The single most common question we get before a trip is some version of “what do I actually wear?” It matters more than people think — not because rafting is complicated, but because the wrong shoes or a cotton t-shirt can turn a brilliant morning into a cold, uncomfortable one.
This is the complete list for rafting the Vjosa in Albania: what to wear, what to bring, what we provide, and what to leave in the car.
The Short Version
- Wear: swimwear, a quick-drying top, and secure shoes that can get soaked.
- Bring: a full change of dry clothes, a towel, sunscreen, water.
- We provide: helmet, buoyancy aid, paddle, raft, wetsuit when conditions call for it.
- Leave behind: cotton, flip-flops, loose sunglasses, anything you would hate to lose.
What to Wear on the Water
Base layer: swimwear
Put your swimsuit or trunks on before you leave your accommodation. It saves changing at the meeting point and it is the only sensible bottom layer. For women, a one-piece or a securely tied bikini — you will be moving hard and hitting waves.
Over the top: synthetic, not cotton
This is the one rule worth remembering. Cotton holds water and pulls heat out of you. A soaked cotton t-shirt on a breezy morning will make you genuinely cold even in summer.
Wear a synthetic sports top, a rash guard, or any quick-drying technical fabric. A long-sleeved rash guard doubles as sun protection, which is worth having on the water in July and August.
Footwear: the thing people get wrong
Your shoes must stay on your feet if you end up in the water, and they must cope with walking on wet gravel and rock.
- Good: river shoes, water sports trainers, old trainers you do not mind soaking, sandals with a proper heel strap.
- Bad: flip-flops (gone at the first rapid), bare feet (sharp rock), heavy hiking boots (waterlogged and heavy).
Wetsuits
In spring, when snowmelt keeps the Vjosa cold, a wetsuit makes a large difference and we supply them. In high summer most people are comfortable without one. Your guide will make the call on the day based on air and water temperature — trust it.
What We Provide
You do not need to buy or rent any technical equipment. Included with every trip:
- Helmet
- Buoyancy aid / life jacket
- Paddle
- Raft and all river equipment
- Wetsuit and splash jacket when conditions require
- Qualified guide and full safety briefing
What to Pack in Your Bag
For after the trip
- A complete change of dry clothes, including underwear — you will be wetter than you expect
- A towel
- Dry shoes
- A plastic bag for the wet things
Sun and comfort
- Water-resistant sunscreen, high factor — the reflection off the river doubles your exposure
- Sunglasses with a retainer strap, or leave them behind
- A cap that fits under a helmet
- Drinking water
- A snack for afterwards
Optional
- An action camera with a secure head or chest mount — handheld phones do not survive rapids
- A small dry bag
- Contact lens wearers: bring spares, and consider goggles-free prescription sunglasses on a strap
What to Leave Behind
The river does not give things back. Leave in the car or at your guesthouse:
- Phones, unless fully waterproofed and tethered
- Watches, jewellery, rings — cold water shrinks fingers and rings slide off
- Wallets, passports, keys (hand keys to your guide if you have nowhere to leave them)
- Loose hats and unsecured sunglasses
- Anything with sentimental value
Seasonal Adjustments
| Season | Water | What to add |
|---|---|---|
| March–May | Cold, high from snowmelt | Wetsuit (provided), thermal top, warm layers for after |
| June–August | Warm, lower | Extra sun protection, long-sleeve rash guard |
| September–October | Comfortable, cooling later | A warm layer for the drive back |
Mornings in the Vjosa valley are cooler than the midday heat suggests, even in August. Bring one more warm layer than you think you need.
Rafting With Kids
Same rules, applied more strictly. Children get cold faster than adults, so a wetsuit is a good idea even in mild conditions, and a second dry layer is essential. Make sure their shoes genuinely stay on — laces tied properly, straps tightened. Our family rafting guide covers age limits and what to expect.
On the Day
- Eat something light beforehand — not a heavy meal, not nothing.
- No alcohol before going on the water.
- Arrive a few minutes early so kit fitting is not rushed.
- Tell your guide if you are a weak swimmer or nervous. It is useful information, not an embarrassment.
- Tie long hair back before the helmet goes on.
New to all of this? Start with our complete beginner’s guide to Vjosa rafting.
Get the Kit Right and Enjoy the River
Swimwear, a synthetic top, shoes that stay on, and dry clothes waiting at the end. That is genuinely all it takes. We handle the rest.
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Guided rafting trips on Europe’s last wild river, from Përmet, throughout the season. Equipment, safety briefing and river transport all included.
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