Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Expedition

This is the gold standard for inflatable folding kayaks. The Expedition is so portable I have taken it on airplanes as an ordinary checked bag. On the water, this recreational kayak handles well and has way more glide per stroke than the smaller models from the same manufacturer. The materials are tough and well-made.

I am delighted with my Expedition. I have used it for more than four years and it is still going strong. The boat is very well-constructed of tough materials. The outer hull shows very little signs of use after dozens and dozens of days on the water. The inner inflation tubes are safely covered in tough cloth and are still good after over a hundred times of inflating, using, deflating, and putting away.

When paddling with friends I can keep up fine in the Expedition. I like the way it glides after each stroke much better than the shorter models of recreational kayak. It is stable and responds well to changes in direction.

What I love best about the Expedition is being able to carry it myself in its gear bag. I am not a big person. I usually need help to carry a sea kayak. But the Expedition is wonderful for being portable. I can put it myself into a car trunk or strap it to a luggage roller and take it on the bus. I've taken it on commuter trains. On airplanes, I check it as ordinary luggage -- no extra charge for oversize or overweight!

Check out my review on Trailspace of the Lagoon kayak from the same manufacturer, Advanced Elements. Most of what I say there applies to the Expedition. You will also see a photo of my friend's SmartCar with both my Lagoon and Expedition packed in the back. 

This 13-foot Expedition is better than the Lagoon for camping trips, because there's room for gear inside. I did a multi-day camping trip solo down the Red Deer River in Alberta, Canada, in my Expedition.

My friends who have borrowed my Expedition like it too. It is a good fit for adults from 5 feet tall to about 6 foot 6. If you are taller than that or have very big feet you will want to try the Convertible model from Advanced Elements. If you are 5 feet or shorter, try their smaller models of kayak. If the Expedition is too heavy for you to carry, the smaller models are lighter.

Disclosure: The reviewer is an ambassador for Advanced Elements and received a sample of this product from the brand or its representatives in exchange for a review.