Bending Branches  Expedition Plus Canoe Paddle

$204.95
Members get an est. $20.49 in rewards

This wood straight-shaft canoe paddle is ideal for long wilderness tripping or light whitewater use .

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Members get an estimated $20.49 (10%) back on this item.
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Features

  • Wood is unmatched for balance, feel and performance, and it's comfortable in your hands regardless of the temperature
  • Wrap Around™ Rockgard® impact-resistant resin is molded into the paddle tip and up the edges, extending the life of the paddle
  • Powerful, efficient nine-laminate blade features butternut and basswood that's extremely durable
  • Ultimate T-Grip™ is a soft, rounded T-Grip offering exceptional comfort and control for long-distance paddling

Made in USA.

View all Bending Branches Canoe Paddles

Technical Specs

Best Use

Canoeing

Blade Construction

21-laminate wood/Rockgard tip

Shaft Construction

Wood

Blade Size

20 x 8 inches

Blade Surface Area (sq. in.)

126 square inches

Grip Type

T-grip

Weight

1 lb. 12 oz.

Blade-to-Shaft Offset

0 degrees

Reviews
12 reviews with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

4 out of 8 (50%) reviewers recommend this product

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Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Paddle
Canoer90
16 years ago
I used this paddle for 40 days in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It was used on everything from big lakes, to the Arctic Ocean, to creeks, to class III whitewater. The fiberglass coated blade is extremely durable, but compared to other wooden paddles that are made for whitewater, this paddle weighs little. The T-Grip is very comfortable for flatwater but also offers a solid grip for whitewater. I know that some call this company "breaking branches" but I know a number of people who have this paddle and they are all as satisfied as I am.
Canoer90
Chicago, IL
14 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 2.0 out of 5 stars
Expedition Minus
Bentshaft
6 years ago
I purchased the Exped Plus for a 6 week trip in N Canada. The blade split on week 4 after little use (primarily a bent-shafter). I managed with duct tape. Of 8 paddles on the trip, 6 were Bending Branches (2 were carbon bent shafts). Of those 6 paddles, 4 split or delaminated, and the 5th had split the blade on a prior trip, but had been replaced under warranty with Bending Branches. Duct tape temporarily repaired three of the paddles. I think I'll look elsewhere. REI was good with the refund.
Bentshaft
7 people found this review helpful
Anonymous
Twin Cities, MN
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Love this paddle

5 years ago

Firstly, it’s clearly a beautiful paddle, which of course I scratched up on my first BWCA trip with it last week, but it still looks great. It has a nice large blade that provides plenty of push. I wasn’t sure I would like the T handle having paddled the standard palm handle almost all the time. I loved it. It feels great in the hand and provides a lot of control. The rock guard trimming all around the blade and up the shaft 6” or so is also a great feature. All in all a great paddle. As for those that say it’s “heavy”, give me a break, it’s not...it’s Solid, which is what you want on a wilderness trip!

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Canoer90
Chicago, IL
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Great Paddle

16 years ago

I used this paddle for 40 days in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It was used on everything from big lakes, to the Arctic Ocean, to creeks, to class III whitewater. The fiberglass coated blade is extremely durable, but compared to other wooden paddles that are made for whitewater, this paddle weighs little. The T-Grip is very comfortable for flatwater but also offers a solid grip for whitewater. I know that some call this company "breaking branches" but I know a number of people who have this paddle and they are all as satisfied as I am.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Roam
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly durable

8 years ago

Days after purchasing this paddle I took a 2 day trip down the Iowa river in my 16' Penobscot. On day 1 the river was shallow and rocky, with intermittent twists, forks and fallen trees obstructing the waterway. In other words... lots of fun. On more than one occasion I had to paddle through shallow rocky bottoms, making hard, and direct, contact with large stones almost every stroke . But the paddle came out unscathed. I can't even tell I've used it. A+

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Bentshaft
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

Expedition Minus

6 years ago

I purchased the Exped Plus for a 6 week trip in N Canada. The blade split on week 4 after little use (primarily a bent-shafter). I managed with duct tape. Of 8 paddles on the trip, 6 were Bending Branches (2 were carbon bent shafts). Of those 6 paddles, 4 split or delaminated, and the 5th had split the blade on a prior trip, but had been replaced under warranty with Bending Branches. Duct tape temporarily repaired three of the paddles. I think I'll look elsewhere. REI was good with the refund.

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
CromsDog
South Carolina
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Satified

11 years ago

Good paddle for the money. I love the size and weight of this thing. There were a few minor blemishes in the shaft when I first got it. Since I use it mostly in the Lower Saluda with a bunch of rocks I don't mind. The paddle head is large and really helps in upstream paddling. The rock guard has held up well after taking some good whacks on rocky bottoms.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Michael
Rated 2.0 out of 5 stars

The method used to ship it = damaged paddle

4 years ago

The paddle WOULD be a delight, if they could ship it to you without it being damaged. I need to refinish it because it was shipped banging around in a large box.

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
Jacob
NY
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Meh

3 years ago

It worked for about 50-60 river miles, then split. I will be returning. Expected a bit more from an expedition paddle…

Age:25–34
No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
La Grange
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Been needing a quality paddle - looks nice and du

1 year ago

Looks nice - well packed - Looking foward to paddling it

Helpful?
Aaron
Portland, OR
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Pretty sure REI sent me a blem/second.

11 months ago

Great paddle, but this feels like a second.

Age:35–44
No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
LaGrange
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 year ago
Helpful?
1 - 10 of 12 Reviews

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