IN THIS MODULE
18 Canyoneering Gear
Canyoneering gear is a little strange at first because it borrows from hiking, climbing, rescue, paddling, and canyon-specific equipment. Some pieces go with you on almost every technical canyon. Others only make sense when the route, water, temperature, rappel length, or obstacle demands them.
For this book, I split the gear into two categories: essential gear and canyon-specific/optional gear. “Optional” does not mean unimportant. A wetsuit is optional in a dry North Wash canyon and absolutely not optional when you are spending hours in cold water.
“As usual in canyoneering: ‘it depends’. Pack for the canyon you are doing.”
Module 18 Gear Checklist
Use these two lists as your quick-reference starting point. The pages that follow give every item its own 6×9 page to understand a bit more about it, my opinions, where to buy from, and “why it matters”.
ESSENTIAL GEAR — 18 items
• Helmet
• Harness
• Descender / Rappel Device
• Rope(s)
• Canyoneering Shoes
• Canyoneering Backpack
• Personal Anchor System (PAS)
• Locking Carabiners (Brett’s baseline: 3)
• Quick Links / Rapides
• Webbing
• Dry Bag
• Water Bottle / Reservoir
• Headlamp
• Light / Rain Jacket & Extra Socks
• GPS / Satellite Communicator
• First-Aid Kit
• Water Treatment / Filter (route-dependent backup)
• Sunscreen
OPTIONAL (CANYON-SPECIFIC) — 12 items
• Pull-Cord
• Rope Bag
• Full Wetsuit
• Shortie Wetsuit
• Drysuit
• Slings
• Booties & Socks
• Gloves
• Elbow Pads
• Knee Pads
• Radios
• Whistle
A USEFUL BEGINNER RULE
• Do not buy everything just because it appears in a gear list.
• Start with the equipment required for the canyons that you are actually doing.
• Practice with new equipment before your first real canyon.
• Carry redundancy where a dropped, damaged, or stuck item could stop the entire group.
ESSENTIAL
01/18
Helmet
Protect your head. Every technical canyon.
Loose rock, awkward downclimbs, rappel stations, and people moving above you all create opportunities for head injury. A helmet is one of the easiest safety decisions you will make all day.
WHY IT MATTERS
• Falling rock can be dislodged by your own group or by people above you.
• Tight canyon movement puts your head close to rock even when nothing is falling.
• Experienced canyoneers cannot control every loose rock or awkward move.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• A climbing/canyoneering-rated helmet that fits securely.
• Comfort you can tolerate for an entire canyon day.
• Ventilation and adjustment that work with your head shape.
BRETT’S OPINION: I consider a helmet required gear, not an accessory. Put it on before the canyon becomes “technical enough” to remind you why you brought it.
BUY FROM:
Petzl: BOREO • Petzl: Meteor • Black Diamond: Half Dome • Black Diamond: Vector • Wild Country: Syncro
ESSENTIAL
02/18
Harness
Comfort matters more on rappel number eight than it did in the store.
Your harness connects you to the rope system. Use a properly fitted climbing or canyoning harness in sound condition, within its service life, and compatible with the rest of your equipment. Check its designated attachment points and buckle instructions; comfort during repeated rappels matters too.
FIT & COMFORT
• Try different models on before buying, if possible.
• Look for secure waist and leg-loop adjustment.
• Make sure gear loops and the belay loop are easy to reach while wearing a pack.
MY SUGGESTIONS
• Black Diamond Momentum
• Petzl Corax
• Mammut Ophir
• Wild Country Syncro
BRETT’S OPINION: A harness can feel fine for two minutes in a store and miserable after hanging in it.
BUY FROM:
Petzl • Black Diamond Equipment • Edelrid • C.A.M.P. USA • Wild Country
ESSENTIAL
03/18
Descender / Rappel Device
Know exactly how YOUR device adds friction.
The descender connects your harness to the rope and controls your descent. Canyon-specific descender devices are popular because they give you more ways to add or change friction during the rappel.
BEFORE YOU BUY
• Can you add friction during a rappel?
• Can you stop and tie off the device?
• How does it behave in different rope diameters?
• Does it twist the rope or require special setup?
EXAMPLES I LIKE
• BG Gear SQWUREL
• Imlay CRITR3
• Rock Exotica Totem
• Black Diamond ATC for short drops.
