Summer is right around the corner, so you know what that means…. It’s time to float down a river. My friends and family love floating down the Russian River in beautiful Northern California, but there is one thing that can make or break a good river float: good supplies (Okay, so supplies are many things, but you know what I mean). The following are a few of the items my family and friends find essential to a successful and enjoyable river float.
No. 1 – Floatation Device
INTEX River Run 1 Inflatable Floating Lounge
$21.00
The INTEX River Run 1 Inflatable floating lounge is the quintessential vessel for floating down a river. These are the exact inner tubes that are rented out to river goers who don’t come prepared like you will. The backrest and cupholders are nice features that help you relax and hydrate while floating down the river. The tube material is made of PVC that is thicker than your standard swimming pool floatie, which can help protect against the rough terrain you and your tube might find on a river, aka rocks and sticks. The simple connectors are a fun bonus that allows you to link the inner tubes together so everyone in your squad can stay together.
Intex River Run 2 Inflatable Floating Lounge
$42.87
The Intex River Run 2 inflatable floating lounge is perfect for 2 people. You not only get two comfortable seats with a backrest, but it also has a cooler, two cup holders, and a small area between the chairs that is great for sunglasses or sunscreen. The float is resistant to rocks and rough terrain due to its PVC material. It also has a grab rope surrounding the entire float, allowing for your friends or other items to be linked to your float.
No. 2 – Water Shoes
ATHMILE Water Shoe
$6.99
Athmile water socks are made of breathable, quick-dry, and elastic fabric. Its thick insole is anti-slip and can not only protect your feet from sharp things like rocks, shells, and gravel, but also prevent burns from hot sand or cement. They are lightweight, flexible, foldable, and easy to put on and carry around.
No. 3 – Hats
PFFY Sun Bucket Hat
$8.95
The sun hat with a wide brim ensures you are protected from the sun’s UV rays. It has a built-in mesh for ventilation, even in the hot summer, making it breathable, comfortable, and durable. It comes with an adjustable chin strap, making sure your hat will not be lost on a windy day. The hat can be packed down for easy travel when not wearing it.
Ponytail Hat with Adjustable Fit & High Pony Tail Criss Cross Back
$19.99
I love this design. It is convenient for any hairstyle and is super comfortable. This hat has a one-size-fits-all design. This crisscross ball cap is as adaptable as it is fashionable. It comes with a slot for your ponytail, allowing you to wear the hat with your hair down, a messy bun, or a ponytail.
MISSION Cooling UPF Performance Hat
$25.99
Cooling Hat incorporates advanced Wet-to-Cool Technology, which absorbs water or sweat to cool the hat by up to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under 1 minute. This innovative feature allows the hat to stay cool for up to 2 hours or longer with reactivation. This hat is designed with lightweight, breathable materials that provide maximum comfort and cooling relief for all activities.
No. 4 – Dry Bag
MARCHWAY Floating Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack
$14.99
The drybag is made of a ripstop tarpaulin that is resistant to wear, tear, puncture, and remains flexible all year round. The seams are expertly welded and reinforced, strong and reliable. Heavy-duty buckles, dense straps, and secure stitching all enhance the bag’s overall strength. It won’t wear easily, even if it touches rocks, and can be used for a long time in harsh conditions, effectively keeping your gear dry, clean, and safe. The dry sack can float on water without sinking after being rolled up and buckled, so you can quickly track and retrieve your stuff.
HEETA Fanny Pack Waterproof Pouch
$14.99
Triple sealing protection with 3 zipper locks and a fold Velcro over top, IPX8 lab-certified up to 32 feet (10 meters) underwater for one hour, protect your cellphone and money from water, dirt, dust, and mud, suitable for many water activities like swimming, boating, surfing, diving, kayaking, etc. The waterproof pouch has enough space to hold your phone, passport, keys, and other personal items. The colorful & transparent waterproof pouch is designed to allow you to use your cellphone as normal when you are out of water. It allows you to text without taking your phone out of the pouch, except the BLACK one, which is opaque.
