Planning your clothing for your white water rafting adventure is pretty important! Click to explore our ideas for what to wear and what not to forget!
Over one-third of people who travel prefer taking action-packed adventures rather than relaxing vacations. Of the possible action-packed vacations to take, white water rafting is one of the most popular activities to do.
If you want to explore the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled experience of white water rafting but don't know what to pack for it, don't worry.
Here is your complete guide on what to wear on your next white water rafting adventure.
Know the Location Before You Go
The most important thing to know before choosing any clothes for a white water rafting trip is to get a sense of the weather and climate of where you'll be going. White water rafting in Hawaii or the Caribbean is very different than white water rafting in the Rockies or Canada.
Differences in temperature, the intensity of the river, and whether or not it is expected to rain, shine, or anything in between will make a huge impact on the clothes you need to wear.
Hats and Headgear
Let's start at the top and work our way down, shall we? It is advisable to wear a hat while white water rafting. You'll be out in the elements for an extended period of time.
The scalp is one of the most forgotten places for sun protection since it is difficult to apply sunscreen directly. Be sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat if possible to ensure your ears get plenty of shade protection.
And for the more adventurous folk, consider capturing all the thrills with a GoPro or other recording device. There are many attachments you can hook up to a hat or helmet that make recording a breeze.
Sunglasses: Yay or Nay?
Sunglasses can be a hit or miss among white water rafting enthusiasts. Depending on the intensity you are looking to experience, you might want to leave the expensive pair of sunglasses at home.
Many beginners or inexperienced white water rafters end up losing their sunglasses from getting jostled around in the raft or hitting an unexpected curve.
If you are planning on doing a tamer white water rafting adventure, then by all means, bring that $80 pair of sunglasses! But if you have even the slightest fear of losing your shades to the water below, grab a cheap pair to bring instead.
Wear Long Sleeves for White Water Rafting
In many places, it gets pretty hot when you are out there in the middle of a river. Summertime is the most popular time of year for white water rafting, and you are bound to sweat up a storm.
However, many people also want to seek protection from the sun's harmful rays when they are out on the water. The longer you are getting any sort of sun exposure, the more likely you are to get a sunburn, which can increase your risk of getting skin cancer.
This is why to protect your skin and ensure you stay cool, you must consider investing in UV-protective long-sleeve t-shirts with a UPF rating of at least 50. Sun protective clothing can help keep you cool and protected during any outdoor activity, especially long sleeves.
Plus, you can find all sorts of styles that fit your own personal taste. Browse through BloqUV's selection of long-sleeve t-shirts, dresses, zip-ups, jackets, and more!
What Type of Pants Should You Wear?
Again, this depends on the type of white water rafting you will be doing. Are you going hiking right after for the complete outdoor experience? Or will you be hopping back in the car and finding the best spot for happy hour to relive the most exciting moments from your adventure?
For the casual white water rafting experience, waterproof shorts or swim trunks are best. Just don't forget sunscreen on those legs!
For the more rugged white water rafting experience, think about longer pants with pockets to hold all your wilderness essentials. Bonus points if they have UPF in them!
What Shoes Are Best for White Water Rafting?
Finally, the most important question of the day - what sort of shoes should you wear while white water rafting? You might be tempted to wear flip-flops, considering that you'll be in a watercraft vehicle, you'll be getting wet, and it'll be hot.
But think twice before wearing your beloved summer shoes. It is not advisable to wear flip-flops when white water rafting. Flip-flops are not secure shoes and can make you slip and fall inside the raft if you need to get up.
Sometimes, you may need to get into the water, which can be rocky and cause a twisted ankle if you're not careful.
Instead, invest in some closed-toe water shoes that have a good grip on the bottom.
Get the Best Sun Protective Clothes for Your Next White Water Rafting Trip
It is important to be well-prepared for any vacation, but especially one where you will be getting lots of sun exposure. Keep your skin safe from the elements with high-quality sun-protective clothing with long sleeves while you are white water rafting.
If you're looking for high-quality long-sleeved sun clothing but want to keep it affordable, be sure to explore the collections from BloqUV. We offer stylish and unique pieces for men, women, and children that will fit every budget and every style.
We have a wide variety of long-sleeve t-shirts to choose from with ultra fast shipping. Browse through our online store to start protecting your skin today!