"What do you actually wear for canyoning?" – the second most common question after "How much does it cost?". Here comes the honest, complete checklist: what we provide, what you bring yourself, and what you should NOT wear under any circumstances.
What we provide (included in the tour price)
- Wetsuit (5 mm thick, long sleeves, long legs) – keeps you warm and adds buoyancy
- Helmet (mountaineering standard, certified) – protection against rockfall and head impacts
- Climbing harness with all safety components
- Carabiners, descender, sling – your personal safety equipment
What you bring yourself
Directly on your body
- Swim trunks or swimsuit – worn under the wetsuit
- Tight-fitting base layer (optional) – if you feel the cold easily, a thin layer between skin and neoprene
Never cotton directly under the wetsuit – it gets clammy, soaks up water and just feels unpleasant.
On your feet
- Closed water shoes with a firm sole (e.g. aqua shoes, water-sports sandals with a heel strap)
- Alternative: old trainers that are allowed to get wet – they work well
- Neoprene shoes: we can provide them on request (for a small fee)
NOT: flip-flops, Crocs, ordinary sandals without a heel strap, sneakers without tread. They get lost in the water, and on wet rock that's dangerous.
For afterwards
- Towel – big enough to dry off properly
- A completely dry change of clothes: underwear, T-shirt, jumper, trousers, socks
- Optional: a warm jacket – mountain streams are cold, and after 3 hours of action you can get chilly
- Water bottle + a small snack for after the tour
What you should NOT bring under any circumstances
- Jewellery – rings, necklaces and earrings can snag in the neoprene
- Smartwatch – wet, slippery, and the glass won't survive rockfall
- Valuables – leave them in the car (smartphone, wallet, keys)
- Glasses without a retainer strap – they will fall off, guaranteed
- An expensive action cam without a leash – camera on a chest mount + tether, or not at all
Contact lenses, glasses, GoPro: the special cases
Glasses
Possible – but only with a retainer strap. Sports glasses with a rubberised bridge are better than delicate designer frames. A jump will push your glasses back once – if the strap holds, all is well.
Contact lenses
Daily lenses are the best choice – if anything happens, you have a spare lens with you. Monthly lenses work too, but then wear swimming goggles. Treat dry eyes after the tour with lens drops.
Action cam (GoPro)
Allowed if 100% secured: chest or head mount with a tether. A GoPro held in your hand is lost on the first jump. If you're not sure – ask the guide before the tour.
How warm/cold is it really?
The mountain stream is between 8 and 15 °C, depending on the month. In the 5 mm wetsuit you'll handle that without any trouble – the first 3 minutes are brisk, then you warm up the thin film of water between skin and neoprene and it's comfortable. Nobody shivers in the canyon when the tour runs normally.
In very cool conditions (May, October), participants who feel the cold can get an additional neoprene top on request. Just let us know.
Print-ready checklist to take along
On the tour: swimwear (worn on your body) · water shoes or old trainers
For after the tour: towel · dry change of clothes · water bottle · snack · optional warm jacket
Bring, but leave in the car: smartphone, wallet, jewellery, smartwatch
Questions about the gear? Drop us a line – we answer personally:
Phone: +43 650 796 21 20
Email: [email protected]
More canyoning guides
- Canyoning in Salzburg: the most beautiful canyons – Which tour suits whom?
- Canyoning for beginners – Everything you need to know before your first tour
- How much does canyoning cost? – Prices, what's included and what to look out for
- Canyoning bachelor party – Stag party in Salzburg: action instead of a pub crawl
- Almbachklamm or Strubklamm? – The direct tour comparison
- Best time for canyoning in Salzburg – Month by month: water, weather, conditions
- Directions & meeting points from Salzburg – How to find the canyon: parking, getting there, tips
- Canyoning safety: what really matters – How we minimise risk: standards, gear, behaviour
- Give a canyoning voucher – The outdoor gift for birthdays, weddings & more
- Canyoning with kids – The family guide to your first tour
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to get changed before the tour?
You arrive wearing swimwear under your normal clothes. At the meeting point you take off your streetwear, pull the wetsuit on over your swimwear – done. At most meeting points you can do this right at the car.
What if the wetsuit doesn't fit?
We have wetsuits in many sizes. For XS or XXXL, just give us short notice in advance. A snug fit is normal and correct – if it's really baggy, you'll get a different one.
Do I need my own neoprene shoes?
No. Old trainers are fine. If you go canyoning regularly, it's worth buying neoprene shoes with a Vibram sole (Petzl, Five Ten, Adidas Hydro Lace). We can provide neoprene shoes on request for a small fee.
Are there any tips specifically for women?
A sports bra under the wetsuit helps with support. Otherwise: the same as for men. Tie long hair into a low plait – not a ponytail, because that presses under the helmet.
What if I can't find anything suitable to wear?
Call us. We've seen every special case (cold hands, sweaty feet, the occasional neoprene allergy) and we'll find a solution.