What to Pack for a Riding Holiday (So You’re Comfortable, Capable, and Quietly Smug)
By Roxanne Lautenbach & Emma Blunt
There’s a special kind of optimism that appears when packing for a riding holiday. You convince yourself you’ll be effortlessly practical, mildly glamorous, and perfectly prepared. You imagine crisp mornings, golden light, and outfits that somehow survive dust, sweat, and gravity.
Reality, of course, involves long hours in the saddle, wildly changeable weather, and a sudden emotional attachment to one very specific item you nearly left behind.
This isn’t a list for looking good on Instagram (although you probably will). This is a riding holiday packing list for riding well, staying comfortable, and enjoying the trip from the first mounting block to the long, slightly feral journey home.
Riding Holiday Packing List: The Kit You’ll Actually Use
Riding boots and half chaps
If there’s one place not to compromise, it’s here. You’ll spend more time in your boots than anywhere else, so comfort, grip, and ankle support matter far more than aesthetics.
Short riding boots paired with half chaps are the unsung heroes of riding holidays. They’re practical, easier to travel with than long boots, and adaptable across disciplines, terrain, and weather. Dust, mud, rain, heat, they take it all in stride and never complain. Much like the best horses.
Brands we love: Ariat remains a firm favourite if you want a classic look with proper comfort. Blundstone is for the cool-kid vibe, and an all-purpose boot you can wear in the saddle and off it. For some good looking budget options, we have been really impressed with the Decathlon equestrian range, especially for half chap options.
Hot tips: New boots? Make sure you break your boots in before you go or better yet, hunt second-hand on places like Vinted or your local tack shop. Stepping into a well-worn boot is usually way more comfortable than breaking in new leather, and often half the price. Leave the designer dressage boots at home unless you’re into unnecessary suffering and quiet, private sobs. Blisters don’t care about branding, and thorny bush doesn’t respect expensive stitching.
Ride like a local. Before you go, stalk the ride photos and see what people actually wear on the ground. Example: we rocked up in Los Llanos, Colombia wildly unprepared for daily wet rides. Locals were barefoot or in gumboots while our leather boots turned into waterlogged sponges on day one. We ditched them fast and never looked back.
Pack: For longer rides (seven days or more) bring two pairs so you can alternate and give your feet a break.
2. Riding gloves
You might skip them at home. On holiday, you won’t.
Long days mean constant rein contact, sun exposure, and the kind of sweaty palms that slowly destroy your hands and your mood. Gloves prevent blisters, improve grip, and keep your hands feeling vaguely civilised by day three. Lightweight, breathable pairs are ideal. Nothing bulky. Nothing precious. You can’t go wrong with Roeckl for style and grip.
3. Lightweight long sleeve riding tops
These are your secret weapon.
Long sleeves protect against sun, wind, insects, dust, and low-grade abrasion from tack and straps, while lightweight fabrics stop you from overheating. They also solve the “too hot, too cold” dilemma that seems to exist exclusively around horses.
Roll the sleeves up. Roll them down. Wear them again tomorrow. You’ll wonder why you ever rode in anything else.
Hot tip: denim and khaki stay looking fresh for the longest. There’s a reason they’re classics for riding in the wild. Dust barely shows, so you can rewear them on longer trips without looking like you’ve been dragged behind the herd. Plus, they’re timeless and they work everywhere.
In hotter destinations, lean into lightweight, quick-drying fabrics. In hotter destinations go with lighter quick drying fabrics - on rides like Namibia you can even get away with dunking your shirt in a water bucket at lunch, wring it out, throw it back on, and enjoy your own built-in aircon for the afternoon heat.
Pack: One for every two days.
4. Layers for cold mornings
Even warm destinations have cold starts. Early rides have a habit of being crisp, quiet, and deceptively chilly. A thin fleece, softshell, or insulated vest makes all the difference at dawn and disappears easily into a bag once the sun gets involved.
The rule is simple: warm enough at first light, forgettable by mid-morning.
5. Riding trousers: jodhpurs , bombachas or even skinny jeans
Choose what you ride best in, but choose wisely.
You want stretch or space, breathability, and fabric that doesn’t turn against you after four hours in the saddle. Quick-dry materials are worth their weight in gold, and silicone or suede seats add real comfort on long days. Bring at least two pairs so one can always be recovering from yesterday’s decisions.
Hot tip: For longer expedition rides, our current controversial choice is the Levi’s High Rise Skinny jean. The flat inner seams don’t rub, the stretch is just right, and the denim still looks good after multiple days in the saddle. They work perfectly under long and short chaps. And yes, your butt looks dreamy in and out of the saddle. No sad, saggy horse-gal butt here. Just saying.