BRETT’S OPINION: Once you choose a device, go practice somewhere controlled. Add friction. Stop. Tie off. Change speed. Learn what the device feels like BEFORE the canyon makes the lesson expensive. Notice too how different descenders twist the rope at the bottom.
BUY FROM:
BluuGnome.com • CanyoneeringUSA.com • Rock Exotica • Black Diamond Equipment
ESSENTIAL
04/18
Rope
Static rope is the working line of rappelling.
Do not use hardware-store rope for technical rappelling. Canyoneering relies on purpose-built rope from climbing and rope manufacturers, with static (versus dynamic) rope being the normal choice for rappelling.
STATIC VS. DYNAMIC
Static: Limited stretch and a more stable rappel platform.
Dynamic: Designed to stretch and absorb climbing falls; not the normal choice for canyon rappelling.
• For beginners, I recommend starting around 9 mm for easier friction control.
BEGINNER LENGTHS SUGGESTIONS:
• 120 ft for shorter rappels.
• About 200–210 ft for many trade-canyon rappels.
• Add a pull-cord or another full-size rope when your retrieval plan requires it.
• Thinner ropes save weight but demand better friction management.
BRETT’S OPINION: Practice with the rope AND the descender you actually plan to use. Rope diameter changes the way your rappel feels.
BUY FROM:
Imlay Canyon Gear • BlueWater Ropes • Sterling Ropes • Atwood Gear
ESSENTIAL
05/18
Canyoneering Shoes
Your feet are doing a lot more than hiking.
Canyon footwear needs traction, durability, and enough support for wet sandstone, loose approaches, slick potholes, scrambling, and long exits. Ordinary sneakers can work on simple routes, but they get punished quickly and don’t always provide the friction you need.
WHY THEY ARE DIFFERENT
• Sticky traction on rock and slick surfaces.
• Better durability around abrasive sandstone.
• Support for rough, wet, and uneven terrain.
• Room to work with neoprene socks when the canyon is wet.
MY TIPS
• Consider sizing about 1/2 size up if you regularly wear neoprene socks.
• My go-to example is the La Sportiva TX3/TX4 family.
• Fit matters more than brand loyalty—your feet will tell you that by the exit.
BUY FROM:
La Sportiva • Adidas • Salomon • Astral • Merrell • Scarpa
ESSENTIAL
06/18
Canyoneering Backpack
A canyon pack is built to get wet, scraped, dragged, and abused.
At first glance it looks like a hiking pack. The difference becomes obvious after you drag it through sandstone, swim with it, squeeze it through a slot, and empty several gallons of water out of it.
WHAT MAKES IT CANYON-SPECIFIC
• Rugged fabric that tolerates abrasion.
• Drain holes, grommets, or mesh so water gets OUT quickly.
• Simple organization for rope, wetsuit, helmet, and technical gear.
• Construction that can survive repeated contact with rock.
MY SUGGESTIONS
• Imlay Canyon Gear
• SLOT (out of business in 2026)
• Black Diamond
• Metolius Free Rider
BRETT’S OPINION: A normal hiking pack can get you through an occasional canyon. Just do not be surprised when the canyon starts eating it.
BUY FROM:
Imlay Canyon Gear • SLOT • Osprey • Black Diamond Equipment • Metolius
ESSENTIAL
07/18
Personal Anchor System (PAS)
Clip in before you start building the rest of the rappel.
A PAS—also called a safety tether—keeps you attached to the anchor while you are working near an exposed rappel station. It is a simple piece of equipment with a very important job.
PURPOSE
• Keeps you connected while you prepare the rope and device.
• Adds security at exposed or awkward rappel starts.
• Gives you a defined attachment point while waiting or transitioning at the anchor.
HOW IT FITS THE SYSTEM
• Attach the PAS to your harness using the method appropriate to the product/system.
• Clip to a sound anchor before exposure. Keep slack out of the tether and stay below its anchor point; even a short fall onto a non-energy-absorbing tether can generate severe forces.
• When you are ready and the rappel is completely checked, transition from the PAS to the rappel system.
BUY FROM:
Sterling: Chain Reactor • Metolius: PAS • Black Diamond: Link Lanyard • Petzl Connect: Adjust
ESSENTIAL
08/18
Locking Carabiners
BRETT’S OPINION: Three locking carabiners per person is my practical starting point, not a universal minimum.
