Best Shorts for White Water Rafting

When you’re going river rafting it’s important to wear clothes that are comfortable. Ideally, you want to wear something that dries quickly and is flexible enough for you to move around. You don’t want to wear a heavy pair of jeans that will stay soaked and constrict your movement. For warm to hot weather, we highly recommend either a pair of quick-dry shorts or boardshorts. These will make you the most comfortable on your trip and allow you to move around easily.

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Best River Rafting Shorts

  1. TBMPOY Men’s Outdoor Sports Quick Dry Shorts Zipper Pockets
  2. Vcansion Men’s Outdoor Lightweight Quick Dry Hiking Shorts Sports Casual Shorts
  3. Kanu Surf Women’s Marina UPF 50+ Active Swim Board Shorts
  4. Little Donkey Andy Women’s Stretch Quick Dry Cargo Shorts for Hiking, Camping, Travel

 

1. TBMPOY Men’s Outdoor Sports Quick Dry Shorts – Our Pick for Men’s White Water Rafting Shorts


Product Features

Brand Name: TBMPOY
Material: 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex
Colors: Army Green, Black, Grey, Black, Khaki, Navy
Sizes: 6 Size Options

Our top pick for men’s river rafting shorts goes to the TPMPOY Men’s Outdoor Sport Quick Dry Shorts. These shorts are made from 95% polyester which means they are breathable, lightweight, and will dry quickly on your water adventure. They are designed to be anti-chaffing, which makes them great for a rugged river trip. The shorts also feature 2 zipper pockets, which is great for keeping your valuables secure on the raft. One of the best things about these shorts is that they’re very budget-friendly.

 

Pros
  • Extremely affordable
  • Zipper pockets
  • Six color options
Cons
  • These shorts only have 2 pockets, some may prefer an option with more for their journey

 

2. Vcansion Men’s Outdoor Lightweight Quick Dry Hiking Shorts Sports Casual Shorts – Versatile Hiking River Rafting Shorts

Product Features

Brand Name: Vcansion
Material: 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex
Colors: Army Green, Blue, Khaki
Sizes: 5 Size Options

If you’re shopping for a versatile pair of shorts that is perfect for a wide variety of outdoor uses, you may consider the Vcansion Men’s Outdoor Hiking Shorts. These shorts feature an elastic waist design and also comes with a mesh belt for a secure fit. There are five pockets. 2 side pockets, 1 rear pocket, and 2 left side pockets. The pockets also have a zipper closure which makes them great for holding your valuables on a rough trail. The shorts themselves are made from breathable nylon which is a great quick-dry material for going out on the water. The shorts also have a UPF 50+ rating which is great for protecting your skin from harmful sun rays.

 

Pros
  • Zipper pockets
  • 5 Pockets
  • UPF 50+ Rating
Cons
  • Only three color options
  • Don’t have a wide range of sizes

 

3. Kanu Surf Women’s Marina UPF 50+ Active Swim Board Shorts – Women’s River Rafting Shorts

Product Features

Brand Name: Kanu Surf
Material: 100% Polyester
Colors: 30+ Color Options
Sizes: 11 Size Options

The Kanu Surf Women’s Swim Board Short is our pick for the white water rafting shorts for women. These shorts are made from 100% polyester, which makes them extremely flexible and quick drying. They have a drawstring closure and feature a cargo pocket which is great for holding your valuables. They are also UPF 50+ rated which will protect your skin from the sun. The best thing about this option is they feature over thirty color options, which means they have something for everyone.

 

Pros
  • 30+ color options
  • UPF 50 rating
Cons
  • Only have one cargo pocket (which is not zipper closed)

 

4. Little Donkey Andy Women’s Stretch Quick Dry Cargo Shorts for Hiking, Camping, Travel – Women’s River Rafting Shorts with Zipper Pockets

Product Features

Brand Name: Little Donkey Andy
Material: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
Colors: Eight Color Choices
Sizes: Five Size Options

If you’re after a versatile pair of women’s shorts which are perfect for river rafting, camping, and a wide variety of other outdoor activities, the Little Donkey Andy Women’s Quick Dry Shorts are the answer. Our favorite thing about these shorts is the zipper pockets. Zipper pockets are a must on rough terrain if you want to keep ahold of your valuables. As you would expect from a good pair of water shorts, these are 90% polyester quick-dry material, which also feature an excellent UPF rating of 50+. Overall these are excellent for any activity under the sun. If you’re going on a multi-day river rafting, camping, and hiking adventure, these are the shorts for you.

 

Pros
  • Zipper pockets
  • UPF 50 rating
Cons
  • They only have five size options. These should fit most people though

 

That completes the list. Always remember to dress for the weather. If you’re going out during cold or rainy weather you will likely want to wear extra layers outside of just shorts, such as wool leggings. Read our guide here on the best clothes to wear for river rafting if you’re unsure of how to dress.