What to Bring Tubing: The Complete Packing List

Packing right is the difference between a perfect float and a miserable one. Forgot sunscreen? You'll look like a lobster by the shuttle ride home. Wore flip-flops? You'll spend more time wincing on rocks than floating. This checklist covers everything you need for tubing the San Marcos, Comal, Guadalupe, or any other Texas river.

Essentials — Don't Leave Without These

Sunscreen SPF 50+ (reef-safe). This is non-negotiable. Apply 30 minutes before you get on the shuttle bus — not at the river. Sunscreen needs time to absorb before it's effective. You're on open water for 2–4 hours with zero shade, getting direct sun plus reflection off the water surface. Reapply every 2 hours. A 100°F Texas day with river reflection will fry unprotected skin in under 30 minutes. Use reef-safe formula to protect the spring-fed ecosystems.

Water shoes or lace-up sport sandals. NOT flip-flops. This is the single most important gear decision. River bottoms are covered in rocks, roots, and sometimes broken glass. You'll walk through shallow rocky sections, step out of your tube at the take-out, and navigate gravelly banks. Flip-flops fall off in the current and leave your feet unprotected. Lace-up water shoes (like Keens or Tevas) or secure sport sandals with heel straps are the way to go. This applies to every river — San Marcos, Comal, and Guadalupe all have rocky bottoms.

Waterproof phone case. A $12 waterproof pouch saves your $1,000 phone. Get one that lets you use the touchscreen through the plastic — you'll want to take photos and videos. Test it at home first: seal it, submerge in your sink for 5 minutes, check for leaks. Pro tip: bring a small carabiner to clip it to your swimsuit or tube.

Ziplock bags. Double-bag your car keys, wallet, and ID in gallon-size ziplocks. Even inside a dry bag, having ziplocks adds a second layer of protection. Some people leave their wallet in the car — but you'll want your ID for any post-float bar stops.

Sunglasses with a retainer strap (Croakies). Without a strap, your sunglasses are going to the bottom of the river. Guaranteed. A $5 Croakies strap is the best investment you'll make. Polarized lenses are ideal — they cut the glare off the water.

Hat with chin strap. A wide-brim hat (boonie hat, bucket hat) provides shade for your face and neck. Must have a chin strap or it's going overboard. Baseball caps without straps blow off constantly.

Reusable water bottle. Bring at least 32 oz — 64 oz is better. The combination of sun, alcohol, and physical activity dehydrates you fast. Drink water consistently throughout the float, not just when you feel thirsty. A stainless steel bottle with a carabiner clip works great.

Drinks & Food

Cans only. Glass is banned on every river in Texas. Styrofoam is also banned. Cans are allowed on most sections — but check the specific rules for your river. The Comal River has a disposable container ban in some sections within New Braunfels city limits. The San Marcos recently introduced similar restrictions. Always check the latest river rules and regulations before you pack.

Floating cooler or cooler tube. Most outfitters sell or rent cooler tubes for $5–$15. These are inflatable tubes with a mesh bottom that hold a small soft cooler. Tie your cooler to your personal tube with a short rope (3–4 feet) so it doesn't float away. Hard coolers work but are harder to manage. A soft-sided cooler in a cooler tube is the sweet spot.

BYOB tips. Most Texas tubing rivers are BYOB. Popular batch cocktail ideas: ranch water (tequila + Topo Chico + lime, pre-mixed in cans), vodka lemonade (premixed in a jug, poured into cups), frosé (frozen rosé in a yeti), or just good old canned beer and hard seltzer. Whatever you bring, bring water too — way more than you think you need.

Snacks. Granola bars, trail mix, fruit, beef jerky — anything that won't melt or fall apart. Pack in waterproof containers. You'll be out for 2–4 hours and the combination of sun and beer will make you hungry.

Clothing

Swimsuit. Wear it under your clothes on the shuttle bus. You won't have a private changing area at most outfitters. Board shorts or a one-piece with good coverage are ideal — you're sitting in a tube for hours, so comfort matters.

Quick-dry shirt or rash guard. A lightweight, long-sleeve rash guard with UPF 50+ protection is the single best sun protection investment. It covers your shoulders, arms, and back — the areas that burn worst when you're in a tube. Quick-dry material is key; cotton gets heavy and stays wet.

Change of dry clothes. Pack a dry outfit in a plastic bag for the shuttle ride home. Sitting on a bus in a wet swimsuit for 15–30 minutes is uncomfortable. Dry shorts, a t-shirt, and dry shoes make the ride home much better.

Towel. A compact, quick-dry microfiber towel takes up minimal space and dries you off fast. Leave the beach towel at home — it's too bulky.

Safety Items

Life jackets for kids under 13. Texas law requires children under 13 to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on any Texas waterway. Most outfitters provide them, but call ahead to confirm. Even adults who aren't strong swimmers should wear one — the river can have unexpected deep spots and currents. Read our family float guide for more on keeping kids safe.

Whistle. A small safety whistle can help you get attention in an emergency. Attach it to your life jacket or swimsuit strap. Useful if someone gets separated from the group or needs help. Lightweight, cheap, potentially life-saving.

Basic first aid. Waterproof bandaids and blister pads are the most-used first aid items on the river. Feet get nicked on rocks (even with water shoes), and new shoes can cause blisters. Toss a few in a ziplock bag. For a full safety overview, see our river safety guide.

What NOT to Bring

• ✕Glass. Banned on every Texas river. You'll be turned away at check-in. Transfer drinks to cans or plastic containers.
• ✕Styrofoam coolers. Banned. They break apart and pollute the river. Use a soft-sided cooler or hard plastic cooler instead.
• ✕Flip-flops. They fall off. Your feet will get cut. Wear water shoes. We cannot stress this enough.
• ✕Expensive jewelry. Rings, watches, necklaces — the river takes what it wants. Leave it in the car.
• ✕Anything you can't afford to lose. Assume everything has a chance of ending up in the river. Don't bring your expensive camera, your AirPods, or your designer sunglasses without a strap.
• ✕Loud speakers. Some rivers have noise ordinances. Even where it's legal, blasting music ruins the experience for everyone else. Keep it reasonable or use earbuds.

Printable Packing Checklist

Screenshot this or print it out before your trip. Don't be the person who forgot sunscreen.

New to tubing? Our beginner's guide to tubing in Austin walks you through the entire experience step by step. And if you're not sure which river to pick, compare all three major rivers to find your perfect float.