Carabiners connect a surprising number of parts of your canyon system. Use rated climbing/canyoneering carabiners and understand the markings stamped on them.
CARABINER BASICS
• Use locking carabiners.
• I recommend at least three screw-gate lockers per person.
• Look for the manufacturer’s kN strength markings.
• One kilonewton (kN) is roughly 225 pounds-force.
FORCE REMINDER
• Bouncing and shock-loading are harder on anchors and equipment than smooth loading.
• Inspect gates, locking sleeves, and wear before use.
• Do not assume a big piece of hardware is automatically strong or appropriate.
BRETT’S OPINION: Actual fall forces depend on the entire system. The beginner takeaway is simple: use properly rated equipment, avoid unnecessary shock-loading, and load the system smoothly.
BUY FROM:
Petzl • Black Diamond Equipment • Metolius
ESSENTIAL
09/18
Quick Links / Rapides
The rope runs through the rapide—not directly through the webbing.
Quick links (rapides) are threaded metal connectors commonly used at rappel anchors. They create a durable rope-running point between your webbing/anchor material and the rappel rope.
BASIC SETUP
• Tie or rig the webbing around the natural or fixed anchor as appropriate.
• Attach the quick link to the webbing.
• Thread the rappel rope through the quick link.
SAFETY POINT
• Do NOT run a moving rappel rope directly through webbing.
• Rope friction can damage or cut webbing.
• Inspect the rapide for wear, deformation, corrosion, and a properly closed sleeve.
BUY FROM:
Maillon Rapide / Peguet • Rock Exotica • OnRopeCanyoneering.com • REI • RiggingWarehouse.com • ElevatedClimbing.com
ESSENTIAL
10/18
Webbing
Carry enough to rebuild all the anchors in the canyon. 30 feet per person.
Webbing is flat nylon or polyester material used throughout canyoneering for anchor systems and slings. Existing webbing in a canyon may be new—or it may have been baking in the sun and soaking in floods for months.
HOW MUCH?
• I recommend at least 30 feet per person as a practical minimum.
• Longer or anchor-heavy canyons may justify carrying more.
• Earth-tone colors blend into the canyon better than bright colors.
INSPECT & REPLACE
• Look for cuts, abrasion, fading, stiffness, damage, or questionable knots.
• Do not trust it simply because another group left it there.
• For webbing in this book, use a correctly tied, dressed, and firmly set Water Knot with at least 3 inches of tail on each side. Recheck the knot and tails before use; tail length alone does not make an incorrectly tied knot safe.
BRETT’S OPINION: When in doubt, replace it. A few dollars of webbing is a very small price compared with trusting something you do not believe in.
BUY FROM:
REI.com • Backcountry.com • OnRopeCanyoneering.com
ESSENTIAL
11/18
Dry Bag
Dry clothes are only helpful if they are actually dry.
Technical canyons are not normal hikes. A real dry bag protects layers, electronics, food, medical supplies, and anything else you really do not want soaked.
WHY USE ONE?
• Better puncture and water resistance than improvised plastic bags.
• Keeps critical items isolated inside a wet canyon pack.
• Lets you organize dry layers, first aid, and electronics.
VALVE-STYLE BAGS
• Roll and seal the top.
• Purge excess air through the valve so the bag packs smaller.
• Close the valve again after purging—easy to forget and surprisingly important.
BUY FROM:
Sea to Summit • Watershed • SealLine • NRS • Aqua Quest • Backcountry.com
ESSENTIAL
12/18
Water Bottle / Reservoir
Hydration matters; the container is personal preference.
Most Southwest canyon days happen in arid country where water may be scarce on the approach and exit. Hard bottles and reservoirs both work—the better choice depends on the canyon and how you like to drink while moving.
HARD BOTTLES
Pros: Durable, easy to clean, difficult to puncture.
Cons: Bulky and sometimes harder to reach while moving.
• A good fit for narrow, abrasive, technical canyon days.
RESERVOIRS / BLADDERS
Pros: Easy hands-free drinking, larger capacity, good pack fit.
Cons: Harder to clean and a puncture/leak can cost you a lot of water.
• A good fit for long, endurance-heavy approaches and exits.
