‘A godsend at 5am': the ultimate, sometimes surprising, festival kit list, by the experts

The Guardian

a day ago

Packing for a festival is serious business: get it wrong, and it can mean the difference between the best weekend ever to one spent wet and miserable with a bad back (shout out to my friend Amy who forgot her raincoat for last year's Lost Village, a daytime-focused music festival set in a woodland, and was forced to wear a bin bag).
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More so than normal camping, festival packing requires taking the right stuff to be comfortable on your feet all day (and probably night), but packing light enough to be able to lug it all to your site. You can't change the date of a festival to a weekend with better weather, which could mean heatwaves or thunderstorms. Or both.
I've been going to festivals since I was 15, and have learned the hard way about what you should and shouldn't bring. I've also asked seasoned festival-goers – from parents of young kids to the Guardian's own music desk, who cover Glastonbury every year – for their tips and hard-won advice. Many recommended the same things, showing just how useful they are (hiking boots and round shoulder bags, we're looking at you).
From a head torch to chafe cream, here's everything they recommend (beyond the obvious), and the things they wouldn't bother bringing.
Coleman Darwin four-person blackout tent
£169.99 at Halfords£178.99 at Amazon
Quechua two-person 2-second assembly blackout tent
£99.99 at Decathlon
I recommend getting a tent with some kind of 'blackout' tech. My Coleman one has performed really well, even in the California desert for Coachella. Not only does it keep the tent interior really dark in the mornings, but blocking out the sun means it's also much cooler than a regular tent. If you've rolled into bed at 5am, this is a double godsend! Ben Beaumont-Thomas, music editor
Not sure you'll use your tent beyond the festival? If you buy an own-brand tent from Decathlon between now and 14 September, you can return it once you've used it in exchange for a gift card (of the same value you bought it for) as part of the retailer's tent pledge scheme. Decathlon will then re-sell the tent through its Second Life programme at a reduced price, reducing waste and making camping accessible to more people.
SnoozZy cotton eye mask
£10 at Tesco£15 at Boots
If you already have a tent and it isn't blackout, a good-quality eye mask can also prevent you from being rudely woken up by first light or allow you to catch some winks during the day.
Quechua camping mallet
£4.99 at Decathlon
Last year at Lost Village, the ground was rock solid, and we couldn't peg the tent down properly. We were woken up the next morning to our tent trying to take off after Storm Lilian ripped out all the pegs. Lesson learned. This one from Decathlon also has a handy peg remover on the end.
Simond rechargeable head torch
£24.99 at Decathlon
A hands-free head torch is perfect for being able to find your way around a dark tent, and makes it a lot easier to get ready for bed. For more options, see our review of the best head torches (this one was rated the best budget pick).
Gorilla tape
£4.95 at B&Q£2.59 at Amazon
Just in case you have any broken poles or need to plug a hole in your tent. One roll to share with your group will do.
Jetboil Flash 1.0 litre fast cooking system
£120 at Cotswold Outdoor£150 at Ellis Brigham
Yes, you can buy hot drinks. But if you want one first thing in the morning, take a Jetboil – it packs down really small but can quickly boil enough water for a few cups of tea.
Multifunction tarp camping shelter
£44.99 at Decathlon£45 at Argos
Shade can be hard to come by at festivals, and having something like this can provide much-needed respite. A tarp shade can be put over your tent to keep it cool, or in between tents to create a shelter from the sun or rain. It's smaller than a gazebo, which many festivals ban.
Custom flags
From £6.69 at Etsy
2.7m pocket flagpole
From £13.99 at Funky Leisure
When trying to pack light, a flag and pole probably aren't top of your list of must-haves. But take it from us: a marker can be unbelievably handy for finding your campsite among a sea of tents.
5mm grippy and comfortable yoga mat
£24.99 at Decathlon
Easy Camp kestrel mat
£44.95 at LiGo£44.99 at John Lewis
A yoga mat makes a great sleeping mat – and attaches to the back of a rucksack with the elastics. This one from Decathlon is 5mm thick for more comfort and has a useful carry strap. Or check out our guide to the best camping mattresses. Our expert Linda Geddes put some of the best through rigorous testing, and rated this Easy Camp one as the best option for festivals.
Flents Quiet Time comfort foam earplugs
£8.96 for 10 pairs at Amazon
You can't choose who camps next to you, and there's nothing more frustrating than trying to sleep while someone blasts drum'n'bass. These are great, with a fine foam that keeps the sound out while also being comfortable. Take two pairs, just in case you lose one.
