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Rivers & Oceans Adventure Travel Logo

Rivers & Oceans

Rafting and Adventure Travel

  • Grand Canyon
      • Grand Canyon Rafting Overview
      • 1 Day Trips
      • 2 Day Trips
      • Horseshoe Bend Smooth Water Trip
      • Full Canyon (6 to 18 days)
      • Upper Canyon (4 to 8 days)
      • Lower Canyon (5 to 12 days)
      • Western Canyon (3 to 5 days)
  • Rafting Tours
      • Oregon
      • Rogue River Rafting

      • Illinois River Rafting

      • Idaho
      • Salmon River Rafting

      • Middle Fork Salmon Rafting

      • Selway River Rafting

      • Alaska
      • Alsek River Rafting

      • Tatshenshini River Rafting

      • Kongakut River Rafting

      • – More Alaska Rafting Tours

      • Utah
      • Yampa River Rafting

      • Lodore Canyon Rafting, Green River

      • Westwater Canyon Rafting

      • Desolation Canyon Rafting

      • Cataract Canyon Rafting

      • California
      • Cherry Creek/Tuolumne River Rafting

      • Tuolumne River Rafting

      • International
      • Futaleufú, Chile Rafting / Multi-Sport

      • Bhutan Rafting and Culture Overview

      • – Exotic Rafting Experiences

  • Ocean Escapes
      • Small Ship Cruises
      • Galapagos Islands

      • Hawai’i Seascapes

      • Baja Cruise: La Paz, Mexico

      • Alaska Glacier Cruises

      • Northern Passages & Glacier Bay

      • British Columbia
      • Broughton Archipelago Kayaking

      • Belize: Multi-Sport
      • Glover’s Reef & Mayan Mtns

      • Lighthouse Reef

      • Baja, Mexico
      • San Ignacio Gray Whale Watching

      • Sea of Cortez Kayaking

      • Espiritu Santo Island
        Safari Camping

      • Sea of Cortez Pangas
        (Motorized Skiff) Trip

      • Baja Small Ship Cruise

  • Groups & Custom

Recommended Gear

With our combined 6+ decades guiding rafting trips throughout the world, we know that the difference between an enjoyable experience and a miserable one often comes down to what you bring. Our recommended gear contains items we’ve tested and depend upon ourselves. We have included mid-range and higher-end products for each category to set you up for success.

For those looking for more information, we also have articles on choosing rafting footwear, what to wear rafting, feminine hygiene on rafting trips, Grand Canyon packing list, gear for hiking into a rafting trip and our favorite Grand Canyon reading.

When shopping, keep these three guidelines in mind:

  1. On the water can be a harsh environment particularly when in the desert like Grand Canyon. When it comes to rain gear, UPF clothing and footwear it pays to invest in higher quality products.
  2. Protecting yourself from the intense sun should be taken seriously.
  3. Be sure to read over your outfitter’s packing list and ask why you need to bring a certain item if you don’t understand.

If you have questions, give us a call!
(928) 526-4575

  • Clothing
  • Footwear
  • Equipment
  • Packages
  • Rental Gear
  • Sun Protection
  • Rain Gear
  • Pants/Shorts
  • Warm Layers
  • Shirts
  • Long Underwear
  • Underwear
  • Logo Items

Read more about sun protection while on the water.

Sims Men’s UPF 50
Sun Hoodie

Men’s UPF 50
Sun Hoodie

Men’s Swim Tights UPF 50

Men’s Sarong

Women’s UPF 50+ Sun Hoodies

Women’s Zippered 50+ Sun Hoody

Women’s Surfing Tights
UPF 50

Shu-Shi Beach Cover Up Sarong Swimsuit Cover-Up

UPF 50+ Sun Gloves

Coolibar UPF 50+ Unisex Fingerless Sun Gloves

Heavy Duty Gardening Gloves

UPF 50
Neck BUFF

Chums Original Cotton Standard End Eyewear Retainer

Croackies Sunglass Retainer

MERRY’S Unisex Polarized Aluminum Sunglasses 

Sunday Afternoons Adventure
Hat

Brooklyn Surf Straw Sun Classic Beach Hat Raffia Wide Brim

Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero

Learn more about selecting rain gear for your river trip.

