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December 2nd, 2024
White water rafting down river

What to Wear When White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains

November 11, 2024 December 2nd, 2024

White water rafting in the Smoky Mountains combines the thrills of an amusement park ride with the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountain area. As you plan your visit to Smoky Mountain Outdoors, be sure to pay special attention to what you will wear. Choosing the wrong clothing can put a serious damper on your white water rafting adventure. To help you make the right clothing decisions, we have provided some fashion advice for your next trip down the Pigeon River.

What to Wear Rafting in the Summer

The number one priority for your clothing is comfort. In the summer months, this means staying cool and protecting yourself from the sun. T-shirts, shorts, and swimsuits are all good decisions when preparing for your rafting trip. Instead of wearing flip flops, put on a pair of old sneakers or water shoes. Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and consider wearing sunglasses with a retaining strap. A baseball cap can also be useful for keeping the sun out of your eyes. Additionally, bring a towel and a change of clothes and shoes for after the trip.

What to Wear Rafting in the Spring and Fall

smoky mountain white water raftingThe key to dressing for success in the spring and fall is layering. Your base layer should be some sort of synthetic long underwear such as Under Armor or Nike Dri-Fit. The synthetic fabrics used in this clothing are very resistant to water, which is perfect for rafting. Your next layer should be made of fleece to keep you warm. Although it may be comfortable, do not wear cotton clothing in the cooler months of year! Cotton absorbs more water than other fabrics, which will make you cold and miserable. Also, stay away from wool and denim. As in the summer months, bring a towel, dry clothes, and dry shoes for when your rafting adventure is over.

What to Avoid Wearing

We’ve given our advice on what to wear white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains, but now we’re going to share some things you need to avoid on your rafting trip. As mentioned before, we don’t recommend wearing cotton. You’ll also want to avoid wearing jeans or anything denim, as this material gets uncomfortable when wet. In addition, no bare feet or flip-flops are allowed. Be sure you wear secure shoes with a heel strap, like tennis shoes, water shoes, or sports sandals.

For more help on what to wear white water rafting and how to prepare for your trip, take a look at our blog, “6 Things to Remember When Going on a White Water Rafting Gatlinburg Trip.”

Plan a Trip for White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains

With the right clothing in tow, you’ll be ready for an incredible day of white water rafting in Gatlinburg. Smoky Mountain Outdoors offers exhilarating rafting trips along both the Upper and Lower Pigeon River. Visit our Trips page to learn all about our variety of white water rafting adventures.