We will be rafting as a family with an adventure outfit in Utah this summer. They provide all the major essentials, but I'm not clear what to wear on our feet? We will be doing some hiking and swimming, too. Are "river shoes" always close toed? Does it matter? Any other gear tips? THANKS!

We wore just your basic cheap "walmart" type sneaker / tennis shoe. Sure they get soaked...

Have fun!!

"deck" shoes - those canvas cheap ones.

Don't take anything that isn't tied down on you. Don't take anything that can't get SOAKED. Lock the rest in your car trunk. They take a picture of you that you can buy after. Don't bother with your own camera. Have fun instead of worrying about wet! They will purposely turn the boat so that everyone gets equally wet.

We keep our oldest tennis shoes just for these kinds of activities. If the shoes are fabric or shoe laces, they will turn orange/brown from the dark orange/brown water of the river. Same with sock or other clothing you wear in the river. Bathing suits didn't seam to pick up the color.

We took a disposable camera. You might ask if they have a waterproof container to store a camera in.

Utahtea

As others are saying, all you really need are old, cheap sneakers. However, to answer your question -- No. River shoes are not always closed toe. Various types of sandals, usually with nylon straps and substantial soles, are also used by many people who spend a lot of time paddling; they let your feet dry quickly when out of the boat. As an example, see the catalogue at the following site: http://www.noc.com. If you have plenty of money to spend, light-weight polypropylene tops are also useful. A light weight baseball-type cap to wear under your helmets, sunglasses and straps for glasses, if you have them, are also useful. However, even if you do have lots of money to spend, don't go overboard (pun intended) outfitting yourselves; lots of new, expensive gear just looks silly on beginners.

We went rafting in NC and we wore Columbia strap sandals and they were great because they don't get "soaked" and they dry very quickly. They also stay in your feet very well. I"m not sure if you can wear them in Utah, but I will say closed shoes that are soaked with cold water get very uncomfortable.
You can find those sandals at a lesser price at places like Marshal's, TJ Maxx, etc. Have fun!

Cold water isn't something you have to worry about in Utah in the summer. In fact you will welcome any thing that keeps you cool!

Utahtea