Anker 165W
£89.99 at Anker£69.99 at Amazon
Anker Nano
£29.99 at Anker£29.99 at Currys
Always have a couple of charging packs that you can alternate – a big one for the tent, a small one to travel with you (I've got a big Anker one that has quite a few charges in it). Gwilym Mumford, culture editor, Saturday Magazine
Check out the best power banks and battery packs for reliable charging on the go, tested
Quechua compact camping chair
£34.99 at Decathlon
Yes, camping chairs are bulky. But the alternative is sitting on the hard – and often damp – floor. These low-to-the-ground chairs pack up small enough to fit in your rucksack.
Finisterre Clearwater changing robe
£60 at Finisterre
I take a towelling robe – not a full-blown Dryrobe, but a towel sewn into a cape, like this. It makes going to and from the showers so much easier as you don't have to fret about hanging your knickers or PJs on a tiny hook and probably soaking them by accident. (I was once so drunk when I showered at 6am that I got in still wearing my pants.) Laura Snapes
Collapsible 5-litre drinking water tank
£8.60 at B&Q£7.49 at Amazon
A squishy water carrier like this can, if the weather is warm enough, double as a makeshift campsite shower. Some people rate these outdoor camp showers, but a water carrier is more portable, does the same job, and can also be used for water bottle top-ups. Don't forget swimwear.
Moth negroni cocktail cans
£26 for eight at Moth£29 for eight at Amazon
Seasoned pros consider a four-way ratio – alcohol volume to weight to cost to lack of refrigeration – when selecting drinks to bring. Boxed red wine generally comes out top, then decanted spirits, though the hangovers can be fearsome. Tinned cocktails are often on offer at supermarkets around festival season, and most are nice when not cold – I rate Moth's negroni or Funkin's nitro-infused pina colada. Ben Beaumont-Thomas
For more, check out our guide to the best canned cocktails, wines and seltzers for sunny days
Inov8 men's Roclite Mid GTX
£134.99 at SportsShoes£150 at Inov8
Aku Ultra Light women's Gore-Tex boots
£159.95 at Absolute SnowFrom £164 at Aku
Everyone we spoke to agreed: hiking boots are better than wellies – unless it's a proper mudbath.
'Walking boots will give you greater dexterity underfoot and fewer blisters. I haven't worn wellies at a festival in years. And they're a pain in the arse to carry,' Laura Snapes told us.
If you're in need of a new pair, Paddy Maddison put the best men's hiking boots through their paces and dubbed this pair from Inov8 the best lightweight pair, making them ideal for festivals. And the Aku Ultra Light Original GTX impressed Sian Lewis when she tested them out for her review of the best women's boots for hiking.
Browse women's trainers on VintedBrowse men's trainers on Vinted
If you need new trainers before a festival, consider a secondhand pair from Depop or Vinted. There's no point buying new, as they definitely won't look fresh after being dragged through the dust and dirt. Then just shove them in the washing machine when you get home, and they usually come up pretty well.
Croc Brooklyn buckle low wedge sandals
£40 at Office£44 at La Redoute
A waterproof pair of slides is a must. You can wear them in the showers, and you can also easily slip them on for trips to the loo in the middle of the night. Go for a pair you'll wear beyond the festival. Crocs are comfy and durable.
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Kavu polar fleece
£85 at John Lewis
Patagonia retro pile marsupial fleece
From £98.95 at Snow and RockFrom £98.95 at Cotswold Outdoor
I love a fleece for the evening – festivals always get much colder than you think they will at night. I have a great Kavu one at the moment. GM
Round mini shoulder bag
£14.90 at Uniqlo
These bags from Uniqlo are a Tardis – from experience, you can fit a small water bottle, a power bank, sunglasses, my phone and a bottle of sun cream in one. Perfect for taking out all the essentials for the day.
Ultra stretch active shorts
£19.90 at Uniqlo
Shorts in a synthetic material (not denim) are great for the sun, but also – unless it's really unseasonably cold – the rain, as you don't get waterlogged. As long as your top half is warm, you'll generally be fine. BBT
Set of four packing cubes
£12 at Argos
Trying to find something in a big rucksack is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Make your life easier and use packing cubes – one for tops, one for bottoms and dresses, and one for underwear. Or a top tip from our packing hacks guide was to use fabric tote bags instead.
For more, check out 13 travel packing hacks to save you space and money
Compeed blister plasters
£4.49 for five at Superdrug£4.49 for five at Amazon
With all that walking and dancing, it's so easy to end up with blisters. Proper blister plasters are the only ones that stay put.
Listerine Total Care travel mouthwash
£1.60 for 95ml at Superdrug£1.60 for 95ml at Boots
Electric toothbrush with UV travel case
From £59.95 at Suri£95 at Boots
When you're feeling grubby, freshening up your mouth is an instant fix. Laura Snapes recommends mouthwash to help you do just that. Bringing an electric toothbrush may feel OTT, but a manual brush can't match the clean feeling you get after brushing. Just make sure it's travel-friendly. This one from Suri was rated most sustainable in our test of the best toothbrushes, and comes in a travel case that charges on the go and cleans the brush with a UV light – perfect for a dirty festival environment.
