WHAT DO YOU WEAR ON AN ATV TOUR? A COMPLETE PACKING GUIDE
For any ATV tour, the core answer is: closed-toe shoes, long pants, and layers you can adjust. If you are wondering what to wear on an ATV tour, start with clothing that protects your legs, covers your arms, and handles changing trail conditions.
On Vail ATV tours, the Colorado mountain terrain adds a variable most packing guides miss: elevation, sun, dust, and shifting temperatures can all affect comfort.
Clothing That Handles Colorado Trail Conditions
Mountain ATV terrain is not the same as flat desert or coastal trails. Sage runs guided Side by Side ATV tours on private land near Vail and Beaver Creek, with access to more than 6,000 acres of Colorado backcountry. That means your clothing should be ready for dust, sun, uneven terrain, and temperature changes.
If you are deciding what to wear on an ATV tour, think in terms of coverage first. The ATV Safety Institute recommends long pants, long sleeves, gloves, eye protection, and over-the-ankle boots for rider protection. Even on a guided tour, those basics help protect your skin from scratches, brush, and dust.
Pants
Long pants are the safest choice for an ATV tour. Jeans can work, but lightweight hiking pants are often more comfortable because they allow better movement and dry faster if the trail is damp. Avoid loose pants that could catch on the vehicle frame or brush along the trail
Top Layer
A long-sleeved shirt is also smart. It gives your arms protection from the sun and flying dust without forcing you to wear heavy clothing. Choose a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric when possible, especially for summer rides.
Layers For Vail ATV Tours
The best outfit for Vail ATV tours is built around layers. Mountain weather can change quickly, especially when your tour starts in the morning and continues into brighter midday sun. A short-sleeved shirt may feel fine at the property, but it may not be enough once you are moving through shaded trails or higher terrain.
Start with a comfortable base layer, add a long-sleeved shirt, and bring a light jacket or fleece you can remove if the day warms up. This keeps you from dressing for only one moment of the day.
Sage’s ATV tours are guided experiences, so guests do not need to plan like they are heading into the backcountry alone. Still, your clothing choices matter. Sage provides the guided tour experience, access to private trails, and professional staff. You bring the clothing and footwear that help you enjoy the ride.
Footwear: The One Item That Matters Most
Footwear is one of the most important choices for any ATV tour. Flip-flops, sandals, slip-ons, and open-toe shoes do not belong on a trail ride. They can slide off, expose your feet, and leave your ankles unsupported on uneven terrain.
The ATV Safety Institute’s rider gear guidelines specify over-the-ankle footwear as the standard for ATV operation. In practice for a Sage tour: lace-up hiking boots or trail runners with ankle coverage are the right call. Motocross boots are overkill unless you already own them. What to avoid: flip-flops, sandals, slip-ons, or any shoe without a closed toe and secure heel.
What Sage Provides vs. What You Bring
The clothing and personal items are your responsibility. Use this table as a practical packing guide before your ride.
| Item | Handled By Sage | You Bring |
| Professional guide support | Yes | No |
| Access to private trail areas | Yes | No |
| Long pants | No | Yes |
| Closed-toe shoes or boots | No | Yes |
| Long-sleeved shirt | No | Yes |
| Weather-ready layers | No | Yes |
| Sunscreen | No | Yes |
| Gloves | No | Yes |
Accessories Worth Packing
A few items that make a real difference on a mountain trail:
- Sunscreen: Apply SPF 30 or higher before your tour, especially on your face, neck, and hands.
- A buff or neck gaiter: This helps with dust on dry trail sections.
- Gloves: Lightweight work gloves or riding gloves can reduce hand fatigue and improve grip.
- Sunglasses: Use them before and after the ride when you are not on the trail.
- Air tie or hat for after the tour: Dust and wind are part of the experience, so plan accordingly.
What to Leave at the Property
Loose jewelry, scarves, and anything dangling around your neck or wrists. Flowing fabric that can catch on vehicle components or trailside brush. Anything you’d be upset to ruin, dust and light mud are part of the experience on a real trail.
FAQ
What do you wear on an ATV tour in Colorado?
For an ATV tour in Colorado, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toe shoes with ankle support. At Vail’s elevation, bring a packable mid-layer for morning departures when temperatures can sit in the low 40s before the sun rises.
Do I need special boots for an ATV tour?
You don’t need motocross boots, but your footwear needs to cover your ankle and stay securely on your foot. Lace-up hiking boots or trail runners with ankle coverage are the practical choice for most guests.
What should I wear on a Vail ATV tour in the morning?
Vail ATV tours in the morning, especially in May and June, start cold. Layer a thermal base under a long-sleeved shirt and bring a light jacket or fleece you can remove once the trail warms up. Long pants and ankle boots are standard.
Can I wear shorts on an ATV tour?
We recommend not to. Shorts expose your legs to rocks, brush, dust, and the vehicle’s hot metal components.
Do I need to bring my own helmet for a Vail ATV tour?
No. Sage provides fitted helmets and goggles for every guest on all ATV tours.
Kelley Atwell
Group Sales & Concierge Relations
Working in the outdoor tourism industry is amazing! Every day presents the opportunity to introduce visitors to the beauty of Colorado’s rivers & mountains and help create lasting memories.
This winter, I’ll be diving into Sage Outdoor Adventures to spearhead Group Sales, Concierge Relations, and Strategic Partnership Development.
As manager of Liquid Descent Rafting, my role requires balancing fast-paced internal operations while keeping the energy high and exciting for all our customers! As a small business that only operates for a few months a year, high-volume sales and efficiency are key to success. Juggling retail, transportation, reservations, compliance, marketing, customer experience, and 30 employees presents a dynamic, ever-changing opportunity to apply problem-solving skills.
I love being a part of a small business and having the autonomy and self-initiative to dive into whatever project presents itself.
Regardless of the role I pursue, I bring empathy, hard work, a willingness to learn, and a sense of internal competitiveness that enable me to make a valuable contribution to teams across all objectives.
