13 Best Shoes for Canyoneering

Canyoneering is a fun activity if you’re one of those people who love the outdoors and want to explore new places. However, it’s also a demanding activity. Not only do you need the agility and technical expertise to climb vertical walls, but it also requires excellent route-finding skills, high endurance, and more! That said, you must have the right equipment when you’re canyoneering. Perhaps no piece of gear is as critical as your shoes. The best shoes for canyoneering are built to go through all kinds of terrain, including mud and water. And trust us, a single pair can’t do everything well, so you’ll need to either scale back the adventure or pick up a second pair when the circumstances warrant it. Want to know what are the best options currently available? Check out the shoes below!

Black Diamond Men’s Session Approach Shoes

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Kicking off this list of the best shoes for canyoneering are the Black Diamond Men’s Session Approach Shoes. What we love the most about these shoes is their everyday appeal. Nowadays, it’s common to see canyoneering shoes at the crag and the gym, bar, and everywhere in between. That said, these shoes are built with simple intentions!

These shoes combine urban styling and soft, bootie-like uppers with all the features you look for in canyoneering shoes. One of their best features is the heel that includes an elastic stretch for easy on and off. These shoes are also long-lasting, with durable rubber soles, protective toe caps, and webbing loops at the heel for tagging up a climb.

Merrell Women’s Siren Edge Hiker Shoes

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Are you searching for highly breathable canyoneering shoes? Look no further than the Merrell Women’s Siren Edge Hiker Shoes! By wearing these shoes, your feet will remain cool and comfy. Even better, these shoes are good-looking! They come in various pretty colors, including Bright Red, Orange, and even Aluminum.

Meanwhile, the M Select FIT.ECO contoured footbed ensures comfortable support. It also comes with organic odor control! Moreover, we appreciate the grippy soles that perform well on dry surfaces.

KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal Water Shoes

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There are so many reasons why we love the KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal Water Shoes. For example, they feature a washable polyester webbing that allows them to be highly drainable. Hence, your feet will remain dry and comfortable! Speaking of which, they also come with an EVA footbed that provides excellent support.

Even better, these best shoes for canyoneering are durable and can easily last you a long time. And thanks to the strap design, you can have a comfortable and snug fit. Best of all, these popular shoes are available in a wide array of color choices!

Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoes

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The Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoes are a must-have if you’re hunting for the best shoes for canyoning. They come in various colors, including Black, Dark Earth, and Khaki. The mesh uppers are excellent, making these shoes breathable and having good drainage. They’re also durable and flexible, which is a huge plus.

As with other best shoes for canyoneering, these shoes are lightweight. That way, you’ll never be uncomfortable. We also love the lace-up design, which offers a more secure hold on the feet. No wonder these shoes are super popular! By the way, you should also check out these best waterproof hiking shoes for men and women!

Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes

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Our best shoes for canyoning list won’t be the same without these Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes. If you’re searching for well-draining shoes that also offer excellent protection to the feet, then you may have just found what you’re looking for! Since they’re lightweight, you can stay on your feet longer. Even better, they’re also breathable!

Trust us, the last thing you want after a tiring session of canyoneering is having feet full of blisters. That’s why your best shoes for canyoning should be comfy. Thankfully, these shoes fit the bill! They feel snug and are super comfortable. Plus, the rubber soles provide excellent grip!

Evolv Cruzer Psyche Approach Shoes

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The Evolv Cruzer Psyche Approach Shoes are ubiquitous among canyon-eers. Some even consider these shoes the most lightweight and affordable approach shoes ever made! This isn’t surprising, though, as they only weigh 1.4lbs, and they cost you less than 70USD!

Furthermore, we love the fit of these shoes. They fit your feet snugly and are pretty flexible. They also edge well and provide an incredible degree of sensitivity! Thanks to their balance of support, snug-fitting sensitivity, and slick look, you can wear them straight from the crag to the bar without thinking twice!

adidas Terrex Hydro Lace Shoes

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Say hello to the Adidas Terrex Hydro Lace Shoes! These best shoes for canyoning are a common favorite of people who enjoy the hard outdoors. What’s nice about them is that they’re specifically made to prevent water from seeping into the feet. Thanks to synthetic and textile uppers with laced closure, your feet will never be wet.

Inside is neoprene, which helps protect your feet from the cold. Meanwhile, the patented adiPRENE midsole takes most of the shock when you’re canyoneering. Even when walking on rough terrain, your soles won’t suffer pain from the rough impact.

SCARPA Men’s Gecko Hiking and Approach Shoes

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The SCARPA Men’s Gecko Hiking and Approach Shoes are a favorite among canyoneering fanatics. Want to know why? Well, starting with the basics, these shoes have 100% suede uppers with synthetic rubber soles for that outstanding grip. The lugs aren’t the deepest, but they’ll make sure you can stay on your feet when scrambling over uneven terrain.

