9 hours ago
Heatwave alert! How to survive Glastonbury in the sun
It's the stuff of dreams: the weather forecast is good. Next week's weather shows a never-ending flow of sunny-skied days stretching ahead – good news for anybody, but especially good news for people looking to attend Glastonbury Festival next year.
Or is it? As veteran festivalgoers will know, hot temperatures can be just as deadly for people wanting to have a good time as a thunderstorm. While rain turns festivals into swamps, sun turns them into a sweltering desert.
With the mercury tipped to remain in the high twenties next week, here's what to know about surviving Glasto – and indeed any outdoor festival – in the full glare of the summer sun.
It's top of the list for a reason: not enough people do it. Applying Factor 50 throughout the day is a must if you want to avoid getting extremely burned on day one. If you want something light and hydrating, a brand like Dussl is a good shout – their suncreams work both as protection and as a moisturiser. Otherwise, opt for the tried and tested Nivea.
Battery powered fans – many sniff at them, but there's a lot to be said for having them on hand. Light, easy to pack and pretty much indestructible, they're an invaluable way of cooling down during a long, hot day in a field with much shade. Best of all, they're cheap to get – Amazon offer plenty for as little as a tenner.
Sounds counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to protect yourself during the hotter hours is to layer up. That means lots of light, cool layers: linen, cotton and as few synthetic fabrics as possible. Shirts – which can be buttoned up or left loose – are a must, as are roomy skirts and shorts. Ideally, you'll be aiming to maximise airflow around your body while protecting your skin. Damson Madder is a good place to shop for loose, flowing items: their Chlo shirt is both patterned and comfy, as is their polka-dotted Layla skirt, which has the added bonus of coming down to knee length.
And while you're at it, wear a hat! Sunhats are an essential way to protect oneself from sunstroke, and good news: they sure are having a moment. How about investing in one of Self Esteem's 6Music Dad caps? They were seen everywhere last year.
There's nothing worse than waking up at 7.30am to a roasting hot tent – that goes doubly on hot summer days. But there are ways to mitigate this.
While Glastonbury doesn't allow awnings, it's a good idea to shop for a tent that has side flaps or air vents that can be opened to allow better circulation and cooling. Good examples of this include the Sea to Summit Telos Freestanding tent (ultralight, while the outside of the tent can be converted into a sunshade) and the pop-up Gazelle T4, which includes six large windows for maximum ventilation.
It sounds obvious, but again – it's easy to forget to drink water when you're six pints deep. Solve this issue by investing in a reusable water bottle: Chilly's is a classic, and comes in a range of fun designs. Glastonbury especially is good at having multiple hydration stations around the campsite, and they normally include reusable, lightweight aluminium water bottles in welcome packs for festivalgoers – so there's no reason not to use them.
Nothing makes you feel worse than eating a heavy, greasy meal then trying to go for a dance in the sunshine. To that end – try and avoid them if possible. Glastonbury is bursting at the seams with great places to go eat, so try and aim for places that sell fruit (watermelon is great at keeping you hydrated) and eat smaller portions to give your body less work.
Down with hiking boots! They'll make your feet feel sweaty, disgusting and be a nightmare to peel off in the evenings. Opt for lightweight options instead: ultra-comfortable sandals like Birkenstocks are always a good shout, for instance, especially as they let your feet breathe.
So are hard-wearing, comfy trainers. For the fashionable, Puma are always a good bet: their Speedcats have Ortholite soles, while the Speedcat Ballets are a nice mix of fashionable and comfy.
