What to Wear:
Many rafting companies will provide you with the necessary equipment for your journey down the river. Complimentary gear may include helmets, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and paddles, and are based on the profile of the river.
On some trips, or on cold days, many rafting companies will provide complimentary wetsuits, splash jackets, and insulated booties. At the end of the day, all clothing and personal items are generally your responsibility so check with your rafting company before you assume what gear they'll be providing.
Do NOT wear or bring on the river:
Work boots, flip-flops, or anything similar.
Heavy clothing that will weigh you down in the river, such as sweats or jeans.
Any cotton clothing when the weather is below 65! Consider cotton to be off-limits for cool or cold water rafting. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet, which will only make you colder. The key is to keep yourself warm with layers and synthetic fabrics which will keep your core temperature up.
Clothing that impedes your freedom of movement, like leather or formal wear.
Your own PFD that you use for fishing or jet skiing.
Smaller personal items such as jewelry, keys, electronics, and wallets. If you decide to bring electronics, be sure to keep them in a bag specifically designed to keep your gear dry.
What to wear and bring on the river:
Shoes that will stay on your feet in swift moving water or while swimming, and are okay to get dirty or wet.
Swimsuits, quick dry clothing, SPF rated clothing.
Sunglasses with something to hold them on your head.
A hat to keep you out of the sun. If you're using helmets, pack a baseball cap or visor.
Apply sunscreen before getting on the water.
Dry clothes and towels for after the trip.
Drinking water or other drinks to keep you hydrated.
For rafting in colder weather, we strongly recommend:
Wetsuits, splash jackets, and river shoes; swimsuit and synthetic layers to wear underneath your wetsuit.
Synthetic layers 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. Once again, NO COTTON.
Open shoes are a no-no. When it's cold or cool, sandals are out. Wear sneakers or water shoes that provide full coverage. Neoprene booties are great for cold weather, providing an additional layer for your feet . Both sneakers or booties can be paired with wool socks for added warmth.
Layering:
We preach layering in synthetic clothing, which gives you the ability to shed or add layers for the conditions as they change, leaving you happier and warmer! When choosing layering synthetics, you should look for clothing (have I mentioned no cotton?!) made of things named -lene for your base layer, such as Capilene, polypropylene, etc. Under Armour is probably the most commonly known example of these. The base layer is usually comprised of leggings and a torso covering of the -lenes.
For colder weather, wear a mid-layer of thicker or additional -lenes over the base layer or a wetsuit made of neoprene or terraprene. Alternatively, a fleece or micro-fleece layer in the form of leggings and torso-upper is a great way to go.
The outer or shell layer is a form of water barrier, usually a splash jacket or bring a nylon rain jacket for your shell layer and voila’, warm and happy rafter!
Too many layers? It's important to have enough clothing on to stay warm, but restricting your range of motion with too many layers is a safety hazard. If you capsize or fall out, you'll need to be able to move easily to get back to safety.
Note: We are adamant about 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!
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