Can you go canyoning if you wear glasses? This is a question I get very often… and the answer is YES! However, there are a few simple tips to make sure you don’t lose them during the adventure.
Canyoning is a full nature adventure: hiking in the river, jumping into pools, sliding down natural rock slides, rappelling down waterfalls and sometimes swimming.
So naturally, many people who wear glasses wonder if it will be a problem.
The good news is that you can absolutely go canyoning with glasses. You just need to take a few simple precautions to avoid losing them.
Can you go canyoning with glasses?
Yes, absolutely. Many participants wear glasses and it usually isn’t a problem. The only important thing is to take some precautions to prevent losing them in the water.
During canyoning you move through a natural environment with:
- walking on rocks
- rappelling down waterfalls
- jumping into pools
- natural water slides
- short swimming sections
If you really need your glasses to clearly see where to place your feet, it’s better to keep them on. Poor visibility can slow you down and make moving around less comfortable.
Tip #1: Use a glasses strap
The most important thing is to attach your glasses with a strap.
During canyoning trips, I always carry extra glasses straps that I lend free of charge to participants who need them. This helps prevent glasses from falling into the water and disappearing into a pool.
It’s a simple precaution that makes a big difference.
Tip #2: Bring a spare pair
Even though the risk of losing your glasses is quite small, it’s always a good idea to bring a spare pair just in case.
Most of the time, if a pair falls into the water, it can be recovered.
Depending on the depth of the pool and the water clarity, I can often dive down and retrieve them. But if the water becomes cloudy — for example after many people passing — they can be harder to see.
Tip #3: Put them away for certain sections
A technique that works very well is to use your glasses only when necessary.
For example:
- wear them during the approach walk
- keep them for dry rappels
- remove them before jumps and slides
Whenever there is a higher risk of losing them (jumps, slides, waterfalls), you can simply store them inside your wetsuit jacket.
The neoprene suit protects them and prevents them from falling into the water. Once the obstacle is done, you can put them back on.
What about contact lenses?
Another popular option is wearing contact lenses.
Personally, I wore them for nearly twenty years, including during water activities.
Occasionally you might lose one, but this doesn’t happen very often if you’re careful.
A good trick is to:
- wear contact lenses during the activity
- bring spare lenses
- give the spare lenses to the guide to keep in a waterproof container
That way, if you lose one lens, we can simply stop for a moment so you can replace it.
Summary
- Yes, you can go canyoning with glasses
- Use a strap to secure them
- Bring a spare pair just in case
- Store them in your wetsuit for jumps and slides
- Contact lenses are also a great option
With these simple precautions, you can fully enjoy your canyoning adventure without worrying about your glasses.
And if you have any doubts before your trip, don’t hesitate to ask your guide — we’re here to help you have the best experience possible!