It’s summer and it’s HOT here in Bend which means we go to bodies of water as much as possible right now. Our favorite way to spend time with our kids during these months is on the river. We’ve been doing river trips with them since they were only a couple months old, and honestly it’s not as hard as many would think.
This blog that I posted last year talks a lot about how we pick rivers and it also goes over many crucial tips including how to pick rivers for your family and how to pack. So read this one first as I will not be repeating this information. Instead, this blog will go over some key gear items that we have found to be super key.
I will however repeat my warning (incase you don’t read it):
IMPORTANT NOTE: rivers and whitewater no matter what the class needs to be taken seriously especially if you are taking young kids. Make sure you and the people you are going with know how to swim in the river and have the proper lifejackets and outerwear for the trip. This article is for people who already have a good amount of whitewater experience and feel confident in taking their family down rivers! If you want to get more into river sports, please take a course from a certified school or go with experienced guides.
2024 Best Family River Trip Gear:
While you can get many things from friends and at used gear stores (I am a big fan of this!) the below are items that are well worth the money to have for your family as they are multipurpose and can be used on many other outdoor excursions.
This trip, we busted out our Alpacka Forager and borrowed a friends Alpacka GnarMule. Both are self bailing which means that water leaves the boat as fast as it comes in. It keeps the kids up high and out of a pool of water which translates to happy kiddos and parents! Both of these boats performed amazing in big splashy waves, technical rapids and on the long flat stretches. They track great, bust through holes and waves and kept everyone in the boat! They also fit EVERYTHING for four days including our ultra light camp chairs and big car camping tent inside. These boats just keep getting better and better, head over to their site or email them up to see what would fit your family boating style the best.
Hydrapak BreakAway bottles and the Seeker 6Liter Filtration Kit:
Whether you are pack rating or rafting, being able to stay hydrated and NOT carry a ton of water is huge. Part of the joy of river trips is being on the water and being able to drink all the time! Hydrapak came out with their Breakaway bottles just in time for this trip and they are absolutely amazing. Rather than a soft flask, they are bike bottles with a filter in them. This makes them easy to drink from and I think easier to handle for kids. The flow is super fast, no sucking needed and really feels like you are drinking out of a regular bike bottle. Also, if they happen to fly out of the boat, they float and are easy to spot- but clipping them on is super simple and fast.
In camp, we use the Seeker 6 Liter with an inline filter. This combo is great – as the valve can be locked to on, so you can leave a pot underneath it and walk away for 2-3 minutes and come back to a full pot of filtered water ready to cook with. Use: EXPEDITIONOR24-cr20 (one time USE!).
Big Agnes Black Tail 4 Person Tent:
Unlike backpacking, you have gravity on your side. In other words, you can get away with packing a little bit extra if needed. This year we have been taking the Big Agnes tent out for all of our car camping and packrafting adventures because it’s easier to set up and roomier than any of our other tents. This one has no bells and whistles but what it does have is exactly what you need: color coded easy to follow places for the poles and a few easy stash pockets for the essentials. It sleeps 4 super comfy and can squeeze an extra human if needed.
Thermarest NEO AIR and Z REST pads
These pads are amazing. I once blew off pads like these because they were just TOO noisy. But somehow Thermarest came out with something that is both super cushiony and quiet (for those fidgeters like my husband!). For the kids, we still use the Z-rests because they come off their pad no matter what we do and they really like these. Another bonus for the old school Z -rests are the fact that they can be used outside of the tent as chairs/place to lay down (because you can’t pop them on anything sharp)!
Sleeping bags:
For summer, we like to go super light because our winter bags are way too warm. Our favorite are the quilt like bags that open all the way up. Enlightened Equipment makes our favorite because we were able to customize them to the exact weight and fill that we wanted. Another bag we have been loving is the Big Agnes UL Lost Ranger Bag which in the summer is two bags for one! In the winter we use both bags together to make one super warm bag and in the summer we take them apart to make two light bags. It’s waterproof, ultra soft, ultra light and can be used all season long.
AOS Skin Doctor and SunScreen:
If you have ever done a river trip in the middle of summer, you know what I am talking about when I say that my skin is the driest it ever is on a river. This seemed strange to me at first, but sure enough after my first rafting trip 20 plus years ago, I was so dry. Enter Skin Doctor. It’s buttery smooth and heals dry skin instantly! Angelina’s Sunscreen is also amazing, because it is both moisturizing AND protects the skin from the sun.. and it smells so good! USE this link and “BENDRACING” and try some for yourself!
These hats have been with us for many, many years. Every one we have tried fits our heads perfectly and keep us fully protected from the sun. Our preference is the Kids Ultra Adventure Hat for the “littles” and the Latitude Hat for us grownups. Both supply a substansial amount of 360 degree shade for the face which makes forgetting to reapply sunscreen to the face a little less worrisome! Both of these hat models also stayed on our heads despite strong winds!
Family Clothes:
More times than not, many parents pack WAY too many clothes on river trips. Refer to this article for a simple list, as it has not changed. However, below are some new essentials that fit into this list perfectly and are great for the whole family!
Patagoinia Boys 9 ” lined baggies
These shorts have replaced all of our shorts and most of our pants this summer. The length of them is a game changer because they cover the knees and even a little more which is less real estate to slather with sunscreen and keeps them cool because they are quick drying and super light weight. The best feature for me is that they come with built in mesh underwear and our sons love the pocket so they can hold their very own special rock or pack of fruit snacks. They really are an all around game changer for us! To purchase use this link: patagonia.pxf.io/oqEyEn
Stio Eddy Button Down Sun Shirt
We love this shirt so much that our whole entire family has one (ok, ok, I have two). The snap buttons are both fun and functional for cooling off or buttoning up to keep the skin covered. And the insanely fast drying keeps us both warmer and cooler on the river. I know that sounds weird but it’s true, we have tested other “sun shirts” that hold onto the water a bit too long, which keeps us too cold. We find that if something dries super fast, its nicer on the river because it regulates our temperature better. This shirt also comes with SPF which is great for not having to apply sunscreen all of the time!
Kids Capiline Silk Weight UPF Hoody
On days where they need a little extra protection from the sun, we love the silkweight hoody from Patagonia because it is super silky soft and not heavy feeling at all. The hoody is nice for later on in the day when the kids are over their sun hats but still want to play on the river side beaches in the sun. We also have our own adult versions: The Capilene Cool SunHoody which feel and act the same. To purchase use this link: patagonia.pxf.io/oqEyEn
Carve Designs Tofino Tank +Patagonia Sunamee Surf Bottoms
I lived in these two pieces for four days, and I even went on evening runs in the Tofino tank! It is breathable, comfortable and flattering. I also pair these with the Lani Bottoms as well which are ULTRA highwaisted and super cheeky which I love and live in as well!
The Patagonia Sunamee shorts are also very flattering and are high waisted which I am a big fan of these days both for protecting my Mama belly skin and because it is feels good.
The river nights were HOT and honestly it still is hot here so for night time (and well into the next day) the boys live in these ultra thin yet cozy feeling short johns from Chasing Windmills. We love them because they are not cotton, which is not at all functional on the river. Wool is amazing because it regulates your temperature even if it gets wet (from the river or sweat).
Astral Designs Webber Sandals:
These sandals are the best river and everyday sandals I have ever worn! Not only are they comfortable, but the straps and the sole of the shoe is water resistant which makes it light even after being in the water all day. They are also very grippy and they are NOT a flip flop which I love because I don’t like anything between my toes on the river. Free the toes and strap on these for all day comfort and functionality both on and off the river! You will NOT be disappointed!