Are you wondering what to wear on a hot air balloon ride? Hot air balloon rides are on many people’s bucket lists but require some planning in terms of what to wear. This guide will tell you exactly what to wear on a hot air balloon ride no matter where you are in the world.
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What to wear on a hot air balloon ride is an important but sometimes overlooked part of this amazing experience.
There are some practicality elements to thing of such as getting in and out of the balloon safely as well as weather and time of day.
Although weather will change depending on where you are for instance riding a balloon in New Mexico will have a very different dress code to those going for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia in Winter.
Therefore we will give an overview for practicality purposes. If there is a particular region you plan to go ballooning in you can check out our destination and seasonal specific guides for more regional information.
Best Shoes for Hot Air Balloon Rides
Sneakers are undoubtedly the best shoes for hot air balloon rides.
Many hot air balloon rides require you to climb in and out of the basket. You definitely won’t want anything with a heel for this.
Also you have to consider the terrain you will be entering and exiting the balloon in. For instance you may be getting in and out in a field where the ground could be wet and muddy. You don’t want to have a shoe where you will sink into the ground.
And they have the added bonus of bot being open toed which is definitely a plus in a hot air balloon ride. Baskets of hot air balloons are small, and there is always a risk of your toe being stepped or or getting it stubbed as you clamber in and out of the basket.
What to wear on a hot air balloon ride
So now you know what shoes to wear, we turn our attention to the rest of your outfit for hot air balloon rides for both men and women.
Layers
Layers are key to any outfit for hot air balloon rides no matter the season.
Most hot air balloon rides happen at sunrise or sunset. And when the sun is down it gets chilly especially high up.
For this reason we recommend packing plenty of laters for a hot air balloon ride no matter the season. I would recommend at least one extra than you would expect to wear on the ground at the time of year you are visiting.
Trousers
You will get some amazing photos on your hot air balloon ride. However it is pretty hard to get full legnth insta worthy photographs in a tiny basket.
Therefore don’t worry about that insta perfect dress and dress for practicality instead.
For this reason we recommend wearing trousers instead of a skirt or dress. You will likely have to climb in and out of the basket and it is much easy to do when wearing loose trousers as opposed to skirts and dresses.
Sunglasses
As I mentioned above, balloon rides often happen at sunrise and sunset. For this reason we recommend always taking sunglasses with you no matter the time of year.
What not to Take on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
So now you know what to wear, it is worth pointing out some of the things you shouldn’t wear or pack for a hot air balloon ride.
Blanket
For some reason there is a believe online that blankets are a good idea for hot air balloon rides. However the opposite is true.
They are bulky and take up too much room in the basket so leave the blanket at home and just be sure to take lots of layers instead.
Wide Brimmed Hats
Wide brimmed hats might make beautiful insta worthy photos, however wide brimmed hats are a no no on hot air balloon rides as they can easily blow away.
We recommend leaving hats on the ground unless you are visiting in Winter when a hat may be necessary.
However generally it is a good rule of thumb to leave the hat at home!
High Heels
High heels are a safety risk in hot air balloon. Ditch the heels and bring sneakers instead.
What Else to Take on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
So is there anything else you should take with you on a hot air balloon ride? Well don’t go without your camera or phone as you will want to take lots of photographs on hot air balloon rides.
FAQS About what to wear on a hot air balloon ride
Is it cold on a hot air balloon ride?
The temperature does indeed drop when you go up in a hot air balloon ride. For this reason we wearing at least one additional layer to that which you would expect to wear on the ground in the location of your ride.
Can I wear shorts on a hot air balloon ride?
There is no dress code on hot air balloon rides so you can be casual. And indeed it is best to be comfortable and avoid dresses and skirts.
However I would personally choose loose trousers as they are easier for climbing into the balloon but also don’t risk you getting cold legs on the ride.
Yet you can wear shorts on a balloon ride if you wish but I would recommend trousers instead.
Should I wear a dress on a hot air balloon?
Dresses are not recommended on hot air balloon rides as they are not easy for getting in and out of the balloon.
Instead you should wear trousers instead of a dress or even a skirt.
Have you been on a hot air balloon ride? We would love to know where you did it and what you wore in the comments below!