10 Things To Wear On Your White Water Rafting Trip

White water rafting is an exciting sport that challenges you both mentally and physically. To stay safe, you must come prepared with all of the necessary apparel and equipment. If this is your first white water rafting trip, you may be unsure about what you need to bring. We have compiled this list as a guide to help you choose the most important pieces of clothing and gear. Read on for ten tips on what to wear for white water rafting.

1. Life jacket

Safety always comes first. Bringing a life jacket, vest, or any other personal flotation device is of the utmost importance. This piece of equipment has the potential to be lifesaving in the case of an accident. White water rafting can be dangerous at times; you never know when the current will flip your raft. That is why we recommend that you wear your PFD at all times during paddling.

You can either rent this piece of equipment or buy one like the NRS Vapor PFD.

2. Light attire (Summer)

During the warmer months of the year, your clothing should consist of shorts and a T-shirt. It’s a good idea to bring a pair of dry clothes and shoes for later. If you want to be extra protected, you can bring a sun cap to shield you from the UV rays.

3. A swimsuit (Summer)

Swimsuits are an absolute must-have in Summer and Spring. You are bound to get wet when white water rafting, so you should have a swimsuit on. We recommend that you avoid bikinis that can fall off easily. Something more practical will be your best bet in this scenario.

4. Warmer clothing (Winter)

During Fall and Winter, your clothing should include a sweater made from wool, fleece, or synthetic fabrics. These materials retain some of their insulating value even when wet. Another thing you should bring is a wool cap to protect your head and neck from heat loss. Avoid all cotton clothing as cotton gets cold when wet.

5. A wetsuit (Winter)

If you plan to go white water rafting in a cold river, you should include a wetsuit in your arsenal. Wetsuits are designed to keep you warm even in colder waters. Some water sports centers will have wetsuits you can rent. For maximum comfort, we suggest that you purchase your own. The Roxy 4/3mm Syncro Back-Zip GBS Wetsuit is an excellent option for women.
https://www.rei.com/product/146401/roxy-43mm-syncro-back-zip-gbs-wetsuit-womens

6. Footwear

Depending on the season, you will need to wear comfortable shoes. In summer and spring, your best bet will be to go for quick-drying sandals or river shoes. In Fall and Winter, you should bring wetsuit booties. It`s a good idea to wear them with wool socks for maximum heat retention.

The NRS Paddle Wetshoes are an excellent choice for the colder months.

7. Helmet

Helmets are essential for your safety. They can protect your head from the sharp rocks you may encounter on the river. Most white water rafting centers will allow you to rent this piece of equipment, so you needn`t worry about buying your own.

8. Sunscreen

You should wear a generous amount of sunscreen on your face, neck, shoulders, and arms. Paddling in the sun is all fun and games until you burn. Spare yourself and your companions some trouble and bring extra sunscreen for those who need it. We recommend that you use SPF50.

9. Towel

This item might seem like an obvious thing to bring, but many paddlers underestimate its importance. A big towel will not only help you dry quickly, but it will also keep you warm when you get out of the water. If there are no changing rooms, you can use the towel to hide when changing into your dry clothes.

10. Hair tie/Headscarf

If you have longer hair, keeping it away from your face will be essential. You can braid it or put it in a ponytail with the help of a hair tie. It is always a good idea to tie a headscarf around your head before putting on your helmet. This will prevent matting and frizz.

Wrap up

Your trip will be even more enjoyable if you know what to wear four your white water rafting trip. Different weather conditions require different clothing, so make sure to check what the temperature of the water will be. If you come prepared, you are bound to have a great time.