While the French Broad is a lazy river, it's not the kind you find at a water park with a smooth concrete bottom. There are rocks and we want you to be safe from injury. Wearing shoes while tubing is an absolute must. We sell inexpensive river shoes at the outpost for the whole family.

While you are not legally required to wear shoes to go river tubing, it is highly recommended by outfitters and safety experts for several critical reasons. Most riverbeds are not sandy; they are often covered in jagged rocks, slippery stones, and submerged branches that can easily cause cuts, scrapes, or bruises if you have to stand up or push off the bottom. Furthermore, "wild" rivers can unfortunately contain man-made hazards like broken glass or rusted metal. Flip-flops are generally a poor choice because they provide zero traction and are easily "claimed" by the river's current the moment you fall in, leaving you barefoot for the rest of the trip. The best footwear for tubing is a pair of secure water shoes, Teva-style sandals with a heel strap, or an old pair of sneakers that you don't mind getting permanently muddy. These provide the necessary grip for the often-slippery entry and exit points, which are frequently steep and muddy. Beyond protection from the riverbed, shoes also protect your feet from the intense heat of the sun (preventing "foot sunburn") and the scorching temperature of the riverbank or asphalt if you have to walk back to a shuttle bus or parking lot after your float.