Planning to visit your first festival? We’ve put together a list of helpful equipment to ensure that your festival experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
1. Solar Generator
A power source is extremely useful when you’re camping in a field. Many festivals come with power points, but what if they’re all in use? It’s good to have your own system as a backup. This also means that you can help your neighbors out if their phones are dead, and they need to make an emergency call β festivals are all about caring and sharing.
A solar generator like the EcoFlow DELTA that comes with solar panels is an environmentally friendly way to keep your appliances running. Simply unpack your panels and enjoy renewable energy throughout the festival β whether it’s a mini-fridge for beer, some speakers, or just your phone, it’s a much better idea than using your car.
2. High-Quality Tent
You tend to get what you pay for with tents. If you’ve brought a caravan or RV you won’t need to worry about this, but if you’re planning to spend a few days under canvas, make sure you invest wisely. Poor-quality tents will show you why they’re so cheap as soon as the wind or rain hits. And it will hit because it’s a festival.
It might take slightly longer to assemble a high-quality tent. It will often be slightly heavier, but unless you’re hiking or taking public transport to your destination, your car won’t mind the extra weight. And hey, even if you’re carrying it, a well-made 1 or 2-person tent still won’t weigh that much.
Why would more expensive tents be heavier and take longer to assemble? Some high-end models are super-lightweight and easy to put up, but ultimately, a tent is a barrier between you and the elements. More weight and substance to it is a good thing, and no amount of cutting-edge technology will change that.
Get yourself a big, clunky tent. It’ll be more comfortable, and less leaky, and it won’t blow away when you’re seeing your favorite act.
3. Earplugs
Festivals are amazing, exciting experiences β but some of us need a bit of downtime. You have to expect that people will be noisy even at night.
Earplugs will help you get some rest or take some time out from the noise when you need to. They’re a cheap investment that can make a huge difference.
4. Extra Footwear
Under no circumstances should you attend a festival with 1 pair of shoes. Ideally, you should bring some heavy-duty boots and a pair of flip-flops as well as whatever footwear you want to wear. Flip-flops are good for emergencies and quick journeys away from your tent, while you’ll be grateful for the boots if it rains, or you need to trek. This leaves your best footwear available for recreation.
5. A Digging Spade
Most festivals come with at least adequate toilet facilities. But that’s a big βmostβ, and that’s a tenuous βadequateβ. Wherever possible, you should use toilets provided by the organizers and avoid creating a βnaturalβ toilet. However, sometimes, you’ve got to go.
The best policy is to dig a hole around 1ft deep somewhere away from water sources and bury the evidence. It’s not ideal, but a good digging spade is a friend in need.
Final Thoughts
Festivals are hedonistic spaces, but it’s easy to misunderstand βcutting looseβ as βforgetting that preparing will help you have a much better timeβ. Get the essentials together in advance: it’s easier to forget your worries.