Advanced Elements Expedition Elite Kayak Review

Inflatable kayaks are great for portability, but they’re typically not designed to handle a broad range of conditions, or to be used for multi-day trips. Advanced Elements has set out to challenge that paradigm with the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite. Does it really deliver on all these fronts? I’m going to walk you through everything I discovered on my latest paddle test. Let’s start with the basic specs and then comb through the real-world findings. 

About the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite Kayak

Price: $1,030 (USD)

Length: 13’

Width: 32”

Weight: 42 LBS (19 KG)

Capacity: 450 LBs (204 KG)

Best Use: All Waters

This kayak features a drop-stitch floor, a rudder mount (if you want to attach one), inflatable combing (if you want to use a spray skirt), carry handles at either end, a neoprene knuckle guard on the deck, an integrated fin, D-ring tie downs on both the front and back deck, bungees on the front deck, an adjustable foot brace, and a seat with inflatable lumbar support. The Expedition Elite kayak also has built-in aluminum rib frames on both the bow and stern to make the ends firm, a hatch to access the stern, and a zipper to access the bow. The package comes with a backpack and repair kit, but no pump or paddle. 

Is the Expedition Elite kayak easy to set up? 

This kayak takes a little bit longer to inflate than your average inflatable model. This is because there are 9 chambers to pump-up, ranging from the 2 smaller ones around the cock-pit, to the drop-stitch floor, and of course, the seat. Given that this kayak is attempting to accomplish more, it makes sense that setting it up would take a bit long (but just a bit). As always, I recommend an electric pump to make this process easier. It also helps to have a pump with a pressure gauge on it so that the kayak can be optimally inflated.

Advanced Elements attached a couple of permanent tags to this boat, which have written instructions for getting started, as well as a QR code that will send you to a video guide (as long as you have internet access where you’re about to paddle). 

In terms of packing up at the end of the day, I was happy to see that the backpack included a generous amount of extra volume. Once an inflatable kayak is unpacked for the first time, it never quite packs down as tight again. 

Does the Expedition Elite kayak have good portability?

At 42 pounds, the Expedition Elite is on the slightly heavy end of normal for an inflatable kayak, but still totally manageable. One of the reasons the weight is a bit higher is because of the durable shell that protects the inner air chambers. I’m certainly happy to shoulder a few extra pounds to increase my kayak’s lifespan.

Just note that the tougher material takes a little longer to dry out. Some patience for the fresh air to do its thing, and maybe a towel to assist in the matter, is required at the end of the day before packing up. If you stuff the kayak back in the backpack when it’s still damp, then you might be greeted with mildew when you go to use it the next time. Speaking of the backpack, the padded shoulder straps and duffle-bag-style carry handle make getting from the parking lot to the water’s edge a much smoother mission. 

Is the Expedition Elite a stable kayak? 

Absolutely. The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite has a wide and flat hull, which gives it excellent initial stability. I felt 100% confident while simply sitting flat in this kayak. Because of the sculpted edges of the hull, this model also has great secondary stability. Being able to lock in while on edge is important for more aggressive paddling, or paddling in rougher conditions. You do need to lean pretty far over to get the kayak onto its edge, but that is to be expected with the large air chambers and the overall width of the boat. 

Is the Expedition Elite a fast kayak?

The AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite is marketed as an inflatable touring kayak – something that can cover distance and even hold its own on a multi-day paddle trip. And after taking about 10 strokes away from the shore, a big smile came over my face. This kayak can actually move! The aluminum ribs on the bow and stern cut through the water, and it can maneuver quite easily. Now, if you’re a hardcore, hardshell touring kayaker, then of course the Expedition Elite won’t be able to match that standard. But if you’re someone who needs an inflatable kayak, perhaps due to lack of storage or transportation options, but still wants to do some extensive paddling, then this model will certainly fit the bill. 

Is the Expedition Elite a comfortable kayak? 