Pack: One pair for every three days.
What to Wear on a Riding Holiday When You’re Out of the Saddle
Comfortable shoes: closed shoes and sandals
Your feet work hard. Give them options.
Closed shoes or trainers are ideal for walking, stable time, and travel days. Sandals are perfect for evenings, showers, and those moments when removing your boots feels like a small religious experience.
2. Sunglasses (two pairs)
One practical pair for riding: dust-resistant, scratch-friendly, and not emotionally precious. One nicer pair for lunch stops, wandering around, and pretending you’re not a little stiff. Neck straps are encouraged if you enjoy keeping things you own.
Hot tip: Unless you’re on a racetrack, leave the tinted racing goggles at home. You’ll look ridiculous, and you’ll hate every photo of yourself in ten years’ time.
3. Swimsuit
Always pack a swimsuit. No exceptions. No logic required.
Pools, rivers, hot springs, oceans, snow deep saunas, riding holidays have a funny way of surprising you with swimming opportunities. A swimsuit takes up almost no space and delivers disproportionate joy. You never regret packing one. You always regret not packing one.
Riding Holiday Essentials: Six Small Things That Save the Day
Power Bank
Between photos, maps, music, and long days away from plug points, your phone will not survive without backup. A Power Bank is one of those items you barely notice until it becomes the hero of the entire trip.
Brands we love: Anker Power Bank is fast and can last up to 5 Iphone charges.
2. Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
Wind and sun are sneaky, especially when you’re outside all day. Apply before riding, reapply when you remember, and keep SPF lip balm within easy reach. Burnt lips are deeply joyless and easily avoidable. *If you love a red lip like Alex does, Labello just launched a tinted range that is perfect!
Brands we love: For long lasting with great moisture creams that won’t run, we are loving the Eucerin Actinic Control FPS 100, Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF 50+, and the entire Supergoop range.
3. Medication
Bring anything prescribed, plus the basics: pain relief and anti-inflammatories (especially for long rides), Imodium for destinations where your stomach might have opinions, electrolytes for hot, long days, bug spray, and cooling gel for bites and sunburn. Add Compeed blister plasters too, the silent saviours that go on once and stay put for days.
Riding holidays are physically demanding in the best way. A little preparation helps you enjoy the soreness instead of resenting it.
4. Chafing cream
Apply before you need it. Every ride. This is not an “if” situation. It’s a “when,” unless you act pre-emptively.
5. Hydrating face spray
Pure luxury. Zero necessity. Immense morale boost. A quick spritz at lunch or after untacking feels like civilisation arriving unexpectedly in the middle of a long day.
6. Insulated water bottle
Nothing beats a crisp, cold glug of water once the adrenaline has subsided and you realise you’re living your best life. Choose an easy flip lid you can use one-handed, with the other hand on the reins and your dignity hanging on by a thread. Warm water is… a betrayal.
Ten Final Riding Holiday Packing Tips
Hats: If you’re riding in a helmet, go lightweight, no bling, not precious. It’s a tool, not a tiara.
If you’re riding western style, choose a hat with a cosy, secure fit that won’t launch into the next province. Bonus points for stampede strings so you can gallop without one hand permanently glued to your brim.
Brands we love: For style and comfort and a hat that will last a lifetime we choose Akubra every time.
Head torch: Hands-free is always better, especially in unfamiliar places
Ear plugs & Eye patch: Horses, people, wildlife, wind, and thin walls all have opinions at night
Sheet face mask: Treat yourself. Shower, mask, 20 minutes horizontal, then emerge like you’ve got your life together.
Pack light: Weight limits are real, and overpacking is the fastest way to suffer. Packing cubes help more than you think.
Saddlebag essentials matter: They’re small. Prioritise sunscreen, SPF lip balm, phone, sunglasses, and a hat. A bum bag adds precious extra space.
Sturdy socks are underrated: Bring more than you think you need. Your feet will notice.
Strap it down: Phone and sunglasses straps will save you mid-gallop heartbreak.
Bring confidence and curiosity: The kit matters, but your sense of adventure is what actually makes a riding holiday unforgettable.
Always pack one clean outfit in a separate ziplock bag:
Not mostly clean.
Not good enough.
Properly clean, sealed, untouched.No matter how dusty, damp, or chaotic the trip becomes, you’ll have something fresh for the journey home. It’s a small act of self-kindness that feels borderline heroic at the end.