Packing & Gear

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Let’s establish the golden rule of the Mae Hong Son loop right now: Leave your big suitcase in Chiang Mai.

Seriously, every hotel or hostel in Chiang Mai will gladly hold your main luggage for 3 to 5 days. For the loop, you only want to take what you can comfortably strap to the pillion seat or stuff in the under-seat storage. Who cares what you wear or how you smell? This is a motorcycle road trip through the jungle, not a fashion show. Pack light, embrace the grime, and enjoy the freedom.

👕 Where to Buy Cheap Riding Clothes in Chiang Mai

If you arrived in Thailand with nothing but tank tops and board shorts, you need to buy some riding clothes. Riding 600km in the mountain sun without covering up is a guaranteed recipe for second-degree sunburn or “road rash” if you take a minor spill.

You don’t need expensive Kevlar gear. You just need long sleeves and proper pants (trousers). Here is where to score cheap gear before you hit the road:

Export Shops: Found in several malls around Chiang Mai (like Maya or Central Festival), these stores sell factory overruns of big brand names for pennies. Perfect for cheap, breathable long-sleeve shirts.
The Used Clothing Store Past Nimman: Located just past the Nimmanhaemin area on Huay Kaew road, there are massive second-hand clothing warehouses. You can pick up a pair of heavy jeans or thick trousers to sacrifice on the ride for about 100 THB.

🛠️ The “Any Last Minute Things” Lifesaver: MR. D.I.Y.

Forgot to pack rain gear? Need an extra bungee cord to strap down your bag? Welcome to MR. D.I.Y., the greatest retail chain in Thailand for motorcyclists on a budget.

You can find a MR. D.I.Y. in Chiang Mai before you leave, but more importantly, there are branches along the route.

The Best MR. D.I.Y. in Thailand: We are not joking when we say the MR. D.I.Y. in Pai is practically a legendary landmark. It is massive, incredibly well-stocked, and the absolute best place to buy emergency rain ponchos, extra zip ties, duct tape, or cheap tools if your bike needs a quick tweak.

🛒 The “Fun Gear” (Upgrade Your Ride)

If you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars to make the ride infinitely more convenient, here are the top upgrades we recommend packing from home:

Do not trust a 50 THB plastic phone mount when hitting a pothole at 60 km/h. Bring a solid, all-metal claw mount (like a Quad Lock or Ram Mount system) from home.

*[Buy the Ultimate Phone Mount Here (Link Coming Soon)](#)* The absolute best way to carry your gear. Stuff your clothes inside, seal it up, and bungee it to the back seat. 100% waterproof and acts as a great backrest.

*[Buy our favorite 30L Dry Bag Here (Link Coming Soon)](#)* Your hands will be holding the throttle for hours. A pair of lightweight, breathable riding gloves will stop blisters, prevent sunburn, and protect your palms if you tip over.

*[Grab some breathable Riding Gloves Here (Link Coming Soon)](#)* Bungee cords are great, but flat, heavy-duty Rok Straps are the professional way to secure your dry bag to the bike. They don't stretch unexpectedly and hold gear incredibly tight.

*[Get Rok Straps for your luggage Here (Link Coming Soon)](#)*

🪖 A Quick Note on Helmets

When you rent your scooter or motorcycle, they will offer you a free “bucket” helmet. It offers zero chin protection and the visor will likely be scratched to oblivion.

If you are going to ride 1,864 curves, insist on a full-face helmet. Better rental shops (like Mango Bikes or Tony’s) rent proper, DOT-approved helmets. It’s the cheapest life insurance you will ever buy.