Best Types of Shoes for Rafting Trips

What are the Best Types of Shoes for Rafting Trips?

 

 

Let’s break down types and tips for bringing shoes on a Grand Canyon river trip

 

 

One of the more common questions we get from guests preparing for their upcoming Grand Canyon river trip is some variation of, “What should I wear on my feet?” You’ll need to be prepared for walking on sandy beaches, wet rubber boat surfaces, and rocky trails. AND you’ll want to be comfortable and not too warm or cold. Keep in mind: you’ll need to pack 2 pairs of shoes for your trip. Choosing the right kinds of shoes can be daunting, so here is what we recommend to most of our guests for the best types of shoes for rafting trips. 

 

A Comfortable Pair of Hiking Sandals

 

What we mean by this is a pair of sandals that strap to your feet and around your heel, have a thick sole with treads, and are able to withstand being wet for the better part of most days. Most guests choose to wear their sandals on the boats each day as well as on many of the hikes, particularly ones that involve frequent creek crossings or that go right up the creek beds themselves.

Things to consider:

 

• Fit: You’ll want sandals that strap down tightly and contour well to your feet without any areas that rub and could cause you blisters. Be sure there’s a heel strap to avoid sliding around on the wet rafts or one slipping off during a rapid.
• Durability: Given the heavy amount of use your shoes are likely to get on this trip, you’ll want to make sure that whatever you bring is sturdy enough to be worn for a week in the backcountry.
• Style: Aesthetics, sure, but we’re talking about function here. There are a variety of styles/brands of hiking sandals out there that might be more or less comfortable for you. For example, a style with a strap that goes between your toes might work great for some guests, but be uncomfortable for others. A closed toe style can help protect your toes or keep some sand and gravel from getting into your shoes when hiking up creek beds (but could also trap sand and gravel inside the shoe if it does get in).

Popular brands: Chacos, Tevas, Bedrocks, Keens

 

Alternatives: If hiking sandals aren’t your thing, you can swap them for a pair of lightweight sneakers, hiking shoes, water shoes, or amphibious hiking shoes as long as you don’t mind getting them wet! If you decide to go the non-sandal route, we still recommend bringing two pairs of shoes (aside from your comfortable camp footwear). That way you always have a dry pair and a backup in case a shoe is lost or broken during your adventure. If you want to check out amphibious options, take a look at Astrals, Salomons, Xeros, Tropicfeels, and Chacos.

 

What to avoid: Flip flops or slip-ons that can easily slide off your feet with a rush of water. Flimsy shoes – particularly thin soles – that won’t hold up to the hiking and other adventuring you’ll be doing.

Coming up! Check back next month for a post with detailed reviews of some popular sandals. It’ll be written by one of our river guides, so she’s seen a lot of sandals and has some great insights!

 

 

A Comfortable Pair of Lightweight Sneakers or Hiking Shoes

 

These are for when your hiking sandals just aren’t quite cutting it. Some hikes on your trip are completely dry and can be up the steep sides of the canyon or over rocky unmaintained trails. In these instances, many of our guests choose to switch from sandals to sneakers or hiking shoes.  

Things to consider:

• Fit: You’ll want shoes that are the right width for your feet, support your arches properly, and don’t slip or rub in ways that might cause blisters. A pair of well-worn tennis shoes or hiking shoes that you already own would be perfect!
• Durability: Since these shoes are more likely to be something you change into for specific hikes rather than wearing them all day everyday, durability is less of a concern. As long as your shoes are comfortable with good soles for hiking on rocky, sandy trails you’ll be fine—there’s no need to break the bank buying the latest high-tech style for your trip.
• Style: Think about your own needs here—if you tend to roll your ankles on hikes, you may want a higher profile shoe that can provide you with more support. If you get exhausted with heavy hiking shoes on your feet, go for something much lighter weight. Basically anything that fits well and that you are comfortable in will be appropriate for this trip.

Popular brands: Whatever you already own will probably work great! They’re already broken in and you already know they’re comfortable. But… be sure they’re not too old, they might give up the ghost part way through the trip.

 

Alternatives: If you are generally more comfortable with more ankle support or if you are hiking the Bright Angel Trail at the start or end of your trip, you may want to consider bringing a pair of high profile hiking boots instead of tennis shoes or hiking shoes. Boots can be heavier and/or bulkier, but can provide your feet and ankles with more support on longer hikes. 

 

What to avoid: “Waterproof” shoes. Typically, waterproof(ed) hiking shoes are designed to keep your feet dry, but if water gets inside, they take longer to dry out. That also means they keep your feet soggy, which can present its own problems. Basically: if they’ve been designed to keep water out, then they can keep water in just as well. That said, some shoes – like amphibious ones – may have waterproof materials or components, but they’re designed to allow the water to flow through the shoe while the materials don’t absorb liquid.

 

Comfortable Camp Shoes

 

When you’ve finished a long day of rafting and adventuring, it can be nice to kick off your shoes and give your feet some room to breathe. There’s just one problem… the campsites in Grand Canyon are still in the backcountry. They have sticks, rocks, ants, and other elements of nature that can cause injuries to bare feet. For that reason, we recommend that even as you walk around camp you keep something on your feet. Unlike the daytime shoes though, a pair of camp shoes are optional.

