If you’re planning on taking a UTV tour, you should know what a safe UTV riding outfit looks like. By taking some time to plan your outfit, you can be confident that you’ll be as comfortable and safe as possible on your UTV tour.
As you plan for your upcoming UTV tour, review our guide to UTV riding outfits and UTV riding gear.
What to Include in a Trail Riding Outfit for a UTV Tour
Whether it’s wearing a helmet and goggles or making sure your legs aren’t exposed, you can do a lot to protect yourself on a UTV ride. Before you plan to ride a UTV, learn more about the type of trail riding clothes you should wear on your tour:
1. A Helmet
Just like riding a bike, it’s always recommended to wear a helmet while you’re driving or riding in a UTV.
In general, motocross or full-face helmets provide exceptional protection and are ideal for UTV rides. While looking for a helmet, check for a DOT or SNELL stamp, as these safety ratings indicate the helmet meets or exceeds strict safety standards.
2. Eye Protection
Whether you’re tearing through the desert or flying through muddy streams, eye protection is a must. Regardless of the terrain, UTVs tend to kick up debris that could get in your eyes and hurt them.
In order to protect your eyes and make sure you have as much as possible, most UTV tours will require you to wear eye protection. Safety goggles with shatterproof lenses and anti-fog, scratch-resistant, UV protection, and sweat management features tend to provide the safest and most comfortable experience. Make sure the helmet fits snugly and doesn’t move on its own once it’s secured to your head.
3. Upper Body Protection
Here’s what to wear on your upper body to stay safe, comfortable, and ready for whatever the trail throws at you.
Long-Sleeve Shirt
Choose a durable, breathable top that covers your arms to guard against flying debris and sun exposure. A close, athletic fit works best because loose fabric can snag on branches or gear. Moisture-wicking materials keep you dry when the pace picks up.
Riding Jacket
Look for a jacket with good ventilation and articulated panels so you can move freely while staying protected. Water-resistant fabric helps with puddle spray and light showers, and zipper vents let you cool down quickly when the sun comes out.
Protective Vest / Body Padding
If you’re driving a sport model UTV at higher speeds or tackling difficult terrain, add an all-season padded vest or chest protector for extra impact coverage over your sternum, ribs, and shoulders. This layer also helps deflect kicked-up rocks and sticks.
Full-Finger Gloves
Off-road gloves improve grip on the wheel, shield hands from debris, and add warmth on colder days. Pick a snug pair with reinforced palms and knuckle coverage for comfort and control.
Bandana
Optional but helpful for protecting your neck and mouth from dirt and sun. Provides light insulation in winter; dip in water in summer to help cool your neck.
What to Wear on Your Upper Body During a UTV Tour Based on the Weather
What to Wear When It’s Hot
When it’s hot outside, we’d still recommend wearing a riding jacket for extra protection. However, look for riding jackets and long-sleeved shirts that are breathable and lightweight to stay cool. Moisture-wicking fabrics are also a good option, as they help keep your body cool and dry in hot weather.
What to Wear If It’s Cold
If it’s cold out, layer up with a riding jacket, an insulating mid-layer (like a fleece shirt), and a lighter moisture-wicking base shirt to keep sweat from pooling on your body.
What to Wear If the Temperature Swings
Plan for changing weather by leaving room to add or remove layers. Sizing up slightly on a riding jacket makes it easier to throw a thermal or fleece underneath during cold-weather rides without feeling restricted.
What to Wear When It Rains
Pack a lightweight waterproof shell or choose a fully waterproof riding jacket. Staying dry boosts comfort, reduces wind chill, and helps you focus on the terrain instead of the weather.
4. Lower Body Protection
Alongside keeping your upper body and head protected, it’s important to keep your lower body safe as well. Some common pieces of lower-body clothing to wear on a UTV tour include:
Long Pants
Skip the shorts. Go with durable, full-length pants to shield your legs from the sun, scrapes, and flying debris. Jeans work, but purpose-built trail pants are tougher and more comfortable over long, bumpy rides. In terms of size, aim for a streamlined, flexible fit. Pants that are too loose can snag on branches or interior hardware, while overly tight fabric restricts movement when climbing in and out of the vehicle.
Riding Pants with Padding
For extra protection, go with off-road pants featuring reinforced knees, or wear knee pads over a regular pair of pants. Extra cushioning absorbs bumps, protects against rocks and branches, and makes kneeling on gravel or mud less painful.
Over-the-Ankle Boots
Wear rugged, closed-toe boots with strong tread for traction in the cab and on slick trails. Waterproof or water-resistant materials keep feet dry, and insulated options help in cold weather.
