Choosing the right clothes for rafting and paddling means you’ll be prepared for changing river conditions. River running inevitably involves withstanding all kinds of weather, from brutal heat to sudden thunderstorms or even snow if you’re an all-season boater.

This guide covers the core principles of rafting and paddling clothing, including using strategic layering and choosing time-tested materials that will work across a wide range of river environments. Whether you’re planning a hot-weather float on a desert river or a cold-water shoulder-season trip, the goal is the same: clothes that are functional and comfortable in real river conditions.

Because not every river trip (or every boater) is the same, this page also points to more specific clothing guides, including kids’ rafting and paddling clothes and what to wear kayaking, where immersion risk and activity levels call for different considerations.

Table of Contents

Base layers for paddling and rafting

When talking about paddling, you’ll often hear the phrase, “rig to flip, dress to swim.” What this means is that you should be prepared for a swim no matter the conditions.

The key to being properly dressed for paddling, as for all outdoors pursuits, is layering, starting with base layers, which will vary depending on whether you’re wearing a dry suit or splash gear.

If you’re wearing a drysuit, you can just wear regular base layers underneath. Fleece, polypropylene, synthetic materials such as Patagonia Capilene, or wool will all work. Your dry suit is designed to keep those base layers dry.

Women on stand-up paddleboard in splash jacket, life jacket (PFD) and ball cap on Gunnison River
Paddleboarding in NRS HydroSkin capris
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If you’re wearing splash gear, or if it’s warm enough to go without waterproof layers at all, you’ll want neoprene to keep you warm even when you’re wet.

The first choice to make here is a top/bottoms combination or a one-piece union-style wetsuit. I prefer the top/bottom combo for more versatility.

Neoprene top layers I currently wear and recommend:

When choosing neoprene bottoms for women, look for styles that are high-waisted so they don’t slide down your butt, increasing exposure to the elements.

Women in ball cap sitting on blue inflatable kayak wearing a turquoise blue NRS HydroSkin long-sleeved top with boulders in the background
This light NRS HydroSkin top is comfortable even in warm weather, and keep chills at bay when you’re paddling in cold water

Splash gear and dry suits

On most days, if you’re paddling an inflatable kayak (IK) or a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), you’ll likely want a waterproof outer layer. I find that wearing a splash jacket even on hot days helps me paddle more aggressively and avoid cringing away from the waves. And of course, if it’s raining or chilly, keeping dry is the easiest way to stay warm.

Women in dark pink dry suit and yellow life jacket (PFD) on paddleboard on the Colorado River
Drysuits are expensive, but keep you toasty on cold winter floats

For really cold water or winter paddling, you’ll want dry gear designed to keep all water out of your outfit. (Check out this post about our Thanksgiving float on the Colorado River through Ruby-Horsethief Canyon for more tips on gearing up for a cold river trip.)

A full drysuit is expensive, but if you want to be totally dry, it’s the way to go. I have a Level Six Freya drysuit that I’ve worn for several big-water, splashy day trips and overnights (including while kayaking the Grand Canyon in an IK). I’ve been very happy with it. If you go the drysuit route, note that there’s no real way to cool off on warm days, and it’s much more cumbersome to paddle in a drysuit than in splash gear, so evaluate the conditions each day.

Woman in dark pink dry suit standing on river bank
This Level Six Freya drysuit kept me warm on our chilly Thanksgiving float on Ruby-Horsethief Canyon

Recommended dry suits to consider:

  • Level Six Freya: Dry suit I have worn and loved for years
  • Hydrus 3L SuperNova: “Semi” dry suit that offers a great compromise between comfort and warmth (and is more affordable)
  • Immersion Research Aphrodite: Michele has this dry suit and highly recommends it for its durability, warmth, and ease of getting on and off

If you’re a kayaker, on some trips you might want just a dry top. Here are few to consider:

Splash jacket and splash pants tips

For slightly warmer trips, and more flexibility getting in and out of gear, you’ll want splash gear: water-resistant jackets and pants. Splash gear won’t keep you totally dry, but it cuts the wind and keeps you from getting too wet in waves.

What to look for in a splash jacket:

  • Hood: With a hood, your splash jacket can double as rain (or hail!) protection when you get to camp.
  • Adjustable neck and wrist: Look for a splash jacket that has Velcro tabs at the neck and wrists so you can get a snug fit.
  • Side pockets rather than front pockets: Skip pockets on the front, as those will be covered by your life jacket anyway. Side pockets are convenient for carrying small items.
  • Generous fit: Go for a looser fit that can accommodate a layer or two of capilene or neoprene underneath.

