What to Wear on the River: MedTreks Gear Guide for Whitewater Rafting
Let’s Talk River Gear: What to Pack on a River Trip
Packing for a river trip is a bit of an art. It’s about striking that perfect balance: staying prepared for sun, splash, and the occasional surprise weather shift—without falling into the trap of over-packing just because you “can bring extra stuff on the raft.” So let’s get into What to Pack on a River Trip!
Additionally, at MedTreks, we’ve designed our river adventures to be easy and accessible. That means we provide all the essential gear—from PFDs and helmets to sleeping bags, dry tops, and even wetsuits (depending on the season and river). You don’t need to invest in a closet full of new gear just to join one of our trips.
That said… we totally get it. Some of our guests love to come extra prepared. Others are already planning their next paddling getaway and want to start building out their own river kit.
So, if you’re looking to enhance your comfort, convenience, or simply invest in a few quality pieces that go the distance, we’ve got you covered. Below is our MedTreks-curated list of “nice-to-have” river gear—optional, but highly recommended for anyone ready to take their river game to the next level.
Let’s dive in!
Optional River Gear: MedTreks Guide Picks
You don’t need these when you pack for a River Trip, but if you’re looking to level-up your river kit (or planning to river trip again), here are a few worth considering:
Splash Jackets for Paddling and River Adventure
- NRS Women’s Helium Splash Jacket
A lightweight, waterproof jacket designed for paddlers, offering breathability and comfort. - Kokatat Tempest Paddling Jacket
This jacket provides excellent protection against wind and water, featuring adjustable cuffs and collar. - NRS Women’s Endurance Splash Jacket
Designed for recreational boaters, this jacket offers lightweight, waterproof protection.
Dry Bags to Keep Your Gear Safe and Dry
- NRS Ether HydroLock Dry Sack
A fully waterproof dry sack with a HydroLock zip closure, ideal for protecting your gear.NRS+1Amazon+1 - Watershed Largo Tote Dry Bag
A spacious tote-style dry bag with an airtight ZipDry® closure, tested to withstand submersion.Watershed Drybags - Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag
A versatile and durable dry bag, available in various sizes to suit your needs.
River Shoes:
Here’s what we look for in the perfect river shoe:
- Solid Soles: Look for soles with deep tread patterns and high-friction rubber compounds—these are designed to provide traction on everything from moss-covered boulders to loose gravel. Brands like Astral and Chaco specialize in this type of performance rubber, built specifically for wet, uneven terrain.
- Closed Toes & Ankle Support: Protect those toes from hidden boulders and give your ankles some love with a secure fit.
- Minimal Gaps: Say no thanks to pebble invasions. Shoes with fewer openings help keep rocks and debris out.
- Quick Drying: Wet feet are part of the fun—soggy feet all day? Not so much. Look for shoes that drain well and dry fast.
Some Shoe Suggestions:
- KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandals
Lightweight performance sandals with elastic cording for a secure fit, suitable for water activities.REI - Chaco Water Sandals
Durable sandals designed for water activities, offering excellent traction and support. - Bedrock Water Sandles A comfortable, classy, lightweight fav among a lot of outdoor ladies!
- Astral Loyak Water Shoe (Ari’s Favorite!) The Loyak is a minimalist, low-profile shoe designed for supreme grip and flexibility. Its hydrophobic canvas upper and drainage holes allow for quick water release, while the G® Rubber outsole provides exceptional traction. This shoe is perfect for casual paddling, SUP, and travel.
More Handy (and Awesome) River Extras
Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural Sun UPF Hoody
This lightweight hoody offers 40+ UPF sun protection and is made from breathable, quick-drying modal fabric derived from renewable beech tree pulp. It’s designed for comfort during long hours on the water. Patagonia
Nomadix Microfiber Beach Towel
A compact and lightweight towel that dries quickly, making it perfect for drying off after a swim. Made with certified post-consumer recycled materials.
Goodr Sunglasses:
Probably our favorite river sunglasses when we think of What to Pack on a River Trip. First, they are affordable at $25. Designed to stay in place during vigorous activities, they feature a special grip coating to prevent slipping, even when sweating. The lightweight frames provide a snug fit to minimize bouncing, ensuring comfort during movement. Additionally, Goodr sunglasses come with polarized lenses to reduce glare and enhance visibility.
Chums Original Cotton Sunglass Retainer
Keep your sunglasses secure during rapids with this adjustable cotton retainer. It’s designed to fit most frame sizes and ensures your eyewear stays in place.
Aquapac Waterproof Phone Case – 358
Protect your phone from water, dust, and sand with this waterproof case. It fits larger-sized phones and allows full use of touchscreens and cameras while keeping your device dry.
Booe Waterproof Fanny Pack: We love having this on the river and on our stand up paddle boards!
Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle
This stainless steel, vacuum-insulated bottle keeps your drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours. Its wide mouth makes it easy to add ice, and it’s durable for all your adventures. hydroflask.com+2hydroflask.com+2Amazon+2
All Good SPF 15 Lip Balm
Protect your lips from the sun with this SPF 15 lip balm. It’s made with organic ingredients, including calendula and beeswax, to keep your lips moisturized and shielded from UV rays. Amazon
Patagonia Quandary Brimmer Hat
This wide-brim hat offers excellent sun protection and features a quick-wicking sweatband. It comes with an adjustable chin strap to keep it secure on windy days. Patagonia
A Note on Sunscreens:
Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential, especially during river adventures. However, it’s equally important to choose sunscreens that are safe for both your skin and the environment. Reef-safe sunscreens avoid harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can damage marine ecosystems. Here are some top-rated, eco-friendly sunscreens to consider You can also check out the Environmental Working Group page for their Sunscreen suggestions!
- Badger SPF 40 Sport Mineral Sunscreen
Formulated with only four ingredients, including 22.5% uncoated non-nano clear zinc oxide, this sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has received the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory’s reef-safe certification. - All Good Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion
This SPF 30 sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum protection. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. - Raw Elements SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
This sunscreen provides high SPF protection using non-nano zinc oxide. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and comes in a recyclable tin, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to sustainability. - Native Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Native’s Mineral Sunscreen: Lotion offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection using 20% zinc oxide as its active ingredient. This fragrance-free formula is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin and absorbs quickly without leaving a white residue. It provides effective defense against both UVA and UVB rays, making it suitable for daily use.
- All Terrain Aqua Sport Sunscreen Lotion: All Terrain’s AquaSport Sunscreen Lotion provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection and is formulated to be water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it ideal for water activities. The non-whitening, non-greasy lotion is fragrance-free, catering to those with sensitive skin. It offers full-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, ensuring comprehensive sun defense during outdoor adventures
Tips for Choosing Reef-Safe Sunscreens:
- Check Active Ingredients: Opt for sunscreens containing non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Avoid Harmful Chemicals: Steer clear of oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other chemicals known to harm marine life.
- Look for Certifications: Certifications from organizations like the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL) indicate rigorous testing for environmental safety.
Furthermore, by selecting reef-safe sunscreens, you protect your skin while preserving the health of our precious waterways.
Trusted Gear Brands We Love
What’s Required on your MedTreks River Trip?
We’ve got you covered on all the must-haves—from life jackets to basic paddling gear—so you can focus on soaking up the sun and scenery. Everything listed above is completely optional but helpful if you want to build your own go-to river kit.
Still unsure about what to bring? Reach out! We’re always happy to share packing tips, gear stories, or help you decide if an item is worth the investment for your travel style.
Curious about our upcoming trips, river or not? Click here to learn more!
