Are you ready for the wild ride of a lifetime? White water rafting is just the ticket itof you’re looking for a thrilling adventure that will get your adrenaline pumping and heart racing. But, what do you wear white water rafting? This is a very reasonable question if you’ve never done it before!

The last thing you want on your rafting adventure is to be uncomfortable or feel unprepared or nervous in any way. In this post, we’ll give you the inside scoop on what to wear on your white water rafting trip. So grab your sense of adventure and get ready to make a splash with some great memories on the river!

What Should You Wear White Water Rafting

The biggest consideration about what should you wear white water rafting relates to the weather and conditions where you are going. If you’re rafting in Clear Creek with us, then the rapids you’re raging through were very recently snow. In other words, it can be cold!

Despite the warm, sunny days that Colorado is famous for, the temperature of the water in Clear Creek hovers around 40 degrees. You want to get great memories, not hypothermia, so make sure you plan accordingly.

Being warm and comfortable is likely to be the thing that will make or break your rafting experience. All the beautiful scenery, adrenaline, and fun rafting in the world won’t matter if you’re an icicle the whole time.

What Do You Wear To Go White Water Rafting

So what do you wear to go white water rafting?

The short and sweet answer is that you should wear warm clothes that dry quickly.

You’re going to get wet, and the water is going to be cold. So the only way to stay warm is to wear clothes that will dry as fast as possible.

What Shoes Do You Wear White Water Rafting?

A good starting point is your feet: What shoes do you wear white water rafting?

Your instinct may be to wear flip-flops, crocks, or some other style of sandal. Those are great for a relaxing day on a sunny beach, but that’s not what this adventure is about! There’s a good chance those will get lost during the excitement, so it’s basically the same as going barefoot.

Close-toed shoes are going to be your best friend. Not only do they stay on your feet while riding the rapids, but they also protect you from cuts on rocks and other things when climbing in and out of the raft.

If you don’t happen to have quick-drying water shoes in your wardrobe, we are able to rent you Neoprene river booties. These are by far the most comfortable option.

What Pants And Shirt Do You Wear White Water Rafting?

When it comes to any fabric, you’ll want to avoid cotton as much as possible. Cotton is great at soaking up water, and very bad at drying out. If you wear cotton, you’ll get cold and wet, and  you will stay that way. Instead, aim for synthetic materials that dry quickly.

Wetsuits are required (and provided) on our more advanced trips, but we suggest them even for beginner trips. Keeping that in mind, you’ll want clothes that are comfortable and give a wide range of motion, but will also fit under a wetsuit.

Most people are happy in a bathing suit or shorts for the bottom, and loose-fitting clothes for their top. Think about materials like:

• Fleece
• Polyester
• Wool
• Any material designed to dry fast in outdoor settings

Also, don’t forget a change of clothes for after the trip! Your car ride home will be a lot more comfortable.

Other Common Questions About White Water Rafting

Aside from just wondering what do you wear white water rafting, here are some other questions we hear pretty often.

Should I Wear Sunglasses?

Yes! But, between the wind and the waves, your glasses are going to do their best to go on their own swimming adventure, so make sure they are secured to your head.

The sun is likely to be very bright and the water will be reflecting it, so UV protection is a very good idea.

Can I Bring My Phone?

You’re unlikely to be making any important calls while riding the rapids, so we advise leaving valuable electronic devices on the shore.

Can I Wear A Hat?

You’re going to be wearing a helmet, so that means your head will already be taken care of. Any headgear that you need will have to comfortably and safely fit beneath the helmet, so it’s usually best to just skip it.

Can I Wear Flip Flops?

As we mentioned above, sandals are a bad idea. They get lost easily and they don’t protect your feet when getting in and out of the raft. Neoprene booties are the ideal solution.

Should I Bring A Towel?

In your car, yes. You’re going to want a change of clothes and a towel to dry off when you’re finished.

In the raft, no. It’s impossible to keep dry, so it’s totally useless to bring along.

What Does Colorado Adventure Center Provide?

We’ll provide you with the gear you absolutely need. That includes:

• Neoprene Wet Suit
• Type V Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
• Helmet
• Paddle

As we mentioned above, we offer to rent booties to keep your feet warm.

Our beginner trips don’t require that you wear a wetsuit (intermediate and advanced do), but it’s still recommended – especially on colder days.

There’s Your River Rafting Dress Code

Hopefully this answers the question of what do you wear white water rafting. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions that are more specific to your situation.

If you properly prepare for it, white water rafting is an amazing experience that can be everything from a family bonding experience to an extreme adventure. If you go on a trip with Colorado Adventure Center, we can assure you that our experienced guides will take you on an incredible and safe adventure that you’ll be talking about for years to come.