BRETT’S OPINION: Carry more water than you think you will need, and have a backup purification plan when the route gives you usable water.
BUY FROM:
CamelBak • Nalgene
ESSENTIAL
13/18
Headlamp
Eventually, a canyon day is going to take longer than the plan said.
A headlamp keeps both hands free and turns an after-dark exit from a crisis into an inconvenience. It also helps in dark narrows, dark slots even on sunny days, early approaches, and unexpected delays.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• A narrow/wide beam for both close work and route finding.
• Water-proof for canyon use.
• Controls you can operate with cold or gloved hands, if possible, but not mandatory.
• I use 300+ lumens as a practical starting point.
BACKUP POWER
• Carry spare batteries or a compact USB power bank as appropriate.
• Keep spare power and cables protected from water.
• Test the light before the trip.
BUY FROM:
Black Diamond Equipment • Petzl • Fenix Lighting • REI
ESSENTIAL
14/18
Light / Rain Jacket & Extra Socks
A shaded wet canyon can feel nothing like the hot desert above it.
A small layering system helps you handle cold water, wind, sudden weather, long waits at rappel stations, and the temperature drop that comes when the sun disappears behind canyon walls.
LAYERING SYSTEM
• Light insulating layer for warmth with minimal bulk.
• Waterproof/windproof shell for rain and wind protection.
• Dry socks for the exit—an underrated morale boost after a wet day.
MY NOTES
• I especially like Polartec Alpha Direct for warmth-to-weight and breathability.
• Store the layers in your dry bag so they remain dry the entire time, especially the time when you accidentally fall into water.
BUY FROM:
Polartec • Dynafit • Skimo • Darn Tough Vermont
ESSENTIAL
15/18
GPS / Satellite Communicator
Navigation is useful. Off-grid communication can be lifesaving.
A GPS or satellite communicator gives you navigation, trip tracking, and—depending on the device and subscription—two-way messaging or SOS capability.
KEY FEATURES
• Satellite messaging / SOS when supported.
• Topographic maps or waypoint navigation.
• Weather information when the plan/service supports it.
• Waterproof and rugged construction.
PRACTICAL USE
• Learn the interface before the trip.
• Carry backup power.
• Mark approach, entry, exit, and other key waypoints.
• Deep slot walls can reduce GPS/satellite performance, so do not assume perfect reception inside the canyon.
BRETT’S OPINION: Device models and services change quickly. Compare current features, subscriptions, and prices before you buy.
BUY FROM:
Garmin GPSMAP / inReach family • Garmin Montana • • Garmin eTrex • • SPOT • • ZOLEO • Apple Watch Ultra 3 with satellite messaging. • Apple iPhone 14 and later, with supported software and satellite services available for the model and region.
ESSENTIAL
16/18
First-Aid Kit
In a remote canyon, “minor” injuries have more time to become major problems.
A compact first-aid kit helps you clean wounds, manage blisters, control bleeding, handle sprains, and stabilize some medical problems until the group can self-evacuate or professional help arrives.
CORE SUPPLIES
• Adhesive bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic/wound-cleaning supplies.
• Blister care and tweezers.
• Personal medications.
• A lightweight waterproof container or dry-bag system.
PREPAREDNESS
• Know what is in the kit and how to use it.
• Carry a satellite communicator or other emergency signaling option when appropriate.
• A wilderness first-aid course is far more valuable than an impressive kit you do not know how to use.
BRETT’S OPINION: For me personally, Type 1 diabetes means insulin, syringes, and fast sugar are not “extra gear.” They are survival equipment. Your own medical needs belong on the must-carry list too.
BUY FROM:
AdventureMedicalKits.com
ESSENTIAL
17/18
Water Treatment / Filter
A route-dependent backup can add options—but it never replaces carrying adequate potable water.
I carry a compact water-treatment system as a backup when the route has a suitable source. Match its capabilities to the microbes you need to treat and follow its instructions. Agricultural runoff can also contain chemicals; an ordinary backpacking filter or purifier is not a reliable way to make chemically contaminated water safe. Choose another source.
WHY CARRY ONE?
• Small and lightweight.
• Useful only when the route has a known, filterable water source.
• Carry enough potable water for the planned trip; do not depend on finding filterable water.
MY USE CASE
• I may use a known treatable source as a backup, but I still plan to carry adequate potable water.
