Iceline Trekking Poles
Our second generation Iceline trekking poles are new for 2027 and feature a custom shaped grip, more rugged tip design, and increased strength, while preserving the effortless feel and function of the original. They remain the world's lightest three piece adjustable poles at 133 g (4.7 oz) while a second Iceline RS version (185 g / 6.5 oz) joins the lineup as a pole optimized for more rugged off-trail and all conditions use.
The Iceline poles use a more weight efficient design to craft a trekking pole that is lighter, stronger, and more reliable. They offer the compactness of a 3 piece pole, the reliability of an external adjuster, and higher strength than other ultralight poles, while shaving weight to make the world's lightest three piece adjustable pole that feels effortless to use.
CONCEPT
Three section poles are the norm because they can conveniently stow on the side of your backpack, but other three section poles contain a shortcoming: dual adjusters. Having dual adjusters is not only unnecessary (because a single adjuster gives ample adjustment range) but actually a negative because a second adjuster adds weight and complexity while increasing the potential for slippage and the hassle to set your poles to a specific length.
The Iceline poles use a fundamentally simpler approach: using a single upper adjuster while replacing the lower adjuster with a simpler and lighter quick connect mechanism. This gives an even shorter packed size while making the pole more reliable, simpler, and lighter. In regular use they operate like a 2 section pole, but the lower sections can disconnect to compactly store the poles in your pack or luggage.
Additionally, we've obsessed over the rest of the pole to maximize function for the weight, including a custom polymer tip design that has been engineered to be durable while being lighter than other tips. The poles also save weight in other details like a tighter fitting grip to reduce glue weight, and a matte finish that looks beautiful but also is intentionally chosen to save grams over a glossy lacquer finish. The result is a simpler pole that invests more weight into the areas that matter.
STRONG
The Iceline poles are more durable for an ultralight trekking pole because they use premium high strength carbon fiber and a weight efficient design that lets us invest more of the weight into the stronger tubing and aluminum hardware.
Uniquely, the non-telescoping nature of the lower connection means we don't have to use slimmer tubing for the most vulnerable tip section (typically 12 mm). Instead we deploy thicker 16 mm tubing that lowers the chances of breakage, while making the pole noticeably stiffer.
The strength of the iceline poles has been increased even further for the second generation including stronger engineering, a more rugged tip design, and higher strength 7075 aluminum alloy at the quick connect.
As a result, the Iceline poles offer leading strength and stiffness for an ultralight pole, including being able to hold more weight in a horizontal load test than any comparable poles while having about half the flex.
Premium Carbon
The Iceline poles are custom built for Durston in Austria by Komperdell who have over a century of experience building high quality poles. These poles use their highest grade carbon to achieve greater performance at a lower weight.
External Adjuster
Unlike other poles near this weight, the Iceline poles have external adjustment which is easier to adjust, simpler to maintain, and less likely to slip compared to internal 'twist' adjusters. The external adjuster allows for ample adjustment range of 95 - 127 cm.
Quick Connect
In regular use the Iceline poles operate like a 2 piece pole with the upper external adjuster, but if you want them to pack short you can disconnect the tips with the quick connect mechanism. This mechanism enables a short pack size that is more compact than even other 3 piece poles, while being lighter, simpler, quicker to adjust the pole length, and with no risk of slippage.
Larger Diameter Tubing
The Iceline poles use larger diameter tubing to increase strength and reduce flex. In particular, the lowest section (which is the most common section to break in other poles) uses larger 16 mm tubing compared to 12 mm in other lightweight poles, making the Iceline poles stronger where you need it most.
Matte Finish
The Iceline poles have a matte finish that gives the poles a premium look, but more importantly, is the result of our focus on weight efficiency as it saves several grams in lacquer compared to a glossy finish.
QUALITY & RELIABILITY
The Iceline poles are built from premium carbon fiber and 7075 aluminum hardware with a custom shaped grip, while uniquely incorporating O-rings into the joints for silent operation. Even the sack is high quality, as it re-purposes otherwise scrap Dyneema® fabric from our Pro series tents to provide a superlight (5g) way to store the poles.
A key goal with the Iceline poles was to improve reliability and ease of use, because other lightweight poles commonly use dual adjusters and they are often an internal 'twist' type that is more prone to slippage and more difficult to service.
With the Iceline poles, they use a single adjuster of the more reliable external type and with durable aluminum parts. The second adjuster is replaced by a quick release connection that is simpler, impossible to slip, and has been further refined for the second generation with increased strength and reliability.
Backpacker
High-Water Mark
The most durable ultralight trekking pole we’ve tested. If you’re after the best ultralight poles, the Iceline are, in our opinion, the high-water mark.
Better Trail
Masterclass in Engineering
The Durston Iceline offers impressive durability and adjustability, while being noticeably sturdier than other featherweight models. The result is impressive.
Clever Hiker
Editors Pick: Most Innovative
A top choice for ultralight backpackers who prioritize weight savings and and simplicity. Incredible fast and easy to set up.
Adventure Alan
Stiff As All Get Out
No lightweight collapsible trekking poles are stronger and stiffer than the Durston Iceline. If you’re willing to splurge, it’s hard to beat the Durston Iceline.
Road Trail Run
Brilliant
Durston set out to simplify the trekking pole to its essence while focusing on durability, reliability and the lightest possible weight. They succeeded.
