How to Layer on the River (Fall Edition)

The leaves are changing and the summer season has come to a close. Many boaters are soaking in their time off and getting ready for their winter adventure. However, some of us are headed off to fall river trips, Gauley season, or staying put as a low water lover. No matter where you end up, a new season of layering AND adventures is upon us. 

With the new season, it can be a challenge to know how you’re going to properly layer this time out on the water. Before you head out, it may seem simple, but check the weather (again)! You really never know what you may get, but at least you have a starting point. Whether you’re going out with dry clothes, neoprene, or a dry suit, we’re going to show you how we layer for those fall river days by mimicking three different types of trips.

Fall Ruby Horsethief Section (Flatwater 2-3 Days)

This trip will consist of a long flatwater section, meaning that a dry suit or neoprene isn’t necessarily something that you will need. If you’re newer to the river and don’t have all of the clothing that you may need, this is an awesome trip that allows you to stay dry if you need to. With that being said, you’re still in a desert climate so you never know what weather you may get on this trip, but with proper packing you can be prepared for it all.

1. Rain Jacket/Shell: This piece is going to be crucial to keeping you dry if you get stuck in a rainstorm. You don’t need it to be labeled a splash jacket to be on the river. But, make sure to update the waterproofing on your rain jacket before heading out on the water.
2. Splash Pants/Waterproof Pants: It’s like a rain jacket! For your legs! If you’re looking for splash pants or rain pants, go check out a thrift store near you. They tend to have good options for these in a local mountain town. 
3. Base Layers: Think what you might wear under your ski gear. I like to take my Terramar base layers on every river trip I go on because they have the cutest patterns while still providing serious warmth. Not only that, but they dry fairly quickly too. 
4. Puffer Jacket: This will be a nice touch for those colder days where you’re just floating. They are easy to pack and fit under a PFD well. We must also mention that if you hypothetically forget a pillow it doubles nicely as a pillow. 
5. Cozy Fleece Jacket or Dress: A necessity on any river trip. This layer will keep you happy and comfortable on the river and especially at camp. Stand out and be comfortable in RSG’s Z-Fleece Hoodie or Z-Fleece Hooded Dress. Not only does this hoodie have a unique pattern, it also has thumb holes AND zipper pockets. No more keys and phones getting sacrificed to the river with these zipper pockets! Now that’s a reason to celebrate. You won’t regret this purchase. 
6. Sun Layers: Don’t forget your sun hoodies, shorts, and skirts! Make sure to pack these layers because the main thing with these fall trips is, you never know! So be prepared for warm and colder weather. Plus, if you do need to buy some summer gear towards the end of the season, you’ll usually get some sweet discounts. 
7. Socks and Shoes: For socks, a nice wool pair can be great for on the river and at camp. We love our Darn Tough socks for all of our adventures, especially for day hikes and chiller trips. And for shoes, check out our non-essential essentials article to find out about different types of footwear options. 
8. Headwear: Check out our RSG 5 Panel Hats to keep your head in the shade for those sunbreaks, as well as our beanies! We definitely recommend hats to not only elevate your river style but to also keep your skin safe and head warm amidst all that flatwater. 
   
   
   

Fall Royal Gorge Section with Neoprene (Day Trip with Rapids)

The Royal Gorge section has lessened in splashes, but has some tricky lines that could still cause you some problems.

Neoprene is a great option if you’re looking to stay the warmest that you can on more of a budget. Neoprene is a thicker alternative to leggings with more versatility than that of a wetsuit. We know plenty of people who have gone years without a dry suit and rock their neoprene. If you’re planning on just boating occasionally in the fall, you’ll probably be just fine with neoprene. 

1. Neoprene Top: There are many different brands out there. Our personal favorites for a neoprene top are from Picture or NRS. These are going to give you plenty of mobility while still keeping warm. You can look at different surf tops or NRS tops to keep you warm. If you can, try these on! The sizing can be difficult, you want to make sure aren’t sacrificing that mobility to paddle.
2. Neoprene Bottom: While you can choose to do a full wetsuit, the top and bottom give you more opportunity to layer and decide what you do and don’t need that day. Wetsuits can be a bit more restricting. We recommend the NRS Hydroskin Bottoms for a day trip. 
3. Shorts/Skirts: We would suggest wearing shorts or a skirt to go over your neoprene bottoms, as they can be a bit slippery sitting on a boat, increasing your risks of going for a swim. Shorts can also help to act as another layer to prevent extra wear on those neoprene bottoms for their longevity. 
4. Neoprene socks or booties: These things are magic! Your feet are in the water the most so keeping them warm is a game changer. The NRS Hydroskin socks are great. You get to wear whatever shoes you like boating in, while still getting to keep your feet warm. 
5. Splash Top and Bottoms: Naturally, having a day on the river you’re bound to get a little bit splashed. So, having that rain jacket or splash bottoms to repel some of that water is going to help keep you that much warmer. 

Pro Tip: This section of river has a sizable float out, so we suggest packing some extra layers or splash gear in your dry bag to stay a bit warmer as the day goes on. 

Fall Westwater Section with a Drysuit (Day Trip with Rapids)

While some boaters have been suited up all summer long in a dry suit, others of us are unfortunately reminded that we should have 303ed our dry suits in the desert heat. If this is you and you’re going to be running a Westwater trip in the fall, the weather could be a toss up. But, similarly to the Royal Gorge, it is going to be a much more technical ride. If you find yourself in the river this fall you’ll be grateful for that dry suit. 

Of all of the different types of layering, this one is probably the most challenging. Naturally, people run at different temperatures so this one may take some trial and error. Remember–you can always take some layers off so it may be better to start warmer rather than colder. In our search for the perfect dry suit layering, we came up with this combo. 

1. Drysuit: No brainer! Check out brands like Immersion Research, Kokatat, or NRS to find out what suits your needs the best. Remember that Gore-Tex is best for longevity and reinforcements around the suit. Picture yourself boating and going on side quests in your dry suit! Think of your dry suit as just a shell. Your layers are what are going to keep you warm and cozy. (Along with making sure to zip it up properly!) 
2. Base Layers: Again, a top and a bottom layer like Terramar base layers can be great for finding that warm, comfortable fit without as much tightness and sliding around as a pair of leggings. We don’t recommend clothing that is too tight, as this can cause chafing and discomfort. Things you definitely don’t want in a dry suit. Think breathable and comfortable. 
3. Fleece: A pair of fleece pants and a Z-Fleece Hoodie or Dress will be a crucial piece to layering in your dry suit. Most folks remember to bring that fleece top, but your legs will be happy to have not been forgotten on those chillier days at the end of your trip. Fleece is a necessity at camp too! 
4. Socks and Shoes: We are always sporting our wool Darn-Tough socks. Think about the weather that day and how warm you run when deciding what thickness of socks to go with. Not only that, but we also recommend a Neoprene sock to go around the outside of your dry suit to protect it from pinholes while walking around or taking your suit on and off. Lastly, go with your shoe of choice. We’re repping our Astrals on and off the river. 

Mix and Match these Suggestions! 

With all of this layering advice, we suggest you mix and match them. We have spent some time trying to figure out what works best for us, whether it be a day trip or an overnight trip. These different trips that we have layed out are definitely interchangeable with each other. You may love some of these things or find that they aren’t working for you. Starting with these basics can help you figure out what your perfect combo is. 

Happy Fall Boating friends! We hope you are in awe of that foliage wherever you may be. 

 

By: Sam McKiernan

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