[A self-paying review without any consideration] DURSTON Iceline Trekking Poles: A groundbreaking design that was unlikely to exist. Ultra-lightweight, strong and difficult to break, making it a state-of-the-art trekking pole that is extremely secure
written by Yosuke.C
Trekking poles not only reduce the strain on the legs and hips when walking, but also increase propulsion and pace when climbing, and stabilize footing when descending, making them the unsung heroes that support the smooth and safe movement of hikers and runners
Of course, trekking poles are gear that you hold in your hands all the time, so the lighter they are, the better, but I weigh 80kg, which is heavier than average, so if I were to carry about 10kg of equipment and apply a load to them, it wouldn't be surprising if the ultra-light models currently on the market, which weigh less than 300g per pair, were to snap in half if I stumbled and suddenly poked them (although this is usually not a problem)
Strong yet lightweight—these are the trekking poles that are so desirable you'd be dying to own one. These the Iceline Trekking Poles from DURSTON, . These versatile trekking poles are among the lightest in the world, yet offer high strength and durability, and feature adjustable length. Here's a review of my experience using them in the field.
table of contents
Key features of the DURSTON Iceline Trekking Poles
Durston Iceline Trekking Poles are three-piece, adjustable-length trekking poles with an innovative construction that allows for exceptional weight efficiency, resulting in lighter, stronger, and more reliable poles. They feature lightweight, durable, high-modulus carbon fiber poles and a thicker lower pole diameter for increased strength and durability. The new design, including a "quick-connect mechanism" that allows for one-touch connection and disconnection, eliminates unnecessary components, resulting in the world's lightest adjustable-length poles. They also pack down more compactly than traditional three-section poles. Each pole weighs just 145g with the strap attached. Featuring lightweight and easy-to-grip EVA foam grips, these poles offer endless possibilities for a wide range of activities, from ultralight hiking to fastpacking and multi-week trekking.
Recommended points
- Incredibly lightweight
- Strong enough to support your weight even with heavy loads
- Good shock absorption when poked
- Flick lock type for easy length adjustment
- Storage size that does not stick out from the backpack
Points that interest me
- No ferrule cover or snow basket included (you will need to source the appropriate ones yourself)
- The maximum length of 127cm is not compatible with larger one-pole shelters
- To purchase, you must import it yourself from the official EC site in your home country
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | DURSTON Iceline Trekking Poles |
|---|---|
| weight |
|
| Number of pole connections | 3 pieces |
| How to connect | Quick connect (separate type), flick lock |
| Material |
|
| Adjustable size width | 95cm to 127cm |
| Storage size | Φ5cm x 50cm (measured) |
| Pole diameter | Top 18mm/middle 16mm/bottom 16mm |
| accessories | Storage bag |
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Fixed/adjusted | ★★★★☆ |
| Storageability | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
| Suitable activities | For all activities that require lightness and mobility, such as hiking, mountain climbing, running, and trail running |
Impressions used
Lightweight yet strong enough to support your weight with confidence
The Iceline Trekking Poles weigh 145g each with straps ( 268g for two poles without straps) .
Although this is not the lightest pole, considering poles without adjustment or trail running poles that are not designed to carry loads, according to the manufacturer, it is for length-adjustable, three-piece structure on a through hike .
What's surprising is that, despite their light weight, they're strong enough to support a 10kg load with confidence. Komperdell of experience, these trekking poles support your weight without sagging. They also grip the trail firmly, with no recoil from the impact of the thrust.
