What to Wear White Water Rafting

Long days on the river mean long hours of sun exposure. Covering up is usually easier than trying to keep up with sunscreen alone.

• Quick-dry long-sleeve or UPF shirt: A lightweight sun shirt or sun hoodie is one of the most useful pieces you can bring.
• Hat with a strap or clip: Choose a brim that gives you the coverage you want, then make sure the hat can stay with you in wind and whitewater.
• Sunglasses with a retaining strap: The strap matters. A backup pair is also a good idea.
• Sunscreen and SPF lip balm: Keep both in your day bag where you can reapply them during the day.

Wear clothing you are comfortable getting wet repeatedly. For most guests, quick-drying fabrics are the most versatile option because they work well through splashes, swims, shade, wind, and changing weather.

• Swimsuit or quick-dry base layer: A practical foundation for most river days.
• Quick-dry shorts: Comfortable on the raft and easy to move in during shore stops and hikes.
• Quick-dry shirts: The best all-around choice for most guests. Short sleeves work; long sleeves add valuable sun protection.
• Lightweight quick-dry pants: Optional on many trips, but useful for added sun coverage or cooler conditions.

Hot-weather exception: On very hot summer trips in Grand Canyon, Cataract Canyon, and Desolation Canyon, some experienced river guides intentionally wear a cotton shirt and keep it wet. Because cotton dries slowly, it can hold water against your skin longer and extend evaporative cooling when temperatures climb above 100°F. You do not need cotton to stay comfortable. Quick-dry clothing works well when rewetted as needed, and quick-dry layers are more forgiving if clouds, rain, wind, or cooler temperatures move in.

Follow your specific packing list for how many of each item to bring. On a multi-day river trip, most people need fewer outfits than they expect.

Your primary river shoe needs to stay on your foot and give you traction on wet, uneven ground.

• For the river: Sturdy water sandals or multi-sport water shoes with a secure heel strap and good tread.
• For camp: A lightweight second pair can feel great after you change out of wet river shoes.
• Break them in first: A river trip is a poor place to discover where a brand-new sandal rubs.

If your trip includes more demanding hikes, your exact packing list may call for additional support or a different shoe style.

On many Western River packing lists, rain gear does double duty. It protects you from rain, but it can also block wind and cold spray when you are running whitewater.

• Bring the rain gear listed for your trip: Many trips call for a two-piece jacket and pants rather than a poncho.
• Keep it accessible: Put it in your day bag instead of packing it with your overnight gear.
• Cooler trips may call for more: Some packing lists recommend paddle gear or additional cold-weather layers in early or late season.

A dry layer at the end of the day feels especially good after hours around water and sun.

• Dry camp clothes: A comfortable shirt with lightweight shorts or pants.
• Light fleece or insulating layer: Useful when the sun drops behind canyon walls or before it reaches camp in the morning.
• Socks: Helpful around camp and useful if your feet need a break from sandals.

Do not judge what you need by the afternoon air temperature alone. River temperature, morning shade, wind, and spray all matter. Trip weather pages such as Grand Canyon weather by month show what the air and water actually do in your travel window.

Your trip-specific list may add items such as neoprene socks, synthetic or wool base layers, a warm hat, gloves, a heavier fleece or lightweight down layer, or paddle gear. Pay particular attention to the cold-weather section of your list when traveling early or late in the season.