River tubing looks like the simplest day out there: sit in a big rubber donut, let the current do the work, repeat until the take-out. Then you're an hour in with one shoe missing, a phone that got soaked inside a bag you were sure was sealed, and a sunburn on the backs of your knees.
The good news is that the fix is small. Everything on this list fits in one tote bag, and most of it is probably already in your house. Pack it the night before so you're not digging through the garage while everyone waits at the put-in.
Start With Your Feet
Footwear decides how much you enjoy the day. Flip-flops are the classic mistake: they slide off the second you step on a slick rock, and then you're barefoot on gravel for the rest of the float. You also need something that protects you when you stand up in shallow water, where river bottoms hide sharp rock, broken glass, and stray fishing hooks.
- Water shoes with a rubber sole. Light, drain fast, and grip wet rock. The best all-around choice.
- Old sneakers. Free if you already own a beat-up pair. They get heavy when soaked, but they stay on and protect your toes.
- Strapped sandals. A heel strap or a snug bungee cord keeps them attached. Anything open-backed will leave without you.
Whatever you choose, wear it once in the water before float day. New shoes rub. Loose shoes disappear. If you're tubing with kids, check their fit the same way, since a child paddling after a lost sandal is the fastest way to end a trip early.
Dry Storage: Phone, Keys, Wallet
Two layers beat one. Use a roll-top dry bag in the 10- to 20-liter range as your main container, and put the phone inside a small waterproof pouch within it. If the outer bag gets splashed or dragged through a wave, the pouch is your backup.
Sealing a roll-top bag properly
Fold the top down at least three times, pressing the air out as you go, then clip the buckle shut. Test it at home: put a paper towel inside, seal it, and hold it under water in a sink or bucket for a minute. If the towel is dry, you're ready. If it's damp, you just saved yourself a phone.
Keys deserve their own mention. A car key fob can be expensive to replace and often can't get wet, so it goes in the dry bag, not under the wheel arch or in a shoe on the bank. Carry a little cash for parking or a shuttle driver, and keep it in the same sealed bag. If you're parking at a busy put-in, take valuables with you rather than leaving them in the car.
Sun Protection for Hours on Moving Water
You're catching sun from above and bounced light off the water, and you're out there longer than you think. Plan for a full afternoon, not a quick swim.
- Water-resistant sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every couple of hours and after any swim.
- A long-sleeve rash guard or light sun shirt, which does more work than lotion alone.
- A hat with a chin strap. A loose hat becomes a river hat within the first rapid.
- Sunglasses with a floating retainer strap.
- Lip balm with SPF, plus a stick of zinc for your nose, ears, and the tops of your feet.
Take a shade break at the halfway point if you can, and drink water even when you don't feel thirsty. If you or someone in your group has a skin condition, is taking medication that increases sun sensitivity, or you're bringing an infant, talk to a healthcare professional before a long float day.
Clothing, Layers, and the Dry Set in the Car
Wear quick-drying shorts and a synthetic or wool-blend shirt over a swimsuit. Skip cotton. A soaked cotton t-shirt gets heavy, chafes, and keeps you cold long after you're out of the water. River water is often noticeably cooler than the air, so a thin long-sleeve layer earns its place even on a hot day, especially in the morning or if rain is in the forecast.
Then handle the part most people skip: leave a full change of clothes and a towel in the car, plus a plastic bag for wet gear and a second pair of dry shoes. Changing out of wet clothes at the take-out is the difference between a great day and a shivering drive home.
The Small Items People Always Forget
These are the ones that trigger the mid-float "does anyone have...?" conversation. None of them take up much room.
- A refillable water bottle that seals, not a cup with a lid.
- Snacks in a resealable bag: nuts, trail mix, fruit, something salty.
- Spare zip-top bags, because something always needs one.
- Hair ties for anyone with long hair. Loose hair plus river current equals knots.
- Bandages and a small roll of tape for scrapes and blisters.
- A mesh bag or trash bag to separate wet gear from dry.
- A cheap carabiner or short strap to tether a cooler, a spare tube, or a dry bag to your float.
- Bug spray for the take-out, particularly in the evening.
- A whistle if you're floating with kids or a big group that tends to spread out.
The Night-Before Printable Checklist
Print this, tape it inside the car, and tick it off the evening before. Twelve items, one bag, no scrambling at the put-in.
- Water shoes, old sneakers, or strapped sandals
- Quick-dry shorts and a synthetic shirt, or a swimsuit with a rash guard
- Roll-top dry bag
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Water-resistant sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- SPF lip balm and zinc stick
- Hat with a chin strap and sunglasses with a retainer
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks in a resealable bag
- Towel and a full change of clothes left in the car
- Mesh or trash bag for wet gear
- Cash for parking or a shuttle, plus keys and wallet inside the dry bag
Before you launch, check the water level, the weather, and the rules for your stretch of river, since some sections have restrictions on glass, alcohol, or where you can put in and take out. Wear a properly fitted life jacket, go with at least one other person, and tell someone your take-out point. Pack the night before, leave the heavy stuff in the car, and the day takes care of itself.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
