Wearing appropriate clothing will enhance your vacation experience

Everyone wants to be able to enjoy their well deserved vacation on horseback without sweating, being completely soaked, or cold. Below are a few suggestions to help you to select the correct footwear and clothing for your vacation. 

First of all, we want to make it clear that if you are a beginner you will not need to purchase the "perfect" gear, since you probably have not decided which riding discipline you may want to pursue in the future. A breathable, formfitting T-shirt, polo shirt or sweatshirt along with a pair of knee-patch riding pants, a safety helmet and good shoes will be sufficient.

Gloves are not necessary, but they can prevent you from getting blisters and can keep the reins from sliding through your hands. Cheaper gloves are made of cotton or synthetic fibers, more expensive gloves are made of leather.

Whether you are galloping with Monument Valley in your background or climbing mountains in Greece do not wear underwear that is made of cotton.  It is wise to invest in the appropriate underwear:
- for the southern climate natural fiber and a man-made fiber mixture is ideal
- for the cooler regions, we suggest polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PES). Both are light, take up little space in your luggage and can be stretched without losing their shape. The material will not soak up sweat, but instead will wick it away and dries quickly after washing. In addition, clothing made of PES is antibacterial and less likely to absorb odor. In cold countries such as Island, wearing long johns will be beneficial!

A warm outer layer will protect you during chilly nights. A sweatshirt or flannel shirt made with a polyester base is comfortable, lightweight and quick drying. A fleece jacket for the colder regions such as Island, the Altai mountains or Canada is beneficial. Note the various thicknesses of the material when purchasing a jacket, as they will give you an indication of the temperatures they will withstand.
Trekking vests (tear resistant, breathable, water absorbent), with multiple pockets for storing small items, also protect the kidneys, shoulders and back and have proven to be popular. An outdoor jacket made of Gore Tex can be used for all types of future active vacations. For the unexpected rain shower in the usually dryer climates, a foldable rain poncho made of tear-resistant nylon or nylon blend with a polyurethane coating works well.

Pants should be flexible, tear-proof and protect you from the elements. Depending on your destination you may opt for pants made of a cotton mixture, denim or some type of wool blend.  For programs with stationary accommodations, you can certainly continue wearing your favorite pants.  For trail rides however, we suggest pants made of a micro fiber mixture; they will not take up much space, are lightweight, tightly woven, water-repellent and will wick sweat away.  An alternate option are outdoor trekking pants (with membrane) that do not restrict your movement.  Especially important to remember; when choosing your pants be sure there is no bulky inseam that could cause rubs. 

Tall riding boots are certainly an option for your vacation with stationary accommodations. However, they will take up a lot of space in your suitcase. For trail rides we recommend water-resistant, riding or all terrain shoes that cover your ankle.  The thread should be not too coarse, and the shoe should have a heel. Half chaps are easy to put on and take off, will not cause you to sweat as much as riding boots, and will protect your calves from being rubbed. Rubber riding boots are essential for our trips in Iceland since there are a lot of river crossings. To keep your feet comfortable we recommend wearing socks made of a synthetic fiber blend and polypropylene for the warmer regions. This material will not soak up sweat, dries quickly and will prevent your feet getting cold due to being wet. In cooler climates we recommend wearing socks made of wool with a synthetic fiber mixture. Thicker socks will help to prevent pressure points.

For safety, a riding helmet (ASTM/SEI certified) with three-point safety chinstrap is recommended. Modern helmets are comfortable, safe and offer air vents to promote airflow. Some of our partners will let you borrow one of their helmets during your stay. If you prefer riding without a helmet, we recommend considering other type of headgear for protection from the elements (sun and rain). Many countries have typical headgear that is comfortable to wear, even when wearing glasses. A chinstrap will help to keep your hat in place. 

Purebred horses are bred in Iceland for 800 years. To prevent the introduction of any continental equine disease, it is mandatory that all riding equipment that has been in contact with equines be disinfected prior to your trip to Iceland (bring a receipt of your cleaning cost as proof at customs). If you plan to purchase a second set of riding boots or rubber boots (highly recommended), we suggest purchasing new boots and bring them on your trip "unused".