What Kind Of Tube Should I Use When Going Down The River?
Today’s tubing trip down the San Marcos River is nothing like your parent’s tubing trip. Things have changed so much throughout the years and for the better. Much of the changes that have come are based on necessity and comfort. Years ago, everyone would bring the same old oversized truck tube and head for the river.
Now, you can choose from modern more modern tubes sold by several companies. However, if you don’t have your own, you can rent one from the outfitter associated with the river trip host. When it comes to choosing the best tube there are several things to avoid and other very important items to consider.
For the post, we are going to cover five important things to consider when choosing your tube.
Top 4 things to consider when choosing an tube
#1 Avoid a patched tube
Since tubes are filled with air, your tube mustn’t have any holes in it. If you don’t own one and are having to pay a rental fee for one, it is best to avoid picking one that already has a patch on covering a previous hole. Note: Just because there is a patch doesn’t mean you will have an issue while on your trip.
#2 Check it for proper inflation
The amount of air that is in the tube is actually very important when it comes to comfort. Be sure that the tube you choose is adequately aired. Having too much air and there is a risk of popping the tube, but not enough air can be very uncomfortable for the long trip down the river.
#3 A cupholder is a necessity
Tubing trips on the San Marcos River generally last approximately 3.5 hours. The flow of the river makes produces a very calm ride which makes it perfect to enjoy your favorite beverage. For that reason, it is highly recommended that you choose an tube that has at least one cupholder. That way you don’t have to chug the whole bottle when you want to get a drink.
#4 Stay away from all black tubes
Last, but certainly not least, beware of all black tubes. It is an unfortunate fact that the sun’s rays are attracted to the color black. So, if you choose to ride on an all-black tube and the sun is beating down on the tube, it will heat up very rapidly. To avoid this, be sure to choose an tube that is light in color, such as yellow, light blue, or even all white.
We hope that you were able to get enough information to make the right choice. Unfortunately, making the wrong choice can adversely affect your experience on the river.