Why We Use Removable D7 Valves on Every Go North Raft

At Go North Rafts, every design decision comes down to one thing: reliability in the real world. When you’re deep in the backcountry or pushing through technical water, your gear has to work—no questions asked. That’s exactly why we use removable D7 valves on every raft we build.

The Leafield D7 valve is widely recognized as one of the most durable and trusted inflation systems in the industry. Built from high-strength engineering plastics with resistance to chemicals, UV exposure, and impact, these valves are designed to last for years—even in the harshest environments. They’re also rigorously tested during production and engineered with an advanced O-ring sealing system that minimizes leaks and keeps your raft holding pressure when it matters most.

But durability is only part of the story.

Built for Real-World Use

D7 valves are designed with performance in mind:

• High-flow design for faster inflation and deflation

• Low-profile construction to prevent snagging on gear

• Secondary cap seal for added security

• Self-cleaning seal design to reduce dirt-related leaks

These are the kinds of features that make a difference when you’re inflating riverside, packing up in the cold, or running long expeditions.

The Advantage of Removability

What truly sets our rafts apart is this: our D7 valves are fully removable and serviceable.

Unlike cheaper, permanently bonded valve systems, the D7 is designed as a threaded, multi-part system that can be removed, cleaned, or replaced without replacing the raft itself.

That means:

• If a valve gets damaged, you don’t lose your boat

• If debris gets inside, you can clean it in the field

• If you’re on an expedition, you can carry a spare and swap it out

In other words, you stay on the water.

Built for Longevity, Not Disposal

Too many inflatables are built with components that turn small issues into major failures. A damaged valve shouldn’t mean the end of your raft—but with lower-quality systems, it often does.

At Go North, we believe in building gear that’s repairable, dependable, and built to last. The removable D7 valve is a perfect example of that philosophy: high-performance hardware that gives you control, confidence, and long-term value.

Because when you’re out there, the last thing you should be worrying about is your equipment.