What to Wear for a Quad Tour in Morocco's Desert

Most of what makes a quad or buggy outing around Ouarzazate comfortable has nothing to do with the machine. It comes down to what you put on before you leave your hotel: shoes that grip, something to keep the dust off your face and a layer you can add or remove as the day warms up. This is the checklist we would give a friend before their first ride in the desert around the city.

What the tour already gives you

Every guided quad tour and buggy tour includes safety equipment, including a helmet, plus a personal guide who rides with you, keeps the group together and adapts the pace and route to your experience. You do not need to pack a helmet or technical riding gear. If you have a specific question, such as helmet sizes for younger riders or whether extra protection is available, ask the team when you send your request. They will tell you what is on hand rather than leaving you to guess.

Clothes for the trail

The routes around Ouarzazate cross gravel plains, rocky plateaus, dry riverbeds and, on the way to the Fint oasis, shallow water. Dress for dust and the odd splash rather than for a photo shoot.

Long trousers. Jeans or sturdy cotton trousers protect your legs from the sun, from the warmth of the engine and from small stones thrown up by the vehicle in front.
A light long sleeved top. Breathable fabric covers your arms from the sun far better than sunscreen alone, and it is also a respectful choice when you stop in Berber villages.
Closed shoes. Trainers or light walking shoes are ideal. Sandals and flip flops are a poor match for a footrest, and you will want proper soles when you walk around a kasbah or along a riverbed.
Clothes you do not mind getting dusty. Fine desert dust settles into fabric, so pale and delicate pieces are best left at the hotel.

Dust, sun and your eyes

Riding in a group means riding through some of the dust raised by the vehicles ahead, and the light in the south is strong all year. A few small items make a big difference.

Sunglasses with a snug fit or a strap, so they stay on over bumps.
A scarf or neck tube you can pull over your nose and mouth. A light cotton cheche, the long desert turban sold in Ouarzazate shops, works very well; ask your guide to show you how to tie it.
Sunscreen and lip balm, applied before you set off and again at a stop on longer routes.
A cap or hat for the stops. It will not fit under the helmet, but it helps when you walk around a film set or a ksar.

If you wear contact lenses, dusty air can be uncomfortable, so a pair of glasses in your bag is a sensible backup.

Dress for the season

Ouarzazate sits at 1119 m above sea level and has a desert climate with little rain through the year. Our practical information page gives July as the hottest month, around 38 °C, and January as the coolest, with lows around 3 °C. That range matters more than any single item in your bag.

In summer, choose light, loose clothing that still covers your arms and legs, and favour the cooler hours for longer routes. Ask the team which departure time they recommend for your date.
In winter, mornings and evenings are cold, and the wind on a moving quad makes them feel colder. Bring a warm fleece or light jacket, gloves and a scarf, and take layers off as the sun climbs.
In the months between, expect a clear difference between a cool start and a warm afternoon. One extra layer that packs small is usually enough.

Water and small essentials

Drink before you leave and carry a bottle of water each, even on the one hour ride to the Kingdom of Heaven film set. Dry air and sun dehydrate you faster than you expect. On half day and full day routes, a small backpack that sits close to your body is the easiest way to carry water, sunscreen and your spare layer. Keep a little cash in dirhams for a drink or a small purchase in the villages, and leave valuables you do not need at your hotel.

Phones and cameras

You will want pictures at the walls of the film set, above the palm groves of Fint or facing Ait Ben Haddou. Keep your phone in a zipped pocket or a sealed bag while riding, because dust finds its way into ports and lenses quickly. A simple clear pouch protects it and still lets you take photos at the stops. If you hope to film with an action camera, raise it with your guide before departure; in general it is safer to stop for photos than to hold a phone while crossing rough ground. When you pass through villages, ask before photographing people, especially women, who may prefer not to be photographed by strangers.

Quad or buggy: does it change what you wear?

The basics are the same. In a buggy you sit inside a frame and feel a little more sheltered, but the dust still reaches you and the sun is just as strong, so the same shoes, scarf and sunglasses apply. If you are still deciding between the two, our comparison of quad and buggy tours in Ouarzazate explains how they feel on the trail.

Ready to ride? Pick your route and send a reservation request with your date and group size, or message the team on WhatsApp with any question about what to bring. They know the trails and the season and will tell you what to expect on the day.