Lexi and Chris started Roam Lab (https://roamlab.com/) in 2015 with a ’86 Dodge Ram that underwent a simple conversion to add sleeping quarters and storage. They hit to road for a cross-country trek, fell in love with the nomadic lifestyle, and have been on a perpetual road trip ever since.
They soon upgraded their rig to a 1970 Avion C11 Truck Camper that they outfitted to a 2015 Ram 3500 – enough truck to handle hauling the camper and with more off-road capability for remote exploration. They fully renovated and customized the interior of the Avion; replacing flooring and appliances, adding insulation and solar panels, and building in storage for both the necesseties and all the outdoor gear they could fit.
“Pack rafting, or packrafting, is a versatile outdoor water sport enabling adventure-seekers to explore remote waterways, rivers, and lakes. At its core, pack rafting relies on inflatable, lightweight, and highly portable rafts designed to be carried in a backpack or bike. These rafts can be easily inflated and deflated, making them perfect for multi-sport adventures where paddling is only one part of the journey. Its adaptability and convenience set pack rafting apart from other water sports like kayaking, canoeing, or traditional rafting. Pack rafts can be carried easily during a hike or bike ride, allowing adventurers to access hard-to-reach waterways, discover hidden lakes, or even combine water and land-based journeys. This versatility makes pack rafting an ideal choice for those who love exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and simply enjoy combining various outdoor activities.”
Their Kokopelli Rogue-Lite inflatable rafts are lightweight and pack down super small, making them ideal for storage in their camper or in a backpack or bike pannier. By combining these packable rafts with Montague Paratrooper Pro folding bikes, Roam Lab has put together the ultimate all-terrain setup — able to navigate roads, trails, and waterways under human power. The combination lets you padde to an island or travel along a river by raft with a neatly folded bike stowed on board. Then when you’re ready to ride, the inflatable raft can easily pack up to carry by bike.
Lexi and Chris recently took a bikerafting trip through the Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area in Tennesee, then the Stones River Greenway and onto the 14,200-acre J. Percy Priest Lake. You can see videos from their trip and get a great look at their Paratrooper Pro bikerafting setup on their Instagram: @roamlab
Follow along with Lexi and Chris’ latest adventures as they continue their tour (by truck, camper, bike, rafter, and who knows what next):
Blog: roamlab.com
Instagram: @roamlab