• Very silty water can clog small filters quickly; chemical/toxin hazards are a separate problem that ordinary filters may not solve.
• In Zion, NPS warns that ordinary recreational filtration/disinfection does not make cyanotoxin-contaminated river or stream water safe; collect from springs only when appropriate and still treat it.
BUY FROM:
LifeStraw • Katadyn: BeFree • HydroBlu: SideKick • Survival Filter • Sawyer: Squeeze • Sawyer: Mini
ESSENTIAL
18/18
Sunscreen
The canyon may be shaded. The approach and exit usually are not.
Southwest canyon trips can include hours of exposed hiking before and after the slot. Sun protection matters even when the technical section itself spends most of the day in shade.
WHAT TO PACK
• SPF 30+ sunscreen as a practical baseline.
• A hat, buff, or other physical sun protection.
• Enough sunscreen to reapply during a long day.
DO NOT FORGET
• Reapply during long exposed exits.
• The face, neck, ears, arms, and hands are easy to miss.
• Sun protection is part of managing heat and fatigue, not just avoiding a painful burn.
BRETT’S OPINION: Rather than using sunscreen on my arms and legs, I would rather use a sun-shade shirt to block out the UV rays. It also acts as a small layer of warmth, and something if needed to act as a pillow or medical wrap in an emergency.
OPTIONAL
GEAR
Canyon-Specific Gear
“Optional” only means the canyon decides whether you need it.
This second half of Module 18 is where the phrase “it depends” really earns its keep. Pull-cords, wetsuits, radios, pads, and other specialty items may stay home on one trip and become absolutely critical on the next.
BEFORE ADDING OPTIONAL GEAR, ASK
• What is the longest rappel and how will we retrieve the rope?
• How much water is in the canyon—and how cold is it?
• How abrasive or narrow is the route?
• Will group members be separated by distance, walls, water, or noise?
• What specialty obstacles are described in the beta?
“Optional gear is not about carrying more. It is about carrying the right thing.”
OPTIONAL
01/12
Pull-Cord
Save weight—but only when you understand the retrieval system.
A pull-cord is a lightweight static line—commonly around 6 mm in my gear setup—used to retrieve a rappel rope when you do not want to carry a second full-length rappel line for the pull.
WHY USE IT?
• Less weight and bulk than another full-size rope.
• Useful when the rappel line only needs to reach the bottom once.
• Common on taller rappels where a double-length full-size rope would be heavy.
BEGINNER ALTERNATIVE
• Carry another full-size rope so it can act as both backup and retrieval line.
• I use a “3× tallest rappel” redundancy heuristic as a conservative personal planning idea; it is not an ACA rule.
• Always know what you will do if the primary rope is damaged, dropped, or stuck.
BRETT’S OPINION: A pull-cord saves weight, but it also adds system complexity. Make sure everybody knows which strand is the rappel strand and which is the pull.
BUY FROM:
Imlay Canyon Gear • BlueWater Ropes • Sterling Rope • On Rope Canyoneering
OPTIONAL
02/12
Rope Bag
Organized rope is faster, cleaner, and less likely to become a canyon puzzle.
A rope bag keeps the rope contained until you need it, helps reduce tangles, and gives you a controlled way to deploy rope at the rappel station.
WHY USE IT?
• Keeps rope organized on approaches and between rappels.
• Reduces tangles, snagging, and loose coils.
• Can be clipped to the anchor while the station is being prepared.
DEPLOYMENT TIPS
• Keep pull-cords clearly identified so nobody rigs the wrong strand.
• A falling rope bag may stop on a ledge or snag above the landing. Verify that the actual rappel strand reaches the intended safe endpoint; if it cannot be seen, a trained leader must establish and manage the length.
• Verify rope length against the beta BEFORE the trip.
BUY FROM:
Imlay Canyon Gear • BlueWater Ropes • Sterling Rope
OPTIONAL
03/12
Full Wetsuit
Cold canyon water stays cold even when the desert is hot.
A full wetsuit covers the torso, arms, and legs with neoprene. It adds insulation in cold pools and swims while also giving your skin some abrasion protection against rock and sand.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Snug fit—loose neoprene flushes more cold water.
• Thickness matched to water temperature and your own cold tolerance.
• I use 3 mm as a common starting point, with thicker suits for colder people or conditions.
