Imlay Heaps 48L Backpack
Imlay Heaps 48L Backpack
Heaps Pack, Sewn proudly in the USA; Utah and Arizona
A 48-liter internal frame canyoneering-specific pack, the Heaps is the Big Kahuna of Imlay's line, offering excellent comfort in addition to canyon compatibility like no other. Big enough for long day-canyons carrying too much stuff, or for lightweight overnights.
Imlay Packs feature perforated PVC-laminate fabric on the highest abrasion areas - the bottom and the bottom of the sides. Pleated outside pockets on the back and both sides provide a bunch of extra space for the approach. The body recently has been made a bit larger and shaped for better packing, and tweaked to fit women better!
Features:
Insta-Drain design: mesh sides and bottom vents allow water to drain instantly.
Worthy suspension: well padded, with a supportive HDPE/aluminum frame and nicely shaped hipbelt.
Pockets, but not zippers: three pockets are pleated and close with a strap and buckle, rather than the easily destroyed zippers.
Zippered Lid: clips off easily to stow in your drybag.
Tri-Fold Bivy Pad: 1/4 inch pad fits in the back providing a comfy carry and a bit of flotation - and unfolds to offer minimal comfort in unplanned bivies.
Water Tank compatible.
Weight: 1760 grams or 3 lb 14 oz
Volume: 48 liters, body and lid.
Volume on approach: 67 liters, body, lid and 3 pleated pockets.
You May Also Consider...
The Kolob Standard Pack is a great 37-liter pack for canyoneering in wet canyons. The Kolob is our most versatile pack, and the most popular.
Now available in 4 sizes, each as a separate item - This being the Kolob Standard, the size we have made for 15 years, optimized to fit men 5’7” to 5’11”.
Also available:
Kolob Medium to fit men 5’4” to 5’8”
Kolob Tall to fit men 5’11” to 6’3”
Kolob Stretch to fit men 6’3” to 6’8”
Thirty-seven Liters is a good size for carrying a lot of gear on day trips, and frugal individuals can do an overnight with it. Carefully shaped for optimum performance in canyons, with the slanted bottom that helps stay out of the way on downclimbs.
If the color you have your heart set on is not listed, you can suggest we make it via email.
A 47-liter internal frame canyoneering-specific pack, the Shinumo, is the High Priestess of Imlay's line, offering reasonable comfort in addition to canyon compatibility like no other. Big enough for long day-canyons carrying too much stuff, and for lightweight canyoneering overnights.
The Shinumo is the women's version of our Heaps Pack, built for smaller, curvier bodies. The pack body is 2" shorter, then made wider and deeper to reclaim the volume lost to shortening. The suspension has been re-engineered to fit women, especially smaller women. The hipbelt is shorter and curvier. The shoulder straps are narrower at the ends, but wide where they cross the shoulder.
The Shenanigans is a great 37-liter pack for canyoneering. This is the woman's version of the Kolob, our most-versatile pack, and the most popular pack. The body is the same size as the Kolob, with the shoulder straps adjusted down and re-shaped for women, and with a woman-shaped and sized hipbelt.
Hipbelts come in two sizes for women - Princess and Queen. Please note in the comments which size you think appropriate for you physique. (Hipbelt size not correlated with personality).
(To show how the color combos look, we might have pulled in photos from other packs).
Simplicity. Durability. These were the attributes I had in mind when making this little pack, originally for guiding activities at Zion Adventure Company. Turns out to be a pretty good narrow-canyon pack - kind of like a larger, top-opening Leprechaun.
The updated Mystery is 2” taller than prior versions, making it more of a ‘real pack’, only 1” shorter than the Kolob. The three-point shoulder straps fit and carry better, and are easier to sew. They allow a wide fit range, from 5’4” to 6’2” (ish). The hipbelt is the traditional Wing Style as before, but adjusted for better function and easier sewing. The back frame is lighter and better at providing vertical structure.
Otherwise, the standard Mystery features apply - small enough to bring through narrow canyons, large enough to bring… well, stuff. On the approach. Not so much IN-Canyon. No lid. Armored sides with moderate drainage. Padded bottom for durability, with the Swoop styling that works so well for downclimbing. Quick-release shoulder straps. Water tube exits for those foolish enough to bring tanks into canyons. Inside Rack to hold your gear. Stout handle on the outside. Over-the-top strap to pull the whole thing together. Sidewinder handle on one side, for when it really gets skinny. Helmet pocket outside. And a non-pocket on the lower part of each side.
Total Weight = 2 lb 9 oz. Volume is 28 liters for the body, plus 5 liters for the Helmet Pocket on the approach.