Canyoneering Gear

A complete personal kit — sticky-rubber shoes, harness, helmet, rappel device, three locking carabiners, gloves, friction hitch cord, personal anchor and emergency basics — runs roughly $430 to $700 in 2026. Group gear adds $300 to $800 per party for rope, pull cord, webbing and anchor hardware, but that splits across everyone. A fully dialled setup with a canyon-specific pack, wetsuit, retrievable anchor and satellite communicator can exceed $2,000.

Personal: helmet, harness, rappel device, three locking carabiners, friction hitch cord, personal anchor or lanyard, gloves, closed-toe sticky-rubber shoes, headlamp, whistle, emergency blanket, first aid basics, knife, water and food. Group: static canyon rope sized to the route, pull cord, 50 to 100 feet of one-inch tubular webbing, rapides or rappel rings, and a lighter for singeing webbing ends. Route-dependent: wetsuit or neoprene socks, dry bag, pothole escape kit.

Mostly. Helmets, locking carabiners, slings and approach shoes transfer directly. A climbing harness works but wears out much faster without a seat protector, and a standard belay device rappels adequately but lacks adjustable friction and hands-free lock-off. The one genuine exception is rope: dynamic climbing rope is a poor choice for canyoneering because the stretch is a liability on long rappels and the sheath is not built for sandstone abrasion. Buy static canyon rope.

Closed-toe shoes with sticky rubber soles and reasonable drainage. Purpose-built canyoneering shoes drain fastest and grip best, but sticky-rubber approach shoes from La Sportiva, Black Diamond, Scarpa and similar are widely used and perform very well on Moab sandstone. Avoid sandals entirely — they compromise downclimbing and offer no protection. Old cross-trainers will get you through an easy canyon, but the confidence difference on friction moves is substantial.

Manufacturers typically state a maximum of ten years unused, but in Colorado Plateau canyons a regularly used rope is often retired within one to three seasons. Sandstone abrades sheaths aggressively and sand works into the core. Retire immediately regardless of age if you can see the core, feel flat or soft spots, notice glazing or sheath slippage, or if the rope has been shock loaded or exposed to chemicals. Inspect by running the whole length through your hands after every trip.

Usually not. Most Moab routes are dry or involve only shallow stream crossings, which is the main difference from Zion. Exceptions worth planning for are Entrajo, Hypatia, Pleiades and Rock of Ages, which hold potholes and can require wading or a short swim. A 2mm neoprene sock and a warm layer cover most situations; a full 4/3mm wetsuit is worth owning if you canyoneer regularly in spring or in the wetter canyons.

Drainage and abrasion resistance. A canyon pack has grommets or mesh in the base so it empties within seconds of climbing out of a pothole, and a shell tough enough to be dragged across sandstone repeatedly. A hiking pack holds the water and becomes extremely heavy. You can convert an old pack cheaply by fitting drainage grommets in the base and each bottom corner, which is a long-established fix and works well.

Not easily as an independent party. Moab outfitters generally supply technical equipment to their own guided clients rather than renting to unguided groups, largely for insurance reasons. Realistic options are borrowing from an experienced partner, buying your own, or booking a guided trip where harness, helmet, ropes and rappel devices are all included and you only bring shoes you do not mind getting wet.

For hardware, generally yes. Carabiners, rappel devices and packs can be assessed visually — check for grooving, gate function and cracks. For soft goods, no. Rope, webbing and slings carry an invisible history of UV exposure, shock loading and chemical contact that you cannot inspect for, and helmets can hide a single impact that has already compromised the foam. Buy those new, every time.

Almost nothing. Every Moab operator provides harness, helmet, ropes, rappel devices and usually gloves and a small pack. You bring closed-toe shoes with grip that you do not mind getting wet, athletic clothing you can move in, sun protection, water and a snack. A warm layer is worth carrying in shoulder season or for shaded slots. If the route may include water, ask about footwear when you book.