Eco Warrior all-over body bar
£2.81 at Boots£2.81 at Amazon
Eco Warrior soap tin
£4.95 at Amazon
I've been going to festivals with my three kids for years. There's only so clean you can get your hands with sanitiser, so carry a bar of soap in a travel box and everyone can wash their hands properly before eating. We also bring washcloths and a basin so we can clean up the kids back at the tent if they end up completely filthy. Suzanne Lemon, Guardian art director
Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder
£16 for 14g at Look Fantastic£16 for 14g at Sephora
Dry shampoo can salvage greasy hair. Beauty expert Anita Bhagwandas rates this two-in-one dry shampoo and volumising powder for its 'multitasking, space-saving prowess'.
For more space-saving toiletries, check out our travel minis guide
Garnier vitamin C daily UV fluid SPF50+
£12.99 for 40ml at Boots£12.99 for 40ml at Superdrug
You spend all day outside at a festival, so a great SPF is essential. Sali Hughes recommends this one because it 'delivers good glow without any pore-clogging grease'.
For more, check out the best sunscreens for every need
Garnier Micellar Water
£3.49 for 100ml at Boots£3.49 for 100ml at Look Fantastic
The Inkey List reusable cleansing pads
£7.20 for three at Sephora£9 for three at Cult Beauty
For easy, no-fuss makeup removal, you can't beat micellar water. After a tiring day, even the laziest can muster the strength to shove micellar water on a reusable cotton pad and have a quick cleanse before bed.
Body Glide anti-chafe balm
£8.99 at Runners Need£11.99 at SportsShoes
This can be used as both an anti-chafe balm and an anti-blister balm. Put it on in the morning before heading out to prevent pain before it even starts.
LED travel mirror
£24.99 at Asos£24.99 at Debenhams
Always take a proper mirror – you'll find your friends end up wanting to borrow it. It's much easier to do your makeup if you have one that you can balance on your lap. This one has a case that doubles as a stand and has a rechargeable LED light.
SiS hydro electrolyte tablets
£7.60 for 20 at Holland & Barrett£5.95 for 20 at Amazon
It's hard to drink enough water at a festival, so I always take some rehydration fizzers. Laura Snapes recommends these from SiS as a great hangover cure. Designed for sports people, they work to restore your electrolytes and keep you hydrated. Don't forget a cup to drink them from.
Pukka A5 Jotta notepads
£10 for three at Argos
Staedtler double-ended fibre-tip pens
£15 at Argos
Kids get bored a lot at festivals. We always have a notebook and pens on us. The uses are endless: the kids pass it around and write stories one line at a time, draw pictures of each other, or play noughts and crosses or dots and boxes. SL
Tweedmill striped waterproof wool picnic rug
£60 at John Lewis
A good blanket for the kids to sit and lie on is essential. It must be waterproof so you can put it down over mud, and the kids have a nice dry place to rest. SL
Hi-Gear travel toilet
£13 at Millets£25 at Go Outdoors
Kids always need a wee in the night or early morning, often with little notice. We line this with watertight bags and a few scoops of cat litter, and empty it into the campsite loos every day. SL
Make sure you invest in things you will use again, and don't take anything you won't bring home with you. So much waste gets left behind at festivals, particularly tents and other camping gear.
Ditch the glitter – even the biodegradable stuff isn't great for the planet, and it feels so 2010s now. Go for brightly coloured eyeshadows or eyeliners instead if you want to do some fun makeup.
It's tempting to buy lots of new outfits, but when you're hungover and cold, you'll just end up wearing something comfy instead. If you do want to glam up, browse Vinted and Depop for some great secondhand festival wear.
Change your phone's lockscreen to a notes page that says 'If found please call:' with a list of your friends who you're at the festival with's numbers – my friend dropped her phone in the crowd last year and someone called one of us straight away to say they'd found it.
Check guidance on what the festival allows you to bring in beforehand – every festival is different. For example, Glastonbury doesn't let you take in glass, and some festivals limit how much alcohol you can take in.
If you're planning to take food, make sure you opt for things that aren't easily squished. Many a festival goer has fallen victim to having to eat a completely flattened brioche.
Are you a seasoned festival-goer? Whether you've navigated mud at Glastonbury, suffered kids' meltdowns at Latitude, or got sunburn at Primavera, we want to hear from you. What kit enhanced your experience? What do you wish you'd never bothered taking? Please email any hard-worn tips and tricks to us at [e-mail]. We'd love to hear from you!