What to Wear Ziplining on Kauai: Koloa Zipline Checklist

Booking choice: Koloa Zipline's 8-line tour, from $170 per person. Check dates Compare the options below

The operator asks for sleeves, knee-length bottoms and closed-toe shoes, and turns away tank tops, short shorts, flip-flops and open-toed shoes of any kind. The reasons are practical: harness straps rub bare skin, and the paths between platforms are steep and can be muddy.

Everything below is based on the operator's own list and what guests on recent tours say they wish they had packed.

The quick answer

Wear a sleeved T-shirt, knee-length shorts or pants, and closed-toe shoes with grip that you do not mind getting muddy. Bring bug spray, sunscreen and a light rain jacket, and carry your phone in a zip pocket or crossbody bag. No tank tops, short shorts, flip-flops or sandals.

Trail shoes, knee-length shorts, a T-shirt, a rain jacket, sunscreen and a phone pouch on a bench — The whole kit: shoes with grip, sleeves, shorts to the knee and a light jacket.

What is the dress code at Koloa Zipline?

Sleeved shirts, pants or knee-length shorts, and closed-toe shoes; no tank tops, short shorts, flip-flops or open-toed shoes of any kind.

The harness sits around your legs and waist, so longer shorts stop it rubbing, and sleeves protect your shoulders from the straps and the sun.

Zipline harnesses and red helmets hanging on a wooden rack — Harness straps sit around the legs and shoulders, so longer shorts and sleeves help.

What shoes should you wear?

Closed-toe shoes with a good tread that can get wet and muddy: trail runners, sneakers or light hiking shoes.

There are uphill walks and steep steps between platforms, and Kauai's red dirt turns slippery after rain. Guests at Kipu Ranch warn about mud too. Leave new white sneakers at the hotel.

A group walking through a eucalyptus grove between zipline platforms — The paths between lines run through eucalyptus forest.

Can you wear shorts?

Yes, as long as they reach roughly to the knee; short shorts are not allowed.

Pants are fine too and help with mosquitoes. Athletic shorts or hiking shorts work best.

Outfit sorted? Check your date for the eight-line tour.

Check dates for Koloa Zipline's 8-line tour

Do you need a swimsuit?

No: Koloa Zipline has no water landing or swimming stop.

If you book the AdrenaLine tour at Kipu Ranch instead, wear a swimsuit under your clothes: it includes the WaterZip and a swimming hole.

AdrenaLine Zipline: WaterZip & the FlyLine

Want to get wet? AdrenaLine ends one line with a drop into a swimming hole.

★ 4.9 202 reviews · 3 hours · from $183

Explore the AdrenaLine and FlyLine tour

What should you bring?

Bug spray, sunscreen, a light rain jacket and a phone or camera you can secure; snacks and water are provided.

Bug spray: guests specifically recommend it for the forest stops.
Sunscreen and sunglasses: the platforms are exposed.
Rain jacket: the tour runs rain or shine.
Hair tie for long hair under the helmet.
Cash or card for tips and any photo package.

Can you take your phone?

Yes, if it is secured: a zip pocket, a crossbody bag or a fanny pack.

One guest advises wearing a crossbody purse or fanny pack if you want your own pictures. Nothing should be loose in your hands on the line. Photos and videos are also available to buy.

Guests posing beside a dinosaur statue above the reservoir — Guests report a dinosaur photo stop on the course.

What if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine, so bring a light rain jacket and a dry shirt for the drive back.

Guests on rainy days still rate it highly; one wrote that the guides kept everyone safe and having fun despite the rain. Only unsafe weather stops a tour, and Viator bookings cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Ready to go, rain or shine? Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Check dates for Koloa Zipline's 8-line tour