“What do you actually wear for canyoning?" – the second most common question after “How much does it cost?". Here is the honest, complete checklist: what we provide, what you bring yourself, and what you should NEVER wear.
What we provide (included in the tour price)
- Wetsuit (5 mm thick, long sleeves, long legs) – keeps you warm and gives you buoyancy
- Helmet (mountain sports standard, certified) – protection against falling rocks and knocks to the head
- Climbing harness with all safety components
- Carabiners, descender, sling – your personal safety equipment
- Canyoning shoes with non-slip soles – secure grip on wet rock
- Neoprene socks – keep your feet warm in the cold mountain water
What you bring yourself
On your body
- Swimming trunks or swimsuit – worn under the wetsuit
- Close-fitting base layer (optional) – if you feel the cold easily, a thin layer between your skin and the neoprene
Never wear cotton directly under the neoprene – it gets clammy, soaks up water and feels unpleasant.
On your feet
- We provide the canyoning shoes: On our canyoning tours you get special canyoning shoes with non-slip soles. They give you a secure grip on wet, slippery rock and protect your feet – you don’t need your own shoes.
- Neoprene socks against the cold: You also get neoprene socks so your feet stay warm in the cold mountain water.
For afterwards
- Towel – big enough to dry yourself off properly
- A complete set of dry clothes: underwear, T-shirt, jumper, trousers, socks
- Optional: warm jacket – mountain streams are cold, and after 3 hours of action you may feel chilly
- Water bottle + small snack for after the tour
What you should NEVER bring
- Jewellery – rings, necklaces and earrings can get caught in the neoprene
- Smartwatch – wet, slippery, and the glass won’t survive falling rocks
- Leave valuables in the car (smartphone, wallet, keys)
- Glasses without a retaining strap – they are guaranteed to fall off
- Expensive action cam without a safety leash – camera on a chest mount + tether, or not at all
Contact lenses, glasses, GoPro: the special cases
Glasses
Possible – but only with a retaining strap. Sports glasses with a rubberised bridge are better than delicate designer frames. When you jump, your glasses get pushed back once – if the strap holds, all is well.
Contact lenses
Daily lenses are the best choice – if something happens, you have a spare lens with you. Monthly lenses work too, but then with 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. If you hold a GoPro in your hand, you’ll lose it on the first jump. If you’re unsure, ask your guide before the tour.
How warm/cold is it really?
The mountain stream is between 8 and 15 °C, depending on the month. In a 5 mm wetsuit you’ll cope with that without any problems – the first 3 minutes are fresh, then you warm up the thin film of water between your skin and the neoprene and it feels comfortable. Nobody shivers in the gorge when the tour goes normally.
In very cool conditions (May, October), participants who feel the cold easily can get an additional neoprene top on request. Just let us know.
Printable checklist to take with you
On the tour: swimwear (worn on your body) – we provide canyoning shoes and neoprene socks
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 equipment? Drop us a line – we’ll reply personally:
Phone: +43 650 796 21 20
Email: [email protected]
More canyoning guides
- Canyoning Salzburg: the most beautiful gorges – 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 stag/hen party – Stag or hen party in Salzburg: action instead of a booze-up
- Almbachklamm or Strubklamm? – The direct tour comparison
- Best time for canyoning in Salzburg – Month by month: water, weather, conditions
- Getting there & meeting points from Salzburg – How to find the gorge: parking, travel, tips
- Canyoning safety: what really matters – How we minimise risks: standards, equipment, behaviour
- Give a canyoning voucher – The outdoor gift for birthdays, weddings & more
- Canyoning with children – The family guide for your first tour
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change before the tour?
Come wearing swimwear under your normal clothes. At the meeting point you take off your street clothes and pull the wetsuit on over your swimwear – done. At most meeting points you can do this at the car.
What if the wetsuit doesn't fit?
We have wetsuits in many sizes. If you need XS or XXXL, let us know 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. On our canyoning tours you get special canyoning shoes with non-slip soles and neoprene socks to protect against the cold. If you go canyoning regularly, a pair of your own with Vibram soles may be worth it (e.g. Petzl, Five Ten, Adidas Hydro Lace).
Are there any tips specifically for women?
A sports bra under the neoprene helps for better support. Otherwise: the same as for men. Tie long hair in a low braid – not a ponytail, as that presses under the helmet.
What if I can't find anything suitable to wear?
Give us a call. We have experience with all special cases (cold hands, sweaty feet, in rare cases neoprene allergies) and will find a solution.