What to Wear for Horse Riding in Sumba

The Golden Rule: Lightweight, Breathable, Quick-Drying

Sumba sits 10 degrees south of the equator. Temperatures range from 25-35°C (77-95°F) with high humidity. Everything you wear in the saddle needs to breathe, wick moisture, and dry quickly — because you will get wet. Whether from sweat, river crossings, or unexpected rain, moisture management is the single most important factor in riding comfort on Sumba.

Leave heavy denim, thick cotton, and your beautiful leather boots at home. Tropical riding requires a fundamentally different approach to clothing than European or American trail riding.

Upper Body

Lightweight, long-sleeved sun shirts are ideal — they protect from sun exposure (essential at this latitude) while allowing airflow. Synthetic fabrics like polyester blend or merino wool are far superior to cotton, which becomes heavy, clingy, and chafe-inducing when wet. Brands like Columbia PFG, Patagonia Capilene, or any fishing-style sun shirt work perfectly.

Avoid sleeveless tops — exposed shoulders sunburn rapidly during long hours in the saddle and provide no protection when riding through vegetation. A lightweight, packable rain jacket is worth carrying for wet season rides or unexpected afternoon showers. Layer it over your sun shirt when needed.

Lower Body

Lightweight riding tights or breeches remain the best option for any serious riding. Modern technical riding tights from brands like Kerrits, Irideon, or Dublin are thin enough for tropical heat while providing the grip, stretch, and chafe protection that makes long days in the saddle comfortable. If you do not own riding-specific pants, lightweight hiking pants with some stretch work reasonably well.

Avoid loose, baggy pants that can catch on saddle hardware. Jeans are a poor choice — heavy when wet, slow to dry, and the thick seams cause inner-thigh chafing during extended rides. Shorts are not recommended for riding due to direct skin contact with the saddle leather causing friction burns.

Footwear

This is where tropical riding diverges most from standard equestrian advice. Traditional tall riding boots are unnecessarily hot in Sumba’s climate. Ankle-height boots with a small heel and smooth sole are ideal — they provide stirrup grip and ankle support without overheating your legs. Lightweight hiking boots also work well.

The key requirement is a defined heel that prevents your foot from sliding through the stirrup — this is a safety essential, not a style choice. Sneakers and running shoes are not safe for riding as the flexible sole can slip through and trap your foot in a fall. Sandals and flip-flops should never be worn on horseback.

Bring water shoes or reef sandals for river crossing days — our support team can hold your riding boots while you cross, but many riders prefer riding through shallow crossings and getting their boots wet (if wearing quick-dry hiking boots, this is fine).

Head Protection

Sumba Horse provides certified riding helmets for all guests. However, if you have your own well-fitting helmet, bring it. A personally fitted helmet is always more comfortable than a borrowed one during long riding days. Lightweight ventilated models (like the Tipperary Sportage or Ovation Deluxe Schooler) are ideal for tropical conditions. Under the helmet, a thin moisture-wicking skull cap or bandana prevents sweat dripping into your eyes.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is non-negotiable at Sumba’s latitude. Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours — sweat washes it off faster than you realize. A wide-brimmed hat for rest stops (store in your saddlebag while riding, as helmets are worn while mounted), quality UV-blocking sunglasses with a retainer strap, and SPF lip balm complete the sun protection kit. Many riders underestimate sun exposure during riding because the breeze creates a cooling effect while UV damage continues silently.

What We Provide

Sumba Horse provides riding helmets, half-chaps (ankle-to-knee leather protectors) for riders without riding boots, and saddlebags for personal items. We also provide insect repellent, basic sunscreen, and water bottles. You only need to bring appropriate clothing and personal items. Our pre-departure packing list is sent to all confirmed guests 2 weeks before arrival.