Ride guide
What to Wear Desert Riding Dubai: A Rider's Clothing Guide
Search what to wear desert riding Dubai and you get long packing lists. You need far less than that. Come in comfortable sportswear and proper sport shoes, bring a jacket on cooler winter days, and we hand you the protective kit before you ride. Below, each piece is explained, along with why it matters on sand.
01short version
The short version: what to wear desert riding Dubai style
The whole answer to what to wear desert riding Dubai fits in five lines. It is the same for the KTM, the quads and the buggies:
- Comfortable, non-restrictive clothes: sportswear, or slim casual clothes
- Closed sport shoes that lace or strap firmly
- A jacket for the cooler winter months
- No helmet or gloves needed: we provide them
- KTM riders also get racing pants, a jacket and body protection
02clothes
Clothes that move with you on a dirt bike or quad
Riding on sand is active work. You stand up over bumps, crouch into dips and shift your weight from side to side. Clothes that pull at the knees or shoulders get in the way, so pick stretchy sportswear or casual clothes that fit close to the body without squeezing.
Close-fitting also means nothing flaps around. Loose scarves, wide sleeves and long open shirts can catch on handlebars or levers, and they fill with sand in the wind. Tuck in or leave at home anything that hangs.
On the KTM you wear the racing pants and jacket we provide, so your own clothes become the layer underneath. A light T-shirt and thin trousers or leggings sit comfortably below the kit.
03shoes
Shoes for the sand and the footpegs
Footwear is the one item you really have to get right yourself. Wear sport shoes with a closed toe and a sole that grips, laced tight so sand cannot pull them off. Your feet work the pegs, the brake and, in a buggy, the pedals.
Leave sandals, flip-flops, slides and heels at your hotel. They slip, they fill with hot sand, and they leave toes exposed near moving parts. Socks that come above the ankle also help keep sand out of your shoes.
04kit provided
Riding gear we provide for every dirt bike Dubai session
You do not need to buy or pack protective gear. For every ride we supply helmets, gloves and body armour, so you only need sensible clothes. For the KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC, the package includes all of this:
- Racing gear: pants, jacket and gloves
- Goggles and a crash-resistant helmet
- Protection for collarbones and knees
- Fuel for the bike, a briefing and training from an instructor, and a guide who rides with you
05time of day
Dressing for the time of your desert ride
Your slot can be as early as 5:00 AM or as late as 8:00 PM, and those early and late starts are the kindest to your body. A dawn start in the cooler winter months can feel chilly in the open air, so bring a jacket you can take off once the sun is up.
If you add the BBQ camp, which needs a private transfer, you will be in the desert after dark. From October to March pickup for the camp runs from 2:45 to 3:30 PM and brings you back from 9:00 to 9:30 PM, so pack a warm layer for after sunset. From April to September, collection comes a little later, from 3:45 to 4:30 PM. The location page covers the drive out.
06bring and leave
What to bring along, and what to leave behind
A small bag is plenty. These help on the day:
- Sunglasses for before and after the ride (goggles cover the riding)
- Sunscreen and a bottle of water of your own
- A hair tie if your hair is long, so it sits under the helmet
- A zipped pocket for your phone, or leave it with someone who is not riding
- Rings, bracelets and dangling earrings left at home
FAQ
Questions riders ask
01 Can I ride in jeans?
Slim casual clothes are fine, so jeans that let you bend your knees and crouch will work. Stiff or very tight denim makes standing and moving your weight around harder, which is why stretchy sportswear is the better pick. On the KTM you wear racing pants over your own clothes, so thinner trousers underneath are more comfortable. More detail is on the KTM rental page.
02 Do I need my own helmet or gloves?
No. Helmets, gloves and body armour are provided for every ride, and you put them on before you set off. KTM riders get the full set: racing pants and a jacket, gloves, goggles, a crash-resistant helmet, plus knee and collarbone guards. There is nothing protective you need to pack yourself. The safety and gear page lists what each ride includes.
03 What should children wear on the kids quad?
The same as the adults: comfortable, close-fitting clothes and closed sport shoes that stay on. The kids quad and the COBRA quad both run in the fenced area, and a helmet is provided. Tie back long hair and leave loose toys or dangling items in the car. To compare the quads for younger riders, see the quad biking page.
04 Does what I wear change between a quad, a buggy and the dirt bike?
Only a little. Sport shoes and comfortable clothes suit all three. In a buggy you sit, so fit matters less, but sand still gets everywhere, so a closed outfit helps. On a quad or the KTM you move around more, so stretch matters most. If you are still choosing a machine, our guide to choosing a dirt bike, quad or buggy can help.
Dirt bike Dubai: pick a ride, pick a start time
Choose the KTM, a quad or a buggy, add a pickup if it helps and pay online on the same form. Skip the pickup and the meeting point reaches you by email.