The Iceline poles advance what is possible in an ultralight trekking pole. They are the world's lightest adjustable three section poles, while offering unprecedented strength for the weight, and operation that is silent, stiff, and simple. In the field, they provide effortless feel to enhance adventures from a sufferfest on the Cocodona 250 to a summer thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS
Strapless Version
133 g (4.7 oz) per pole
Strap Version
144 g (5.1 oz) per pole
Dyneema Stuff Sack
5 g (0.2 oz)
Basket
11 g (0.4 oz) each
Collapsed
49 cm (19.5")
Minimum
95 cm (37")
Maximum
127 cm (50")
Upper / Middle / Lower
18 / 16 / 16 mm
3
Shaft
High modulus carbon
Grip
EVA Foam
Tip
Polymer + Carbide
External (upper) and quick release (lower)
Austria
Features
FEATURES
The Iceline poles are the world's lightest adjustable 3 piece trekking poles at 133 g / 4.7 oz each (no strap version). This superlight weight makes them feel effortless on the trail.
The upper adjuster on the Iceline is a proven external adjuster (commonly referred to as flick locks) which is more reliable, easier to repair, and easier to adjust compared to internal ("twist lock") adjusters. It uses premium aluminum parts.
A Dyneema stuff sack is included for secure storage of the poles. These sacks are build from scrap Dyneema fabric from our X-Mid Pro tents.
The Iceline poles use larger diameter carbon tubing because it is more weight efficient (stiffer and lighter). The upper section is 18 mm (compared with 14 - 16 mm for competing poles) while the middle and lower sections are 16 mm (compared with 12 - 14 mm). This larger diameter tubing makes the Iceline poles both sturdier and lighter, especially at the tip where trekking poles are most likely to break.
The Iceline poles collapse to just 49 cm (19.5") to easily stow on the side of a backpack. Other 3 piece poles typically pack to 22-25".
The lower connection uses a simple and reliable quick connect mechanism that is well proven and dampened by an O-ring for silent operation.
The Iceline poles use high modulus premium carbon fiber to create a stiffer trekking pole with less deflection under load.
The Iceline poles are custom made for Durston by Komperdell who are based in Austria and one of the world's foremost manufacturers of premium trekking poles.
FAQ
For a hiking application we do not recommend using baskets, as they add swing weight, catch on brush, and are generally unnecessary. However, a pair of large baskets are included for soft surfaces like sand and snow.
If you would like rubber boots for the tips, the industry standard 12 mm size that is widely available from main vendors will fit.
The Iceline poles are an ultralight pole that are strong for are ultralight pole, but they are still a specialized piece of equipment for people who appreciate ultralight gear, are willing to treat them with care. They are more difficult to break than other ultralight poles, but still always some risk of accidental breakage.
If you are less ultralight focused and prefer a more robust model, our off-trail oriented Iceline RS (Rock and Snow) version is best suited.
Should such an accident happen, we have replacement sections available here or if they are unavailable, please contact us because we will always help out.
In the field, if you break a middle section of the pole you can reinsert the remaining portion into the upper external adjuster to restore functionality (at a reduced maximum height).
If you break the tip section, the pole will no longer function as a trekking pole but can often still be used to pitch your tent by using the remaining pole in a handles up orientation.
If the remaining length is too short to support your shelter, that is a risk with any trekking poles but can usually be overcome with some creativity, such as extending the pole with a rock, using a stick instead, or tying the shelters peak to a tree branch. There is almost always some way to be creative and find a solution in the field.
Wrist straps are a topic of much debate. Hikers preferring no straps are often using the poles for balance and low to moderate propulsion while valuing the simplicity, easy release if the pole gets caught, and weight savings of no straps.
Other hikers prefer wrist straps - usually so they can provide more propulsion while gripping the handle with less effort because the straps can transfer the load to the wrist.
We suggest that many hikers will be well served by poles without straps since hiking is a fairly low exertion activity, but if you prefer straps or aren't sure then we suggest opting for the strap version because the straps are easily removable so you can always go strapless later (although at a few gram weight penalty since there is still added hardware inside the grip). Straps can not be added later to the version without straps. We see about 75% of people opt for the strap version.
The regular and RS versions differ in weight, sturdiness, materials, and cost.
Iceline (No Straps) = 4.7 oz
Iceline (Yes Straps) = 5.1 oz
Iceline RS (includes straps) = 6.5 oz
The regular version is our flagship ultralight pole that offers premium all carbon construction for the lowest weight but at a higher price.
The RS version is an identical pole except the lower two sections are changed to thick walled aluminum, which is makes the pole stronger and more resistant to abuse and also less expensive, but it is heavier and reduces the effortless feel of the regular version.
For hikers that primary hike on trails and are passionate about ultralight gear and saving weight, the regular version is the ideal choice. Whereas for people on more rugged adventures such as off-trail and shoulder season use, or who appreciate the engineering moreso than the lowest weight, or who prefer a greater safety margin against accidental damage will be better served by the RS version.
Yes. The Iceline trekking poles are designed to work perfectly with all models of our X-Mid tents. They have the appropriate ends and adjustment range to work seamlessly. They will also work as optional supports in our X-Dome tents. They are slightly too short to work to anchor the door in the X-Dome tents since that is more angled.
The word "Iceline" is a nod to our heritage here in the Canadian Rockies where there are trails called the Iceline, Skyline, Highline, and more. The Iceline Trail in particular runs through the alpine of Yoho National Park and inspires with rugged terrain and glaciers. It forms an alternate route on the Great Divide Trail.