Advanced Elements Expedition Elite Kayak
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | $1049.95
Our Overall Rating | 92 out of 100
Pros - Performs well in the water, good storage
Cons - Tedious setup, long drying time, very heavy
Overall - Great kayak. Just takes a bit of time to dry it out
Technical Specifications
Open Size - 156x32in
Weight - 42lbs
Load Capacity - 450lbs
Packed Size - 31x16x10in
Our Analysis & Ratings
This was an enjoyable ride. The Advanced Elements Expedition Eltie has good storage capacity, comfortable cockpit and there is a curved bar that lifts the deck to give you extra leg space. In terms of weight, it is a little hard to carry at 42lbs, and you must be willing to spend more time setting up and packing down. It makes up for this with highly-rated comfort, quality and performance.
Performance (speed, tracking, maneuverability, stability, load handling): 10/10
Speed: The Expedition Elite’s speed adds to the performance, making for a real pleasure to paddle.
Tracking: This kayak has great tracking and the inbuilt skeg significantly controls yaw and keeps a consistently straight motion, making it easy to paddle. The drop-stitch floor gives the Expedition Elite a quality hard surface that glides smoothly over the water.
Load Handling: Worth mentioning is the good storage space, which is perfect for touring.
Construction (materials, seams, valve quality, durability and fittings): 10/10
As with the rest of the Advanced Elements kayaks, quality construction is a given, but this one stays ahead with its great drop-stitch floor. Its durable materials include rip-stop fabrics and PVC tarpaulin that are sure to stand the test of time.
Setup/Pack Down (inflation time, valves, folding, and drying): 5/10
The multiple inflation points and mismatched valves consume a lot of time when setting up. The big downside is it's tedious to pack down, considering the materials from the Expedition Elite are heavy and take a long time to dry.
Portability (weight, packed size, ease of carrying): 7/10
This is one of the heaviest kayaks among all the ones we reviewed, though, given its quality, we think that's fair. At 42lbs, you might need help moving it, but the bag comes with shoulder straps which helps.
Comfort (seat support, legroom, fatigue over distance): 10/10
Everything in this kayak is comfortable, from the seat to the cockpit. It is one of the most comfortable among those we tested, with no issues during long trips.
Having plenty of legroom and adjustable footrests, it's certainly a design that puts comfort, and performance, first.
Value for money:
For touring paddlers who value comfort, storage and genuine on-water performance, the Expedition Elite is well worth the extra weight and setup time. It's a high-end kayak that delivers on quality throughout.
Best for:
Touring and longer trips
Paddlers who prefer comfort above all else
Those who don't mind a longer setup and drying process
Anyone wanting plenty of storage space and legroom
Overall:
Only issue was extensive setup and drying, otherwise it's a great kayak.
We've got a dedicated video page, too: Advanced Elements Expedition Elite video review.
