Swimsuit, or shorts you can swim inA Connecticut tubing outfitter’s answer: anything you would be at ease swimming in.
Shoes that stay on your feetRiver sandals, water shoes or old tennis shoes beat flip-flops, an Oregon park district says.
Life jacket, worn the whole wayBoise’s fire department asks everyone to wear one, properly fitted, in or near the river.
Hat with a strapA ball cap or a wide brim with a strap, a county tourism authority’s tubing checklist says.
Sunglasses on a retention cordAn Idaho river town tells floaters to secure eyeglasses and sunglasses with one.
Sunscreen, put on before check-inAn Arizona tubing outfitter asks floaters to apply it before they check in.
Dry clothes waiting in the carA change of clothes and shoes and a dry towel are on one tubing checklist’s leave-in-the-car list.
All 48 things to wear
The short answer 7
Dry clothes waiting in the carA change of clothes and shoes and a dry towel are on one tubing checklist’s leave-in-the-car list.
Hat with a strapA ball cap or a wide brim with a strap, a county tourism authority’s tubing checklist says.
Life jacket, worn the whole wayBoise’s fire department asks everyone to wear one, properly fitted, in or near the river.
Shoes that stay on your feetRiver sandals, water shoes or old tennis shoes beat flip-flops, an Oregon park district says.
Sunglasses on a retention cordAn Idaho river town tells floaters to secure eyeglasses and sunglasses with one.
Sunscreen, put on before check-inAn Arizona tubing outfitter asks floaters to apply it before they check in.
Swimsuit, or shorts you can swim inA Connecticut tubing outfitter’s answer: anything you would be at ease swimming in.
In the water 7
Clothes you expect to get wetSwimwear is the norm at a California rafting outfitter, but wear what you like, it says.
Lightweight clothing that dries fastAdequate in summer, the park service says of the Chattahoochee River.
One-piece swimsuitMany women like one on the river, a county tourism authority’s tubing checklist notes.
Shorts that dry quicklyOn a county tourism authority’s what-to-wear list, for men and for women.
Shorts with old tennis shoesAn Idaho river town’s idea of protective clothing for its rapid-filled river.
Sun shirt and sun pantsOn the National Park Service’s what-to-bring list for floating the Niobrara River.
T-shirt for extra sun coverOptional on one tubing checklist: a tee adds to your sun protection.
On your feet 6
Athletic shoesA Texas river town recommends water shoes or athletic shoes: some areas are rocky.
Old tennis shoesNamed on three lists: a county’s tubing checklist, an Oregon park district’s and an Idaho town’s.
River sandalsOn the lists of an Oregon park district and an Idaho river town.
Sturdy shoes against sharp objectsThe park service asks for them on the Niobrara and the Delaware: sharp objects, old broken glass.
Water shoes, for the stretches you walkThey will save your feet where flip-flops will not, Alberta’s parks agency says.
Wetsuit bootsOn a Connecticut outfitter’s list, with sneakers and water shoes, for a river with three sets of rapids.
Hat, glasses and sun cover 7
Ball cap for the foreheadOne tubing checklist’s point: under a hat your forehead needs no sunscreen to drip into your eyes.
Hat and sunglasses you would not mind losingThe advice of a Texas river town’s visitor bureau.
Insect repellent, worn like sunscreenThe park service says to wear it on the Niobrara, with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Mineral or zinc sunscreenAn Oregon park district asks for it: two common sunscreen chemicals harm river life, it says.
Strap for prescription glassesA county’s tubing checklist says a strap holds eyeglasses on as well as sunglasses.
Sunscreen lip balmOn a county’s tubing checklist; the park service’s Niobrara list has lip balm too.
Sunscreen of SPF 30The strength a county tourism authority’s tubing checklist names.
For cold water or a cool day 3
Dry clothes in a dry bagBoth are on the park service’s what-to-bring list for the Niobrara River.
Natural and synthetic blends in the cooler seasonsThe park service’s middle step on the Chattahoochee, between summer clothes and wool.
Wool or synthetic layers in cold weatherThey hold their heat even wet, the park service says of the Chattahoochee River.
Life jackets 5
Free loaner life jacketAn Oregon park district lists free ones at two spots; an Idaho town’s tube rentals include one.
Life jacket for all, when the river runs highA Texas city’s 2019 sign: mandatory for everyone on the Guadalupe above 750 cubic feet a second.
Life jacket on a weak swimmerA Texas city’s river sign recommends one for weak swimmers and for children under eight.
Life jacket on every childThe cutoff differs: 12 and under in Oregon, under 13 on the Niobrara, 14 and under in Boise.
Life jacket that fits and is fully fastenedIt has to fit and be fastened to work, the park service says on the Delaware River.
Leave on the bank 13
No bare feet on the walkRocks, gravel and hot sidewalks can injure them, an Oregon park district says.
No camera that is not waterproofOn a California rafting outfitter’s list of things not to bring on the water.
No car keys in a pocketA California outfitter says not to bring them; a Connecticut one hangs them on numbered hooks.
No eyeglasses you cannot spareEyeglasses lead a Connecticut outfitter’s list of things lost to the river. Strap them on.
No favorite hatOn a Connecticut outfitter’s list of things commonly lost during tubing.
No flip-flops as your only shoesFour publishers advise against them; one California rafting outfitter says they are fine.
No heavy boots in a tubeA Connecticut tubing outfitter’s one warning about footwear.
No loose jewelryAn Idaho river town lists it among the loose items not to float with.
No phone outside a waterproof pouchAn Idaho town lists phones as loose items; Alberta’s parks agency says a watertight container.
No valuables you would missA Texas river town’s visitor bureau recommends leaving them at home or in the car.
No wallet in your shortsNamed with keys and phones on an Idaho river town’s list of loose items.
No watch you want to keepWatches are commonly lost during tubing, a Connecticut outfitter says.
No wedding ringRings are often lost to the river, a California rafting outfitter says.
How it works
What should I wear floating the river? A swimsuit or quick-dry shorts, shoes that stay on your feet and a hat with a strap. These 48 rows follow park agencies, river towns and tubing outfitters in the US and Canada.
Read the full guide
How cold the water is
Below Buford Dam the Chattahoochee runs at about 50°F, the park service says, because the water is released from the bottom of a lake. The San Marcos stays at 72°F year-round, its visitor bureau says, and a city sign puts the Comal at about 72°F. A California outfitter gives the Truckee as generally 65 to 70°F.
Flip-flops: four against, one for
A county’s tubing checklist says flip-flops will get lost and will not protect toes from rocks; an Idaho river town calls them inadequate; an Oregon park district and Alberta’s parks agency prefer shoes that stay on. A California rafting outfitter requires footwear and says flip-flops are fine.
Questions and answers
What shoes should I wear tubing on a river?
River sandals, water shoes or old tennis shoes: river bottoms are rocky and uneven, a Texas city’s sign says. A Connecticut outfitter adds wetsuit boots and advises against heavy boots.
Do I have to wear a life jacket to float the river?
That depends on the river and your age. Children must wear one at 12 and under in Oregon and on the Delaware, under 13 on the Niobrara and the Chattahoochee, and 14 and under in Boise. The agencies urge adults to wear one too.
What should I not wear tubing?
Anything the current can take: a Connecticut outfitter names eyeglasses, watches, rings and favorite hats as things commonly lost, and a California one adds car keys and cameras that are not waterproof. Bare feet and heavy boots are each warned against as well.