There’s a saying at Globetrotting HQ: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Another favourite we like to spruik is dress like an onion — lots of layers.
It’s taken decades to perfect the art of packing, and rides in mountainous regions — where the weather can change at the drop of a hat — are without doubt the most challenging to prepare for. Add in the likelihood of strict baggage weight limits on regional transfers, plus often very limited laundry facilities, and it becomes more important than ever to pack exactly what you need, no more and no less.
Once you book a horse riding holiday, you’ll receive a packing list tailored specifically to your ride. In the meantime, the guide below is a great starting point for adventures in places like Argentina, Chile, Mongolia, Iceland, and the mountains of New Zealand, southern Australia, the US, and Canada.
Before you leave
Make sure to check out our health guides for before and during your horse riding holiday so that you’re best prepared to stay fit and well on your trip.
As for packing, most of these more intrepid rides will require your baggage to be handled quite a bit, either by you or by your guides and support team, so we highly recommend using a soft duffel bag rather than a hard, Samsonite-style suitcase.
Also, compartmentalising your luggage is one of the smartest moves you can make – so it’s worth considering getting your hands on a few travel packing cubes to keep everything organised.
Must-haves
Riding gear
Helmet
Riding boots (long, warm and waterproof, if you’re not bringing chaps)
Chaps (optional – see our post on long boots vs chaps)
Comfortable riding pants (check out our recommendations for jeans, jodhpurs, tights and bombachas!)
Riding gloves (preferably warm and waterproof like these Sealskinz gloves)
Thermals
Warm socks (we swear by possum socks!)
Scarf
Beanie
Long & short sleeved shirts made of natural fibres, e.g. wool, cotton, hemp. Check out our GT Work Shirts and Polo Shirts.
Warm jacket & fleece
Waterproof jacket (some brands need to be re-waterproofed every now and again, so make sure to test your jacket before you leave home – this is one surprise you don’t want to have when you’re days away from the nearest outdoor store!)
Other gear
Casual, warm clothing & footwear for when you’re out of the saddle. We recommend bringing plenty of warm layers with zips so that you can warm up and cool down on the go. Natural fabrics like wool are great because they’re breathable and easy to layer, and thermals will be a godsend.
Flip flips/thongs/sandals/Toms
Broad-brimmed hat/cap – we have some awesome trucker caps available in black or navy.
Swimsuit (you can never be too sure – even in Iceland, there are natural hot springs to be enjoyed!)
Accessories
Camera with spare batteries & charger
Water bottle
Toiletries – lip balm, personal medications, etc
Sunscreen & sunglasses
Insect repellent
Head torch & batteries
Portable battery pack or solar charger
Universal travel adaptor
Bonus points
Helmet visor (our globetrotters swear by these for protection from sun, wind and rain!)
Vest (great for layering, we swear by our GT Puffer Vests in black or navy!)
Waterproof overpants
Seat saver (if those long hours in the saddle are a real concern for you. *preferably water-resistant)
Sleeping bag liner (if you tend to feel the cold)
Chafing cream
GoPro (here are our tips for using a GoPro on horseback)
Binoculars
Light scarf, bandana or buff (for dust)
Jockey goggles (for the wind and rain)
Hip flask
Wet wipes (preferably compostable), tissues or toilet paper
Pen knife
Travel thermos
Dry shampoo (if you’ll be going a few days between showers)
Sports bra (personal discretion needs to be applied here!)
Ziplock bags for storing rubbish for later disposal (for remote regions)
Biodegradable laundry detergent/body products (for remote regions)
Do you have any recommendations to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
