🧗Wetsuits in Summer Canyoning: Why You Might Skip Them—and Why You Shouldn’t

When the sun is blazing, the air is warm, and the canyon walls glow golden, it’s tempting to think a wetsuit is overkill. After all, summer canyoning feels like the perfect time to strip down, splash through pools, and enjoy the cool relief of mountain water. But here’s the catch: canyoning isn’t just about air temperature—it’s about water, shade, and exposure.

And that’s where the wetsuit becomes not just a comfort item, but a safety essential.

🌞 Why You Might Think a Wetsuit Isn’t Necessary

• Warm air temperatures: On a hot July day, pulling on neoprene feels counterintuitive. You’re already sweating before you even rappel in.

• Short canyon routes: If the descent is brief, you might assume you won’t spend enough time in the water to get chilled.

• Lightweight gear preference: Summer canyoning often means trimming down your kit—lighter packs, fewer layers, and less bulk. A wetsuit feels like extra weight.

• False sense of security: Clear skies and sunshine can trick you into thinking the canyon environment will match the warmth of the trailhead.

❄️ Why a Wetsuit Is a Must-Have

• Cold water immersion: Even in midsummer, canyon pools and streams are fed by snowmelt or springs. Water temps can hover in the 40s–50s °F. Hypothermia doesn’t care about the season.

• Extended exposure: Canyoning often involves repeated swims, wades, and rappels through waterfalls. Staying wet for hours in shaded narrows drains body heat fast.

• Safety margin: A wetsuit buys you time and resilience. If you’re delayed by tricky anchors, group logistics, or an injury, you’ll be glad for the insulation.

• Protection beyond warmth: Neoprene guards against scrapes from sharp rock, bruises from tight squeezes, and even sunburn when you emerge into open sections.

• Energy conservation: Shivering burns calories and saps strength. Staying warm means you keep your focus sharp for technical moves and hazard awareness.

🌊 Wetsuits in Rivers: Flowing Cold and Relentless

River canyons are dynamic, powerful, and often deceptively cold—even in peak summer. Unlike potholes or dry slots, rivers bring constant flow, turbulence, and deep pools that demand respect.

• Cold water volume: Rivers carry snowmelt and spring water over long distances. Even if the air is 90°F, the water can be 45°F and unrelenting.

• Continuous immersion: You’re not just dipping in and out—you’re swimming, wading, and sometimes battling current for hours.

• Safety in hydraulics: A wetsuit adds buoyancy, which can help in navigating tricky hydraulics, eddies, and strainers.

• Abrasion resistance: Riverbeds are often rocky and fast-moving. Neoprene protects against scrapes, bruises, and impact from submerged hazards.

🏜️ Wetsuits in Desert Potholes: Still, Silent, and Shockingly Cold

Desert canyons lull you with heat and silence, but potholes—those deep, shaded water basins—are a different beast. They’re stagnant, shaded, and often frigid.

• Thermal traps: Potholes rarely see sunlight. Water sits for days or weeks, absorbing cold from the rock and staying icy.

• Extended swims: Some desert slots require full-body swims through multiple potholes. Without insulation, you’ll lose heat fast.

• Technical challenges: Potholes often involve mantling, stemming, or partner assists. A wetsuit gives padding and grip for awkward moves.

• Psychological edge: Staying warm keeps morale high. Cold shock in a pothole can rattle even experienced canyoneers.

  
  

🧭 The Bottom Line

Summer canyoning is deceptive. The air may be hot, but the canyon is its own microclimate—dark, wet, and cold. A wetsuit isn’t just about comfort; it’s about safety, endurance, and protecting your body so you can enjoy the adventure fully. Think of it as part of your essential kit, right alongside your helmet, harness, and rope.