Review of Metolius Canyoneering Pack
By Matt Smith

Depending on where in the world you happen to want to canyoneer or canyon as it's known in most of the rest of the world, your needs will change. Here on the Colorado Plateau, our needs are simple. Bomber, comfortable, and bomber. In coordination with the American Canyoneering Association, Metolius has modified a few of their classic haul bags into canyoneering bags.

Though these bags aren't specifically rope bags, but they're more than standard backpacks. The body is constructed with Durathane (Metolius' mid weight vinyl). The skinny of it, this stuff is tough, but slightly brittle when creased. The pack weighs just under 3 lbs., and some what unique to the niche, features a functional waistbelt. The Canyoneering Pack is rigid enough to transfer at least some of the weight to the waistbelt, thanks to the Durathane and a thin foam frame sheet. There are 12 grommets to create drain ports, which evacuate the water fairly well, unless you have a dry bag in the bottom, which will tend to block the holes.

At 2380 Cu. in. the Canyoneering Pack is just the right size for the majority of canyons on the plateau (except those REALLY skinny ones in "Little Ireland"). It is fairly compatible with rope bags from Imlay Canyon Gear. If your rope bag is stuffed all the way full and isn't squishable anymore, you will end up waisting a little space, but not too much. 60 M of 9 mm, or 100 M of 8 mm fit quite nicely, and still leave enough room for 3 liters of water, a harness, wetsuit, lunch, and some other stuff.

The semi-expandable lid with zip pocket is great. At the end of the day you can stuff a wetsuit, or wet rope on top of your already bursting pack for the long, hot, walk back to the car. The internal gear sling is handy for keeping hooks or rap rings close at hand. The small zip pocket is great for snacks, small tools, or a camera. If you plan on carrying a fairly heavy load, 1/3 of a closed cell foam pad or the 1/4 Therm-a-Rest will stiffen up the body and help transfer load to the waistbelt. It will also add floatation in those swimmers.

After several months of use and abuse, I have only discovered two real weaknesses. First, canyoneers do a lot of....ahem...butt dragging. This exposes the bottom seam to a lot of wear. Though I haven't had the seam tear yet, I have worn through the cordura to the Durathane in several locations. It would make sense to me to put that seam on the inside (Ya, I know, with Durathane that could be a challenge). Second, the aluminum buckle creates a rub spot on the back of the pack, which can wear though the strap that holds the lid shut in a hurry if your have to drag your pack very far. I don't see a real solution to this, but just a note.

Summary: For it's size, this is the most comfortable and durable canyoneering pack I have come across. Though it is slightly more expensive than rope bags with shoulder straps from Petzl and CAMP (both readily available in the US), it has a waistbelt. I can tell you that after many 25 mile days in the desert with a full pack, there are times I'd have paid $100 for a waistbelt. The Metolius Canyoneering Pack can be found for around $150.

For more information contact:
Metolius
www.MetoliusClimbing.com
63189 Nels Anderson Rd.
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-7585

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com