ARC’TERYX Jacket Women’s

Columbia Arcadia II Jacket – Women’s

Arc’teryx Pant – Women’s

ARC’TERYX Jacket – Men’s

Columbia Watertight II Front-Zip Hooded Rain Jacket – Men’s

ARC’TERYX Pants Men’s

Columbia Storm Surge Pant – Women’s 

Columbia Rebel Roamer Pants – Men’s 

Kokotat Gore-Tex
Paddling Jacket

NRS Paddling Jacket

Women’s Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Columbia Women’s Outdoor Trail Stretch Pants

Columbia Women’s Convertible Pant

Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Pants

Men’s Columbia Convertible Pant

Men’s Quick-Dry Lightweight Hiking Pants

prAna Women’s Tess 5″ Inseam Shorts

RIBOOM Women Workout Fitness Running Shorts

Women’s Eddie Bauer Capris

Men’s prAna Stretch Zion Short 10″ Inseam

Baleaf Men’s 7″ Quick Dry Running Shorts

Men’s Quick Dry 3/4 Shorts

Fleece works in camp and on the river while down packs smaller but can only be used in camp because it stops working when wet.

Columbia Fleece Jacket Men’s

Men’s Marmot Drop Line Lightweight 100-Weight Fleece

Eddie Bauer Men’s Down Jacket

Wantdo Men’s Down Jacket

Women’s Columbia Fleece Jacket

Marmot Rocklin Lightweight 100-Weight Fleece Women’s

Women’s Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket, Lt Gray Regular M

Wantdo Hooded Packable Light Weight Down Jacket Women’s

Men’s Columbia Bahama II Long Sleeve Shirt  

Men’s Columbia Bahama II Short Sleeve Shirt  

Merino wool Short Sleeve Shirt Men’s 

Columbia Bahama Long Sleeve Shirt Women’s 

Columbia Bahama Short Sleeve Fishing Shirt Women’s 

Women’s Merino Wool Short Sleeve T-Shirt  

Wool based long underwear typically doesn’t get as smelly as the fleece underwear but it is more expensive. On cold weather trips having two sets is nice, one for the river and a dry set for camp.

SmartWool Men’s Top

SmartWool Men’s Bottom

Men’s LAPASA 100% Merino Wool Thermal Underwear Set  

Men’s Thermal Underwear Fleece Lined

SmartWool Crew Top Women’s 

Women’s Smartwool Bottoms  

LAPASA 100% Merino Wool Thermal Underwear Set Women’s 

Women’s Thermal Underwear Fleece Lined

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Brief Men’s 

Men’s ExOfficio Give-N-Go Brief 

ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Brief Women’s 

All the logo items are sold by our partner New Headings.

Cotton Baseball Cap

Truckers Hat

Rivers & Oceans
T-shirt

Check out our article on shoes and sandals for Grand Canyon rafting trips.

  • Water Shoes
  • Hiking Shoes
  • Camp Shoes
  • Socks

Teva Men’s Omnium Sport Sandal

Astral Men’s Brewer
Water Shoe

KEEN Newport H2 Sandal Men’s

Teva Women’s Omnium Sandal

Astral Brewer Women’s Water Shoe

KEEN Newport H2 Sandal Women’s

Women’s Hiking Water Shoes

Salomon Speedcross 4 Trail Runner Men’s

Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe

Salomon Speedcross 4 Trail Runner Women’s

Merrell Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe Women’s

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sport Sandal Men’s

Chaco Z2 Classic Sport Sandal Men’s

Teva Mush II Flip Flop Men’s

Crocs Coast Clog Unisex

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sport Sandal Women’s

Chaco ZX2 Classic Women’s

Teva Mush II Flip Flop Women’s

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion

Men’s SmartWool Hike Light Crew Socks 

Injinji 2.0 Trail Midweight Mini Crew Toesocks Men’s 

Women’s Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks

Smartwool Hiking Light Crew Women’s 

Women’s Injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Toesocks

  • Hydration
  • Gear
  • Soaps/Lotions/Wipes
  • Miscellaneous
  • Additional Items for Women
  • Recommended Reading

CamelBak Hydration Pack

Vibrelli Hydration Pack & 2L Hydration Bladder

Klean Kanteen Stainless 40 OZ Water Bottle

Healthy Human Stainless Steel Insulated Curve Water Bottles 

NALGENE Tritan 1-Pint Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle

Osprey Packs Talon 22 Backpack

Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Backpack

Black Diamond Trail Walking
Pole

Black Diamond Women’s Trail Walking Pole

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

All Black Diamond Headlamps

Cheap Locking Carabiners

A little nicer carabiners

Pelican Water-tight Hard Case

Medium Water-Proof Case

Small Water-Proof Case

Check out our article on sunscreens for water sports for more options.