In addition to that, these best shoes for canyoneering are also durable, so you don’t have to worry about them tearing on anything you come across. Meanwhile, the lace-to-toe design ensures an excellent fit, and all strings will be tucked away before you get going. If you’re looking for a pair that’s ideal for climbing and can take a beating, these are for you.

adidas Women’s Terrex Scope GTX Shoes

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Aside from the killer Adidas flip-flops and walking shoes, we also love the best shoes for canyoning from Adidas, including the Adidas Women’s Terrex Scope GTX Shoes. They have an interesting, lightweight design specialized for strenuous activity on uneven terrain. Their construction is worth praising too. This pair is made of durable textiles and synthetic materials, and it’s also fully outfitted with GORE-TEX for water protection.

Besides their water-wicking capabilities, these shoes are flexible, durable, and offer outstanding protection with wraparound toe caps and thick rubber soles. Another notable feature is the laceless system. Instead of being stuck with flimsy laces that have to be tied, you can slip them on and go!

Five Ten Guide Tennie Approach Shoes

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Another killer option that will impress you is the Five Ten Guide Tennie Approach Shoes. If you’re looking for the best shoes for canyoneering that are lightweight and comfortable, they’ll do the trick. Made of 100% leather, they also offer excellent durability no matter the conditions.

Meanwhile, the synthetic soles and outsoles also give fantastic traction due to the Stealth C4 Dotty tread. Perfect for high-friction, rocky terrain, you can rest assured that these can hold you up against anything. A fantastic grip, good support, and adequate protection; there’s no reason not to get these shoes!

Salewa Men’s Firetail 3 GTX Approach Shoes

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Next, we have the Salewa Men’s Firetail 3 GTX Approach Shoes. When it comes to finding these best shoes for canyoneering, they’re great for long-distance hikes. That’s because they have thick soles and strong leather uppers that give them some of the best durability of any shoes out there.

That’s not all! For canyon-eers who do a lot of crossing and swimming, these shoes are exceptionally breathable and drain quickly after being submerged. Plus, the patented SALEWA technologies ensure a super precise fit.

Salomon Men’s Techamphibian 3 Water Shoes

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So many great canyoneering routes require your feet to spend some time underwater, like climbing waterfalls and crossing creeks. When things get wet, the Salomon Men’s Techamphibian 3 Water Shoes are some of the best shoes for canyoneering that you can rely on. The uppers come with mesh side panels that do a great job of draining and drying out. That way, your feet won’t stay wet for long.

Apart from that, these fantastic shoes also come with highly grippy soles that are stiff on the perimeter for edging and have loads of traction for smearing. In addition to that, they have a quick lace system that makes them a cinch to take on and off. Even better, your purchase will be backed up by a two-year limited warranty.

La Sportiva TX4 Women’s Approach Shoes

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La Sportiva has a whole TX line of canyoneering shoes that are nothing but amazing. That said, the La Sportiva TX4 Women’s Approach Shoes is a decent mix. They have a nice combination of durability and stability. We also love how sticky the soles of these shoes are, making them perfect for walking on wet or loose terrain.

Furthermore, these best shoes for canyoneering are made from synthetic material and are designed for long treks, suitable for canyoneering outings. Are they comfortable? Of course, they are! Overall, they’re a solid option for canyoners that need durable and grippy shoes.

How To Choose The Best Shoes for Canyoneering

Canyoneering can be a dangerous activity. So, choose the right pair of shoes by considering the features below!

Grip

Your shoes should provide superb traction on both wet and dry rocks, as well as any uneven surfaces that you may encounter. Canyoneering can be unpredictable, and being prepared for any situation will go a long way in terms of preventing you from slipping and sliding.

Support

When canyoneering, you’ll want a pair of supportive shoes. Rolled ankles and foot fatigue are common without shoes that offer proper support, as the terrain can be uneven, and you may find yourself jumping from boulder to boulder. So, make sure you choose the best shoes for canyoning that’ll give you adequate ankle and arch support.

Flexibility

Your shoes should be flexible enough to get you where you need to go. The best shoes for canyoneering won’t sacrifice support for flexibility but will incorporate them both to allow you those questionable reaches and footholds in unexpected places.

Drainage

No one wants to wear shoes that hold water as you’ll be squishing around in them for the rest of the trip. Having shoes that drain properly instead of keeping water in will give you so much more comfort than a pair that does the opposite.

What should I wear for canyoneering?

Of course, you should wear the best shoes for canyoneering! But apart from that, you can also wear a quick-drying long-sleeve shirt, weatherproof jacket, quick-drying pants, gloves, and neoprene socks.

What are approach shoes used for?

They’re a hybrid of hiking and climbing shoes. They’re made for the approach or the hike and scramble up to the start of rock-climbing areas. This means they must navigate both walking on the forest floors and gaining purchase on a slippery rock so that they can prove useful on any part of an approach.

Can you hike in canyoneering shoes?

As long as you have the right canyoneering shoes, you can! That’s because not all canyoneering shoes are built the same. Some are comfortable enough to be worn for hiking, and some might not be.