The Ultimate Festival Camping Essentials Checklist
Excitement is in the air as festival season approaches. A weekend of singing along to your favourite artists, socialising with friends old and new while sleeping under the stars. There’s nothing quite like it! Packing for a festival can be a stressful task, especially for those of us who like to take everything but the kitchen sink. The bottom line is to think practically when packing, what will you use and will it fit in your bag.
Check out our top 10 festival camping essentials:
One of the most important considerations when choosing a tent is the size. You don’t want to feel claustrophobic and cramped all weekend in a tent which is too small for your group. We recommend sizing up to allow space for your belongings and to get dressed, so if there are 3 of you planning to stay together, size up to a 4-man tent.
Our top tip is to do a practice run pitching your tent before the festival. You don’t want to be wasting time wrestling with your tent, struggling to get set up when your favourite act starts in an hour. It’s also useful to know how to take your tent down and pack it away when leaving the campsite.
Retreat to your tent and climb into your sleeping bag for a few hours of sleep before getting up to do it all again. As festivals are usually held in the summer months, a 3-season sleeping bag is a great option to ensure a comfortable temperature at night, suitable for temperatures of 0-22°C.
Make sure your sleeping bag is water repellent to prevent any water from soaking through. For added protection, place a camping mat under your sleeping bag for an extra layer of cushioning between you and the outdoor terrain. Sleeping on the hard ground is unlikely to live up to your cushy mattress at home, so why not make your tent slightly more luxurious and opt for an airbed for added comfort.
Sit down in your camping chair and take the weight off your feet while enjoying a singsong with friends. A festival must-have which comes in a range of shapes and sizes. Your best option for a festival is a lightweight, folding camping chair which is easily carried to the campsite and won’t take up much room if it needs to be folded away in the tent.
When packing, it’s difficult to condense your possessions into one bag, especially when you are packing for every eventuality. A good quality rucksack is key. Choose from a range of different sizes and styles of rucksacks to carry all your festival essentials. Remember when choosing your rucksack, you don’t want it to take up too much room in your tent. Carrying a bum bag is also a great option for keeping your necessities safe when heading out of the tent.
Hydration is key. Bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up with water at the free taps on the camping site. A fresh bottle of water can be a saviour for the morning after!
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Torch
Navigating your way back to your tent once the sun has gone down can be tricky, all tents seem to look the same in the dark. A torch or LED Camping Lamp is a must. Don’t forget to bring it to the dreaded festival toilets, you may need to have a look before deciding to enter!
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Portable Charger
Is there anything worse than a dead battery? Don’t miss out on documenting your weekend or finding where your friends have got to because your phone has died. Although there are usually charging stations at festivals, having your own portable charge means you can avoid the ques and not miss any acts. Top your battery up at anytime, anywhere. Just ensure the portable charger is sufficiently charged before you leave for the festival.
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Ear Plugs
Are you fond of your beauty sleep? The noise at a music festival doesn’t end once the acts have finished, your camp neighbours’ night may only be beginning. If you plan on getting a few hours’ sleep before doing it all again, earplugs will be your best friend. An eye mask can also help you sleep if the sun is already starting to rise.
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Bin Bags
Surprisingly bin bags have a multitude of uses at a festival. Bin bags will come in extremely handy for separating your dirty and wet clothes from your clean ones. While you hope your tent is waterproof, anything can happen at a festival, you may use bin bags to keep your possessions off wet ground. Of course, they should also be used to gather up your rubbish to take to the rubbish collection point. Remember to leave the campsite as you found it.
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Toilet Paper
Portaloos are bad enough without realising they are out of toilet roll, so carry your own supply!
You now have your festival camping essentials list so it’s time to get prepared. These are the essentials you should bring, although there may be some other home comforts you wish to add. Remember, don’t go overboard with your packing. Your tent will only be able to hold so much, and you need to leave some room for somewhere to sleep. One final tip don’t forget your ticket!
