The rivers are rising, your permits are secured, and the raft is pumped up. Ready to hit the river? Before you hit the put-in, make sure you’ve packed these essential but easily overlooked gear items.
Everyone remembers the big stuff–raft, dry bags, PFD, helmet, and paddle–but might miss these small but thoughtful items that make the trip more enjoyable. Durango Outdoor Exchange has many of these in stock at super low prices. Call us or stop by!
Small drybag just for boat clothes: Many boaters love to keep a small 5-10 liter dry bag on the raft that holds exactly what you need for the water–gloves, thin fleece, and beanie.
Small drybag for snacks: You’ll burn calories quickly and want snacks you can grab without landing. A small pouch clipped to a guy line with a few bars can help stave off that mid morning stomach pang.
Lip balm with SPF: Desert sun on the water is brutal. Throw a bunch of these in your kit and apply regularly–one in your PFD pocket, one in your camp bag, and one in your snack bag.
Wide-brimmed sun hat with a chin strap: Ball caps blog off and buffs don’t shade your face.
Backup headlamp: New headlamps are lighter and last longer than ever, and a cheap backup is good insurance.
Tape, zip ties, and Voile straps: Always handy, never out of style.
Camp towel: A fast-drying camp gown is a genuine comfort item.
Sunscreen stick: Better than lotion when your hands are wet.
Small journal: Go old school for once, then keep it. Your kids will thank you 30 years from now.
Questions? Give us a call!
For many hikers, summiting one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks is a lifetime achievement. Others make it their entire personality, working for years and even decades to climb all of them. Some make a goal of climbing them all in a single season while others try to ski them all.
Summer is here, and Durango and the rest of Southwest Colorado and the greater Four Corners is your playground. Accessible just a short drive from Durango is everything from low-desert rivers to high-alpine tundra, and there’s just about everything in between. If you’re into outdoor rec, this is the spot for you, and Durango Outdoor Exchange is here to help make it happen.
This is your ultimate field guide to outdoor recreation and the gear you need for a summer in and around Durango. In it you’ll find a rundown of local recreational opportunities and the gear each sport requires, plus recommendations for staying safe and dry.
Overheating in the outdoors can be more than an annoyance—it can be dangerous.
From heat exhaustion to heatstroke, overheating can damage organs, leave you hobbled, cause disorientation, and worse. With summer here, it’s time to learn which gear can help you stay cool.
We see firsthand how proper gear helps people stay cool, comfortable, and safe in the outdoors. If you’re planning to hike, bike, paddle, camp, or explore this summer, here are some of the best types of gear to help keep things comfy.