You've booked the trip. You're excited. And then the night before, you're standing in front of your bag, thinking: "Okay, but what do I actually wear for this?"

 

It's more important than it sounds. Wearing the wrong thing on the river won't ruin your day, but it'll make it a lot less comfortable. And on a Colorado river in May, "uncomfortable" can mean genuinely cold.

Start with the Water Temperature, Not the Air

This is the part most beginners miss. Colorado's rivers run cold. Really cold. Spring runoff from mountain snowpack keeps water temperatures low even when it's warm and sunny outside. Getting wet, and you will get wet, in 50-degree water while dressed for a summer hike, is a very different experience from being dressed appropriately for it.

 

KODI Rafting provides wetsuits on all trips where they're required or recommended. If your trip is on a cold river during high water season, that wetsuit isn't optional. Wear it.

What to Wear Underneath

Under a wetsuit, a thin moisture-wicking base layer works well. Not cotton. Cotton holds water against your skin and stays cold for a long time. Synthetic or wool materials dry faster and insulate better when wet.

 

For warmer summer trips, a swimsuit or board shorts and a quick-dry shirt are fine.

Footwear You Won't Lose in a Rapid

  • Secure sandals with straps that lock around the heel. Flip flops will be somewhere downriver before the first rapid.
  • Old sneakers or water shoes work well and give more grip.
  • Bare feet on a raft are uncomfortable and not recommended.

White water rafting for beginners near me searches often turn up KODI Rafting for good reason. Their guides walk you through all of this before you ever get to the put-in, so you're not guessing.

What to Leave Behind

No loose jewelry that can snag or get lost. No valuables in your pockets. Waterproof your phone or leave it in the vehicle. KODI offers photo packages at certain trips so you can actually be in the photos instead of worrying about your gear.

What to Wear White Water Rafting in Colorado Comes Down to This

Dress for the water, not the air temperature. Secure your footwear. Skip cotton. Let the guides handle the rest.

 

KODI Rafting covers all ability levels from Class I beginner floats all the way to Class IV advanced runs on Clear Creek and the Arkansas River, with trips out of Breckenridge, Frisco, Idaho Springs, and Buena Vista. Book through whitewatercolorado.com, and they'll confirm everything you need for your specific trip and date.