3 Reasons You’ll Want Rain Gear on Your Colorado River Rafting Trip

3 Reasons You’ll Want Rain Gear on Your Colorado River Rafting Trip

One of the most common questions we get from guests who have just finished reviewing the packing guide is, “Wait… why do I need rain gear in the hot desert?”

Most people figure if they’re going rafting on a river, wetness is part of the package. They aren’t wrong! But, here are 3 reasons we strongly recommend you bring the rain gear anyway. 

1. MORNING: You wake up in camp, stumble from your cot, get a cup of coffee, and you notice it’s a little chilly. That warm coffee feels kind of good. You know what else will feel good? Not being splashed with 50 degree water! Throw on your rain pants and jacket and you can remain warm and cozy until things get a little warmer out there.

2. SHADE: Yesterday that hot sun beat down on you all day—in fact, you’re a little sunburned. But today, it’s been over an hour since you had more than a few seconds of sunshine, and you’re noticing the goosebumps rising, especially when you get sprayed by little splashes of water. Rain gear will keep your chills at bay until you reach a sunnier stretch.

3. RAIN: This is the desert. You could easily go a week or two without a drop of rain. But, when it does rain it rains hard, and it can be difficult to predict when exactly that will be. Monsoons tend to be concentrated in July and August, but the weather out here is notoriously inconsistent. Having your rain gear ready just in case is always a good idea. Better to have it and not need it, than leave it at home and regret it.

So, what kind of rain gear do you need on a Colorado River rafting trip?

Here’s a checklist to help you choose the best style:

___ 2 pieces (jacket and pants)

___ completely waterproof (not just water resistant)

___ lightweight and not too warm (unless you’re going in April, lighter weight is better)

___ jacket has hood that cinches closed

___ jacket sleeves that stretch tight around your wrists

___ pant cuffs that stretch tight around your ankles (so no water can get up them during rapids)

___ optional but handy: pant cuffs with zippers or velcro (so that you can get your pants on or off without having to take your shoes off every time too)

There’s some pricey stuff out there, but expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option for a river trip, so do some comparison shopping ahead of time. If you only need rain gear for your rafting adventure and you’ll never use it again, inexpensive Frogg Toggs will hold up pretty well for a week-long trip.

Great gear = great trip! So get the good stuff, then get out there and enjoy the water (or not)! 

If you’re ready to get on the river and experience whatever weather mother nature has in store, book a trip!