River trips require a lot of gear, but you don’t have to break the bank to get out on the water. The costs of specialized safety gear, camping equipment, and river-specific essentials can add up quickly, whether you’re heading out for a weekend float or a longer expedition. Some items, like a well-fitting PFD or a comfortable sleeping setup, are worth the investment.
However, not every piece of gear has to be expensive. Some of the most useful items cost less than dinner in town. These are the inexpensive pieces of gear that solve annoying little problems, keep you more comfortable, and quietly make life on the river a whole lot better.
Affordable River Rafting Gear
One of the most useful items is a locking carabiner. These are the duct tape of a river trip, and can be used to clip dry bags together, secure water bottles, hang string lights, attach camp shoes to the raft, or keep gear from disappearing overboard. Choose locking models instead of standard carabiners, which can accidentally open or become hazards if someone ends up in the water.
Another useful item is a fitted twin sheet, which can be stretched over your Paco Pad or sleeping pad to keep sand off your bed and create a soft sleeping surface. The COCOON TravelSheet doubles as a lightweight sleeping bag liner or sleep sack, and is made from Egyptian cotton.
Sleep and Comfort
Earplugs, such as Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, are also a must-have for a good night’s sleep. They block out late-night campfire conversations, snoring, and birds that know exactly when sunrise begins. A comfortable eye mask can also buy you another hour or two of sleep.
A simple cotton sarong can be used as a towel, changing wrap, skirt, picnic blanket, pillowcase, shade cloth, or soaked in the river and draped around your shoulders on a hot afternoon. Thrift stores usually have them for just a few dollars, or you can upgrade to the Aloha Collection Pareo.
Dirty clothes can quickly take over a dry bag. A simple mesh laundry bag or mesh stuff stack keeps damp or dirty gear contained while allowing it to air out, instead of trapping moisture and odor.
Packing and Safety
Packing cubes, such as the Cotopaxi Cubo Packing Travel Bundle, can help save time and prevent headaches. Keep river clothes together, camp clothes together, and toiletries together so you’re not digging through your stuff every morning looking for that sunscreen you swear you packed.
A whistle is one of the cheapest and most important pieces of safety gear you can pack on any river trip.
A quick-dry towel earns its keep on the river, especially for longer trips where you might go for a dip and call it a shower.
Other useful items include a camp cup, which keeps drinks hot or cold for hours.
In practice, these affordable gear items can make a big difference for people on river trips, allowing them to focus on the experience rather than worrying about the cost. By investing in a few key pieces of gear, you can have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip without breaking the bank.
River trips can be a great way to explore national parks, such as Great Basin National Park.
Packing the right gear is essential for a successful river trip, and it can make all the difference in the world.
Some people may not know what to pack, so they do some research and make a list of essentials to bring along.
