ICG backpacks set the standard for comfortable, intelligent, and durable design in the brutal canyon environment. Our Heaps packs ride as smoothly as backpacking packs, but sacrifice unneeded bells and whistles to deliver sleek, technical performance. The packs shed water quickly, rarely get caught up on canyon debris, and are big enough to stow everything we need on long guided days.

With 200+ user days, 700+ immersions, and countless chimney squeezes and grating stems last season, our Heaps Packs survived and served us faithfully. Imlay packs are invaluable tools in the canyon, and we love them. Thanks for the great work, Tom. - Nick

Nick Wilkes
Director of Guided Services
Zion Adventure Company
www.zionadventures.com


Imlay Pack Models
Heaps - 42 Liters

The Big Kahuna of Canyoneering Packs, the Heaps is a medium-sized backpacking pack built from the ground-up for canyoneering. Big enough for several-day adventures in the Grand Canyon, yet small enough to actually do stuff while it is strapped to your back.

Kolob - 32 Liters

Perhaps the most versatile of the Imlay packs, the Kolob is the daily workhorse for the canyon leader who must carry substantial gear. Tube-Light Frame, full-wrap hipbelt and three-point shoulder straps carry your stuff in comfort. If you have only one canyon pack, the Kolob is the choice.

Spry - 28 Liters

Many canyons do not require vast quantities of gear, and the Spry is for these canyons. A little lighter, and a little easier to pull through tight canyons. A good choice, especially for canyoneers of modest stature.

Mystery - 23 Liters

Simpler, less. While designed for guiding, the Mystery makes a good 'large pack' for small canyons. Built to the same dimensions as the Spry, with NO LID and less armor, it is ideal for low-gear canyons where less is more.

Leprechaun
  - 15.4 Liters

Make me smile! The Lep is just big enough for what you need, and not big enough for what you don't need. When canyons are dominated by climbing and a pack, any pack, is a substantial encumbrance, the Leprechaun really shines. It is smaller than you are, and glides gracefully through the canyons, just like you do. Ideal for canyons where WAY less is WAY more functional.


GEAR WHERE TO BUY TEAM SERVICE ABOUT
CANYONEERING PACKS Heaps Kolob Spry Mystery Leprechaun
CANYONEERING ROPE 8.3mm Canyon Fire 8mm Canyon Rope 9.2mm Canyonero 6mm Pull Cord
ROPE TOOLS Rope Silo Small & Large Bagarino Bagette
POTHOLE ESCAPE TOOLS Potshot
ADVANCED ANCHOR TOOLS SandTrap
KEEPING STUFF DRY Small Canyon Keg Large Canyon Keg
ACCESSORIES The Clipster Scuttlebutt The Book

LEPRECHAUN PACK

The tight slots of the Leprechaun canyon system deny entry to big dudes, and require small dudes to carry less stuff. The Leprechaun Pack is a sleek, zip-opening pack designed for these narrow places, and for those who exercise discipline in packing.

15.4 Liters
Zip Opening
Sidewinder Handle
1000d Cordura with foam inserts.
Just enough.

Colors: Desert Orange and Sage Green
Weight: 625 grams or 1 lb 6 oz


LEPRECHAUN PACK

Materials

The main material is 1000 denier Cordura, the good stuff. The front and the bottom are lined with 3mm of closed-cell foam which pads any sharp edges inside, which decreases wear on the outside due to rubbing. There is a modest 13 oz mesh drain panel at the very bottom of the pack, and interior pockets are made of mesh so there are no water-trapping pockets.

The Zipper is a #10 zipper with double-layer Cordura plackets on both sides to protect it from wear. Still, it is the death of the zipper that generally concludes the life of a Leprechaun. The zipper traverses one side and the top, large enough for access, but with less length exposed for abrasion. This works better than I expected.

Features

The pack has two interior pockets: against the back is a 'watertank' pocket, which I find useful for tightly holding things against my back, such as a waterbottle. There is a watertank-tube exit point under the handle. There is also a mesh, zippered pocket on the interior of the front panel, for perhaps holding an energy bar or headlamp, or lighter, or...

The Sidewinder handle is a subtle feature. When dragging the pack behind you in a narrow canyon, the cross-ways handle allows the pack correct (narrowest) orientation without having to cant your wrist 90 degrees. It is then natural to hold the pack in the narrow orientation, and puts considerably less strain on your wrist.

There are just enough straps to hold a few key things on the outside, for the approach, or occasionally a rope while in-canyon. A wetsuit can be draped across the top, and a helmet can be held nicely, with no bouncing around, with the two straps on the front face.

Its main feature, though, is its size - big enough to be useful, yet small enough to be smaller than ME. Anything I can fit through, it can fit through somewhat easier. It is also carefully shaped, to maximize its slip-through-the-canyons-icity.


FAQ Packs / Leprechaun Pack

Where are your packs made?

Imlay Packs are made in The Philippines using materials sourced in South Korea.

How is the pack volume calculated?

I used to make a number up, but now they are measured with ping pong balls.

The "Volume" number stated by manufacturers is a way of communicating the volume of the pack, and has traditionally had only a remote attachment to physical accuracy. I chose numbers based on my experience as pack manager at Black Diamond, where we did actually measure pack volumes using plastic balls. In Fall 2010, I bought a set of balls (I know, I know) and actually measured the packs, so the current stated volume is accurate, though it may not reflect the same size as stated volumes from other manufacturers. The stated volume does not include the pleated pockets.

I am "X" tall. Will the Leprechaun pack fit me?

The Leprechaun fits everyone! Well, more or less, allow me to explain...

Because the suspension does not have rigid structures, its shape morphs to fit the person carrying it, within limits. The Leprechaun is especially good on kids and smaller adults - say 4'6" to 5'10" - and fits less well on people smaller or larger than that. Whether it meets your requirements for a good fit is up to you.

The zipper is chewed up. Can I get it fixed? Under warranty?

Fixing zippers does not work. Replacement is not covered by our warranty, however, beating your gear up is.

What IS the warranty on your packs?

WARRANTY: Imlay Canyon Gear products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship. We also warrant that canyoneering will beat the crap out of you, your clothing and your gear. If you have a problem with one of our products, please contact us to arrange action.

What "known problems" are there on the Leprechaun Pack?

On current and recent production, there are a few minor glitches:

- 2007 to 2009, the sternum strap has a whistle on it which is kind of a cheesy little whistle but occasionally useful. But the buckle that the whistle is available on is not a very good buckle, so for 2010 we have gone to the better buckle and dropped the whistle. If your pack sternum strap buckle has broken, please return the pack and I can put on a new buckle.


 

Imlay Canyon Gear

PO Box 5532
2625 S State Street
Mount Carmel   Utah   USA   84755

 

CanyoneeringUSA@gmail.com
voice 435-648-3089
fax 435-304-0096