Neoprene Socks
Neoprene Socks
The water in the Narrows is freezing cold, and these neoprene socks kept our feet comfortable and free of blisters. The girls and I preferred the thick, ankle-high neoprene socks that I purchased from Amazon. We found their size charts to be accurate. The wet suit material is supposed to be very snug so expect resistance in slipping these socks on and off unless you use the wet socks (below).
Knee-High Wet Socks
My husband preferred using these knee-high neoprene socks. These wet socks make it incredibly easy to slip your feet in and out of the thicker neoprene socks. This material is much thinner than the ankle socks, and allows a lot of flexibility. My husband is naturally warm so he just wore these socks with his water shoes.
Hiking Shoes
A good pair of waterproof or water resistant hiking shoes really make a difference on this hike. For additional safety, you will want hiking shoes that give you additional ankle support. We spent most of our time hiking through cold rushing water, balancing on slippery, unstable algae-covered rocks, and trekking through rocky or muddy terrain.
Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid Gtx Hiking Boot
Most of us brought low profile hiking shoes that did not have ankle support (see below), but the hike was still doable with the assistance of a hiking stick.
Merrell Child Moab FST Hiking Shoe
The Merrell Moab FST Low Waterproof Shoes are great hiking shoes for kids. They are lightweight, have a good grip, and have a waterproof construction. My daughter hiked all week without any issues.
The North Face Women’s Hedgehog Fastpack Waterproof Hiking Shoe
I fell in love with North Face hiking shoes a long time ago. They have always served me well. This pair was a little heavier than my last pair, but they are comfortable, have great grip, provide nice ventilation and dries quickly. I also appreciated the sturdy construction, which kept my toes from being crushed a couple of times I lost my footing and got wedged between rocks at the Narrows.
Walking Sticks
Portable Hiking Sticks
Can you walk the Narrows without a hiking stick? Well, I passed by a man walking the Narrows barefooted and I saw a couple of mothers hiking the Narrows with their babies in a baby hiking carrier without hiking sticks so I guess it can be done. However, I am not sure how far they got or if they were able to hike the Narrows safely. Our driver told us about a woman he picked up that fell and broke her wrist hiking the Narrows that day – Ouch!
Hiking sticks are necessary to prevent falls and injury. I was able to use my hiking stick to navigate the swift waters and slippery, unstable rocks without falling once! Some areas of the river were murky so the hiking stick also allowed us to gauge how deep the water was.
If you arrive early enough, there are a pile of wooden walking sticks at the end of the Riverside Walk and the beginning of the Narrows Bottom Up trail. However, we brought our own travel hiking sticks on this trip.
Our portable walking sticks are lightweight, but very sturdy. I leaned heavily on my pole while navigating the river and it never collapsed. In fact, none of us had any issues and our heaviest member was 220 lbs.
I love that these hiking sticks are adjustable. They can extend up to 54 inches, but it collapses down to 25.5 inches so it fits easily in our suitcase or can be attached to our backpacks. Just allow yourself a minute or two to set them up. You might need to tighten the metal screw before snapping them in place if you find that the poles are slipping and not holding your weight.
Waterproof Phone Cover
Universal Waterproof Cellphone Case
Protect your phone with a waterproof case. There was low water levels when we went, but some areas of the Narrows had depths of waters that reached our waist. We also saw others slipping and falling into the water.
This waterproof cellphone case keeps your phone dry from accidental falls in the river. Wear it around your neck and easily take photos without having to remove your phone from the case.
Waterproof Bag
Waterproof Dry Bag
If you are planning on bringing other items that cannot get wet, consider getting a waterproof dry bag. These bags come in handy and we have used ours numerous times on kayaking trips and trips to the beach. One was enough for our family of four. I have thrown cameras, keys, phones, portable charges, battery packs, cables and food in this bag.
Hydration Backpack
You need to bring drinking water to the Narrows. Zion National Park issued a warning of dangerous levels of cyanobacteria in the water. You cannot filter out these cyanobacteria toxins. Children and pets are especially susceptible. There was a six month old dog that died from the toxic cyanobacteria blooms last July. The park also advises people to avoid swimming or submerging their heads in the water.
Insulated Hydration Backpack Pack with 2L BPA Free Bladder
My husband, mother and daughter used compact hydration backpacks. These hydration backpacks are nice because they come with an insulated lining which helps keep the water cold for several hours. It also had enough room to pack snacks and hold essential items.
TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
If you want to bring more equipment, consider taking a day hiking backpack. This backpack holds 3400 cubic inches (55 L), and can accommodate two to four day hiking trips. Although it is very roomy, it only weighs 4.5 lbs which still makes it convenient for shorter hikes.
I stored my camera, chargers, portable power bank, cables, wallet, keys, food and my first aid kit in my dry bag and dropped it in my backpack. I never once worried about any of my stuff getting wet.
2 Liter Leak Proof BPA Free Upgraded Water Storage Bag for Hydration Pack
If your backpack does not come with a water bladder or if you need a new one, consider this water storage bag. The wide opening makes it easy to fill, empty and clean. It is BPA-free, and it is very easy to drink water from the mouthpiece. 2 liters was plenty of water for us on this hike.
Anti-bacterial Wipes & Trash bag
Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes
The thought of my mouthpiece touching the river water or eating food with dirty hands was justification enough for me to bring these on the hike. I chose the wipes over the gel because the wipes do a better job at removing grime.
Remember to also bring an empty trash bag so that you can carry all of your trash back out of the park.
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
This basic first aid kit is small, light and easily fits in your pack. It is something you hope you never have to use, but are grateful to have if you do get hurt.
If you have other issues, like a bad knee or ankle, consider bringing a knee brace or ankle brace as well. They are light and take very little space. I packed both just in case anyone had any issues.