• A “3/2” label means different neoprene thicknesses across the suit.
WHY FULL COVERAGE?
• Better warmth for long or repeated swims.
• Protection for arms and legs in abrasive slots.
• Useful when a shortie simply does not provide enough thermal protection.
BRETT’S OPINION: The canyon, season, water level, and the person all matter. Someone who runs cold may need substantially more thermal protection than their partner.
BUY FROM:
O’Neill • Rip Curl • HyperFlex • Xcel • Big5 Sporting Goods
OPTIONAL
04/12
Shortie Wetsuit
Less bulk and more mobility when full coverage is not necessary.
A shortie covers the torso and part of the arms/legs. It can be a useful middle ground for warmer wet canyons where you want some insulation and abrasion protection without carrying a full suit.
GOOD FIT FOR
• Moderate water temperatures.
• Active routes where you want more mobility and less pack bulk.
• Experienced canyoneers who are dialing in exactly how much thermal protection they need.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Neoprene in roughly the 2–3 mm range.
• A snug torso fit to reduce flushing.
• Comfortable seams that will not create hot spots after hours of movement.
BRETT’S OPINION: This is one of those personal-choice items. A shortie that is perfect for one person may leave another person miserably cold.
BUY FROM:
O’Neill • Rip Curl • HyperFlex • Xcel • Big5 Sporting Goods
OPTIONAL
05/12
Drysuit
For very cold water, staying dry changes the entire day.
A drysuit uses waterproof material and sealing gaskets to keep water away from most of your body. You still need insulating layers underneath because “dry” and “warm” are not the same thing.
PROS
• Keeps your clothing/body dry when the suit and gaskets are functioning properly.
• Excellent option for very cold water and winter conditions.
• Layering underneath lets you tune warmth to the day.
CONS
• Expensive compared with wetsuits.
• A puncture or damaged gasket can turn into a very cold problem.
• Gaskets can feel restrictive and the suit needs maintenance/care.
BRETT’S OPINION: I especially like the Level Six Emperor. Drysuits are expensive, but for winter canyoneering they can completely change what is tolerable.
BUY FROM:
Level Six • Kokatat • Waterproof Diving
*CASE STUDY: THE DRYSUIT PASSED A TEST — HEAPS, 2017
On May 3, 2017, an experienced canyoneer entered Heaps Canyon with four friends. His drysuit had worked in a swimming pool months earlier, but a small zipper defect now admitted cold water. He reported feeling cold, initially declined a warming stop, and later became incoherent. Two companions went for help while two stayed with him overnight. The leak became visible the following morning. During the subsequent exit, he also misdirected the group toward an unintended rappel, despite having descended Heaps before. Everyone ultimately exited.
Lesson learned: Thermal protection is a system that can fail. Inspect and maintain the suit, protect spare insulation from water, and plan for an unexpectedly long stop. Take a teammate's report of cold seriously before coordination or judgment deteriorates; do not wait for every textbook symptom. After a cold emergency, reassess route decisions together. Familiarity with the canyon does not eliminate the need for an independent check.
Think it through: What would your group do if its best-prepared person's drysuit began leaking mid-canyon?
ADDITIONAL READING
ICAD — Heaps 2017-05-03; self-report
OPTIONAL
06/12
Slings
Small, light, cheap—and constantly useful.
Slings are versatile loops of webbing/cordage used to connect gear, extend attachments, build simple systems, assist with movement, or solve small problems that were not in the plan.
COMMON USES
• Connecting or extending equipment.
• Attaching ascenders or other tools.
• Lowering a backpack.
• Adding useful length to an improvised system.
RECOMMENDATION
• I suggest carrying several—four or more is a practical beginner starting point.
• As your technical skills grow, slings become even more useful.
• They are especially handy in pothole and advanced problem-solving situations.
BUY FROM / EXAMPLES:
Imlay Canyon Gear • Edelrid • Black Diamond Equipment • Petzl • Metolius
OPTIONAL
07/12
Booties & Socks
Cold feet can make an otherwise great canyon miserable.
Neoprene socks (“booties”) add warmth during cold wades and swims. For dry canyons, good hiking socks—and especially a dry pair waiting in the pack—can make the exit dramatically more comfortable.
NEOPRENE BOOTIES
• I usually treat 3 mm as a good all-around thickness and 2 mm as a milder-condition option.
