What to Wear on a Koh Samui ATV Tour
Closed-toe shoes are mandatory and open-toed shoes are refused at the base. What to wear, what to bring and what the operators actually provide.
Two facts settle most of this. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory at almost every Koh Samui ATV operator and open-toed shoes are refused at the base — Trail Blazers say so on their listing in as many words. And whatever you wear will be filthy by the end, because a quad throws everything it rides over straight back at you.
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Shoes: the one thing that can end your morning
Closed-toe, and old. Trainers you would not mind losing are exactly right. Flip-flops, sandals and slides will get you turned away at the base camp of most operators, and there is no lending service for footwear.
If you are booking a tour with a waterfall swim, bring your walking shoes as well as something to swim in — Jungle Quad’s four-hour route includes a temple and a garden with real walking in them, on top of the swim.
Clothes you are genuinely willing to ruin
Not “casual”. Ruined. Koh Samui’s ATV trails are dust in the dry months and thick red mud from around May to November, and both of those get into fabric permanently. Operators list “clothes that can get dirty” under what to bring, and they mean it.
Shorts and a T-shirt are what almost everyone wears. Long sleeves are worth considering if you burn easily, because you are out in the open for two to four hours and sunscreen comes off in the mud. Avoid anything white, anything loose enough to catch, and anything you would be upset about.
Bring a change of clothes for afterwards if you have a dinner reservation. Several base camps have lockers and bag storage — Jungle Quad’s does — so leaving a dry set behind is straightforward.
What the operator provides, and what it does not
A helmet is universal. Beyond that it varies more than you would expect, and the gaps are worth knowing in advance.
Eye protection is the big one. Xplore ATV provide it. Jungle Quad provide goggles, a face mask and sunglasses. Samui Quad Motor and Lexi Adventures both list glasses or eye protection under exclusions — so on those tours, sunglasses of your own are not a nice-to-have but the only thing between your eyes and the grit.
Raincoats are provided by Jungle Quad, who ride rain or shine. Waterproof bags for your phone are provided by Lexi. Helmet hair nets, face masks and bag storage appear on the Jungle Quad listings.
Assume nothing is included unless the listing says it is.
The rest of the packing list
Sunscreen, applied before you leave — you will not want to touch your face with muddy hands halfway round.
Insect repellent, which several operators specifically recommend. You are riding through jungle at low speed with stops.
Water, though most tours include drinking water and several hand out cold bottles at the end.
Swimwear and a towel if your tour includes a waterfall swim. Jungle Quad ask for both explicitly on their three-hour and four-hour routes — see our waterfall ATV tours page for which tours actually stop long enough to swim.
A charged phone for photos, in the waterproof bag if one is provided. Two operators send you their own photos and video afterwards by WhatsApp, so you may not need to shoot much yourself.
A little cash for a cold drink, a snack or a tip. Gratuities are optional everywhere and expected nowhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear flip-flops on a Koh Samui ATV tour?
No. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory at almost every operator on the island, and Trail Blazers state plainly that open-toed shoes are refused at the base for safety reasons. Turning up in sandals is one of the few ways to lose your booking on the day.
What should I wear on an ATV tour in Koh Samui?
Closed-toe shoes, shorts or light trousers, and a T-shirt you are willing to ruin. Sunglasses if your operator does not provide eye protection — Samui Quad Motor and Lexi Adventures both exclude it. Add swimwear and a towel if your tour includes a waterfall swim.
Will I get muddy?
Yes, and on purpose. Jungle Quad describe mud as part of the adventure and ride rain or shine. From roughly May to November the trails are genuinely wet; in the dry months you get fine red dust instead, which is cleaner but gets everywhere. Neither comes out of white cotton.
Do they provide goggles?
It depends on the operator, and it is worth checking. Xplore ATV and Jungle Quad provide eye protection; Samui Quad Motor and Lexi Adventures list it under exclusions. On the tours that exclude it, bring sunglasses — riding through dust behind other quads without any is genuinely unpleasant.
Should I bring a change of clothes?
If you have anything planned afterwards, yes. Several base camps have lockers and bag storage, so leaving a dry set behind is easy, and most tours drop you back at your hotel anyway. The transfer vehicles are open 4x4 trucks on some operators, so you will not be sitting on upholstery in wet clothes.
Can I take my phone on the quad?
Yes, though at your own risk. Lexi Adventures provide a waterproof bag for phones and valuables; Jungle Quad have secure lockers at the base camp if you would rather leave things behind. Both Jungle Quad routes and the Lexi tour include free photos and video of your ride, which reduces the need to carry a phone at all.
Ready to book? Compare the durations on our 2-hour and 4-hour pages, or read which Koh Samui ATV tour is right for you.
Ride Koh Samui's Jungle Interior
Automatic quads, hotel pickup included, no licence needed. Compare durations, waterfall stops and passenger rules, then book with free cancellation up to 24 hours before you ride.
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