Half the questions we get before trips are some version of “what do I wear?” Fair enough — rafting in Montenegro means glacial water even in August, and getting the clothing wrong is the easiest way to have a bad day on a beautiful river. Here’s the practical answer.
What we provide (so don’t buy it)
- Wetsuit — full neoprene suit whenever the water temperature calls for it, which is most of the season
- Neoprene boots — grippy, warm and made for rivers
- Life jacket — mandatory, always, no exceptions
- Helmet — same
- Paddle and raft — obviously
All gear is included in the trip price, sized on the spot at our base. You don’t need to bring or rent anything technical.
What you wear and bring
Under the wetsuit
Swimwear. That’s it. A swimsuit or swim shorts go under the neoprene. On hot July and August days, when the water is at its warmest, some guests skip the wetsuit and raft in swimwear and a quick-dry shirt — your guide will tell you what the water is doing that day.
Footwear
Our neoprene boots cover most people. If you prefer your own, bring closed shoes that can get soaked — old trainers or proper water shoes. No flip-flops. The river will take them off your feet in the first rapid, and you need protected toes at the rocky put-in and take-out points.
The dry bag for after
- Full change of dry clothes, including underwear
- Towel
- Dry shoes or sandals for the ride back
- Warm layer — Zabljak sits at 1,450 m and evenings are cool even in summer
- Sunscreen (waterproof) — the canyon reflects sun off water and white limestone; apply before you launch
- Water bottle — though you can refill from springs along the river
Phones, cameras and valuables
The honest advice: leave the phone at the base. If you must bring it, use a proper waterproof pouch on a lanyard, worn under the life jacket — not a jacket pocket, not “it’ll be fine.” The Tara has claimed a lot of phones. Our guides know the calm stretches where it’s safe to take it out for photos, so ask rather than fumbling with it mid-rapid. Waterproof action cameras with a helmet or chest mount are the best solution if photos matter to you.
Wallets, passports and car keys stay locked at our base in Zabljak or at the Tara Bridge — that’s what the base is for.
Season-specific notes
- April–May: high, cold water. Full wetsuit, boots, and a thermal layer underneath if you feel the cold. Bring a warm hat for before and after.
- June–August: lightest kit of the year. Sunscreen matters more than insulation.
- September–October: back to full wetsuits; pack an extra warm layer for the drive home.
The 60-second checklist
- Swimwear (worn on arrival)
- Towel + full dry change
- Closed wet-capable shoes (or use ours)
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Warm layer for after
- Waterproof phone pouch — or better, no phone
That’s genuinely all. If you’re unsure about anything specific — glasses, medication, tattoos-just-done, you name it, we’ve heard it — ask us before the trip, or see the full trip details on our 14 km rafting page.