What to Buy and Bring for a Rafting Trip

A rafting trip needs more than rafts and paddles. Pack equipment that keeps people safe on the water, storage that protects phones and spare clothes, and enough food and drinks for the time before and after the trip. This list also covers the practical items people often remember too late: towels, changing arrangements, coolers, power banks and lighting. Check what the rafting provider supplies before buying duplicate gear.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Raftsqty 2
Paddlesqty 14
Life jacketsqty 14
Helmetsqty 14
Wetsuitsqty 14
Water shoesqty 14
Throw linesqty 2
Waterproof barrelsqty 4
Dry bagsqty 14
Waterproof phone casesqty 6

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 14
Party tent

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 20
Reusable bowlsqty 20
Reusable cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 2
Kettles
Serving traysqty 3

Equipment

Portable speaker
Power banksqty 4
Charging cablesqty 6

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Towelsqty 18
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Dishpanqty 2
Soap dispenserqty 2

Catering

Picnic basketsqty 3
Ice packsqty 12
First aid kit
Paper napkinsqty 100
Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- White rolls - 24 pieces
- Wraps - 24 pieces
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Herb butter - 3 tubs
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Herb cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Chicken skewers - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian skewers - 1,5 kilogram
- Rice salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Potato salad - 2 kilogram
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 18 pieces
- Bananas - 18 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 24 pieces
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 kilograms
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Barbecue trays - 30 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one life jacket and helmet per participant, plus the number of rafts and paddles required by your booking. Confirm sizes and whether wetsuits, water shoes and throw lines are included by the rafting provider.
Give each person a dry-storage option for valuables and spare clothing. Waterproof phone cases are useful during the trip, while waterproof barrels and dry bags should be labelled before loading the transport.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add water for the remaining trip and travel time. Chill drinks in the coolers before departure and keep a separate supply for the drive home.
Pack towels and a complete change of clothes for every participant, not just the people who plan to swim. Put the towels and dry clothes in waterproof bags so they remain usable after the rafts are unloaded.
Prepare food that can be eaten without a full kitchen, such as picnic items and snacks, and bring serving spoons, reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery for the group. Add foldable tables, waste bins and a party tent if the riverside meeting point has no facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring to a rafting trip?: Bring suitable clothing, water shoes, a towel, a complete change of clothes and waterproof storage for valuables. For the group, pack food, drinks, coolers, reusable tableware, waste bins and a first aid kit; confirm specialist gear with the rafting provider at least 48 hours before departure.
How many drinks do I need for a rafting trip?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add enough water for the rest of the activity and the journey home. Chill them in coolers several hours before leaving so they are ready at arrival.
Do I need to buy a wetsuit and helmet for rafting?: Not always. Many rafting providers supply wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, rafts and paddles, so ask what is included when you confirm the reservation, preferably at least one week before the trip.
What do people forget to pack for rafting?: Towels, dry clothes, waterproof phone protection, charging cables and power banks are commonly missed. Pack these the evening before, and keep a separate waterproof bag for anything that must stay dry.

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