Festival season is just around the corner, and getting the most from it means being able to plan and prepare. But what does this really mean? Seasoned festival-goers might be aware of a number of tips and practices that first-timers might not know about. Whether you need a refresher or you’re going to your first ever festival, it’s worth running through the basics.
Airbed
The quality of your sleep can have a massive impact on the quality of your festival experience. And the quality of your sleep is, in large part, determined by what you’re sleeping on.
At a festival, you’ll often find that opportunities for sleep are limited. The right airbed will help you to drop off quickly and to get the maximum possible shut-eye during every available sleep window. Look for something that’s hard-wearing, easy to set up, and suitable for your weight and proportions.
Hearing protection
If you go to enough festivals without hearing protection, then you risk suffering permanent hearing loss. This environment can often be chaotic, especially at smaller festivals. If you leave yourself unprotected, then a single blast of feedback might leave you unable to hear certain frequencies for the rest of your life.
You’ll want to ensure that the earplugs you use are high-fidelity. That means that you’ll be reducing the volume of the music, without muffling or otherwise distorting it.
Mobile tech
During the festival, you might find yourself unable to charge your phone. Make sure that you have a sizeable power bank, so that you can deal with any anxiety around your level of charge. Then, download the festival’s app so that you can see the set times (including any delays or cancellations). A good free VPN download might also help to safeguard your privacy, should you need to connect to public WiFi.
Proper footwear
Above all, don’t take any shoes that you’re precious about. Trainers and a pair of wellies will usually help you to cope with any set of weather conditions. Avoid anything open-toed: you’re just inviting trouble if you go down this route.
If your shoes do become damaged or waterlogged, then your festival experience might suffer enormously. In some cases, you might even find yourself dealing with health problems, like trench foot, that will put your safety at risk. Don’t take any chances, and invest in some decent footwear. Go second-hand if you need to!