• Thicker booties take more room inside the shoe.
• Pair your shoe sizing with the socks you actually plan to wear.
DRY-DAY SOCKS
• Merino wool stays useful and comfortable across a wide range of temperatures.
• A dedicated dry pair for the exit is a small luxury that feels enormous after hours in water.
• Keep the spare pair inside your dry bag.
OPTIONAL
08/12
Gloves
Protect your hands—but do not let gloves hide bad rappel technique.
Canyoneering is hard on hands: climbing, stemming, grabbing rough rock, rope handling, brush, and cold water all add up. Gloves can make the day much more comfortable.
TWO TYPES I USE
• Light rubber-dipped gloves for general canyon movement and abrasion protection.
• Heavier rappel gloves for longer rappels where heat and rope handling become more noticeable.
IMPORTANT CAUTION
• Gloves can mask excessive rappel speed or poor friction control.
• Learn to control the rappel with the device/system—not by sacrificing your glove to heat.
• Practice without relying on gloves so you understand what your friction setup is actually doing.
BRETT’S OPINION: A hot glove is feedback. Slow down and fix the friction problem instead of assuming the glove is the solution.
OPTIONAL
09/12
Elbow Pads
Your forearms and elbows find the canyon walls more often than you expect.
Elbow pads protect the elbows and forearms during tight squeezes, crawling, stemming, and repeated contact with abrasive rock. They pair naturally with knee pads in narrow canyons.
WHEN THEY HELP
• Skinny slots where your arms become part of the movement system.
• Crawling or squeezing through rough rock.
• Long days where repeated small impacts become painful.
WHY CARRY THEM?
• Lightweight and easy to stash in the pack.
• Cheap compared with the amount of skin they can save.
• Put them on when the canyon turns narrow instead of wearing them all day.
BUY FROM: Outdoor / bike / sporting-goods retailers
OPTIONAL
10/12
Knee Pads
Sandstone does not care how nice your knees were before the trip.
Knee pads help when the canyon forces you to crawl, brace, stem, climb over boulders, or repeatedly scrape through narrow passages. They are comfort gear right up until the day they prevent a painful cut or impact.
WHAT THEY PROTECT AGAINST
• Sharp rock and abrasion.
• Repeated pressure while crawling or stemming.
• Small impacts against boulders and canyon walls.
BENEFITS
• Lightweight and easy to pack.
• Useful in the same skinny-canyon environments where elbow pads shine.
• You do not need them for every canyon—but you will know when you wish you had them.
BUY FROM: Outdoor / bike / sporting-goods retailers
OPTIONAL
11/12
Radios
When you cannot see or hear the next person, communication becomes a technical tool.
Radios can be extremely useful on long rappels, noisy waterfalls, spread-out approaches, and canyon stations where the people at the top and bottom cannot communicate normally.
USEFUL FOR
• Confirming that a rappeller is safely down.
• Coordinating rope movement or a change in plan.
• Warning the other end of the group about falling rock or another hazard.
• Keeping a spread-out team connected on approaches/exits.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Water resistance or waterproof construction.
• Simple controls that work with gloves.
• A secure clip/tether so the radio does not become canyon litter.
• Enough units so the top and bottom of the technical section can communicate.
BUY FROM / EXAMPLES:
Rockie Talkie • Midland • Cobra • Retevis • Uniden
OPTIONAL
12/12
Whistle
Cheap, waterproof, loud—and useful when voice communication fails.
A whistle can be a primary signaling tool or a backup to radios. It weighs almost nothing and can cut through distance, wind, and canyon noise better than yelling.
WHY IT WORKS
• No batteries.
• Waterproof and inexpensive.
• Some canyon/outdoor packs already include one on a buckle or strap.
• Useful at tall rappels, waterfalls, and long approach/exit separations.
THE IMPORTANT PART
• Agree on the signal system BEFORE the group separates.
• Use a consistent, pre-briefed whistle/hand-signal system. Signal conventions vary, so every teammate must know the exact meanings before entering the canyon.
• Practice it so an emergency signal does not sound like a normal “rope free” signal.
BRETT’S OPINION: A whistle only works as a communication system if the rest of the team speaks the same language. Ask me how I know. “Is it one blast? Or Two blasts? Or was it two short blasts or one long blast?”