Badger 50 SPF Sunscreen Cream

Badger 50 SPF Sunscreen Paste

Burt’s Bees Farmer’s Friend Hand Salve

Banyan Botanicals Nasya Oil Nasal Drops for Clear Breathing and Lubrication

Sawyer Products Insect Repellent, 20% Picaridin

Dr. Bronner’s 4 oz Castile Liquid Soap

Dr. Bronner’s 5 oz Castile Bar Soap 

Biodegradable Wipes for Camping

Antibacterial Hand & Body Bathing Wipes

Eagle Creek Pack It Sets

Travel Space Saver Storage Bags

Rainleaf Microfiber
Towel

Solar Charger 20000mAh 

Anker PowerCore 20100 – 4.8A Output, PowerIQ Technology

Universal Waterproof Cell Phone Case

Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Wetsuit Boots Men and Women

Shu-Shi Beach Cover Up Sarong Swimsuit Cover-Up

DivaCup Model 2 Menstrual Cup

GoGirl Female Urination Device + Antimicrobial Portable Urinals for Women

We also have a blog post with links about our favorite Grand Canyon reading.

The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon


Belknap’s Waterproof Grand Canyon River Guide

There’s This River… Grand Canyon Boatman Stories

The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell’s 1869 Journey of Discovery and Tragedy Through the Grand Canyon

Breaking Into the Current: Boatwomen of the Grand Canyon

Our packages include the basic gear and apparel you’ll need for your white water adventure! The cost is discounted compared with purchasing as individual items. All packages are filled through our partner New Headings.

  • Women’s Clothing Package
  • Men’s Clothing Packages
  • Gear Package
Approximately $739
Higher-end Products
(Duffle Bag is optional)
Approximately $279
Mid-range Products
(Duffle Bag is optional)
Approximately $739
Higher-end Products
(Duffle Bag is optional)
Approximately $279
Mid-range Products
(Duffle Bag is optional)
Approximately $282
  • Rafting Rentals

Our outfitting partner, New Headings, offers rental gear. All rentals will be sent to you at home giving you a chance to make sure everything fits and works before you leave for your trip. Pack them in your luggage, take them with you, and return them to New Headings upon your return home.  See some of the popular rentals below.

See all Rental Gear

Women’s and Men’s
Paddling Jackets

Women’s and Men’s
Paddling Pants

Women’s and Men’s
Backpacks for hiking in and out of Grand Canyon

Men’s and Women’s
Rain Jackets

Men’s and Women’s
Rain Pants

Additional Gear


Start Packing for Your Next Adventure

Tips and tricks regarding the right gear and how to pack it. See All Our Gear Posts

two rafters wearing sun hats and shirts

Sun Protection while Whitewater Rafting

July 23, 2023

When planning a rafting trip through the canyon, it’s important to consider how to best protect yourself from the sun. The combination of all day exposure and reflected sunlight off the water can be intense. Proper protection allows you to get the most out of your trip and avoid sunburn, heat exhaustion, or even skin damage.

Keep Reading > Sun Protection while Whitewater Rafting

rafting toilet with pee bucket in Grand Canyon

Rafting Toilets in Grand Canyon

January 4, 2023

One of our most commonly asked questions here at Rivers & Oceans is the inevitable “What is the bathroom situation when rafting the Grand Canyon?”. While we wish it was just as simple as plumbing pipes and flushable toilets, we’re here to talk about The Groover, which is the next best thing.  

Keep Reading > Rafting Toilets in Grand Canyon

guide reading a Grand Canyon rafting book

Our Favorite Books for Grand Canyon Rafting Trips

July 6, 2022

Here are some of our favorite Grand Canyon rafting books for those interested rafting the Colorado River within Grand Canyon. This post just scratches the surface of the best writing on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon.

Keep Reading > Our Favorite Books for Grand Canyon Rafting Trips

Have Questions,
Want Advice?

Call Us!

Ask us anything.
We’re here to help.

928.526.4575

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with the answers.

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About Us!

Experts in wilderness travel, we have extensive connections within the industry through our 60+ combined years guiding most of the trips we offer including hundreds of rafting trips in Grand Canyon.

There is no fee for our service, ensuring the cost of your expedition is the same as booking directly with the outfitter (Learn more).

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info@riversandoceans.com
Call: 928-526-4575 | Connect Online
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Flagstaff AZ 86001

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