What to wear on an ATV tour

One of the things you’ll probably be thinking about after you’ve booked your Volcano ATV tour is what to wear. We’ll issue everyone with a helmet, gloves and overalls. A helmet is essential to make sure that your head is fully protected, while heavy-duty overalls and gloves will make sure that you are all covered for the unpredictable icelandic weather.

So that’s what we provide, but what goes underneath is up to you. If you’ve never been on an ATV, we have some suggestions about what to wear on a tour that we think you’ll find helpful. Let’s take a look. 

A few basic principles

One of the most important things to bear in mind as you prepare for your ATV tour in the Westman Islands is that whatever you wear might get dirty. The tour covers a range of surfaces, including grainy black sand and bumpy terrain. While the clothes you choose to put on are largely going to be covered up by the overalls we supply, there’s still a chance that as you slide out of them after your excursion you might transfer dust onto your own clothes. 

So, we’d recommend you don’t put on anything that is especially hard to launder. Comfortable casual clothes are definitely the order of the day. We’d also suggest you think about what’s going on top. For example, some people like to wear a hat under their helmet, but make sure you don’t have a bobble that’s going to get in the way.

What should you put on under your overalls?

The short answer to this often-asked question is clothing that’s going to be appropriate for Iceland’s changeable weather but that still allow for plenty of movement while you’re riding the ATV. Layers that breathe well and wick up moisture are going to be more suitable if you sweat, while something that’s warm will be a bonus if you’re riding our ATVs on a chilly day.

One thing that’s especially important is that you want to be able to move your arms easily, so long-sleeved T-shirts and fleeces are a popular option. If it’s cold, you might also wish to leave your jacket on underneath your overalls. Likewise, you’ll be glad of a good pair of trousers that are roomy enough to be comfortable.

Sunglasses and sunscreen can also be a blessing. Iceland’s not known for its warm sunshine, but in summer the temperatures can still rise to 20°C or more (which equates to the high 60s to low 70s in Fahrenheit). That means you might be glad of sunscreen or some sunglasses that fit comfortably under the visor of your helmet to tackle any glare. 

The right footwear is also important

Closed-toe footwear is a must for safety reasons – this is absolutely not a time for wearing flip-flops or sandals. As you drive your ATV you’re likely to be accelerating, braking and making sharp turns, so a sturdy pair of hiking boots or decent quality trainers (sneakers) would be much more appropriate. You don’t want to be distracted by your shoes coming loose.The only other thing we ask you to bring is a good mood so we can all have a lot of fun. You might want to slip a camera in your pocket too for a souvenir selfie or two when we stop. We hope this advice has been useful to help you get ready for your ATV tour, but if you still have questions, we’re more than happy for you to get in touch and ask us.