What To Wear White Water Rafting

So, you’ve got your trip finally scheduled and you’re trying to figure out what you need to bring with on your white water rafting adventure. If you’ve never been white water rafting before, you may not know exactly what you need to bring. 

The first thing you need to think about is the weather. If you’re going on your rafting trip during a hot summer you’ll be dressing a lot differently than if it’s cold weather such as fall or spring. Take a look at the dates and location of your trip and try to get an idea of whether it will be hot or cold.

What To Wear Rafting in Warm or Hot Weather:

Rafting in Summer Hot Weather

What to Wear Rafting in Cold or Rainy Weather:

Rafting in Spring Fall

Other Things You May Want to Bring On the Trip:

  • Dry clothes to change into
  • Dry bag to protect essentials from water
  • Water bottles (usually recommend to bring ones with carabiners to attach to raft)
  • Sunscreen
  • Snacks
  • Plastic bag for wet clothes
  • Bug spray (depending on your location)
  • Waterproof case (if you choose to bring your phone)

Things You Should Not Bring:

  • Cotton clothing (highly recommended to avoid cotton because it will keep you wet and cold!)
  • Electronics (Laptops, ipods, ipads, expensive watches or cameras)
  • Expensive jewelry
  • Expensive eye-wear (or anything else expensive and fragile)
  • Flip-flops (often forbidden)

Final Considerations

What you bring with on your white water rafting trip will ultimately depend on the location and the weather at the time of your trip. If you’re are going along with a commercial outfitter, be sure to check in with them on what you need to bring. Often times they provide equipment for your journey like wet-suits and sometimes even food and drinks. Make sure to read what you’re allowed to bring, sometimes they forbid certain shoe types, so make sure to avoid those!