Rafting Clothing Guide

What To Wear:

Our rafting clothing guide will get you prepared for your white water adventure.

We will provide you with a helmet and lifejacket. Shoes are required to be worn, but if you don’t have any that you are willing to get wet, we do have river booties available to borrow at our office.

On some of the trips or on cold days, we may suggest borrowing a wetsuit and/or splash jacket to help keep you comfortable.  These are provided free of charge.  This is typically recommended April through June, and again September through the end of the season.  However, the equipment is available free of charge all summer long for those who might get cold a little easier.  Our river gear is well maintained and thoroughly cleaned after every use. All other clothing is your responsibility to bring.

Do not wear or bring:

  • Cowboy boots, high heels, etc. Wear shoes that will stay on your feet in swift moving water and are okay to get dirty or wet.
  • Heavy clothing that will weigh you down in the river such as sweats or jeans.
  • Clothing that impedes your freedom of movement like leather or formal wear.
  • Your personal life jacket that you use for fishing or jet skiing.
  • Smaller personal items such as jewelry, keys, electronics, and wallets.
  • Camelbaks for water, or any bags with straps, strings, etc.
    • Our guides have dry-bags to store medical items in, if need be

What to wear and bring on every trip:

  • Swimsuits, fast drying shorts, appropriate river shoes, etc. for the river
  • Dry clothes and towels for after the trip
  • Water
  • Sunscreen

Summer’s warm sunny days:

In the summer months, air and water temperatures are more comfortable, though rain does occur occasionally. On these warmer weather days, people like to stay cooler by wearing less. We suggest the following items for warmer weather:

  • Swimsuits
  • Shorts (nylon or other quick drying material)
  • River shoes that will not fall off in swift water and are okay to get dirty
  • T-shirt (to avoid sunburned shoulders)
  • Baseball Hat
  • Sunglasses with Chums/Croakies or a retainer string
  • Sunscreen of at least SPF 15 rating
  • Bottled water

For inclement or unseasonably cool summer weather, we suggest a synthetic layering system that will continue to keep you warm when it gets wet.

Spring, Rainy Days, Cool Days, and Crisp Autumn Breezes:

In the spring and fall, air and water temperatures can often be cool on the river, and rain is a common occurrence. When rafting in cooler weather, avoid wearing cotton clothing, which will only make you colder. Keep yourself warm when wet with synthetics or wool using a layering approach.

 

Rafting clothing guide for colder weather, we strongly recommend:

  • Wetsuits, splash jackets, and river shoes (available for rent at our office)
  • River shoes that will not fall off in swift water and are okay to get dirty
  • A synthetic non-cotton layering to wear under your splash jacket, such as fleece that will continue to keep you warm while wet… NO COTTON.
  • A fleece or wool winter hat or beanie… NO COTTON.
  • Fleece or wool socks.  NO COTTON.

Note: We are adamant about our customers not wearing cotton on the river when it is cold outside as a matter of safety. Cotton does not wick water from skin and dramatically increases body heat release, leaving you out in the cold without any insulation. Cold rafters are not happy rafters, and we want you to stay warm and have fun!