Some people manage to get by at a festival with nothing but the clothes they are stood up in, a tenner and a winning smile. They do seem to make it through, but I would not recommend you try it especially if you are a first timer!
These hints and tips are for those of us not blessed with an abundance of cheek or supermodel good looks and come from a lot of people with a lot of festival experience. So if you are heading out to a festival for the first time or simply want to have a more pleasant experience this time around then here’s everything you need to know…
Camping
It’s as integral a part of festival life as the smell of fried onions! However, there are certain unwritten rules.
- Don’t put up windbreaks around yours and your friend’s area or rope things off.Talk to your neighbours, share stuff. You’ll find that they will challenge people trying to nick your boots when you are not about and you can do the same for them.
- Clean up after yourself. Take a roll of bin bags as their myriad uses are legendary: from temporary repairs of tents to keeping your wet clothes away from your dry clothes and even keeping you dry.
In short as with camping elsewhere take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
Valuables
If you can’t live without something if it gets lost, broken or stolen then leave it at home it. Take a disposable camera or a cheap digital, not your whizzy new expensive digital one. Remember someone else may like your stuff just as much as you and take the whole free and easy festival vibe that bit too far and ‘make off like a bandit’ with it.
Food
Tricky one this, taking stuff in is bulky and heavy but inside the festival, it will be expensive so it’s up to you and your finances. Most sites allow camping stoves but many do not like open fires or disposable BBQs. OK, an open fire has ambience and outdoorsy charm, but thousands of campfires plus drunk people has disaster written all over it. So check with the organisers before you go. Plan your meals and pack what you need then you won’t run out or end up carrying too much. As for what to take – tins and non-perishables are best, stodgy carbs like biscuits & crisps also slow up your …erm… movements so you won’t have to visit the toilet cubicle areas too often!
Don’t take…
- Any kind of meat (it will go off).
- Cheese (it will turn to inedible mush)
- Bananas – same as above!
On to the important bit – what to wear?
Some, especially at Glastonbury will go ‘au natural’ possibly with the addition of somebody paint (why do they always seem to pick blue?). Please do not do this! Firstly they will have had chemical help to reach a sufficient state of ‘oneness’ with the universe to maintain this look for the whole weekend. But, on a more practical note, where on earth would you keep your car keys and loose change!
So assuming you intend to remain mostly clothed the first thing to remember is to be practical.
Girls, forget your heels. Yes that special someone may be stood with you in the noodle van queue but for your own sake dress to impress with your best / most flattering T-shirt for example rather than spend the weekend traversing mud and grass in your favourite killer heels. For the boys consider carefully if you should take your coolest trainers with you. Most don’t like the mud and they also fall into the desirable ‘nick it if it’s not nailed down’ category in some people’s eyes.
1. Footwear
Trainers
Go with a comfortable and cool choice if the weather is going to be 100% dry, even then though, remember not to go uber expensive, take nothing you cannot afford to loose. Also even if it’s been dry there will still be mud. You could for instance shop for the same styles but grab a discount, we often have great deals on brands like Nike and adidas.
Boots
Hiking boots are great for festivals – preferably waterproof and breathable as they will tackle all but the most extreme of conditions your average UK summer festival can throw at you.
Wellies
New styles, patterns and funky colourways abound and there is nothing that will be better at keeping you dry in the mud and wet. However, remember it will be summer so get out of your wellies when you can to keep your feet non-sweaty and pong free(ish). Wear long socks especially if you are planning to rock the shorts/wellies combo as welly leg ( a pseudo-medical term I made up to describe chafing of the mid calf by the top of your welly) is painful and unsightly so avoid it. Wellies are a bit bulky but remember you can always tie them onto your rucksack rather than put them in and take up space, this can also add a bit of much-needed festival veteran cool to your arrival.
Sandals or flip flops
No matter whether you are wearing wellies, or boots or trainers, for any length of time at the festival I would always pack a pair of sandals or flip flops so you can let your feet breathe a bit when you are back at camp. Also very handy for those who venture to the shower area and brave the sometimes rather ‘communal’ nature at some festivals.
Bonus Tip!
Take enough socks to change at least once a day – especially if rain is forecast! Also try and wash your feet at least once (personally I’d recommend a pack of baby wipes to keep, ahem, all your important bits clean and fresh) and put a bit of talc on your tootsies. Follow this with your clean, dry socks and you have a little bit of festival heaven.
2. Clothes
Be practical and put fashion towards the back of your list of criteria. You need to think of this as a camping trip and pack to protect not necessarily impress. We recommend packing a shower proof light weight jacket (so you can keep all but the worst rain at bay and not be too big, bulky and sweaty to carry round). A couple of long sleeved tops to carry with you. Shorts/ Skirt and a pair of waterproof trousers are also a must. However, if you insist on nailing this season’s festival fashion trends check out our tips here.
That leads us on to the other festival must haves…
Bin bags for your rubbish, to keep stuff dry (including you). They can even repair holes in tents, keep your feet dry inside your boots in an emergency, and, at a push, be tied together to hold your tent up if your guy ropes snap!
Loo roll is festival gold it can be traded for pretty much everything else and is the one thing you do not want to forget to pack.
Sun hat and sun cream – Now and then we do manage to get some sun here in the UK! Sunburn in a warm sweaty tent knocks waterboarding into the proverbial cocked hat when it comes to torture and will ruin your weekend.
On a final note make sure to spread any money you have on your person so that if you do get your pocket picked you won’t loose the whole flaming lot. For any valuables you do decide you can’t do without; put them down to the bottom of your sleeping bag when you get in it at night to keep it as far away as possible from sticky fingers.
Now you are fully prepared for what a festival can throw at you all you need to remember now is to enjoy the music and have fun!
[…] In the meantime, if you are a festival newbie, check out our previous post on our beginners guide to festivals. […]