What to Wear for River Rafting
The one fabric to avoid, the footwear that gets lost, and what to leave at the office.
Rafting kit comes down to three decisions: what you wear in the raft, what is on your feet, and what you do not bring at all. Each one has a clear right answer and each is routinely got wrong.
The single most useful rule is to avoid cotton. A cotton t-shirt and jeans soak up water, hold it, stop stretching and get cold — and they stay that way for the drive back. Anything synthetic and quick-drying is better, which includes most sportswear you already own.
Everything else follows from the fact that you will be wet, in the sun, and then in a vehicle.
Quick facts
On your body
Quick-dry shorts or leggings and a synthetic t-shirt or rash guard. Women who would rather not be in a wet t-shirt usually wear a swimsuit or sports kit under a quick-dry layer, which also solves the changing-room question at the end.
In winter, add a thermal layer underneath or ask the operator for a wetsuit. In summer the sun off the water is strong, so a long-sleeved synthetic layer beats sunscreen that washes off in the first rapid.
On your feet
Sandals with a heel strap, or an old pair of trainers you do not mind soaking. The strap is the whole point: flip-flops and slides come off in the water, and a rapid is where they come off.
Bare feet are allowed in the raft and are a poor idea at the beaches, which are stony rather than sandy at both ends of the trip.
What stays at the office
Phones, wallets, watches, sunglasses without a strap, jewellery and anything you would be upset to lose. All of it goes into a locker at the office in town where the trip starts, not into a pocket.
Bring a towel and a complete change of clothes and leave them there too. The changing facility is a cubicle, so plan to be quick rather than comfortable, and be glad of dry socks.
What to carry
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
You can, and you will regret it. Denim and cotton soak, stay heavy and get cold for the whole drive back. Wear anything synthetic and quick-drying instead.
Getting here and getting around
Arrival and local transport are run by Triveni Cabs. These pages carry the fares and journey times.
- Delhi to Rishikesh cabPublished fares by vehicle
- Distance and drive timeRoute, stops and timing
- Dehradun airport transferNearest airport, about 20 km
- Rishikesh cab servicesGetting around once you are here
- Rishikesh sightseeingTemples, ghats and bridges by cab
- Weekend getaways from DelhiIf Rishikesh is one option among several
Journeys are booked with Triveni Cabs; the activity is booked here. Confirm the activity first — its reporting time decides when you need to travel.
