What to Wear White Water Rafting on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, WY
What to Wear on a River Rafting Trip
Mad River Boat Trips is a great way to experience the thrill of white water rafting on the legendary Snake River. Get a group of your closet friends, co-workers, or family together and come on down to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to have a memorable rafting trip.
Come join us on the river in spring when the river is rushing at peak levels for the most exciting ride, or come during summertime for a wild water adventure to beat the heat; come in the fall to see the amazing color transformation of the Snake River Canyon into a sepia toned wonder. You can book a white water rafting trip anytime between May and September.
No matter when you decide to make begin this exciting experience, you need to wear the right clothing on your white water rafting trip. Here are some things to keep in mind before coming.
Proper Footwear When Rafting
Your shoes are going to get wet. After all, you are rafting down a river. So your best bet is to wear some old shoes that you don’t mind getting filthy. Water shoes and strap on sandals are a good choice as well. However, don’t wear anything that is not strapped to your feet, like crocs or flip flops because they will come off when going down the river. And since the pathway to the rafts are gravel, being barefoot would be also. Avoid wearing boots as well, because they are too heavy.
Rafting Clothing Varies by Season
Cotton clothing extracts the heat from your body, so if you come in the summer on a hot day, a cotton tee shirt may be a good idea to help you cool down. However, if you come white water rafting later in the season when it is cooler, you’ll want to wear synthetic materials that dry quickly to avoid being too cold. Nylon shorts make a great choice for bottoms, and it’s best to avoid from wearing cotton material and jean shorts. It is a good idea to consider what the weather is like when you come – generally we recommend synthetic clothing instead of cotton. Heavy cotton shirts with long sleeves are a bad idea, because you will need to be able to swim and having a thick shirt on is like wearing an anchor around your waist. However, if it is later in the season, synthetics are recommended. Wetsuits are also a good idea while rafting as they are made of synthetic material and will cover your body. Mad River has wetsuits available for rent, or you may wear your own on your rafting trip.
Download Our What to Wear PDF Here!
Protect Your Noggin
You want to be sure to properly protect your head while on the river. Make sure you wear a brimmed hat, like a baseball cap, to keep your face shaded. If you decide to forego wearing a hat (gasp) remember to use sunscreen on your hairline to avoid getting burned. Only when the river has high water conditions are helmets issued.
Skin and Eye Protection
Waterproof sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 can save your day from getting ruined with a harsh sunburn. Not only will it hurt, but it can increase your risk for cancer. Sunscreen is probably the most important thing you can wear on your trip.
Get you a pair of UV-protecting sunglasses as well. You want to be able to see without the sun blinding you or water splashing you. Croakies will do the job of keeping glasses secured around your neck, and keep them from heading into the river.
Come White Water Rafting with Mad River Boat Trips
The crew here at Mad River Boat Trips is ready to take you on an exciting white water adventure down the Snake River. We have been an industry leader since 1977, and our guides have the best training available. Contact us today to get your adventure started.