Choosing the right Quackpacker for you

Wild Waters has 3 sizes of Quackpacker in 4 models - what size is right for you?

2 Minis, 2 Voyagers, and 3 Island Hopper Flamingos pictured above

From left to right: Voyager, Island Hopper Duck, Island Hopper Flamingo, Mini

A quick history of the development of our favorite swim buddy:

Daniela, and open water swimmer, got frustrated with using a traditional bubble float, and hoped to find something more practical for holding 3-4 feed bottles, her shoes, and a drybag with keys/phone/wallet. The buoys she tried, even with some having little dry pouches inside of them, either still leaked into the dry pouches, or could only fit a small GU or tiny water bottle, making it necessary to get out on the beach every hour, or have a kayaker for longer training swims. Not ideal.

So, Daniela tried out a few outside-the-box floats, like small kayaks, boogie boards, giant protein powder tubs, and baby baths. The float had to sit on top of the water and have good buoyancy, and be able to be quickly reached into for fast feeds. Where one alternative float would show viability in one area, it wasn't ideal in others. So, the idea for the Quackpacker took hold; modeled after a baby bath that seemed the most promising.

OG/Voyager

The first float designed was the OG, now called the Voyager. Daniela and Sam can both attest to having the prototype hold 40+ lbs inside the cavity, enabling multi-hour swims without paddler support. 8 full Nalgene bottles, shoes, and a drybag with dry essentials fit with room to spare in the OG. From the prototype, we made a few changes, but considered the size ideal for long-distance swimmers, snorkelers with equipment, and paddlers who needed storage space for larger items, like lunchboxes or coolers.

Island Hopper

The Island Hopper is the most recent size offering from Wild Waters, and is considered the "Goldilocks" of the bunch. Not too large, and not too small, the storage compartment can fit a 5L drybag, pair of shoes, and 1-2 large water bottles. The Island Hopper comes in a Flamingo and Duck model to delight all waterfowl lovers. The Island Hopper does not have a reflective band on its head (found to be less effective at night than a double-sided light). The height of the storage area is very similar to the Voyager, with the storage area smaller in volume due to the shorter length of the tow float. Island Hoppers are highly visible due to sitting as high as the Voyager on the water's surface.

Quackpacker Mini

The Mini is the minimal version of the Quackpacker, ideal for short jaunts or less frisky conditions. The storage compartment is the smallest, and the float sits just above the surface of the water. The mini was the second product designed by Wild Waters - supporters loved the Voyager, but needed something smaller for shorter duration activities. The mini fits a small water bottle, or a mix of a spare pair of goggles, extra cap, and snacks. It's possible to fit a smaller pair of shoes into the storage area, provided the shoes are a size 8 or smaller.

What's right for you?

Ultimately, the Quackpacker you buy might be used for a variety of purposes. What activity is your favorite, or what do you frequently bring with you? What do you wish you could bring if storage capacity wasn't an issue? What's stopping you from getting a Quackpacker of each flavor?