The Ultimate Festival Survival Guide
Mud, music and mayhem. And why you should always pack your boots.
There is one universal truth about festivals. The weather forecast will lie to you. The queue for the toilets will be longer than you thought. And the one item you forget is the one you will miss most.
If you know, you know. You take your boots. Just in case.
Ask any seasoned festival goer. The ones who have danced through ankle-deep mud at Glastonbury, or made it home from Tomorrowland with their dignity (and dry socks) intact. They will tell you. The best thing in your boot this summer is a pair of boots.
This is not a packing list. It is a survival guide. From the field. For the field.
1. What They Don’t Put on the Flyer
There are two types of people at a festival. The ones with the right kit. And the ones slowly dissolving into a puddle of regret.
A festival is not just a weekend away. It is an expedition. Into joy. Into chaos. And probably into mud.
You will hear people say, "don’t overpack." They are right. But always pack hand sanitiser, rain gear, and boots you can dance in.
2. Packing Like You’ve Done This Before
Forget fashion week. This is trench warfare.
Festival veterans have a rule of three. Stay warm. Stay dry. Stay upright. Most regrets start at ground level.
Feet First
Sunny in Sziget or swampy in Somerset, good boots are not negotiable. Many swear by wellies, some prefer waterproof walking boots, but no one recommends canvas trainers after three hours in a queue for the loos.
"I just wear wellingtons with merino wool socks. You are golden."
Sleep Like You Paid For It
Earplugs. Eye mask. Headlamp. Want to win the morning tea queue? Bring a folding chair. And do not forget a tarp. It is a groundsheet, picnic blanket and emergency poncho all in one.
Day Bag = Lifesaver
Snacks. Water. Warm jumper. The holy trinity. Pro tip. Take a picture of your tent. By day two it will be lost in a sea of lookalikes.
3. Rookie Mistakes You Will Only Make Once
- Thinking the toilets won’t be that bad
- Not waterproofing your bag
- Forgetting sunscreen
- Wearing heels
- Underpacking socks
- Wearing flip flops. Lasted two hours. Never again.
4. Rain, Mud and Mayhem
UK and northern Europe festivals come with a weather warning. Sun one minute, swamp the next. That is part of the charm. Or trauma, depending on your footwear.
"Glastonbury can get ridiculously muddy. If it is wet and you don’t have wellies, it will be miserable."
Pack like you are dressing for three seasons at once:
- Poncho or rain jacket
- Jumper or fleece for night
- Hat or bandana for sun
- Waterproof everything
And boots. Always boots. Even if the forecast is clear, take them. Just in case. Keep Boots in the boot.
5. Comfort Hacks They Never Mention
Lock It Up
At Glasto? Use the free Lockups. Put your keys and passport there on day one. Stop stressing.
Toiletries
Wet wipes. Hand sanitiser. Biodegradable loo roll. Toothbrush. You will thank us.
Hydration
Do not lug a huge water pack. There is water everywhere. Just bring a collapsible bottle.
First Aid
Plasters. Painkillers. Rehydration salts. You are welcome.
Weird but Useful
Trim your toenails before you go. Seriously.
6. Glasto vs Tomorrowland vs Sziget: A Mud Map
| Festival | Vibe | Terrain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glastonbury | Hippie heritage chaos | Fields, flash floods | Wellies or bust |
| Tomorrowland | Polished fantasy | Gravel, grass | Boots that can rave essential |
| Sziget | Hot, eclectic | Dusty island |
No mud. Bring suncream. |
If you are doing more than one, take boots you trust. The kind that can survive a port-a-loo queue, sunrise DJ set and flash flood.
7. The Joy Is In The Chaos
What stays with you is not the weather. Or the line-up changes. It is the strangers who become friends. The moment you dance in a rainstorm and no one cares. The first sunrise that feels like yours alone.
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