“Iceline description say..larger diameter tubing”. I don’t doubt it’s true but larger than what specifically…. GG, BD?”
My video goes into this a bit more, but as baja bob says, most poles are 18/16/14 or 16/14/12 mm, with lightweight 3 piece poles almost always being 16/14/12. The Iceline poles are 18/16/16, so you have a thicker pole at the bottom where it is most needed. The 16mm lower section is thicker than almost all other trekking poles. For example the GG LT5, Black Diamond Z, and Locus Gear CP3 are all 12mm lower sections.
“If the Iceline has a thicker tubing on the vulnerable lower sections than other carbon poles (of comparable weight) it’s something I might consider. But I only use 1 pole so too bad they’re not available as singles.”
We have done break tests and the Iceline poles are stronger (lower flex, higher break point) than comparable ultralight poles, but I don’t want to give the impression of a super tough pole. They are still a lightweight pole that isn’t going to be as strong as much heavier pole. For example, the BD Alpine Carbon Cork is stronger but it also weighs almost twice as much. This trade off will always exist, but the Iceline’s do lessen it. Previously I would often opt for the Locus Gear poles (+20g) over the GG poles for the added strength and external adjustment, whereas now you can get that while weighing less.
We are going to make them available as singles for our second batch. Right now the first batch is almost sold out so we’re keeping it simple but starting later this year with the second batch we’ll have more options.
These poles look almost perfect but for one omittance…the lack of an extended grip.
Grips are a tough one because there are so many different preferences (strap? foam or cork? extended?). For this first version I opted for the lightest configuration (regular EVA foam grip) but we’ll add a strap option for the second batch, and then further off we could add a ‘luxury’ grip that is cork with an extension.
Looks like a great pole. Improved the weak/worst part of a GG pole(thin, weak bottom section). Though the lack of at least a tiny basket is strange….maybe they are compatible with most baskets?
The rationale is that most hikers don’t need baskets. They add weight and can get snagged on brush. If we include them, then most baskets would either (1) go to waste, or (2) used by people who don’t need to. Plus everyone has different needs with some wanting small baskets and others large baskets. So I opted to only add the basket connector piece and then people who want baskets can add whichever size they prefer.
I’m not able to find how much adjustment range the Iceline poles provide. BD Distance Carbon FLZ’s have 15 cm of range on all 3 sizes…Actually they have much in common with the Iceline in that the FLZ.
The Iceline poles have about double the adjustment range. They can adjust from 95 – 127 cm, so there is no need for a bunch of sizes like the BD poles.
The BD Distance Carbon FLZ is an interesting comparison. A key difference is that the BD poles are optimized for running, while the Iceline’s are optimized for hiking. So the BD poles have a 4 section design with an internal cord that adds weight but enables that rapid deployment that runners want. The Icelines using stronger tubing (16mm vs 12mm for the lower sections) and yet are quite a bit lighter due to having few sections (3) and no internal cord.
The collapsed size of the Iceline poles (49 cm) is very good for a 3 piece pole, as most collapse closer to 60 cm. The Iceline’s collapse similar to some 4 piece poles (e.g. the Fizan Compact 4 is also 49 cm), but yes the BD 4 piece poles are extremely short at 42 cm due to the limited adjustment range/limited max height.
So the BD poles win for rapid deployment and packed size, while the Iceline’s win on weight, adjustment range, and strength.
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