When I landed the plum assignment to cover dude ranches in the American West, I was thrilled to live out a childhood dream. I always wanted a horse, but that didn’t fit our family’s budget.
This year, I will ride horses, rope cattle, groom horses in the stables, practice archery, and shoot guns.
First, I needed the right dude ranch wardrobe—ranch life requires more than jeans, a hat and boots. It starts with the underwear, but let’s work from the outside in by learning what to pack for a dude ranch trip.
Kay El Bar Guest Ranch hosted me. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
What is a Dude Ranch
Dude ranches offer guests ranch life, including horseback riding, cattle work, hiking and outdoor sports. I experienced my first at Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona and loved it.
As a first-timer, I needed the right gear and someone to help me understand how to choose it.
Wickenburg’s western-wear shops supplied the specialized wardrobe and Bridget Brussels, Marketing Manager of True Ranch Collection taught me what to look for when outfitting for my cowgirl adventure.
In addition to a downloadable Dude Ranch Packing List, here is advice about choosing your Dude Ranch essentials.
Let us inspire your travels! Sign up for our newsletter now.
Clothing Appropriate for a Dude Ranch Vacation
True Ranch Collection, my guest ranch host, provides a standard packing list for each property on its websites.
Bridget Brussels, Marketing & Social Media Manager of True Ranch Services, shared valuable information about clothing and gear required for a dude ranch vacation.
Wear casual ranch clothing on a dude ranch, as the dress code follows a relaxed style. We didn’t dress for dinner or evening entertainment at Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
You can find the standard packing list for True Ranch Collection ranches on their website’s FAQs.The standards vary slightly based on each ranch’s different activities. Be prepared with this rundown.
Essentials With a Twist
Blue jeans combine utility, comfort, and authenticity—exactly what dude ranch life calls for. Jeans handle wear and tear far better than most fabrics. Leggings and stretch pants don’t protect your legs well enough on the trail.
Instead of traditional underwear with a center seam, consider wearing boy shorts designed with a gusset in the crotch. A gusset offers a smooth, reinforced panel that replaces the typical seam, which significantly reduces friction in sensitive areas.
Boy shorts with a gusset also tend to stay in place better, providing full coverage and minimizing bunching or riding up under your jeans. This type of underwear offers breathability and support and stretches with your movement.
The Best Footwear for a Dude Ranch Vacation
Consider the following as the best footwear options for a dude ranch vacation:
- Cowgirl boots for horseback riding
- Hiking boots for hiking, archery, sport shooting, and other outdoor adventures
- Casual shoes or sneakers for sitting around the campfire or less formal events
- Water shoes for rafting or kayaking
- Sandals if there is a pool or spa at the ranch
Special Gear for Horseback Riding at a Dude Ranch
Horseback riding at a dude ranch requires two essential items: cowgirl boots and a hat or helmet.
Bridget said, “Cowboy boots and hats can be a bit of a wormhole. Quality and uses for them range from fashion to horse showing to ranch work with tons of different shapes and styles (shapes of the crown and brim of hats, and toe styles–snip, square, round–and shaft heights in boots).”
Cowgirl Boots
Cowgirl boots are specifically designed for safety and comfort when riding horses. Here’s why:
- Heel Design: Cowgirl boots have a distinct heel, usually about one to two inches high, which helps prevent your foot from slipping through the stirrup and reduces the risk of your foot getting caught if you fall.
- Smooth Sole: They have smooth, leather soles that slide easily from stirrups if needed. Hiking boots or shoes with rubber or textured soles might grip the stirrup too tightly, causing your foot to get stuck.
- Protection: Cowgirl boots typically cover your ankles and part of your calf, protecting your feet and lower legs from rubbing against the saddle or being injured by brush, branches, or stirrup leathers. After several brushes with rocks and cactus, I’m a believer.
- Comfort in the Saddle: Cowgirl boots’ pointed or rounded toe design fits comfortably into stirrups, offering better control and balance while riding.
Bridget said, “For cowgirl boots, it comes down to the question of usage and price point. For boots that you want to use for riding and that will hold up in varied weather conditions, you might consider some with a rubber/synthetic sole.
Many different brands offer more of a fashion boot! These might have a slightly higher heel and a leather sole. If you want some, you might continue to wear them in your everyday life, and these might make a good choice.”
Boot Sizes
Bridget gave this advice about boot sizes. “Boots tend to run a little bit big—especially in high-end brands. You might find yourself sizing a half to a whole size down, so it is a good idea to try some on in person.For a dude ranch trip, function matters more than appearance so find a style you like the look of and try them on!”
I took Bridget’s advice when I shopped for boots. I’m difficult to fit because my feet are small and my calves are muscular. Children’s tall boots fit my calves but were too big for my feet. I settled for cowkid boots, which cost under $100.
By the second day on horseback, I confirmed the tall leather boots protected my shins from rubbing on the saddle and stirrups.
She Buys Travel Tip: Ask if the guest ranch has boots and hats to borrow for your ride. Surprisingly, you can borrow boots and hats at dude ranches.
Cowgirl Hats Suitable for a Dude Ranch Vacation
“Cowgirl hats reflect personal preference,” Bridget stated. “You can find relatively inexpensive straw and felt hats; or high-end versions of them.”
“In a higher-end felt or straw, hat sizing depends on your head circumference and should fit snugly.
Any hatter will be able to assist with fit and potentially shaping depending on your purchase.”
When I shopped for hats, I learned that hat fitters (hatters) shape hats to your head and your preferred style. Remember Hoss Cartwright from Bonanza? He wore an unshaped hat with a round crown.
True Ranch Collection requires a stampede string to secure your hat if it falls off while riding. The stampede string slides into the brim with a clip or inside the tag. The string comes out easily without damaging the hat.
Dressing for Different Activities at a Dude Ranch
Use this simple guide when dressing for different dude ranch activities to stay comfortable and stylish.
Horseback riding
- Jeans or riding pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Cowgirl boots
- A cowgirl hat or helmet
- Gloves
Hiking
- Shorts or hiking pants
- T-shirt
- Hiking boots or sneakers
- Hat and sunglasses
- Backpack for water, snacks, and sunscreen
Fishing
- Quick-dry pants or shorts
- Long-sleeved fishing shirt
- Waterproof footwear
- Hat and polarized sunglasses–reduce glare from the water
- Waterproof jacket
Evening campfires or social events
- Casual western wear
- Layers
- Comfortable shoes
- Bandana or scarf–for warmth and style
Water activities
- Swimsuit or quick-dry clothes
- Water shoes
- Hat and sunglasses
- Life jacket as required
Meals and dining
- Casual attire
- Layers or jacket
- Comfortable footwear
General
- Always layer clothing to accommodate changing temperatures
- Choose breathable fabrics for warm-weather activities
- Always wear sun protection–a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Be aware of the weather and plan accordingly
Best Evening Event Attire at a Dude Ranch
- Comfort and casual elegance matter most during evenings at a dude ranch. Leave formal attire at home.
- Layering plays a vital role in comfort.
- Dress for comfort with a touch of Western style.
Leave a Reply