January 11, 2022 6 min read

Rafting is a fun and exciting water sport which many people enjoy. It is a great way to enjoy nature and take in great views.

However, rafting is difficult and it’s important to make sure you prepare for your trip ahead of time. One of the most important things to prepare for is what to wear.

One of the most important things to think about when it comes to clothes is protecting your skin. If you plan on being in the water a lot, you should try to pick a suit that will dry quickly and that you can get out of easily. If you decide to wear a bathing suit, it’s also a good idea to bring a towel.

Conclusion: Rafting is a great way to cool off during the hot summer months. With the uncertainty of the weather, it's good to be prepared for all the conditions that you could potentially experience, so search for all the rafting gadgets you might need. It's advisable to put on layers, that way you can start warming up if you get too cold, and the same goes for cooling down.

What to Wear Rafting

A rafting trip can be an exhilarating experience for people of all ages, but it is important to know what to wear. As you prepare for your trip, consider the following: Pick comfortable shoes, pants, and a shirt to wear for your excursion. You may want to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug spray. If you are fishing, it is best to wear clothes that will not distract you or be damaged by fish scales.

Most importantly, you want to make sure you have the right equipment for the type of rafting you plan on doing. Every rafting adventure is different, but our guide will help make sure you have the right gear for all of the most popular types of rafting trips. Clear water rafting: Clear water rafting is all about paddling your way down a tranquil stream. Make sure you have a good paddle, a helmet, water shoes, a neoprene jacket and a waterproof bag to store your gear. Most importantly, make sure you have a fully-charged cell phone!

rafting on waterfall

Whitewater rafting: Whitewater rafting is a serious sport. Gear typically includes a wetsuit and a helmet. A quality wetsuit with a good, tight fit is key to combating the cold and the wet. A helmet is important for protection and comfort when in the raft. It's very important to always wear sunscreen when in the sun, even when wearing a wetsuit. Brands such as Patagonia and Kokatat make excellent wetsuits.

Perfect Shoes for Rafting

In most cases an outdoor shoe with a durable grip is best for rafting. A shoe with a good grip will help the wearer to maintain a strong foothold and avoid a potentially dangerous fall. A shoe with a durable grip, such as a hiking shoe, is a good choice. The best footwear for rafting are those with a sturdy heel with a rubber material to provide a strong grip, such as those made by Five Ten.
Rafting is an activity that some people do as a fun excursion, or as a recreational pastime.The right shoes and footwear for this activity will be the most comfortable and functional independent of what you choose. Avoid rubber soles. Avoid slip on, lace up, or other shoes that put unnecessary pressure on the top of your feet. When looking at shoes with thicker soles, waterproof ones are advisable. A rafting shoe should be comfortable and functional for this activity. Avoid rubber soles, slip ons, or shoes that put pressure on the top of the foot. Waterproof shoes are advisable for thicker soles.

rafting down a river

How to Choose the Best Life Jacket

Many people underestimate the importance of life jackets. Whether you're on the boat, on the water, or on the shore, you need to wear a life jacket. When it comes to choosing the best life jacket for your needs, there are many factors you should consider, including materials, size, and weight.

The first thing you should consider is the materials the life jacket is made of. Life jackets come in three different types of materials: synthetic materials like foam, silicone rubber, or PVC; natural materials like cork; or blend fabrics like nylon. Synthetic materials are better suited for water sports like rafting, water skiing or wakeboarding and for people who don't need a life jacket with a lot of insulation.

The biggest misconception about synthetic life jackets is that they are not buoyant. Today's synthetics are made of a nylon-polyester blend, which has the buoyancy of both materials. They are also more comfortable then the traditional life jackets that are made of nylon or polyester alone. There are many benefits to choosing a synthetic life jacket over the traditional ones. The biggest benefits include that they are more comfortable, they float better, they are more durable, and they are more affordable.

Protection From the Sun While Rafting

Rafting is an action-packed experience that rewards you with an adrenaline rush. The water is cool and invigorating! The rock formations are captivating! The rapids are exhilarating! One of the most important pieces of gear to bring is sunblock. You may not consciously think about it, but your face will be the first line of defense against the harsh, intense sunlight.

Sunblocks containing a physical blocker typically contain either a micronized titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient to deflect, scatter, and absorb UV rays. Chemical sunblocks contain ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and homosalate. If you don't take care of your skin, you could end up with a sunburn (and skin cancer). So, grab your sunscreen and protect your skin!


When it comes time to be out on the river, you want to have the best gear to keep you safe. One of the most important safety concerns is having appropriate sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. A whitewater rafting excursion is an action-packed, high-adrenaline activity. Your eyes are directly exposed to the sun, making UV protection more of a priority. There are a few things to consider when buying the best sunglasses for rafting, including polarization, fit, and weight. Polarization is one of the most important aspects of sunglasses for rafting.

For class 1 or 2 rapids, polarized lenses are your best bet because they help with seeing obstacles in the river. For class 3-5 rapids, there are special lenses that can help you with glare from the water. For splashy rapids, an anti-fog coating on lenses is necessary because the temperature of the water will fog up your sunglasses.

Final‌ ‌Thoughts‌ ‌

You are finally here, at the doorstep of the river of your dreams. You are about to do something you have never done before. You are about to go rafting. It is possible that this is the first time you have ever been rafting - if this is your first time, you are in for a lot of excitement! It is also possible that you have had some practice rafting before, but are still on the edge of your seat, waiting to get wet. No matter whether this is your first time on the river, or just another day on the water, it's always important to dress appropriately for your day.

A professional rafting guide will offer recommendations on what to wear to the river. For the best rafting experience, you should wear clothes that are lightweight and easy to move in. Fleece pants, t-shirts, and shorts are great options. We also recommend wearing a hat, comfortable shoes, and sunglasses.

Most Frequent Questions

What do you wear under a white water rafting wetsuit? 

Some people like to wear wet suit underwear undern their wet suit in the hopes of better comfort and less chafing. Others find that they prefer wearing nothing under their wet suit and deal with the discomfort. What you choose to wear under your wet suit is up to you.

friends rafting down the river

How cold is whitewater rafting?

One of the most challenging aspects of the activity is the cold water, as it can be close to freezing and therefore, be uncomfortable. As a result, one should pay attention to how he or she is dressed and how active they are.

 

 

Can I wear crocs for rafting?

If you're looking for a good pair of water shoes that you can use while rafting, then Crocs might not be the best option. The shoes themselves might be too bulky for rafting and may make the rafting experience more difficult for you and for others in your raft. These problems may stem from the fact that Crocs don't contain a closed heel and make the foot slip around in them while water flows over the top of the wearer's feet.

Can I wear leggings white water rafting?

Yes, you can wear leggings during a white water rafting. But, keep in mind that white water rafting is often wet and extreme water activity. You may get your leggings wet, or get them covered in dirt. So, we recommend wearing a wetsuit to help protect the leggings and make them easier to clean.
Author - Aleksandra Djurdjevic
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering surf, kayak and various watersports activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the ocean / rivers, getting out waves, season after season, seeking epic adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.


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