Cypress-lined river banks fly by as you maneuver through Chilean Patgonia’s world-famous whitewater, and you’re lost in the moment.
When the mighty Futaleufú River reaches up to douse you with cold water, it’s not a rude shock – all you feel is an invigorating chill. Your feet aren’t numb (and the grippy soles of your shoes have saved you from falling on slick river rock multiple times today). Your water bottle is clipped securely in place, using a carabiner that won’t snag your clothes, in the unlikely event the raft should capsize.
None of this happened by accident.
A whitewater rafting and kayaking adventure in Patagonia is one of the most heart-pounding, awe-inspiring, and rewarding trips you can take. But it can become uncomfortable or just plain unsafe really fast… unless you follow a proper packing list!
In this article, we’ll talk about what to wear whitewater rafting and kayaking (including which pieces of rafting gear you really need to buy, and why).
We’ll also share our complete Patagonia packing list for comfort and ease on the river, in the mountains, and during much-deserved chill time.
New around here? This article is written specifically for the Patagonia Yoga Adventure, but if you’re gearing up for any whitewater adventure or just Patagonia-curious, you’re in the right place!
What to Wear Whitewater Rafting in Patagonia
When you’re new to white-water rafting or kayaking, the question of “what to wear whitewater rafting” quickly becomes “how much do I really need to buy for whitewater rafting?
We get it. Paying for airfare, local accommodations, quality food, and first-rate guides is already a big investment. Why should you pull out your credit card for a bunch of whitewater gear you’re already picturing tucked in the corner of your garage next to that ancient backpacking tent and your kid’s too-short skis?
Well, we hope you’ll be hooked on whitewater sports for life and have a reason to use your gear over and over… but that’s besides the point.
The point is this: buying the right gear for your whitewater rafting and kayaking adventure is an investment in your own safety and comfort that’ll prove its worth within hours.
Proper whitewater gear gives you…
- Safety. Rafting and kayaking are action sports, so it’s up to you to manage risks! If you’ve booked the Patagonia Yoga Adventure, you’ve already chosen safety through expert local guides, a cataraft entourage in case of emergencies, and training before your first outing. Reaffirm your commitment to safety by wearing and bringing the right things on the water!
- Warmth. On the water, keeping warm isn’t just about comfort. Water transfers heat away from your body over 20 times faster than air… so the 60-70 degree F° waters of the Futaleufú will take their toll fast without proper protection. Wetsuits and other neoprene layers are a must to preserve body heat and stay safe. Leave anything cotton behind!
- Compatibility. When we (or any travel company!) require a specific brand or size for a particular item, there’s always a reason. Usually, it’s to make sure all the pieces of your outfit fit together correctly. You don’t want to have to choose between two equally important layers because you can’t wear them at the same time!
- Sun protection. The right layers protect your body from the UV rays coming from the sky and bouncing off the river’s surface. But you’ll need to protect any exposed skin and your eyes!
Keep scrolling for a list of all the whitewater rafting clothing and gear items you really need for your trip (and none of the ones you don’t!).
Note that some items have a required brand or model – and while we’re not usually sticklers, we’ll hold you to these! Standardization helps our guides keep the whole group of adventurers safe in the turbulent Chilean river water.
Layers and Wetsuits for Whitewater Rafting
As with most outdoor sports, comfort in whitewater sports is all about layering!
Base layer: Something to go under your wetsuit. We recommend a bathing suit – wet cotton underwear can foil your efforts to stay warm!
Wetsuit: Necessary for staying warm in cold water and provided by our guides.
Waterproof paddle jacket: Trust us: a traditional raincoat won’t hold up to the rapids of the mighty Futaleufú for long. With fitted neoprene cuffs and a cinch around the waist, a purpose-designed paddle jacket will actually keep you dry – and that means warm!
Over-wetsuit shorts: Optional! Choose swim trunks or another quick-drying short if you’d like to wear a layer over your wetsuit.
