Product Review: Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Inflatable Packable Kayak
Earlier this 12 months, AquaGlide unveiled their up to date inflatable kayak lineup for 2021, which included a brand new class of packable kayaks – the Backwoods Sequence. The Backwoods consists of three fashions weighing from 7 to 12 lbs, making them prime selections for distant journey.
Our first evaluate on AquaGlide’s new Backwoods Sequence for 2021 focuses on the Expedition 85, an 8′ 6″ lengthy, ultralite inflatable kayak designed for backpacking and solo paddling. (Please word: a few of the data will probably be repeated from different writeups.)
Getting Began with the Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Packable Inflatable Kayak
We unpacked the field and laid out the items – inflatable kayak/packraft physique, carrying case (which doubles as an inflation bag), directions, restore equipment (no glue), monitoring fin, seat, foot pump and two mesh baggage.
Preliminary measurements confirmed the kayak physique weighs roughly 12 lbs, with a folded dimension of twenty-two x 13 x 11 inches. The kayak with seat, fin and pump – all within the backpack – weighs roughly 15 lbs. All boxed up, the size are 23 x 15 x 14 inches with a delivery weight of 20 lbs.
(AirKayaks Aspect word #1: When initially eradicating the kayak from the carrying case, take a great have a look at how the kayak is folded. That is in all probability essentially the most neglected step and it’s VERY useful when attempting to get the kayak again into the bag.)
We began off by studying the directions. Whereas Aquaglide’s manuals have been considerably sketchy up to now, the included directions have been detailed and straightforward to make use of (all languages are actually in their very own part).
Arrange is straight-forward and easy – unpack, unfold, inflate.
There are two Boston valves (facet and the ground) with two extra small chambers using a twistlock valve for the seat. Boston valves are two-part, screw-on valves. The underside portion is threaded onto the kayak, the highest valve is screwed open for inflation after which tightened shut after inflation. Air is well launched by unscrewing the bottom connector. How does it work? A flap contained in the valve opens when air is pumped into the kayak, and falls shut when not pumped in order that air won’t rush again out.
(AirKayaks Aspect word #2: The Boston valves have a tether that retains the valve hooked up to the kayak, making certain that the valves don’t get misplaced after deflating. Ensure that the tether doesn’t get in the best way when screwing on the valve base,and the valve isn’t cross-threaded, or you could have some air leakage.)
The Expedition 85 comes with two strategies of inflation – a small, light-weight foot pump and an inflator bag (which additionally doubles because the carrying case). How does the inflator bag work? The premise is to shake the inflator bag to seize air, fold up and squeeze air into the kayak.
We began with the inflator bag. An “further” Boston valve is on the underside of the inflator bag/carrying case – take away this and stash it someplace in case you ever want a alternative. Then screw that portion of the bag onto the primary chamber with Boston valve. The directions say to pump up the facet chamber to 1 PSI, first.
With the inflator bag now hooked up to the primary chamber, we confronted into the wind, shaking to get air in. Then pull and roll the highest collectively to seize air by making a vacuum, and roll down and squeeze, forcing air into the physique.
Our first downside – there was no wind. And with the inflator bag hooked up to the Expedition, it was too heavy to toss into the air. Whereas the directions counsel it takes about 5 baggage to fill the Expedition physique, after 5 makes an attempt the raft was solely an inch tall.
So we went to plan B – the foot pump. The Expedition comes with a really low profile, ultra-lightweight foot pump which is completely different from any now we have used earlier than – and there are not any directions. Either side of the hose encompasses a Boston Valve adaptor – one facet friction matches into the Expedition physique whereas the opposite facet friction matches right into a Boston Valve on the pump. We tried stomping on it, however nothing occurred. At which level we realized that we would have liked to open the flap on the tip of the pump, to let air get in.
It took us about 330 foot pumps to get the primary chamber to the place we thought it was 1 PSI – about 4 or 5 minutes.
The ground is inflated to 0.8 PSI. It took one other 50 pumps to inflate the ground till it felt agency with some give when pushing on it. Probably bigger folks can push via extra air in much less time.
