{"id":167958,"date":"2021-04-19T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=167958"},"modified":"2024-05-16T17:09:44","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T00:09:44","slug":"the-perfect-kit-river-apres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/the-perfect-kit-river-apres","title":{"rendered":"12 Gear Essentials for Your Next River Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a cold, dark, lonely winter, does anything sound better than sitting on a riverbank with a bunch of your besties, watching the sun sink low? We think not, and here\u2019s the gear you need to make that sweet vision a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Patagonia Baggies Shorts – Women\u2019s<\/a> & Patagonia Baggies Long Shorts – Men\u2019s  7\u201d Inseam<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Comfy, quick-drying and easy to move in, Patagonia<\/a> Baggies have been part of the river-rat kit since the early \u201980s, when Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard first made a pair of loose-fitting, durable nylon shorts. He wanted something that would hold up to any kind of watersports and Baggies have only improved since then. They now come in a range of inseam lengths, patterns and cuts, and they\u2019re made with recycled nylon, but they still hold Chouinard\u2019s original ideal: one pair of shorts for everything you might want to do under the sun. Women’s $59; Men’s $65<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie (Women’s<\/a>, Men’s<\/a> & Kids’<\/a>)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grab this lightweight sun-protective hoodie from REI Co-op<\/a> for days when you’re too tired to slather on sunscreen or need a shirt that keeps you cool while protecting you from harmful UV rays. The stretchy, lightweight knit wicks moisture, whether you’re hiking, kayaking or playing pickleball. Roomy thumbholes hold your sleeve in place, and a drawstring lets you cinch the hood. Available in a variety of sizes: Women’s $49.95<\/a>; Women’s 1X-3X<\/a>; Men’s $49.95<\/a>; Kids’ $39.95<\/a>; Toddlers’ $29.95<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chaco Z\/Cloud Sandals<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Save your flip-flops for the campground shower. If you\u2019re anywhere near moving water, you\u2019re going to want sandals that stay on your feet. Chaco\u2019s<\/a> Z\/Clouds, which feature the brand\u2019s custom grippy soles and Chaco\u2019s most cushioned footbed, are both rugged and comfortable. Their criss-crossed straps conform to the shape of your feet, and they stay on whether you\u2019re wading, paddling or playing beach games. Just be prepared for Z-shaped tan lines. $105<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Goodr Circle G Polarized Sunglasses<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The perfect river shades are a high-low mix, and the Goodr<\/a> Circle G Polarized Sunglasses are just that: Fancy enough to be polarized and to block a range of harmful rays, but not so fancy that you mourn the loss if you happen to misplace a pair. In fact, many of Goodr\u2019s glasses are among the most affordable polarized options available, but they don\u2019t feel chintzy. They stay on during activity thanks to sticky nose pieces, and they\u2019re stylish without sacrificing function, so they hit all our necessary points. $25<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vuori Uluwatu Water Hoodie – Men\u2019s<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s all too easy to forget to protect yourself from the sun when you\u2019re on the water or lazing around on the beach. The men\u2019s Vuori<\/a> Uluwatu Water Hoodie, which looks and feels like a casual hoodie, is rated UPF 50+ to help you avoid getting scorched by the sun. And its polyester and elastane construction is light and breezy, so it won\u2019t make you feel over-layered on warm days. $74<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Carve Designs Dawson Rashguard – Women\u2019s<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We love a refreshing dip in a mountain stream on a summer day. To maintain your core temp while you swim, consider something like the the nylon-and-spandex Carve Designs<\/a> Dawson Rashguard, which also features UPF 50+ protection. It\u2019s stretchy and quick to dry, and its half-zip and shirred sides allow for easy ventilation. $56<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Raw Elements SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick – 0.6 oz.<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s only one requirement for river apr\u00e8s: sunscreen application. The Raw Elements<\/a> SPF 30 face stick is one of our favorites, both for its ease of use\u2014it\u2019s small enough to stick in any pocket, and you can schmear it on without getting your hands sticky\u2014and because of its mineral-based ingredient list that’s free of oxybenzone and octinoxate<\/a>. It provides water-resistant, broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection, and it won\u2019t make your face gummy or chalky. Just remember to reapply after 80 minutes. $15.95<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JBL Clip 4 Eco Speak<\/strong>er<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Music in the out-of-doors is a controversial subject\u2014you don\u2019t want your experience to override anyone else’s. But if you\u2019re in an isolated spot, alone on the riverbank, it\u2019s generally safe to turn up the tunes. The waterproof, rechargeable JBL<\/a> Clip 4 is compact and provides high-quality sound, and we love that it clips to your boat or chair, so your sound system doesn’t end up in the drink. For a surround-sound experience, you can link multiple speakers together and sync them up. $79.95<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Puffin Beverage Coolers<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your feet are in the river, we\u2019re going to assume it\u2019s at least a little bit hot out, and your beverage of choice might need some help staying cool. The most appropriate coozie for the job is the pint-sized Puffin<\/a> Beverage Life Vest, which looks like it came straight out of a Wes Anderson move. Is it totally ridiculous? Yes. Are we obsessed with it anyway? Also yes. $22.95<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Slowtide Zoey Turkish Beach Towel<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you’re done playing in the river, towel off with the Slowtide<\/a> Zoey Turkish Beach Towel. It’s lightweight enough to throw in your pack and its woven design makes it good-looking enough to double as a personal picnic blanket. $50<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Stick Toy<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because you\u2019re ready to chill doesn\u2019t necessarily mean your dog is. Keep \u2019em occupied with this bright, bouncy, floating toy, which mimics sticks found in Ruffwear\u2019s<\/a> Oregon backyard, but is much easier to spot and will last for more than a few tosses. $19.95<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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REI Co-op<\/strong> Camp Low Chair<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh heck no, you\u2019re not standing around this whole time. You need somewhere to sit, and parking it in the sand isn\u2019t going to get you to an appropriate state of relaxation. The REI Co-op<\/a> Camp Low Chair is durable, easy to carry and made of recycled polyester and bluesign\u00ae-approved materials. Also, its low-slung profile and water-repellent padded seat are prime for laid-back lounging. $49.95<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shop Sun Protection Gear<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Interested in more staff picks and kits? Find more collections here<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After a cold, dark, lonely winter, does anything sound better than sitting on a riverbank with a bunch of your besties, watching the sun sink low? We think not, and here\u2019s the gear you need to make that sweet vision a reality. Patagonia Baggies Shorts – Women\u2019s & Patagonia Baggies Long Shorts – Men\u2019s  7\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":168390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[724,349,2167,1951],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-167958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-paddle","tag-gear","tag-paddling","tag-summer","tag-the-perfect-kit"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/the-perfect-kit-river-apres","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"12 Gear Essentials for Your Next River Adventure","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/the-perfect-kit-river-apres","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/paddle\/the-perfect-kit-river-apres"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/River-Apres_Hero-Image.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/03\/River-Apres_Hero-Image.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000"},"articleSection":"Paddle","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jessica Bernhard"}],"creator":["Jessica Bernhard"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["gear","paddling","summer","the perfect kit"],"dateCreated":"2021-04-19T22:30:00Z","datePublished":"2021-04-19T22:30:00Z","dateModified":"2024-05-17T00:09:44Z"},"rendered":"