High, Cushioned Socks
Pair your boots with tall, thick socks to reduce friction, add warmth, and prevent pressure points around the ankle and calf.
No Sandals, No Exposed Toes
Never wear sandals or footwear that leaves your toes exposed while driving or riding in a UTV. Sandals and low-cut shoes leave feet vulnerable to heat from the machine and impacts from rocks or sticks. Choose sturdy sneakers at minimum, and upgrade to boots when the terrain or weather calls for it.
What to Wear on Your Lower Body During a UTV Tour Based on the Weather
What to Wear When It’s Hot
Wear lightweight, durable pants that breathe and wick sweat, not heavy denim. Pair them with moisture-wicking, Merino wool or polyester socks to prevent blisters, and choose over-the-ankle boots with good tread for debris and pedal grip. Avoid cotton socks since they hold moisture.
What to Wear If It’s Cold
Start with a wicking base layer, add insulating fleece or insulated pants, then finish with durable outer pants that block wind. Choose tall wool or synthetic socks for warmth and dryness, and insulated, over-the-ankle boots with strong traction for slick surfaces.
What to Wear If The Temperature Swings
Plan for quick changes. Wear breathable trail pants over a light base layer you can add or remove, and stash a compact mid-layer tight or fleece pant in the cargo bin. Choose socks that wick in heat yet insulate when temps drop, and stick with supportive over-the-ankle boots. Slightly roomier pants help layers move without binding when you swap pieces.
What to Wear When It Rains
Keep your legs dry with waterproof, breathable, seam-sealed rain pants over durable trail pants. Pair with over-the-ankle waterproof boots and wool or synthetic socks so feet stay warm when splashing through puddles. Add mid-height gaiters to seal the boot-pant gap and block water, mud, and gravel. A snug, non-flapping fit reduces snagging inside the cab and on brush.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Wear on UTV Tours
Still have questions about what to wear during a UTV tour? Check out our answers to frequently asked questions about the right clothing for UTVs:
Can I Wear Jeans/Leggings on a UTV Tour?
Jeans are commonly used and provide basic abrasion protection, though purpose-built riding or durable hiking pants breathe and move better over bumps. If you prefer leggings, choose abrasion-resistant moto/tactical versions, not thin cotton.
Do I Need Waterproof Boots While Riding a UTV?
Over-the-ankle, closed-toe boots are strongly recommended for ankle and foot protection. When trails are wet and muddy, waterproof boots are ideal.
What Should I Wear If It Rains or Snows on a UTV Tour?
Wear a waterproof, breathable outer layer (jacket and rain pants) over moisture-wicking base layers in rainy conditions. When it’s cold, add an insulated mid-layer to keep you warm.
You can also keep your hands and feet dry and warm with waterproof gloves and over-the-ankle boots. Layering from a wicking base to a wind-blocking shell is standard cold-weather guidance.
What Are the Best Gloves for Summer and Winter UTV Rides?
In summer, choose vented off-road/motorcycle gloves with reinforced palms for grip and airflow.
In winter or wet weather, insulated and often waterproof gloves help retain dexterity while blocking wind and moisture.
Are Shorts Ever Okay for UTV Tours?
If you want to protect your legs from scrapes, debris, and sun exposure, you really need to wear long pants. While shorts may be more comfortable, wearing them puts your lower body at a higher risk of injury.
What Should Kids Wear on UTV Tours?
Kids should wear the same full set of clothing that we covered previously. For example, a DOT-compliant helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots are all essential for a child’s safety.
Can I Wear Contacts On a UTV Ride?
Yes, you can wear contacts on a UTV ride, but you should also have goggles over them.
Do I Need to Tie Up Long Hair on a UTV Ride?
Yes, tie up long hair and avoid loose clothing so nothing can snag on a gear or branches. Low ponytails or braids tucked into your collar work especially well under helmets.
Sign Up for a UTV Tour in the Smoky Mountains at WildSide
If you’re looking for UTV tours in the Smoky Mountains, WildSide is ready to welcome you to our adventure park. When you schedule a UTV tour at WildSide, you’ll have the chance to get behind the wheel and explore our private off-road trails featuring varied terrain, scenic views, and streams to splash through. Before your tour, you’ll have the chance to pick a UTV, and during the ride, we’ll give you plenty of opportunities for incredible photographs.
Learn more about our UTV tours today. If you’re ready to explore the Smokies in one of our UTVs, please book an appointment.