If you are an avid outdoorsman or woman and you love canyoneering, being close to nature and going through some of its most challenging terrains, to reach those hidden and often awe-inspiring sights, then you need to have the best canyoneering shoes.

Many people make the mistake of going for hiking boots. The downside of this is that such boots aren’t designed to handle watery terrain. Hiking sandals might sound like a good alternative. And while they can handle watery effectively, they do not provide the feet with much-needed protection.

The best quality canyoneering shoes will be able to handle water, drain easily, and fast-drying. Also, they will be able to keep your feet well protected.

There are plenty of different shoes in the market that claim to offer the best in canyoneering. We’ve searched for the best canyoneering shoes and come up with a list of the top 5 best canyoneering shoes.

Let’s list them now.

1. Merrel Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes

Product Overview

The Merrel Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes come in two main colors. These are light brown and brindle/butterscotch. If you searching for a well-draining shoe that Also offers protection to the feet, then you may have just found what you are looking for.

The shoes are lightweight allowing you to stay on your feet for longer. They also have large spaces that allow great air circulation and good drainage.

The last thing you want after long hours of canyoneering are feet full of blisters. To avoid this, you need shoes that are first and foremost comfortable. The Merrel Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes certainly fit the bill. They feel snug and are fast drying.

The sole is made from rubber. This allows the shoes to provide excellent grip in dry ground. The Merrel Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes feature a durable What can be improvedtruction which allows them to withstand the rigors of canyoneering.

2. Merrel Mens All Out Blaze Aero Sports shoe

Product Overview

The Merrel Men’s All Out Blaze Aero Sports shoe comes in a variety of colors from grey, to bright blue to dusty olive. The upper is mesh which allows for great air circulation as well as drainage in case the shoe gets in water. This also makes it fast drying.

The upper is made from durable synthetic also making it comfortable and flexible. It has a lace-up design. This provides for a much more secure hold on the feet.

3. KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal

Product Overview

The KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal features a washable polyester webbing. This allows the shoes to be highly drainable. The feet remain dry and comfortable.

It also features a metatomical EVA footbed. It provides excellent support to the feet and allows you to remain standing for long durations. This is a great benefit when canyoneering.

The KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandal has a durable What can be improvedtruction and will last you a long time. And the great thing is that they are perfect for walking through watery areas. That said, we found that you can easily get dirt under the toes when you are hiking.

These are a great pair of canyoneering shoes and comes in different colors.

To wear the shoes, you will make use of the strap design. The great advantage of this is that it allows for a comfortable and snug fit.

4. KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal

Product Overview

The KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal is made from 100% polyester. This makes it lightweight on the feet. The outsole is made from a hard rubber giving it extra grip while also being durable.

For a tight and secure hold, the KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal comes with a bungee lace capture system making it quick and easy to adjust the laces.

Another interesting feature is the hydrophobic mesh lining. It also comes with compression-molded EVA midsole that adjusts to the shape of the feet and provides excellent support.

The metatomical footbed design provides good arch support which also makes it among the best canyoneering shoes for people with flat feet. And when you finally get back home from your adventures, you can simply throw the shoes into the washing machine.

The main downside that we noted, is that while the KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal provides good grip on dirt and rock, they don’t offer the best grip on wet surfaces.

5. Merrel Women’s Siren Edge Hiker

Product Overview

The Merrel Women’s Siren Edge Hiker is a highly breathable shoe. This is great when you What can be improvedider the long hours spent in varying terrain when you are canyoneering. Feet need to remain cool and comfortable and breathable shoes ensures that this is the case.

It wouldn’t hurt to have a good-looking shoe when you are out in the canyons and the Merrel Women’s Siren Edge Hiker fits the bill. These shoes come in a variety of colors including, bright red, orange, and even aluminum.

The M-SELECT FIT. ECO contoured footbed ensures comfortable support. It also comes with organic odor control. These shoes are waterproof yet breathable. The main downside is that they are not slip-resistant and while the grip is great on dry ground, it is not the best when on wet surfaces.

What’s more, is that Merrel Women’s Siren Edge Hiker provides excellent ankle support making them great shoes for trekking and hiking.

Final Thoughts

The nature of canyoneering is that you are going to deal with varying terrain. Because of this, the shoes need to be able to provide the feet with protection both inside the water and outside. This is what you will find in the Merrel Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoes.

Second, shoes need to be comfortable and provide ample cushioning. You don’t want to come of out it with blisters and sore feet. The fact that you will be spending hours walking and going through different terrain means that the shoes should provide ample support. This includes ankle support as you will see in the KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal.

Thirdly canyoneering will often expose you to water. Of course, you need a shoe that can cope well in wet situations. Absorbing water and sogging is something you want to steer clear off. The best canyoneering shoes should be able to drain water quickly allowing the feet to also dry fast.

Some people can get around this situation by getting waterproof shoes. This is a good idea if you can get shoes that are also breathable. Take a look at the Merrel Women’s Siren Edge Hiker. While the shoes are breathable, they will also do a great job of keeping out the water.

The downside of most shoes in the market today is that they are made with a rubber sole. This doesn’t provide the best grip on wet surfaces. Traction is essential as you don’t want to slip and sustain an injury when you are out in the wilderness.

Check also for breathability. Sufficient air circulation helps to dry your feet fast when you have stepped on water and they will also keep your feet cool. The KEEN Men’s Newport H2 Sandals are a great option.

Make sure that when you are in the market for canyoneering shoes, you avoid using sports shoes such as tennis shoes. These will not provide you with any type of traction when canyoneering and they will certainly not drain water.

When it’s all said and done, there is no such thing as a perfect canyoneering shoe. However, by understanding what you need, you can effectively search for the right shoe. Our list of the top 5 best canyoneering shoes will save you the trouble and help you pick the best one for you.