Gear checklist

What to bring, what NOT to bring

To be a valuable team member, you'll need the following gear:

PNW canyons and techniques are vastly different than dry canyons once you're inside and committed. 

Even if you have gear appropriate to a dry canyon, and perhaps an environment where you might get wet in a warm dry environment, understand that the PNW is not that.

What we often see missing:

Personal Gear

Harness

Best option is a canyon-specific harness, such as the Aventure Verticale Mazarin, a favorite of PNW canyoners. 

Other generally-liked canyon harness options include:

Climbing harnesses will work fine as well.

Helmet & Whistle

Climbing helmet with whistle attached

Wetsuit

We recommend a minimum 4/3mm or 5/4mm full wetsuit, and 7mm+ on the core if you run cold. Make sure your wetsuit fits well – the water is cold!

A few options:

If you already have a 3mm or 4mm wetsuit, it is cheaper and effective to layer a 2mm or 3mm shorty wetsuit over the top. Consider ordering a size up from your normal size to maximize mobility when layering.

A few surf and scuba brands make high quality 7/5 wetsuits which are 7mm in the core and 5mm in the arms. 

For maximum warmth, look for a two-piece wetsuit with a farmer john and hooded jacket, such as these from Seland, which are very popular in the PNW. Each layer is 5mm for 10mm neoprene on the core. We highly recommend a canyoning-specific brand – scuba neoprene at this thickness is very stiff and, when layered, can be difficult to move in.

Rain Shell (optional, but recommended)

A rain shell has the best warmth-to-weight ratio in an aquatic canyon. Waterfalls create a lot of wind, and rain shells reduce evaporative cooling (the thing that makes you cold when wearing a wetsuit) by a lot. Any brand works.

Canyon Boots

In PNW canyons, most of us wear canyoning boots such as:

If you love Stealth rubber but dislike the bulk of the Hydrolace, consider trying the Five Ten Trail Cross Mids, which are a lightweight boot with a sticky sole.

Climbing approach shoes with sticky rubber, like the La Sportiva TX3, will work fine.

Do not bring

Sneakers, slip-on water shoes/sandals, or felt-bottom wading shoes are not acceptable. 

Neoprene Socks

Recommend 3mm, or 5mm if your feet get cold very easily. 

Gloves

Gloves are highly recommended, but what kind is up to you. Some canyoners prefer belay gloves, others use gardening gloves with sticky palms, and others use neoprene gloves.

If you choose to get neoprene gloves, we recommend getting a pair with kevlar palms to maximize grip and durability, or applying Aquaseal to the palms.

Warm Hat (optional)

Neoprene skull cap or hood will be the warmest option. Some wetsuits, such as the Seland two-piece suits, come with a built-in hood. Any thin fleece or wool hat is fine.

Descender

Any variable friction descender with full-size locking HMS carabiner, along with the knowledge of how to lock off and how to adjust friction while on rappel. 

Safety Lanyards

Two safety lanyards with locking carabiners. Dynamic lanyards are best.

Locking Carabiners

4 full-size HMS locking carabiners to serve as working/rigging carabiners. 

Figure 8

Any figure 8 device will do, such as the Black Diamond Super 8 or Petzl Huit.  

Ascending System

Most aquatic canyoners prefer the Frog ascending system using the Petzl Croll and the Petzl Basic with a footloop. Any ascending/self-rescue system is acceptable, and must be on your harness (not in your pack).

Sling

If you have a 60cm sewn sling, bring it with two locking carabiners to make a locking alpine draw. These are great for rigging unlinked bolts, which are common in the PNW.

Rescue Knife (on your person)

A blunt-tip river knife with a sheath is the preferred style in the PNW. We recommend the CRKT Bear Claw or the Edelrid Canyon Rescue Knife which can be lashed onto your harness. The On Rope Access Point is another option.

Must be accessible while on rappel (not inside your pack) with the ability to deploy one-handed. Not in your pack.

Whistle (on your helmet)

We recommend the Fox 40 but any pealess whistle will do. 

Must be attached to your helmet. Not in your pack.

Canyon Pack

Best option is a vinyl backpack with drainage and flotation, like the Rodcle Racer Bodengo 45L or Rodcle Chichin 42L. A good selection of options available in the U.S. can be found here and here. Other canyon-specific packs, like Imlay packs, will also work.

We do not recommend bringing full-size dry packs (like a Seal Line Boundary). Dry packs get ruined quickly in a canyon – your pack should serve as a protective layer for the dry bags/kegs that live inside of it.

Dry Storage

Best option is a canyon keg which can stand up to the rigors of tossing packs, jumping, swimming, and being fully submerged in water. 

Dry bags are fine but we recommend double dry-bagging for critical items. I have had the best luck with the Peregrine dry bags. Some canyoners swear by the cheap Walmart dry bags.   

Water Filter (highly recommended)

Almost all of us carry water filters to minimize the amount of water we need to carry through the canyon. The Sawyer Squeeze is a good option for a small filter, or if you prefer a water bottle with a built-in filter, the Katadyn BeFree and the Grayl GeoPress are popular options.

Headlamp

Waterproof and with spare batteries

Camera (optional)

Most of us use our phones, which we tuck into a chest pouch, wetsuit pocket, or inside our wetsuit. Some folks use a waterproof phone pouch as an extra layer of protection. We recommend a burly case and some kind of tether. 

Surf Poncho (optional)

Very cozy for changing out of the wetsuit after canyons

IKEA Bag or similar carry-all (optional)

Easy solution for keeping all of your gear together and for keeping carpool vehicles as clean and dry as possible

Group Gear

Bring if you have any to contribute to the group

Rope

Our favorite ropes include:

Other acceptable ropes include other Glacier Black ropes, other Bluewater Canyon ropes, Sterling Canyon Prime, Sterling C-IV, and Sterling Canyon Tech.

We’d prefer if you don't bring:

Rope Bags

Must have flotation and an inside loop to secure the end of the rope. We prefer materials that absorb very little water, such as the ones made by Norhex and Gear Perspective, and the old CanyonWerks/Bluewater bags.

Webbing

30 feet of climbing-rated 1” tubular webbing in natural colors (black, tan, or green)

Quicklinks

Two 7mm or 8mm or 5/16” rated galvanized or stainless steel quicklinks

Goggles or Dive Mask

Nice to have 1 to 2 per canyon team for checking depth on jumps and slides… and for looking for dropped phones 

InReach

Bring if you have one

First Aid Kit

Bring if you have one. Bonus: emergency blanket and 7-hour tea light.