I had a chance to paddle the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite for about an hour and half, which gave me a good sense of this kayak’s comfort level. Let’s start with the seat. The padding underneath is a little on the thin side, which made me start to shift around and look forward to a stretch break shortly after the hour mark. The advantage of less padding under the butt is that you sit low in the cockpit, thereby increasing the stability of the kayak. The seat’s inflatable lumbar support worked beautifully. Over time, after so many outdoor adventures, my lower back has become an issue, so I welcomed this feature. Just be sure to wear a high-back life jacket to pair with this high-back seat. 

A subtle advantage I noticed with the Expedition Elite is that the shallow but soft bow, as well as the side air tubes, provided support and purchase for my legs and knees. I was actually able to dig into these areas to help put the kayak on edge. Likewise, the knuckle-guard was a nice touch that I could tell was really reducing the wear and tear with each stroke. 

Foot Brace System in the Expedition Elite

One standout weakness of this boat is the foot brace system. Unfortunately the bar up front tends to fall to the floor. This meant that only my heels were able to push up against it, which put both feet into a slightly stressed, plantar flexion position. You really need support in the midfoot area in order to be comfortable for the long haul. I would love to see a full support system there in future iterations of the Expedition Elite.

The other thing that plays a factor, though there’s not much that Advanced Elements can do about this one, is the tapering that occurs in the bow as a result of the air chambers. I’m 6-foot-2, with about a 34-inch inseam, and I felt that I was at the upper limit for this kayak. If you are looking for something that can handle long journeys, then I think someone of my height or less would fare best. 

Does the Expedition Elite kayak have good features? 

Definitely. Most of them I’ve covered while referencing some other topics, but here’s a quick recap. The aluminum ribs slice through the water and give the inflatable boat some welcomed structure. The knuckle guards protect your hands from the rougher material of the durable shell, which itself is a nice feature, and one that will protect the inner chambers while only adding marginal weight to the boat. The foot brace isn’t the best, and the seat cushion leaves something to be desired, but the seat’s lumbar support is great, so overall, the comfort-related features get the job done. 

Can I use the Expedition Elite for multi-day kayaking trips?

One thing I haven’t talked about yet is the back hatch – a crucial feature for overnight trips and one that isn’t often found in inflatable kayaks. The top of this storage area has a built-in dry-bag for some degree of waterproofing. However, the bulkhead is just a simple, inflatable one, which won’t keep water out if you happen to swamp the kayak. With that said, no matter the type of kayak, it is best to assume that water will work its way throughout the boat, and therefore, it’s best to use separate dry-bags for all your gear. 

There is also the zipper-access up front, which extends the interior storage options. Because of the air chambers, there isn’t a lot of volume to work with in the bow or stern, but between the two, and then full utilization of the deck bungees, you can totally make it work for a multi-day trip. Just don’t try to bring your whole glamping set up. And if it’s a shoulder-season expedition where you’ll need those warmer clothes, well…you’ll have to be a bit of a packing ninja. 

Who is the Expedition Elite inflatable kayak for?

First and foremost, the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite is for anyone who wants/needs a portable kayak that also performs exceptionally well compared to other inflatable models. However, if high-performance is your top priority, then a classic hardshell touring kayak would be the better way to go. In terms of the different conditions this kayak can handle, because of its relative performance capabilities, it can handle rougher waters, but I would advise against big-wave territory (such as angry oceans or intense rapids). A skirt will sit pretty loose on the inflatable combing. Yes, it will repel splashes (and help keep you warm), but a good wave will probably plunge right through. Quick tip to prevent this in more moderate conditions: put a fully stuffed dry-bag on your lap so that the skirt can’t sag as deep when swamped. 

Is the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite worth it?

Yes! At just over a thousand bucks (USD), I think the Expedition Elite delivers excellent value. You will undoubtedly find plenty of cheaper inflatable kayaks, but those likely won’t compare across-the-board. This model is stable, surprisingly speedy, decently comfortable, appropriate for long trips, and an all-around well-made boat. That’s tough to beat at this kind of price point. 

I got a kick out of testing this kayak and I hope this review helps you make an informed decision as to whether the Expedition Elite should be your next vessel. As always, head on over to PaddleTV for more video reviews, paddling tips, cool trips, and everything else paddling-related. Catch you next time! 

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