The quintessential Alaska packraft, the Expedition delivers premium whitewater performance with a Mage derived hull and backcountry weight and bulk with optimized performance outfitting.
Alpacka Raft Expedition
$1,650.00
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CloseDurable Alpacka Raft Expedition packraft built for demanding river travel. Lightweight, stable, and ready for whitewater adventure.
Product Description
The Expedition is a one boat quiver killer. Its adaptable performance allows for seamless transitions between backcountry traverses, traditional multi-day river trips, weekend getaways, and whitewater laps with friends. No other packraft offers a greater range of potential adventures.
The Expedition features a Mage derived hull and a flat floor, which optimizes tracking, speed, and performance across the broadest range of river conditions from flatwater to lightwater to whitewater. A backband and lace-in seat perfectly balance comfort, performance, and packability. The patented 3-point thigh straps and whitewater footbrace provide optimized performance in lightwater and whitewater.
The Expedition is only available in a Whitewater Deck. We recommend the Gnarwhal or Mage for similar performance in a self bailer.
What's New in 2026
The Expedition receives big changes for 2026.
- The hull has been updated based on the Mage hull. It's longer, narrower and has increased rocker for faster and better whitewater handling than previous years, while remaining easy to handle for beginner to intermediate paddlers.
- The rigging includes a standard lace-in seat, backband, 3-point thigh straps, whitewater footbrace, stern rail grab loops, whitewater deck and Cargo Fly zipper.
- Compared to the 2025 model, the 2026 Expedition is faster, tracks better, and handles much better in rivers and whitewater. However, the 2025 version had better support for carrying weight on the bow. As a result, the 2026 Expedition is not recommended for bike rafting.
The 2026 Expedition is not only our flagship versatile and performance wilderness packraft, but now it has higher performance than the Expedition has ever had. We think that's a win for everyone.
Recommended Uses
Versatile |
Lightwater |
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The most versatile decked packraft in our lineup, the Expedition is fully adaptable to a multi-week wilderness traverse, desert float trip, or lapping the local whitewater run. The ultimate Alaska ready packraft for flatwater, lightwater, and whitewater. |
Our highest performance lightwater packraft, the Expedition particularly excels on shallow splashy rivers that require super quick turns and tight eddy catches. Less experienced and warm water paddlers should consider the self-bailing Gnarwhal. |
Whitewater |
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With 3-Point thigh straps standard, the Expedition is great packraft for up to Class IV whitewater. Expert paddlers may be able to paddle more continuous Class IV runs, but we recommend a whitewater focused model like the Mage or Valkyrie for those runs. |
How Does it Compare?
Expedition vs. Caribou |
Expedition vs. Gnarwhal |
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The Expedition is a much better whitewater and lightwater performance packraft than the Caribou, which makes it the choice for packrafters looking for a versatile packraft with a whitewater focus. The Caribou is lighter and more compact, especially in the Open build and is a better option for more flat lightwater focus. The Caribou’s late rise bow is a better choice for awkward or bulky items like bikerafting. |
The Expedition and Gnarwhal are both whitewater focused, but with different intended uses. For the versatile packrafter, we recommend the Expedition for colder climates or if you prefer a deck and spray skirt. The Gnarwhal is recommended for warmer climates or if you prefer a self bailer. The Gnarwhal is also preferred for a beginner/intermediate whitewater focused packraft. |
Expedition vs. Mage |
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Compared to the Mage, the Expedition's flat floor design and lace-in standard seat is lighter, more packable, and has better primary stability, but has less edging, speed and secondary stability than the Mage. The Mage is better for whitewater and has a self bailing option, while the Expedition is a more versatile all purpose decked packraft. |
Features
Attachments |
Seating & Rigging |
Materials |
| 4 bow grab loops, 4 stern grab loops, offset D-Rings, ankle loops, 3 position thigh strap ladder plates, 3 position backband ladder plate |
Standard Lace-in Seat, Foam Backband, patented 3-point Thigh Straps and WW Footbrace, PEX Rim Pole (Spray Skirt Sold Separately) |
Proprietary TPU coated 210d nylon hull and 840d nylon floor (Made in USA) |
Includes |
California Proposition 65 Warning |
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| Inflation Bag, Stuff Sack, Cargo Fly Kit, and Basic Repair Kit |
Using the Aquaseal in the repair kit will expose you to toluene, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go towww.P65Warnings.ca.gov. |
Build Configurations
Whitewater Deck |
Cargo Fly Zipper |
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The Expedition is only available with a whitewater spray deck. The deck features a rim sleeve and one piece PEX coaming pole that creates the rim for attaching an Alpacka compatible spray skirt. The whitewater spray deck is the driest and warmest configuration and recommended for colder climates. |
Our innovative Cargo Fly internal storage system comes standard on the Expedition. The Cargo Fly features an airtight zipper installed in the stern of the boat to allow you to store your gear inside the tubes. The system provides drier and more secure gear storage and improved paddling performance due to a lower center of gravity. Internal Dry Bags may be purchased separately and are designed to work with the Cargo Fly system. The bags clip in place along each side of the tubes with a side release buckle and allow for better organization and weight balance than placing the contents of your pack loose inside the Cargo Fly. They also act as additional balanced air chambers to make it easier to get to shore in the event of a puncture. |
Weight Capacity
With multiple sizes, the Expedition will fit most paddlers up to 230lbs. Larger paddlers should consider the Gnarwhal. Cargo weight recommendations are 20-40lbs for maximum whitewater performance, up to 60lbs for general purpose, and up to 100lbs for extended trips on larger rivers.
Sizing & Specifications
Paddler Sizing Chart*
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Small |
Medium | Large | X-Large | |
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Paddler Height in Feet/Inches |
under 5'7" | 5'6"- 5'11" | 5'9"-6'2" | 6'1"-6'6" |
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Paddler Height in CM |
Under 170cm | 168 - 180cm | 175 - 188cm | 186 - 198cm |
*The Expedition is designed for a true to size fit with enough knee bend to engage the thigh straps, but keep your legs more extended for better downriver performance. If you are in between sizes, the smaller size will generally provide more positive thigh strap engagement.
Dimensions*
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Small |
Medium | Large | X-Large | |
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Exterior Length |
94.75in | 240cm | 97.25in | 247cm | 100.75in | 256cm | 104in | 264cm |
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Exterior Width** |
34.25in | 87cm | 34in | 86cm | 34.25in | 87cm | 34.25in | 87cm |
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Interior Length |
43in | 109cm | 46in | 116cm | 49in | 124cm | 52in | 132cm |
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Packed Size** |
9 x 22in | 23 x 56cm | |||
Weights*
| WW Deck | Small | Medium | Large |
X-Large |
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Base Weight |
6.26lb | 6.48lb | 6.66lb | 6.90lb |
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Kitted Weight |
8.2lb | 8.4lb | 8.62lb | 8.84lb |
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Complete Weight |
8.9lb | 9.1lb | 9.28lb | 9.62lb |
*Due to the handmade nature of our packrafts and natural variances in weights between different colors and production runs in our fabrics, all weights are averages and will vary from boat to boat.
***Base weight is the boat only. Kitted weight includes the seating and rigging (excluding thigh straps and WW footbrace ~10oz). Complete weight is everything in the stuff sack at shipping.
