There are many reasons a trip down the Grand Canyon tops the adventure list: The rapids are oceanic, the canyon views from the quiet pools are awe聽inspiring, and the side-canyon hikes are astonishing. The 14-plus nights of sleeping under the stars are a world away from your life back home. (Thankfully, there鈥檚 no cell reception at all.) But you have to pack right, because once you launch, there鈥檚 no turning back to resupply. Fortunately, rafts can carry an awful lot, so you can ride, eat, drink, and sleep in high style.
How to properly Jack鈥檚 Plastic Welding Paco Pad
This 1.5-inch-thick聽聽($191) is durable enough to bed down on a cactus and so waterproof that it doubles as padded seating in the raft. It鈥檚 considerably heavier and tougher than other luxury pads, will last for decades, is easy to clean, and works really well as an inflatable water toy.
Yeti Rambler聽20 Tumbler
It鈥檚 safe to say that ultra-insulated tumblers like the 聽($30), which allow you to savor hot beverages longer and keep cold drinks cool twice as long as a standard plastic cup, are among聽the most beloved pieces of gear on any car camping or rafting trip. Stainless steel makes for easy cleaning and no lingering flavors, so you can start with hot coffee, head right into water, and enjoy icy margaritas that evening at camp.
Beyond Coastal鈥檚 Active Sunscreen SPF 34 and Badger Balm
Slathering on sunscreen before the sun crests the canyon walls is absolutely mandatory. ($30) is some of the best we鈥檝e tested: It鈥檚 waterproof but not greasy聽and blocks both UVA and UVB rays without toxic chemicals. The combination of water, hot sun, and dry air can cause your hands to crack and chap. The best way to soothe and soften hands is to rub on a bit of ($8) every night.
Howler Pescador Shirt
It鈥檚 counterintuitive, but raft guides know that keeping your skin out of the direct sun will leave you feeling more energized at night in camp. The ($85) has聽airy聽long聽sleeves, quick-drying poly-nylon SPF 15 fabric, and vented聽mesh-lined front yokes that help keep you cool and dry and protected from the sun all day long.
Revo Guide 2 Sunglasses
Wraparound聽polarized sunglasses like the ($189)聽cut the river鈥檚 glare to better spot the way through. You鈥檇 be bumming if you lost them midway, so get a pair of old-school Croakies聽and bring a spare pair while you鈥檙e at it.
.50-Millimeter Ammunition Box
These WWII-era waterproof,聽recycled-steel聽cases聽have long been rafters鈥 go-to dry storage鈥攁nd a nod to the time when trips were primarily聽outfitted with what you could find at the local army surplus store. Pick one up at any hunting shop for $15聽and load it with anything you don鈥檛 want soaked or crushed:聽sunglasses, sunscreen, journal, and, for lounging at camp, a deck of cards (even better, Cards Against Humanity). The ammo can聽is also the main prop for the traditional ammo can tug-of-war beach game.
Chaco Z/1 Pro Sandals
Broad straps, a shaped footbed, and sticky rubber soles make聽the s聽($110) snug enough to stay on your feet whether you鈥檙e聽scrambling up a slickrock side canyon or sloshing to shore over slippery rocks after that poorly executed run lands you in the drink.
NRS 国产吃瓜黑料r Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard
There are long sections on the river without major rapids鈥攕pots where it鈥檚 fun to hop onto a stand-up paddleboard and splash around. An inflatable board like the ($1,295)聽can roll up quickly and be stowed on the raft when the big rapids rise on the horizon.
Yeti Tundra 160 Cooler
The beauty of a raft trip? Grilled steaks and corn on the cob on Day 14. Keep your provisions cold鈥攐r frozen鈥攆or weeks with an ultra-insulated cooler like the , which, if packed properly (see below) and kept out of the sun as much as possible, can keep things ice-cold for the duration of the trip. ($680; yeticoolers.com)
REI Camp Chair
It鈥檚 a raft,聽not a backpack. Might as well bring some furniture. REI鈥檚 ($28) is one of the comfiest around and even has a cup holder.
Cooler 101: Pack it Smarter
If you聽do it right, you’ll still have cocktail聽ice聽on聽day聽15.