Things to consider:

• Fit: Since these are basically lounging around shoes, a good fit is not that important as long as you are comfortable.
• Durability: The shoes that you wear around camp don’t need to hold up to the harsher conditions of your everyday shoes or your hiking shoes. Even your oldest, cheapest pair of flip flops can meet your needs for camp shoes.
• Style: Comfortable, casual shoes come in all shapes and sizes whether they be slippers, Crocs, flip flops, or an old pair of tennis shoes. You’ll likely want something that is easy to slip on and off so you can quickly get something on your feet for a trip to the bathroom or the kitchen. 

Popular brands: Whatever is hanging out in the back of your closet.

 

Alternatives: Wear your river shoes or tennis shoes. Camp shoes are among those non-essential items that are nice to have, but easy to go without, especially if you’re getting close to that 25lbs limit. If you’d prefer to pack as lightly as possible, simply use your hiking sandals or your tennis shoes to walk around camp. 

 

What to avoid: Fuzzy slippers or other materials that will hold onto sand no matter how much you try to shake them out. Sand coming home with you is inevitable, no need to bring extra.

 

 

Don’t forget socks!

 

As important as wearing the right shoes on your rafting trip is wearing the right socks. Here are some of our sock recommendations:

Things to consider:

• Wool socks: Wool is a great insulating material that temperature regulates – hot or cold, wet or dry. You can wear them under your sandals on the boats to keep your feet warm or protected from the sun, or put on a dry pair before donning your sneakers/hiking shoes for a dry hike. There are many brands of performance wool socks designed for use in the outdoors, but nearly all hiking-specific socks are made with wool these days. Bonus: you can use these after your trip, and wool naturally has antimicrobial properties.
• Cotton socks: Particularly if you are traveling in the middle of summer and not worried about warmth, cotton socks are a good option for wearing on all your dry hikes. You might also like to change into cotton socks in camp in the evening. Cotton will take longer to dry out than wool, but it’s a dry heat out here!
• Neoprene socks: These are bootie-like socks made from the same material as wetsuits and are most often made for kayaking or surfing in cold waters. If you’re sensitive to the cold (for example, Raynaud’s syndrome) or traveling during a cold time of year, these can be excellent to wear under your sandals while you’re on the boats to provide extra insulation for your feet even when they are wet. Keep in mind though that they can be difficult to get off and on when wet, but for this reason some are designed with side zippers. If you opt for neoprene socks, it’s still a good idea to bring other ones for dry hikes and camp.

Popular brands: Whatever you already use for hikes. If you’re looking to upgrade your hiking socks, we’re partial to Darn Tough, Smartwool, and REI brand.

 

 

Bonus: For VERY Cold Weather

Most guests traveling with us will be perfectly warm with the shoe/sock combinations described above, but if you are on one of our earliest April trips you might benefit from bringing an inexpensive pair of rubber rain boots. You can wear these on the boats with warm socks underneath and your rain gear over top to keep your feet toasty warm. You’ll even be able to jump in the shallow water without getting your feet wet and cold, which is a bonus for nighttime bathroom trips. Even so, keep in mind: if they can keep water out, they can keep water in.

 

 

 

General Footwear and Foot Care Tips:

Just as important as choosing your shoes and socks is taking care of your shoes and feet.

• Make sure your shoes fit comfortably with no pinching or rubbing. If they are uncomfortable in the store, imagine how they’ll feel on the river! Sometimes they can feel find at home but act up on a hike, so be sure to do some training hikes or wear them to the gym so that you’re comfortable on your adventure.
• Break in new(er) shoes before your trip to avoid blisters. Some shoes need to be worn in or loosened up a little before they can perform optimally. Likewise, sometimes your feet need to adjust to your shoes. Make sure to wear any new shoes you’ve bought for your trip a number of times before you head out on the river. 
• Really inspect the condition of your shoes if you are pulling them out from the back of the closet. Our guides have said that shoes that are 5+ years old tend to break down easier. That can be from excessive wear, but shoes that have barely been worn can dry out and unglue. Finding out on your trip is a hassle. 
• If you do discover a “hot spot” (a painful or warm area where a blister is about to form) once you’re already on the trip, take care of it early to keep the problem from getting worse. You can use band-aids or moleskin to cover the skin that is being rubbed by your shoes and prevent further damage. Office staff tip: the Band-Aid Skin-Flex type (or generic) are excellent at sticking on for days and are designed to get wet and stay put.
• Finally, bringing two pairs really is essential in the backcountry. This is to be sure you’re still covered in case one gets lost, broken, or accidentally donated to the river. Having only one shoe left would certainly put a crimp in your trip and pose some safety concerns. Better to have and not need than to wish you had packed extra.

 

If you want to discuss your particular needs and what types of footwear would best serve you on the river, feel free to call our office. We know that if your feet are happy on the river, the rest of you will follow!

 

Excited to get on the river? Book a 2024 or 2025 river trip today to experience the Canyon first hand! And don’t forget to get your 90th Year T-shirt or sticker!