2mm wetsuit socks: Thin neoprene wetsuit socks keep your feet warm while still fitting inside your shoes. Make sure to pick a size that fits securely on your feet! Too much material stuffed inside your river shoe makes it hard to secure the shoe on your foot, which can lead to a rolled ankle.
Shoes for Whitewater Rafting
Just two brands of rafting shoes are allowed on our Patagonia Yoga Adventure. Our local guides require these models because they check all the boxes for a safe river shoe:
- Grippy soles, for preparing on the riverbank and wading into the water. Few rubber soles were designed with this in mind – and when you’re walking confidently on wet rock, you’ll feel the difference.
- Quick drainage because even with wetsuit socks, you don’t want a gallon of river water in each shoe.
- Toe protection to avoid a non-life-threatening but unpleasantly common type of river injury.
- Secure lace-up design to prevent rolled ankles or losing a shoe. Snug fitting shoes are extremely important on the river, and only a lace-up design will give you enough stability and security.
Option 1: Astral
With their special soles designed for river walking, Astrals are a great choice. Choose any lace up style for rafting.
Option 2: Adidas 5.10 Stealth
Though they’re marketed for other sports like biking and climbing, shoes with Adidas 5.10’s Stealth rubber soles grip wet rock better than most – making them solid shoes for whitewater rafting. Choose any lace-up style.
Essential Whitewater Rafting Accessories
Helmet: Absolutely necessary (that brain of yours is precious!), but provided by our guides.
Personal flotation device: We don’t have to explain this one! Also provided by our guides.
Water bottle with locking carabiner: Bring a carabiner to secure your water bottle to your raft or kayak, but make sure the carabiner is the locking kind. Non-locking carabiners – the kind you simply push to open – could snag you to a flipped raft, creating the worst-case capsize scenario.
Sunglasses with neck strap: Polarized sunglasses are ideal for on-water glare. Whatever type of sunglasses you bring, a neck strap will keep them attached to you and out of the river.
Complete Patagonia Packing List
Though Patagonia is a world-class paddling destination, no visiting is complete without exploring the region’s mountains.
The rest of our Patagonia packing list gives you everything you need to hike, bike, stand up paddle, chill, and yoga… without hauling a massive bag!
Travel Essentials
- Valid passport with copies stored separately or digitally.
- 2 copies of complete flight itinerary.
- Self-test kits and masks per your preference.
- Copy of mandatory travel insurance, including policy number and insurance contact information.
- Be prepared to pay initially for any expenses and keep receipts: travel insurance works on a reimbursement basis.
Clothing and Adventure Essentials
- Lightweight hiking shoes. Bring what you’re comfortable with, as long as it has a grippy sole. If you’re buying new shoes, break them in before traveling!
- Small daypack with a belt strap.
- Medium-weight jacket.
- Quick-drying synthetic shirts.
- Other short and long-sleeved shirts.
- Long pants.
- 3 pairs synthetic quick-drying socks.
- Underwear.
- Bathing suit.
- Sleepwear.
- Toiletries.
- High-SPF sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Personal medication and script.
- Yoga clothes.
- Yoga mat.
- Sandals or flip-flops.
- Power adapters for types C and L.
Optional Extras
- Lip balm.
- A good book.
- Travel journal.
- Binoculars.
- Camera and charger.
- Lightweight bicycle gloves for paddling.
- Glasses or contacts.
- Earplugs.
- BandAids.
- Melatonin for jet lag.
- Hand sanitizer.
Whitewater Adventure Awaits…
…all those who are prepared!
(Don’t worry, that definitely includes you now – you know exactly what to wear whitewater rafting).
With this rafting-in-Patagonia packing list in hand, we hope you’re ready to get to the stores (or online!) and collect the must-have clothing and gear for a warm, comfortable, and above all safe adventure.
We’ll see you (and your snazzy wetsuit socks) on the scenic banks of the Futaluefú.