For this review, I stepped out of my paddling comfort zone. The IPIK paddle is crazy comfortable, but I'm still getting used to operating Greenland Paddle blades.
Greenland Paddles
Greenland Paddles are a lesser-known style of paddle. I thought I would talk about Greenlands in general, as well as go into more detail on the Gearlab Outdoors IPIK itself. If you want to compare and contrast different options, flip over to my review of the Gearlab Kalleq after this. There is a lot to talk about (and debate) between these guys and the classic Euro blades. They are quite different, and therefore have their own person and condition-specific pros and cons. In the end, I hope this breakdown gets you excited to try something new. Let's get into it.
ABOUT THE GEARLAB OUTDOORS IPIK PADDLE
Price: $528 USD
Length: 219 CM
Loom Length: 57 CM
Blade Width: 8.8 CM
Weight: 595 G
How is the Gearlab Outdoors IPIK paddle made?
The Gearlab Outdoors IPIK Greenland paddle I am reviewing is made with a unique 3D carbon wrapping construction with continuous strands of aerograde carbon fiber. A metal-free carbon spring joins the two-piece paddle securely together. The IPIK also has Gearlab's first oval-shaped and shouldered loom. The IPIK Greenland paddle has replaceable tips on the blades, which are attached with rust-proof titanium screws. The blades themselves are 1.1 millimeters sharp. This thing is a samurai sword.
What are the different types of paddles?
Two key classes of paddles are the Euro-style and the Greenland-style. The former is probably the first image that comes to mind when thinking about a kayak setup. The Euro paddle has a bigger, concave, and leafy blade that is designed to catch a lot of water and pull it through without fluttering. The Greenland paddle, on the other hand, has sleeker blades (but often a thicker shaft) and is designed to distribute the catch over a broader surface area.
Getting Use To Greenland Paddles
I'll be honest, because of my professional experience, I thought I would be able to get the hang of a Greenland paddle pretty quickly. Not the case. Though I'm quite fond of the design, it has taken the better part of a year (off and on) to figure out the technique.
I would recommend to anyone interested in making the switch from a Euro blade that you practice consistently in order to build confidence in your new stroke. The basic idea is that the longer, slimmer blades catch the water across a bigger area. This reduces the impact on the paddler's body. The impact to you body is reduced. This is true especially over the long haul. Each stroke is more evenly distributed and therefore smoother.
What are the advantages of a Greenland paddle?
Greenland paddles are extremely light. For example, the Gearlab Outdoors IPIK is only 595 grams, compared to the typical Euro range of about 680 grams all the way up to 1,800+ grams.
Less Defined Blades are Easier on the Body
Also, as previously mentioned, the less defined blades of Greenland paddles are easier on the body. I covered a lot of distance on Alabama's Lake Guntersville while testing out the IPIK, and I really did notice the difference at the end of the day (despite not being proficient at the Greenland-style stroke). And finally, because these paddles are sleeker and more buoyant, they make rolling an easier exercise.
Greenland Paddles Quality
Greenland paddles are made by a variety of manufacturers. Each manufacturer will use their own approach to building a paddle, which brings different pros and cons. This style of paddle certainly will take some time getting used to, but if you put in the work, they can deliver some serious benefits. Since I tested Gearlab's IPIK, I'll tell you more about my views on it.
Oval-shaped loom
For starters, the oval-shaped loom of the Gearlab Outdoors IPIK is a really nice touch. It gives you a great sense of the angle of the blades as you're paddling, without having to look at them. This is important because the angle of the blades as they strike the water is key for a proper Greenland paddle stroke. I also appreciated the new shouldered-loom, or step-up, where the shaft meets the base of the blade. The proprioception this offered, combined with the visible dots, really helped me keep a centered hand-position. This was something I struggled with when testing the Kalleq paddle last year.
Weight of the paddle
Moving on, I can't seem to say enough about how ridiculously lightweight the IPIK paddle is. But it's not just light, it feels exceptional to hold and to paddle with (even though I'm not that good at it…yet!).
Cost of the IPIK
At $528 (USD), the Gearlab Outdoors IPIK paddle is an investment. But one of the things that gives me confidence in recommending this kind of purchase is the removable blade tips. That's an essential design feature that will ensure a much longer lifespan.
Who is the Gearlab Outdoors IPIK paddle for?
The IPIK is the Mack Daddy of Greenland paddles. I would say that it is well-suited to touring-kayakers who are covering lots of ground. I also think that this model is appropriate for experienced paddlers who are curious to try something new.
Not a Beginners Paddle
This is not what I would consider a beginner's paddle, nor something for a first-time-user of a Greenland Paddle.
In both of those cases, I would recommend one of Gearlab's much more economical paddles. Once you get the feel for this style of stroke and decide that that's the road you want to go down, then you could upgrade to this higher-end option. This is in no-way a knock on the IPIK. I just want to make sure I consider, and you consider, the challenges of using this type of paddle, and recognize that this is a significant portion of most paddler's budgets.
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