How to choose the perfect river tube for your float
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So many choices!
Do you want to find the perfect river tube for you? Here are some questions you may want to ask:
1. How often am I really going to use this thing?
You can spend $3 or $300 on a river tube. If you are going to just use this thing once before it finds a permanent home in your garage, you probably want to consider renting a tube from an outfitter or buying a cheap tube from your local W-mart. Once you have gone this route and you decide you really want to get some use out of it, it's time to start considering some other factors.
2. What kind of river will I be floating on?
Are you planning on doing some long lazy floats on a flat river with a clay bottom? Or are you headed to a river formed in a rock bed with granite boulders and swirling rapids? These are important factors when choosing your river tube. If you are going to be hitting the rapids on your tube, think about your own safety before barreling down a class III in a thin plastic River Rat tube.
3. What is the ideal size inner tube for me?
Ever see a fat guy in a little boat? Don't be that guy! It's just not fun. When it comes to choosing your river float tube, bigger is usually better - unless your butt falls right through the center of the tube. For this reason, most river tubes are getting bigger, and they will incorporate some kind of mesh floor in the middle to keep your butt up and off of the rocks.
Here is a general rule of thumb guide to picking your tube, based on your body weight:
0-50 lbs: You're a baby! Float in moms' tube or in the boat with dad!
50-90 lbs: Minimum inflated size of 36" (42" deflated diameter)
90-199 lbs: Minimum inflated size of 42" (48" deflated diameter)
200-275 lbs: Minimum inflated size of 48" (53" deflated diameter)
Over 275 lbs? We recommend you try before you buy.
4. Should I buy a rubber inner tube or a vinyl one?
Some of this is preference. But there are some real advantages and disadvantages to either choice. The first thing to consider is your location. Rubber tubes can last 5 or 10 years or longer in humid environments when you store them in a cool dark place when not in use. But if you live in the Western US where the humidity is low, the rubber will dry out more quickly. Here's the lowdown:
If you live in the desert - A vinyl tube is your better choice. These tubes come in many different qualities, so choose wisely. Cheap vinyl tubes pop easily on the river and it's a long trek back to the car!
If you live in the Southeast - A rubber tube is a great, tough, long lasting choice.
5. Should I wear a life jacket?
If you are even asking this question, the answer is YES! Statistically, wearing a Coast Guard approved Type III personal flotation device will decrease you chance of a river accident becoming fatal by 50 times!
6. Should I use a paddle?
Tubing paddles are a great way to get through the slower spots and eddies in the river. These are a shorter length double paddle. Just remember - you're in a round boat. If you paddle hard, you will just spin. The key to using a tubing paddle is to use short, alternating paddle strokes.
7. What kind of shoes should I wear?
It's always best to wear shoes that will drain easily, stay on your feet if you step in the muddy bottom of the river, and that will protect your toes from debris like broken glass, fish hooks, metal cans, etc. Water shoes or closed-toed sandals with Velcro type straps are best.