Here are the splash jackets we recommend:

What to look for in splash pants:

  • Generous fit: Splash pants also need to accommodate layers underneath, so go for a looser fit here, too.
  • High waist: Make sure the waist comes up high enough that your splash jacket covers the top to help keep water out.
  • Wide, adjustable waistband: This helps you dial in a comfortable fit.
  • Velcro ankle straps: Velcro fasteners are the fastest and easiest way to cinch the ankles to help keep out water.

Splash pants we recommend:

Sun-protection clothing

When it’s really hot and you’re on a trip with little whitewater, the last thing you want is to be bundled up in neoprene and Gore-Tex. That’s when you need sun-protection clothing. You can rely on sunscreen, but it’s difficult to remember to re-apply, the chemical version is bad for the river ecosystem, and it tends to get rubbed off as you paddle.

To keep sunburn at bay on the river, you’ll need an array of sun-protection clothing, including:

  • Sun shirts and sun hoodies: I prefer hoodies to shirts as you can pull the hood over your hat and secure it with straps under your chin to provide additional face protection and keep your hat from blowing off your head.
  • Sun pants: Look for light, loose pants that provide sun protection and wick water.
  • Sun hat: Choose a hat that you can securely affix to your head so it doesn’t blow off in the wind. Large-brimmed hats are essential for intense sun days, but ball caps are best for wearing under helmets when you’re paddling significant whitewater.
  • Closed-toed shoes: Your feet can get sunburned in river sandals, and it’s hard to keep sunscreen on your feet when they’re constantly being splashed by river water. Closed-toed river shoes (water shoes) are best for sunny days where your feet will be constantly exposed.

For an extension discussion of sun-protection clothing, check out our post Best Sun-Protection Clothing for River Trips.

Man rowing raft in sun hoodie and sun pants and ball cap while rowing a raft on the Colorado River clothing
Pete wearing his sun-protection gear on the Gunnison.

Paddling footwear

It’s our opinion that river runners need at least four types of shoes on a multi-day river trip. (Check out 4 Types of River Shoes Every Paddler Needs). For on-the-river paddling, you’ll want river sandals, closed-toe river shoes, and neoprene booties to cover all situations.

For sandy, sunny rivers I prefer to wear Chaco, Teva, or Bedrock sandals, which allow my feet to dry out and are comfortable for long days. Get sandals with secure strap patterns, including heel straps, in case you encounter mud.

In our splash gear after a Brown’s Canyon run.

However, if I know I’ll be scrambling around on rocks to scout rapids, or if I’m wearing neoprene socks, I prefer to wear shoes for protection. An old pair of tennis shoes will work, but you get a grippier sole by going for Astral river shoes, which also provide sun protection.

Finally, I always carry a pair of neoprene socks (like these NRS HydroSkin socks), which I wear under my Astrals, for cold-water paddling where my feet will constantly be wet. You could also get neoprene booties with good tread on the bottom, like these NRS Paddle Wetshoes or these low-profile NRS Kicker Wetshoes for women, which are ideal for kayakers (here are the NRS Kicker Wetshoes for men).

Check out our roundup of river rafting and paddling shoes for specific recommendations about river sandals, shoes, neoprene socks and booties, and camp shoes.

Chaco river sandals, Astral Brewer river shoes, and NRS neoprene paddling booties on gravel
Capsule footgear wardrobe for paddlers (from left): Chaco Z/2 Classic river sandals, Astral Brewer river shoes that keep feet from burning and keep small pebbles out, and neoprene booties (similar to NRS Kicker booties)

River-ready for anything

With a little experimentation, you’ll find the right combination of clothes for the type of paddling you do. When you find a piece of clothing you particularly love, tell a friend. River apparel can be expensive, so it helps to have your paddling buddies steer you in the right direction. In a future post, I’ll talk about how to find affordable paddling gear.

Do you have river clothes you’re particularly fond of? Drop us a comment.

Want more rafting and paddling clothes recommendations? Check out these resources:

Woman and man in splash gear, helmets, and life jackets (PFD) on the banks of the Arkansas River above Zoom Flume rapid.
Geared up for a high-water run on a chilly down in Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River

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