, it rolls down to the size of a water bottle, making it the ultimate tool for fast-packing, adventure racing, and minimalist water crossings. While its ultra-thin TPU coating requires careful handling, it offers unprecedented mobility for athletes who count every single gram on the trail.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Nitrogen | Material |
| Body (black) | 31.0 oz (880 g) | 70D Nylon, 0.05 mm TPU coating |
| Floor | — | 210D Nylon, 0.28 mm TPU coating |
| Seat (removable) | Not included | |
| Backrest (removable) | Not included | |
| Fin | Not included | |
| Inflation bag | 4.8 oz (135 g) | Silicone-coated CORDURA® 30D |
| Tie strap | 0.9 oz (25 g) | |
| Valve | — | Standard Boston valve |
| Recommended paddler weight | 176 lb (80 kg) | |
| Recommended capacity | 243 lb (110 kg) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Dimensions
| Item | Nitrogen |
| Length (outer) | 80 in (203 cm) |
| Length (inner) | 52 in (132 cm) |
| Width (outer) | 33 in (85 cm) |
| Width (inner) | 15 in (37 cm) |
| Water line (length) | 77 in (195 cm) |
| Water line (width) | 33 in (83 cm) |
| Tube | 9 in (24 cm) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Care & Maintenance
- Heat Expansion: Air expands rapidly under heat. Never leave a fully inflated packraft sitting on shore in direct sunlight. Always release the valve on the packraft, seats, and backrests when out of the water to prevent pressure blowouts and seam stress.
- Freshwater Rinse: Always rinse the hull thoroughly with clean freshwater after paddling in saltwater, silty rivers, or sandy environments.
- Floor Crevice Cleaning: Sand and gravel can get trapped between the inflatable floor and the outer tubes. Deflate the boat slightly and flush these crevices with water to prevent the grit from acting like sandpaper against the TPU.
- Complete Drying: Never pack a wet raft away for long-term storage. Wipe it down with a towel and let it air dry completely in the shade to prevent mold, mildew, and polyurethane degradation.
- Climate-Controlled Storage: Store the deflated boat loosely rolled in a cool, dry place away from direct heat sources, extreme freezing temperatures, and harsh chemicals.
- Gentle Handling: Avoid dragging the packraft across abrasive surfaces.
Performance Tips
- Cold Water Tempering: Air is highly sensitive to temperature. When transferring an inflated packraft from land into cold water, the internal air will condense and soften the tubes — this is normal, not a leak. Let the boat sit in the water for two minutes, then top off the pressure with a pump until the chambers feel firm again.
- Weight Distribution: To maximize hull speed and reduce side-to-side "yaw", distribute weight evenly. Heavy gear should be placed forward, as it helps lock the raft into a straight line.
- Skeg Installation: Always insert the tracking fin before fully inflating the boat. Using a skeg drastically improves forward paddling efficiency and reduces yaw. Choose the small skeg for whitewater maneuverability, or the large skeg for optimal straight-line tracking on open lakes and long river stretches.
Warranty
- 3-Year Guarantee: Every MRS packraft includes a 3-year warranty against material and manufacturing defects.
- Zipper Coverage: ISS (TiZip) zippers are warranted separately for 1 year.
- US-Based Support: All inspections, claims, and support are handled directly from our California facility for fast, hassle-free service.
New to packrafting? Our How-To & Care Guide covers inflation and the valve system, paddle sizing, field repairs, care & maintenance, and more.
FAQ
What is the Nitrogen best for?
The Nitrogen is best for hike-in alpine lake access and emergency water crossings where pack weight is the priority. At just 1.9 lb (880 g) it suits ultralight bikepacking, fastpacking, and minimal-kit fly-fishing day trips on calm water.
Is the Nitrogen suitable for whitewater?
No. The Nitrogen is part of the Ultra-Light series, built from thinner 70D ripstop coated fabric optimized for the absolute minimum pack weight. For whitewater use, see MRS's standard-fabric models such as the Mini-Shark or Alligator.
What does the standard package include?
The Nitrogen ships boat-only with an inflation bag, tie strap, and skeg. Seat and backrest are not included — this is intentional, to keep total weight at 880 g (31 oz) of hull. Many ultralight paddlers prefer to bring their own pad or skip a seat entirely.
What weight can the Nitrogen carry?
Recommended paddler weight is 176 lb (80 kg); recommended total capacity (paddler plus gear) is 243 lb (110 kg).
Is the Nitrogen good for bikepacking or fly fishing?
Yes — the Nitrogen is designed for situations where pack weight is the primary constraint, including bikepacking water crossings, hike-in alpine lake access, and shore-launched fly-fishing day trips. Because the hull uses ultra-thin 70D coated fabric, keep the boat away from sharp edges on your gear — chainrings, derailleur teeth, and bike pedals on the bikepacking side, hook points, lure trebles, and fish-cleaning blades on the fly-fishing side. A simple cloth or foam wrap between the boat and any sharp metal goes a long way.
How does it compare to the Minnow and the Surveyor?
The Minnow ships ready to paddle with a seat and backrest included. The Surveyor is longer, faster on flat water, and built for longer touring legs. The Nitrogen strips back to boat-only for paddlers prioritizing absolute minimum carry weight. The Nitrogen and Minnow share the exact same hull shape and interior space — the Nitrogen simply trades the seat, backrest, and a little fabric weight for the lowest possible carry weight.
Does the Nitrogen have a skeg mount?
Yes. The skeg mount comes pre-installed, and two skegs — large and small — are included. Choose the large skeg for straight-line tracking on open lakes and long flat-water crossings, or the small skeg for tighter maneuverability.
Does the Nitrogen come with a patch kit?
The Nitrogen and the other Ultra-Light models ship without a patch kit in the box. You can order a repair patch in any color separately. Because the hull is ultra-thin 70D fabric, carrying a small patch on remote trips is a sensible precaution.