To achieve both lightness and strength, Iceline Trekking Poles use large-diameter carbon poles. The top is 18mm thick (compared to 14-16mm for competing poles), and the middle and bottom are 16mm thick (compared to 12-14mm). This balances lightness and strength. High-modulus carbon is generally said to have the disadvantage of low strength, but by using larger diameter poles, we are able to ensure strength
The grip is made of EVA foam that is neither too hard nor too soft, and is approximately 3cm in diameter (actual measurement).Its shape allows you to apply firm pressure when gripping it, making it easy to put your weight on it
Iceline Trekking Poles are available with or without straps. The straps are adjustable for a snug fit and are perfect for trail running, fastpacking, or when you want to push hard on the trail. However, opinions are divided on whether straps are necessary for hiking. Some people use straps to prevent falls, while others point out that straps can be dangerous if you fall
Both options, whether to use the strap or not, are correct, so you should choose flexibly based on your needs and preferences, but the weight difference between using the strap and not using it is only 4.5g. I don't usually use straps much, but I didn't find the lightweight mesh strap to be a nuisance
Mesh strap weighs just 4.5g
The length is continuously adjustable from 95 to 127 cm with a flick lock mechanism
The flick-lock fittings can be adjusted continuously from 95cm to a maximum of 127cm, making it easy to adjust the length, and the stress-free adjustment allows you to actively adjust the length when climbing or descending
It can be adjusted from 95 to 127 cm. It is easy to use as it has a scale in 5 cm increments
There are generally two main types of trekking poles that can be adjusted in length: "screw lock" and "flick lock"
The screw-lock type is simple and lightweight because it does not have any unnecessary metal fittings, but it is time-consuming to adjust because you have to twist the pole around to lock it. Another disadvantage is that if it is not fixed properly, it may shrink when you put your weight on it, so you have to use force to fix it
On the other hand, the flick lock system used in Iceline Trekking Poles
Length adjustment is easy as it can be done in one place
The adjuster is a flick-lock type, single adjuster. The use of aluminum in the parts ensures strength
Most telescopic trekking poles have two adjusters for length adjustment, but Iceline Trekking Poles have only one adjuster, making them easier to adjust and reducing the number of fixing brackets, making them lighter.
The bottom of the pole uses a "quick connect mechanism" that allows for one-touch connection and disconnection. As this was my first time using this type of pole, I was a little worried about its stability and strength, but my worries were unfounded. It didn't wobble, had no effect on strength, and I didn't experience any problems during several field tests
Quick connect for easy connection
One thing that bothers me is the maximum extension length. It extends to 127cm, so it's not a problem when walking, but when using it as a tent pole for a one-pole tent, the pole may not be long enough, so hikers with tents taller than 125cm should be careful
Storage size that does not stick out from the backpack
Compared to other trekking poles, the storage size is small
Three-section telescopic trekking poles are longer when stored than folding types and may stick out from a backpack, but Iceline Trekking Poles split into two sections when stored, so they can be stored in a shorter size than regular telescopic trekking poles
When stored in the side pocket, it does not protrude from the backpack, so it will not interfere with a sleeping mat or other item attached to the top
The shorter storage size means that your trekking poles will not stick out of the backpack when stored in the side pocket, preventing them from getting caught on trees above your head
The Iceline Trekking Poles come with a lightweight Dyneema® storage bag. If you attach your trekking poles to the outside of your backpack, the straps can easily get caught on tree branches, but with the storage bag you don't have to worry about that.
Dedicated storage bag. Weighs just 5g
Ferrule cover and snow basket not included
In mountainous areas of Japan, ferrule covers are recommended to protect vegetation and reduce damage to hiking trails such as boardwalks, and basically all trekking poles come with them, but Iceline Trekking Poles (and snow baskets) do not come with ferrule covers. Therefore, if necessary, you will need to provide your own.
You will need to prepare a ferrule cover or basket depending on the situation
In North America and Europe, it is recommended to use accessories from Komperdell, the manufacturer that actually produces these parts, but unfortunately there is no Komperdell distributor in Japan (there used to be one, but unfortunately it appears that they have now withdrawn). For this reason, it is difficult to obtain accessories such as ferrule covers and baskets in Japan, and the only option is to look for parts of the same size from other manufacturers
First, regarding the tip covers, the Iceline Trekking Poles have a slightly smaller diameter (approximately 8mm) than regular trekking poles, so they couldn't be substituted with other models I own. So I searched for a product for poles with 8mm tips, and found a replacement tip rubber from Shinano with an 8mm inner diameter, so I used that instead.
As for the snow basket, I searched online and somehow managed to find a site that sold Komperdell's original 5cm snow basket separately. I bought one to try it out and was able to install it, so it can be used. However, although the size should not be a problem, it required a lot of force to actually install it
However, when it comes to hiking in the snow-free season, I don't think a basket is essential, and it's actually more stressful when it gets stuck between rocks or tree roots and I can't get it out, disrupting my rhythm, so I don't plan on forcing myself to use one
Summary: Iceline Trekking Poles are lightweight, durable, functional, and compact trekking poles
There are countless trekking poles on the market, made from a variety of materials depending on the purpose, but a rough comparison shows that the average weight of a trekking pole is around 250g. Around 200g can be considered lightweight, and around 150g is considered the lightest in its class. The DURSTON Iceline Trekking Pole is an ultra-lightweight trekking pole weighing just 145g. Not only is it light, it is also strong and practical, making it a trekking pole that we can confidently recommend not only to fastpacking and UL-oriented hikers, but also to runners who want to push down the trail with their full weight on the ground
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Yosuke C
People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.
From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.
A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.
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