A checklist for a festival
Short answer: A festival calls for clothes that can cope with sun, rain and mud, and a plan for dry feet and clean towels. Go through six points so you can enjoy the days without thinking about your clothes.
Point 1: Pack for every kind of weather
Festival weather is unpredictable, and you often live in a tent for several days. Pack layers you can take off and put on, a rain jacket and a thin jumper for cold nights. Have clothes for warm days and for cold evenings, because the temperature can swing a lot. Choose clothes you will not mind getting dirty. Do not pack your best clothes, because mud and sweat settle easily.
Point 2: Towels for showering and drying off
At a festival you use towels for showering, for drying off if you get wet and as an extra blanket. See bamboo towels if you want a soft and light towel that takes up little room. Bring at least two, so you can change when one is wet. Hang them up as soon as you have used them and do not pack them while damp. A damp towel in a bag soon begins to smell.
Point 3: Socks for mud and dust
The feet take the most at a festival, because you walk and stand for many hours. Choose socks that suit your footwear and do not cause blisters. See bamboo socks for men if you want a sock for boots or sturdy shoes. Bring many pairs, ideally one for each day and an extra. Change socks every day and put on dry socks when you go to bed.
Point 4: Short socks for warm days
When the sun is shining, low shoes and short socks are pleasant. See bamboo footies for men if you want a short sock for trainers that does not stick up. Bring extra pairs, because short socks can get wet and sweaty quickly. Pack them in a bag so they do not get lost in the tent. Change them if they get wet or sweaty, because that causes rubbing and blisters.
Point 5: Practical kit and small things
Pack sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, and bring earplugs so you can protect your ears from loud music. Bring a small bag with a zip for valuables, and have a torch for the night. Bring wet wipes and hand sanitiser, because the facilities may be few. Pack a bag for dirty clothes and one for wet. Write your phone number on a slip of paper in case the phone runs out of power.
Point 6: After the festival
Take down the tent and take all the rubbish with you. Take all the clothes out of the bag when you get home and wash them straight away. Hang wet things to dry and air the tent and sleeping bags before they are packed away. Clothes that have lain damp for several days can develop a smell that is hard to remove. Write a small note about what you missed, so you can improve the list next time.
Frequently asked questions
How many pairs of socks should I bring to a festival
One pair for each day and an extra pair are a good starting point. If you have room, bring more, because dry socks are worth their weight in gold in mud.
How do I keep clothes dry in the tent
Pack the clothes in closed bags and hang wet clothes outside the sleeping area. Avoid putting wet and dry together.
What do I do with wet clothes after the festival
Take them out of the bag at once and wash them quickly. Hang them to dry and do not leave anything damp in a bag.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