We determined to attempt a double motion hand pump. Whereas these are bulkier and heavier, they’re MUCH quicker – perhaps two minutes to inflate the Expedition. And you should use a gauge.
At this level we need to point out that the black/darkish olive materials on the higher facet can get VERY scorching within the solar, so watch out to not burn your hand, nor over inflate it.
Subsequent, connect the seat. The seat options two Twistlocks (again and base). Whilst you can maintain the Boston valve adaptor over the Twistlocks, it’s actually simpler to simply inflate it along with your mouth – this took about 4 puffs every.
Place the seat simply rear of middle – we positioned it a pair inches from the tip of the velcro strips. There are two facet straps – weave these via the 2 loops on the higher facet chambers.
Final step, connect the fin. With the fin going through in direction of the strict, push into the again slot, then push ahead and all the way down to line up the holes. Push the pin via to lock into place, and pull up to verify it’s actually hooked up.
You’re performed! Depending on which inflation technique you select, it might be a couple of minutes to loads longer.
Options and Specs on the Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition Inflatable Kayak
The kayak physique is constructed from a rugged TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) nylon. The TPU is laminated to either side of the interior nylon cloth offering further puncture safety. TPU is taken into account to be a particularly sturdy materials with glorious abrasion resistance to hidden underwater obstacles, over land portages, and even fish hooks.
The hermetic seams are welded and taped.
The Expedition has three molded carrying handles with textured grip (bow and either side), however can very simply be carried by hooking the facet of the raft over your shoulder. The facet handles are situated 45 inches from the nostril.
The entrance pontoon encompasses a bungee deck-lacing system for attaching gear. The bungee deck lacing begins 9 inches from the nostril, and measures 6 to fifteen inches extensive by 12 inches lengthy. There are 3 units of material d-rings.
Two units of MOLLE strips start 36 inches from the bow on either side pontoon. These are 9.5 inches lengthy with 6 loops 1.5 inches aside; every strip is one inch aside. The strips can be utilized to lock all forms of gear, such because the Aquaglide cup holder or fishing attachments.
The Expedition contains two mesh pouches that are 8 x 4 inches and could be mounted on the molle strips to retailer small objects. These are hooked up by sliding the push pins via the loops.
A 20 inch ruler is printed on the facet.
The ground has an i-beam building which makes use of one Boston valve. Two velcro strips are centered on the ground 6.5 inches aside, and are used to place the seat. These are 38 inches lengthy by 1.5 inches extensive.
There are two Boston valves for the ground and most important chamber.
and two twistlocks for the seat base and again.
The detachable fin weighs 3 oz.
The inflatable seat options adjustable facet straps that are woven into two facet cinches – these are situated 59 inches from the bow. The seat base is 17 inches extensive by 18 inches deep and could be inflated as much as 2 inches, dependent in your consolation degree. The seat again will also be inflated as much as two inches, and measures 14 inches tall by 27 inches extensive – this curves round. The seat straps could be moved about 6 inches ahead and again. Weight is slightly below 2 lbs.
The inflator bag/carrying case measures 27 inches lengthy by 20 inches extensive, flattened and unrolled, with a 13 inch diameter. It additionally pinch hits as a roll prime deck bag that may be strapped to the bungee deck lacing. Weight is 6 oz.
The ultralite foot pump weighs in at 12 oz. and measures 17 x 3 x 4.5 inches for the physique with a 48 inch lengthy hose. It options two boston valves for friction match attachment (one on every finish). A plug could be opened or closed to permit air to fill the chamber.
We did measurement checks. The kayak inflated is 8 toes 7 inches lengthy from finish cap to finish cap, and roughly 37 to 38 inches extensive – very near the specs. The facet bladders are roughly 11 inches in diameter, making the perimeters 10 inches above the seating space. Inside dimensions are roughly 60 inches lengthy by roughly 15 inches on the widest level.
Depending on the place the seat is positioned (we’ll use the structure talked about above, with the seat again a pair inches from the tip of the velcro strips), the effectively behind the seat is roughly 13 inches extensive x 12 inches (triangular). There are roughly 45 inches from the entrance seat again to the inside bow.
Weight limitation is 300 lbs for particular person and equipment.
Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 on the Water
I took the Backwoods Expedition 85 out on a considerably windy day. The Expedition is extraordinarily light-weight, and straightforward to get into – it was additionally roomy. At my peak of 5’4″, there was not less than a further foot of house in entrance of my toes. As to be anticipated, there was some wag to the nostril. The 230cm paddle additionally was too quick, or I wanted to sit down up larger as I had bother clearing the pontoons.
I took it out once more on one other uneven day, this time utilizing 240cm paddles – what a distinction! I had no issues clearing the perimeters. As I used to be nonetheless experiencing some wag, I went again to shore and put some rocks in a backpack, and positioned it within the entrance. The added weight within the bow dropped the nostril barely, offering a a lot better monitoring expertise.
At this level, I need to present an image of Kyle within the barely smaller Backwoods Angler 75. At 6’3″ in peak, he didn’t have house points, so I’d assume the Expedition 85 could be even higher.
Whereas the thought of the inflation bag as a carrying case is kind of intelligent, it may presumably be problematic over time. Carrying circumstances usually get abraded, after which will probably be much less helpful as an inflator. However, the inflator bag isn’t the best inflator; I actually desire the ultralite foot pump, even higher, a double motion hand pump. Whereas I did try to make use of the Kokopelli rechargeable Feather pump, it was not very profitable because the pump doesn’t have sufficient torque to completely open the Boston Valve flap. The double motion hand pump was clearly the winner.
As a facet word, I did handle to get hung up on a submerged rock, however was capable of rock myself off with none points. Because the packrafts are inflated to a decrease PSI, they usually have extra of an inclination to bounce fairly than puncture.
Packing Up the Backwoods Expedition 85
The Expedition may be very straightforward to pack up. First take away the fin and the seat (when you can go away the seat in, it’ll make a bigger package deal). Unscrew the Boston valves so the air rushes out, after which fold within the sides (chances are you’ll must push down on the physique to push out all air). Ranging from the nostril of the kayak, begin rolling up.
This could simply slip again into the carrying case together with the seat and pump.
Backside line on the AquaGlide Backwoods Expedition 85 Inflatable Packable
The Backwoods Expedition 85 is an efficient inflatable selection for a paddler needing a light-weight possibility that may carry an affordable payload.
The open cockpit design will attraction to those that are uncomfortable being enclosed, paddlers who want straightforward entry and exit (equivalent to seniors or these with bodily limitations), these in want of a fast dip on a scorching summer time day.
The TPU clean pores and skin permits water to run off the pores and skin and out of the crevices, making drying instances a lot shorter.
Quite a few “attentions to element” have been integrated, equivalent to molle strips, a number of attachment loops, deck lacing and variable seating positions. When cinched, the seat again supplies a great quantity of assist, whereas the inflatable seat base is an actual plus, permitting one to differ inflation pressures in addition to seat peak whereas remaining above any pooled water.
The monitoring fin will increase the dealing with efficiency. It’s a sensible choice for slow-moving rivers and lakes.
However better of all – it’s light-weight with a small footprint. The TPU materials and tubeless building reduces the kayak physique to 12 lbs, or all of the included gear within the pack at 15 lbs; it is a nice possibility for these needing portability.
It rolls up surprisingly effectively, simply becoming into the trunk of a small automotive, an RV or an possibility for trip journey.
The Backwoods Sequence additionally options two different fashions – the 6.5 foot Purist 65 and the 7.5 foot Angler 75.
The Purist 65 is a light-weight, stripped down model. At 7.5 lbs. within the pack, the Purist is nice for minimalists desirous to get out on the water. Avenue worth is $429.99
The Angler 75 is designed for backpacking sports-people. At 12 lbs within the pack, the Angler is a foot shorter and three kilos lighter than the Expedition 85, however nonetheless affords loads of whizbangs and locations for attaching gear. Avenue worth is $549.99.
Avenue worth for the Expedition 85 is $799.99. For extra particulars or to buy, go to the AquaGlide Backwoods Expedition product web page at AirKayaks.com. You can even watch a video on the Aquaglide Blackwoods Expedition 85, under.
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