Whitewater rafting is all about getting wet, which is just fine on a hot, sunny day. But when it’s rainy and a bit on the breezy side, trust us, staying soaked is no fun. Our recreational rafters have some ideas on what to bring if it looks like the sun’s not going to make an appearance.
Cynthia Halow
Cynthia Halow, Founder of Personality Max. Figuring out people’s inner workings has always been Cynthia’s passion, and she has an MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology to prove it.
Bring a Quality Rain Jacket and Dry Clothing
A quality rain jacket
The first and most important item is a high-quality raincoat. Having a jacket that will not get you soaked right away will protect you from the rain and is essential for maintaining body heat. Most importantly, ensure that it is waterproof rather than just water-resistant.
Dry Clothing
The next most important thing you should bring is dry clothing for after you’ve finished rafting. You don’t want to have to make the trip back home in soaked clothes.
Avoid this:
Cotton Clothing
After learning the hard way, I’ve realized that avoiding cotton clothing is critical. It doesn’t dry well and it can make you shivering and embarrassed.
3 Handy Tips for When You Go Rafting in the Rain
Wearing fabrics that will repel water as an outer layer is the most important to not only staying somewhat dry but also retaining warmth. Wearing an outer layer consisting of specially treated nylon fabric can repel water. Underneath that outer layer should be a base layer of polyester fleece to retain body heat and dry quickly from rain that makes its way through.
A quality dry bag for electronics is a must if you’re planning to raft on a rainy day. A dry bag will provide a watertight enclosure for any electronics or GPS that will come along for the trip but can’t get wet from the rain.
A wetsuit could also be an option for additional gear to keep your body warm and dry if rafting while raining. Wearing a wetsuit could eliminate the need to wear several layers of clothing since the wetsuit provides insulation by letting a small amount of water in between the suit and your skin.
Wear Waterproof, not Water-Resistant
What I recommend is waterproof gear or a jacket. Most people get a hooded jacket that is merely water-resistant. In the rain, this will not make a difference. The same thing goes with plastic ponchos and wetsuits.
Waterproof rain gear is far better as water will never penetrate. As such, you will not get wet. You will stay dry and a bit warm inside and you can keep your gadgetries safe from water.
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