No. 5 – Sun Block
BLUE LIZARD Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
$14.23
Protect sensitive skin from the sun’s harmful rays with Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. It contains no harsh chemical active ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin. The water-resistant formula provides broad-spectrum protection and helps protect skin from up to 98% of UVB rays.
Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Body Spray
$14.43
Sun Bum smells like summer. It goes on light-weight and not greasy. As someone with fair skin, I make sure to use it at least 30 minutes before going out, and there is no need to worry about burning. I do reapply, especially if I am outside all day. No complaints.
No. 6 – Floating Cooler
INTEX Mega Chill Inflatable Cooler
$18.90
This is great for a 12-pack of any beverage and ice. Easy-to-use connectors are included to fasten it to other River Run products, making it perfect to attach to your float. It has 5 built-in cup holders, durable handles, easy-to-use connectors, and a repair patch.
No. 7 – Waterproof Speaker
JBL Go 4
$39.95
JBL Go 4 gives you up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge. Tap Playtime Boost to add up to 2 more hours to your battery life. The JBL Go 4’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating ensures this portable speaker can handle almost any environment, from a poolside party to a seaside picnic.
No. 8 – Water Bottle
YETI Rambler 36 oz Bottle
$40.00
Get to drinking faster with the Leakproof Chug Cap. It just takes a quick half-twist of the TripleHaul Handle to open, and then you’re good to go, making it easy to steal a sip without slowing down. It is excellent quality, with good temperature control that keeps water cold all day, holding ice for up to 10 hours.
No. 9 – Long Sleeve Water Shirt
baleaf Men’s Sun Protection Shirt
$17.99
Stay comfortable all day long with this lightweight and quick-dry fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin. Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays with the UPF 50+ fabric.
baleaf Women’s Sun Protection Shirt
$22.99
The UPF 50+ fabric provides maximum sun protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. Great for swimming and hiking as a cover shirt. The lightweight fabric wicks moisture away from your skin and dries quickly for extra comfort, keeping you cool and dry.
No. 10 – Beach Towel
Sand Cloud Turkish Beach Towel
$54.00
Sand Clous is my favorite towel overall. It is lightweight, super absorbent, and quick-drying. There is no need to worry about the sand getting stuck to the towel because it just falls right off. Sand Cloud towels roll up to fit in your bag and are not bulky like other beach towels. They are also big towels, which is comforting, knowing you don’t have to worry about it not fitting around you.
No. 11 – Waterproof Phone Pouch
Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch
$7.99
The Hiearcool Waterproof phone pouch is Certified IPX8 waterproof, with Hiearcool’s triple-layer lock-down technology providing complete protection against water, snow, dust, and sand. The waterproof phone pouch can fit most cell phones with or without a case, providing double insurance for your phone. The Hiearcool waterproof phone pouch is made of upgraded TPU material that provides excellent response sensitivity while using your phone, including face ID unlock and calling. With high transmittance transparency technology, this phone pouch provides crystal clear photo opportunities underwater.
No. 12 – Hydration
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
$22.44
Liquid I.V. is a great-tasting, non-GMO electrolyte drink mix that delivers hydration faster than water alone. The Popsicle Firecracker tastes like childhood with the iconic flavors of citrusy lemon-lime, tart cherry, and true-to-fruit raspberry. Hydration Multiplier has 3x the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, and 8 vitamins and nutrients. It contains 100% of the daily value of 4 B vitamins: B3, B5, B6, and B12. Single-serving, travel-friendly packets are easy to enjoy on the go. They are perfect for adding to your rivering essentials. No need to feel dehydrated on those hot days on the water.
DripDrop Hydration Packets
$17.40
DripDrop is another great option for travel hydration. The packets contain less sugar than other options for powdered hydration, along with delivering essential electrolytes. These combat dehydration with our science-based electrolyte powder formula hydrates faster than water alone. Perfect for sports, outdoor activities, and hot days.
