What to Wear as a Motorcycle Passenger in Morocco's Heat

As a motorcycle passenger in Morocco, wear closed shoes, long light trousers and a breathable top with sleeves, keep your bag tight against your body and make sure nothing hangs loose near the wheel. Even in the heat, covering your skin protects you from the sun, the wind and the hot exhaust. Add sunglasses and sunscreen for your face and hands, and you are ready.

Below, a practical guide piece by piece, with outfits for hot days and cool evenings.

Shoes: always closed

Shoes are the most important item, and the easiest to get wrong on holiday.

• Wear: trainers, walking shoes or ankle boots with a good grip.
• Avoid: flip-flops, sandals, open heels and shoes with long laces that could catch.
• Why: your feet stay on the passenger footpegs for the whole ride, close to the road and, on many motorcycles, close to the exhaust. Closed shoes protect you and give a steady footing.

If your shoes have long laces, tie them tightly and tuck the ends in.

Trousers and legs

Long trousers are strongly recommended, even when it is hot.

• Best choice: jeans or sturdy long trousers in a light colour.
• In very hot weather: light cotton or linen trousers are better than shorts, as long as they are not too wide at the bottom.
• Avoid: very wide or flowing trousers and long skirts or dresses, which can flap towards the wheel and chain.

The exhaust pipe gets very hot during a ride. Bare legs and a hot exhaust are a classic first-ride burn, especially when getting on and off.

Tops, jackets and layers

On the upper body, aim for coverage and breathability:

• A light top with sleeves, or a thin long-sleeved shirt, protects your arms from the sun.
• A light jacket or overshirt is useful against the wind, which feels stronger on a motorcycle than on foot.
• Keep a warmer layer for the evening. Desert and inland nights can be cooler than you expect after a hot day, and coastal cities such as Casablanca, Tangier and Agadir often feel fresh and windy by the sea.

Close jackets properly and avoid anything that billows in the wind.

Covering up has a second advantage in Morocco: in the medinas, traditional neighbourhoods and around mosques, clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is appreciated. A long-sleeved shirt and long trousers are therefore both practical on the motorcycle and comfortable when you step off for a walk through a souk or a stop at a café. If you plan a stop at a religious site, check locally whether visitors are allowed in, as access varies from place to place.

Scarves, bags and accessories

Loose items are the main thing to watch. Anything that can reach the rear wheel or chain is a risk.

• Scarves and shawls: tuck them inside your jacket or tie them short. Never let a long scarf or headscarf end hang behind you.
• Bags: a small backpack with both straps tightened is ideal. A cross-body bag is fine if it sits close to your body. No hand bags or tote bags.
• Phone: keep it in a zipped pocket or your bag. Take photos during stops, not while riding.
• Hats: a hat will not fit under the helmet and will fly off. Keep it in your bag for after the ride.
• Jewellery: long necklaces and dangling earrings can be uncomfortable under a helmet. Keep them simple.

Helmet, sun and hydration

Wear a helmet, as required by law, and always fasten the strap. You do not need to bring one: every Warider rider carries an approved passenger helmet for you. If you have long hair, a low ponytail or a braid is the most comfortable under a helmet.

In the Moroccan sun:

• Wear sunglasses if the helmet visor is clear or open.
• Put sunscreen on your face, neck and hands before you leave.
• Drink water before the ride and during stops. Heat and wind dry you out faster than you notice.
• Prefer late afternoon or early evening rides on very hot days.

What to wear by season: a quick table

Morocco's climate varies a lot between inland cities and the coast, so use this as a general guide and check the forecast before you go.

Situation	Recommended outfit
Hot summer day, inland (for example Marrakech)	Closed trainers, light long trousers, breathable long-sleeved top, sunglasses, sunscreen, water
Mild day	Trainers, jeans, T-shirt plus a light jacket
Evening ride	Jeans, closed shoes, a warmer jacket or sweater
By the sea (Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir)	Jeans, closed shoes, a windproof layer

Before you leave: a 30-second check

• Shoes closed and laces tucked in
• Long trousers, nothing flapping at the ankles
• Scarf tucked in, bag straps tightened
• Phone and wallet in a zipped pocket
• Sunscreen on, water drunk
• Helmet on and strap fastened

Dress well, ride relaxed

The right clothes make the ride more comfortable and safer, and they take two minutes to get right. For the rest of the experience, read our first-time motorcycle passenger tips and our honest guide on motorbike safety in Morocco. Then find a rider: the helmet is provided, the price is fixed before you confirm and you pay in cash at the end.