Canyoning on Reunion Island by a group from Mallorca

Eight Days, a Volcanic Island, and Dozens of Meters of Water and Basalt Walls

The trip to Île de la Réunion was much more than a gear test, it was an experience of connection with nature, with technical equipment, and with adventure companions.

Île de la Réunion is one of the most demanding destinations for testing any mountain gear. During eight intense days of canyoning, we were able to see just how far the Bestard Canyon Guide (with the new sole that improves water drainage) and Bestard Wildwater Pro could go under constant humidity, knee-deep mud, slippery rocks, and steep terrain. In this review, I share how they performed day after day, and what makes them (or not) ideal for this kind of adventure.

Not even twenty-four hours of air travel could dampen our excitement to explore. As soon as we touched down, we headed straight for the first challenge: Fleurs Jaunes, with its final 100-meter free-hanging drop, La Chapelle, and a grueling two-hour return hike.

The next day brought Bras Rouge Integral, even more aquatic than the day before, with spectacular reddish tones in the rock. The dense jungle approach had all our senses alert just to find both the entry and the exit.

On the third day, a third canyon, and a hors catégorie one at that: Takamaka 1. A spectacle worthy of Jurassic Park, complete with a return hike involving 27 stair sections to climb back up the enormous vertical drop.

The fourth day, we kept going, this time with Dudu. Here, we weren’t sure what we liked more, the canyon itself or the return hike. With sections of grade IV climbing, steps carved into vertical walls, and roots to cling to, it was an unforgettable route back of pure joy, in the end.

By this point, we’d spent four days on the island (five including the journey there), and our bodies needed rest, good food, and energy recovery and of course, time to dry the gear a bit, since the next three days would be devoted to two five-star canyons chosen specifically for this trip.

We returned to action heading toward Ravine Blanche and its nearly 310-meter waterfall. But it wasn’t just about the canyon, the four-hour jungle approach through knee-deep mud kept us focused on finding the trail. Luckily, we had the GPS track, or we’d probably still be wandering. Eleven hours of activity left us exhausted and made us decide to rest the next day.

We used that second, and last, rest day to plan our strategy for the big one: Trou de Fer via Bras Mazerin, the canyon of canyons.

The final day began early, well organized and prepared. We carried a lot of gear and faced the crown jewel of the island. We kept to our planned timing, even a bit ahead, managed the massive free-hanging vertical of Bras Mazerin, and pushed on to the Caverne du Minotaure. What most guides, blogs, and sources describe as a two-day canyon we completed in just over fourteen hours. Exhausted, yes, but we slept at home, showered and warm.

The last day was all about drying everything out. Wet gear weighs more, and we couldn’t exceed the 23 kg limit for the return flight bag. We were left wanting to do Cap Blanc, a more aquatic and less vertical canyon, but like many others, it will have to wait for our return. Back home, and the next day, back to reality and work. Our energy spent, but spirits full, satisfied and happy with what we’d done.

In summary

We spent eight days on the island (excluding travel days), completing six canyons, averaging almost nine hours of activity per day, with the shortest day lasting five hours and the longest (the last) 14 hours and 20 minutes.

We used 400 meters of 9 mm rope, divided into 2×115 m, 1×85 m, 1×45 m, 1×25 m, and 1×15 m. We recovered all but the 25 m rope (lost somewhere in Trou de Fer without realizing it) and cut the 85 m one on the last pitch of Trou!, finishing with a 55 m and a 25 m section.

We used two canyoning boot models: Canyon Guide (with the new sole) and Wildwater Pro.

We each lost an average of over 2 kg in body weight.

Eight days immersed in the wild nature of Île de la Réunion amount to much more than a simple adventure. Between basalt walls, waterfalls dozens of meters high, and rivers that swallow you with tropical force, we discovered not only the beauty of a unique landscape but also the limits and strengths of our equipment.The Bestard Canyon Guide and Bestard Wildwater Pro were our direct connection to a terrain as harsh as it was fascinating: constant humidity, slippery surfaces, and long canyon descents demanding grip, protection, and comfort without compromise.

From the first step into the first canyon to the final jump in Trou de Fer, every move was a real test. There, where every mistake can mean a lot, we understood why these boots are a reference point for those who live canyoning as a way of exploring the world.

Each day began with a rugged approach through dense vegetation and ended with hours in the water, descending endless torrents, scrambling over polished rocks and basalt ramps covered in a treacherous layer of moss. Humidity was constant, and that’s where the Bestards showed their true character: the excellent grip of the sole became a guarantee of confidence at every step, even when the rock seemed to slip beneath our feet.

Ankle protection and overall robustness were crucial in the more technical sections, where impacts and friction were inevitable. Despite the intensity of the descents, internal comfort remained consistent, thanks to a precise fit that provided security without stiffness. After long days spent in the water, I especially appreciated the efficient drainage and quick drying, a detail that, when humidity is your constant companion, makes all the difference between ending the day with battered feet or ready for the next challenge.

As the days went by and fatigue built up, I began to appreciate the feeling of using gear that simply doesn’t fail. The Bestards aren’t “lightweight” in the minimalist sense, but they’re perfectly balanced: they offer the security of technical mountain footwear with the mobility that water movement requires. In an environment where nature tests every detail, that combination becomes your best ally.

Looking back, I could talk about the adrenaline of Trou de Fer or the untouched beauty of Takamaka 1, but what truly remains is a sense of absolute confidence knowing that, no matter what happens, your gear responds. And in canyoning as in life that means everything.

I still remember pulling the boots out of my backpack after getting home: dirty but intact, waiting to head out again and discover new canyons. For over a week, canyoning tested not only our endurance but also the equipment that accompanied us boots, ropes, carabiners, wetsuits, true allies in a terrain as demanding as it is spectacular.

We all came back, safe and sound. We did what we set out to do. We came back as friends.