The comprehensive list of raft manufacturers

Below is a comprehensive list of whitewater raft manufacturers, active and inactive. If we’re missing one, please leave a comment at the bottom of the post. This was last updated on October 19, 2023.

Airtight Inflatables

Best known for their Shredder, Airtight makes light inflatables with a loyal following.
Website: airtight-inflatables.com/
Country of origin: USA
Primary material: Hypalon.

NRS

Northwest River Supply was founded by the late Bill Parks in 1972 and is based in Moscow, Idaho. Their rafts are made in Mexico using Hypalon. NRS is the largest river equipment manufacturer in the world.
Website: NRS.com
Country of origin: Mexico
Primary material: Hypalon.

SOTAR

Based in Merlin, Oregon, SOTAR has been building their rafts one at a time, by hand, in their Oregon facility. Their name stands for State Of The Art Raft.
Website: SOTAR.com
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: Urethane/Rezcoat

AIRE

In 2017, with help from Ferrari, AIRE came out with an exclusive PVC material for their rafts. They are based in Meridian, Idaho.
Website: AIRE.com
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: PVC

Achilles

Achilles has been making inflatable boats for a long time and has a special four-layer construction process for their rafts.
Website: AchillesBoats.com
Country of origin: Japan
Primary material: Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene (CSM) AKA Hypalon

Maravia

Based out of Boise, Idaho, Maravia built the original drop-stitch self-bailing floor.
Website: Maravia.com
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: PVC

Jack’s Plastic

Famous for inventing the Paco Pad, Jack’s Plastic is also well known for making excellent catarafts and custom boats. A read through their FAQs and you’ll quickly see that they understand material science exceptionally well.
Website: JPWinc.com
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: PVC

Hyside

Hyside makes the most popular Hypalon raft on the market. Their rafts are known for being light and durable.
Website: Hyside.com
Country of origin: Myanmar
Primary material: Hypalon

Star Inflatables

Star was bought by NRS in 2017
Website: nrs.com/star/c5119
Country of origin: Unknown
Primary material: PVC

Rocky Mountain Rafts

RMR is known for making budget-friendly rafts. They started in 2011 and their small rafts are particularly popular.
Website: RockyMountainRafts.com
Country of origin: Unknown
Primary material: PVC

Avon (Inactive)

Well known for their dingies, Avon also had a whitewater division that was considered the best in the business for decades.
Website:
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Primary material: Hypalon

Riken (Inactive)

A tire manufacturer that also designed rafts, Riken was the first to introduce diminishing/tapered tubes and was a popular choice alongside Avon in the 80s and 90s.
Website:
Country of origin:
Primary material: Hypalon

Vanguard Inflatables

Vanguard makes popular inflatable kayaks and paddle boats.
Website: VanguardInflatables.com/
Country of origin:
Primary material: PVC

DIB (Demaree Inflatable Boats)

DIB is known for making large, custom inflatables. Many sweep boats on the Middle Fork of the Salmon are DIBs.
Website: DIBboats.com/
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: Hypalon

Streamtech

Streamtech rafts are made by Maravia and are geared towards fly fishing.
Website: StreamTechBoats.com
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: PVC

Tributary

Tributary is a subsidiary of AIRE and is a budget-friendly raft.
Website: https://www.aire.com/product/tributary-hd-2023/
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: PVC

Custom Inflatables Inc

Custom Inflatables is known for their inflatable kayaks
Website: https://tseeker.com/
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: Unknown

Saturn Inflatables

Website: https://saturnboats.com/
Country of origin: Unkown
Primary material: Unknown

Wing Inflatables

Website: https://www.inflatablesolutions.com/
Country of origin: United States
Primary material: PVC

Maxxon

Website: https://maxxoninflatableboats.com/
Country of origin: Unknown
Primary material: Unknown

Bris

Website: https://www.brisinflatable.com/categories/river-raft-/652729
Country of origin: Unknown
Primary material: Unknown