Ultra-Light Tandem Packraft
The MRS Surveyor X2 is the lightest tandem packraft available, designed to bring two paddlers onto the water without weighing down the hike in. Despite a massive 128-inch outer length that easily accommodates two adults, the specialized low-denier materials allow the entire boat to weigh less than 8 pounds.
Color & Material Options:
- High-Reflectivity White: Minimizes trail weight with a thinner TPU coating and reflects sunlight to reduce internal heat buildup.
- Stealth Olive: A nature-blending color featuring a slightly thicker TPU coating for enhanced scratch resistance, while remaining exceptionally light and easy to fold.

Technical Specifications
| Item | Surveyor X2 (White) | Surveyor X2 (Olive) | Material |
| Body | 5.9 lb (2690 g) | 6.9 lb (3150 g) | 210D Nylon, 0.07 mm TPU coating (White) / 0.10 mm TPU coating (Olive) |
| Floor | — | 420D Nylon, 0.5 mm TPU coating | |
| Front seat | 6.9 oz (195 g) | 70D | |
| Rear seat | 6.5 oz (184 g) | 70D | |
| Backrest | 5.4 oz (152 g) × 2 | Ultra-light breathable mesh | |
| Inflation bag | 4.8 oz (135 g) | Silicone-coated CORDURA® 30D | |
| Tie strap | 0.9 oz (25 g) | ||
| Valve | — | Standard Boston valve | |
| Total weight | 7.6 lb (3460 g) | 8.6 lb (3920 g) | |
| Recommended paddler weight | 287 lb (130 kg) | ||
| Recommended capacity | 485 lb (220 kg) | ||
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Dimensions
| Item | Surveyor X2 |
| Length (outer) | 128 in (324 cm) |
| Length (inner) | 84 in (213 cm) |
| Width (outer) | 37 in (93 cm) |
| Width (inner) | 15 in (37 cm) |
| Water line (length) | 122 in (311 cm) |
| Water line (width) | 35 in (89 cm) |
| Tube | 11 in (28 cm) |
| Seat height | 5 in (12 cm) |
Measurements may vary slightly with temperature and material variation; this is normal.
Accessories
6.9 oz (195 g)
6.5 oz (184 g)
5.4 oz (152 g) × 2
3.0 oz (86 g)
4.8 oz (135 g)
Features
- Streamlined hull with centered seats and a balanced center of gravity.
- Supported seat backs keep the packraft floor from sagging.
- Optional Tizip airtight zippers can be added to expand internal storage.
- The floor fabric covers the bottom of the packraft for protection, and it is glued in place rather than hot-pressed — gentler on the ultra-thin coating.
- The white hull is less affected by sun heating, reducing the need for repeated air top-ups.
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.
- Coloring: White fabric is more prone to UV-induced yellowing than darker colors. Gradual yellowing may happen over long-term use.
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.
- Seat: To enhance comfort, the seat cushion’s air pressure can be reduced — this lowers the seat height and lets it conform better to the body, also improving backrest support.
- Coordinate: Coordinate paddle cadence between the two paddlers — tandem touring is a communication exercise as much as a paddling one.
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 Surveyor X2 best for?
The Surveyor X2 is best for ultralight tandem backpacking and two-paddler water crossings. At 7.6 lb (3.5 kg) split between two packs, it brings flat-water touring, hike-in lake access, and fly fishing within reach of weight-conscious paddling pairs.
Is the Surveyor X2 suitable for whitewater?
No. The Surveyor X2 is part of the Ultra-Light series, built from thinner 210D coated fabric optimized for low pack weight and flat-water tandem touring. For whitewater use, see MRS's standard-fabric models such as the Mini-Shark or Alligator; for whitewater tandem specifically, see the Viking EVO X2.
What weight can the Surveyor X2 carry?
Recommended combined paddler weight is 287 lb (130 kg); recommended total capacity (paddlers plus gear) is 485 lb (220 kg).
Does the Surveyor X2 include both seats and backrests?
Yes — the package includes a dedicated front seat, rear seat, and two backrests, plus inflation bag and tie strap.
Is the Surveyor X2 good for two-paddler expeditions or family outings?
Yes — the Surveyor X2 is designed for ultra-light tandem touring where two paddlers and gear need to share one packraft, including hike-in alpine lake access and shore-launched fly-fishing. Because the hull uses ultra-thin 210D 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 Surveyor and the Adventure X2?
The single-paddler Surveyor uses the same hull family but a shorter solo length. The Adventure X2 is a standard-fabric tandem with a tougher floor for general flat-water use. The Surveyor X2 is the ultralight tandem option — lighter to carry, with the thinner-coated fabric trade-off.
Can one person paddle the Surveyor X2 solo?
Yes — the Surveyor X2 can be paddled by a single person with the large skeg attached for tracking. For the best balance, place some weight toward the front so the long hull doesn’t ride bow-light.
Which skegs come with the Surveyor X2?
The Surveyor X2 ships with both a small and a large skeg, one of each. Use the small skeg for tighter river maneuvering and the large skeg for straight-line tracking on open lakes and the ocean.
Can the Surveyor X2 be fitted with the Internal Storage System (ISS/TiZip)?
The optional ISS airtight zipper is available on the Stealth Olive version only; the High-Reflectivity White version cannot take ISS because its thinner coating can’t support the zipper. If you need internal dry storage on a tandem, choose the Olive Surveyor X2.