The Best Festival Gear and Accessories
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Dialing in what to bring with you when attending any festival takes a lot of trial and error. Reader, I’ve made a lot of errors—facing blisters all weekend due to improper footwear; neglecting hydration, and missing DJ sets as a result; watching in horror as the lack of cell service sucked my phone’s battery life dry. Whether you’re camping, glamping, or crashing at a hotel, whether you're a bass-head or a mosh pit enthusiast, this gear will help you avoid the mistakes I've made. Go forth and festival! (If you see me out there, let's trade kandi.)
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, like the Best Tents, Best Camping Cookware, and Best Camping Stoves.
Updated June 2024: We've added new photos and recommendations.
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- Photograph: Amazon
What Plants Crave
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier (16-Pack)Some music festivals don't allow you to bring in drinks. Paying for beverages like Gatorade can get really pricey, but water refills are usually cheap, if not free. These powder beverage mixes are packed with electrolytes to help you hydrate more efficiently. They don't taste overwhelmingly sweet, and the powder dissolves quickly. If I'm plan to dance and sweat (or just wake up hungover), I pack a couple in my fanny pack.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
A Spot to Rest
Stoic Basecamp Bivy Quilt Double Outdoor BlanketThis insulated outdoor blanket from Stoic is the biggest I've ever tested (84 x 84 inches), but it packs into a stuff sack that's about the size of other outdoor blankets. The fabric is soft and water-resistant, and the patterns are eye-catching. The sheer size is why I love this blanket so much. I brought it stargazing, and five grown adults stretched out—and there was still room for my friend's chocolate Lab. And in the case of spilled wine or muddy paw prints, pop the quilt in the washing machine and nobody will ever know.
- Photograph: Caboodles
A Getting-Ready Companion
CaboodlesIf you aren't staying in a hotel (or if you are but your room is cramped), a personal mirror is invaluable when you're getting ready. I pack all my makeup and toiletries inside a Caboodle. Having a base station helps a lot with elaborate makeup looks or braided hairstyles, and smaller cases make walking back and forth to camp showers a breeze. The model I have is currently out of stock, but the company makes a ton of configurations and styles, so you should be able to find one that works, even if you're a chronic overpacker like I am.
- Photograph: MSR
A Tiny Stove
MSR PocketRocket 2 StoveThere are a ton of great camp stoves. This MSR stove is my favorite for festivals, because we aren't always making full-size meals (though we've successfully used it to heat up a skillet and make an entire steak dinner). Often we're just boiling water for pour-over coffee (speaking of, we have a guide for rugged French presses right here) or warming up food we prepared at home. The PocketRocket 2 twists onto fuel canisters and heats up everything lightning-fast. When my group was stranded at a raceway in Ohio, we whipped this stove out and made coffee on top of our car trunk. It's extremely compact and lightweight—so much so that my only gripe is that I have a hard time finding it between festival trips.
- Photograph: Chillbo
A Place to Rest
Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable CouchThese inflatable couches are genius. They collapse into a small carry bag, but fully inflated they can support three or more people (provided everyone's alright with getting cozy). When there's limited seating, or you're on day three with two more days to go, an inflatable couch can provide respite with little effort. I also like that they come in a ton of fun colors. Just make sure you're aware of your surroundings—if you're at a music festival, it's bad manners to set up a couch in the middle of the crowd. Consider chilling back by the sound booths instead.
Pro tip: A folding hand fan makes inflation super easy if you don't want to run around and fill the couch with air (yes, that's really how you inflate it).
- Photograph: Amazon
Hydration Is Key
Klean Kanteen ClassicDrink. All. The. Water. Even with some festivals making water more affordable, buying new bottles throughout the day can add up (and isn't great for the environment). If you're allowed to bring in an empty reusable bottle and take advantage of refill stations, the classic Klean Kanteen is a great option. It's easy to carry around and pass between group members. But check the venue's policies regarding water bottles—you may be limited to certain capacities or opacities. Be sure to read our Best Reusable Water Bottles guide, which has plenty of other recommendations.
★ Alternative: I also tried and liked Soujourner's Hydration Packs ($40), but I don't love wearing something on my back all day. Go with whatever works best for you.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Staying Alive
Anker 737 Power BankI'm not sure what it is about festivals that seems to make my phone die twice as fast, but it's practically a law of the universe at this point. (It's likely that the lack of cell service means my phone is constantly searching for a signal; read our tips on how to save battery life here!) Or maybe it's just overheating in my backpack. In any case, a power bank with a large capacity is really handy. This Anker model isn't the slimmest or the lightest, but it charges up quickly and can rapidly top off multiple devices per charge. Added bonus: You won't be overpaying for the luxury of a charging locker.
Read our Best Portable Chargers guide for more of our favorites.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
An Added Layer
Kelty Galactic Down BlanketDue to an overabundance of stir craziness, I attended a drive-in rave during the peak of the Covid-19 quarantine. On Halloween. In northern Wisconsin. Subzero wind chills and short skirts don't mix well. My pod pals and I passed this blanket around and managed to stave off the worst of the chill. Since then, it's been a convenient way to stay a bit warmer while camping, and it works well for outdoor seating. It stuffs into a tiny sack when you're done. I keep it in my trunk and take it with me everywhere. It's thin but warm, making it perfect for days when you're on the move.
★ Alternative: Several members of WIRED's Gear team also like the Rumpl Original Puffy Recycled Blanket ($120). You can buy it in various sizes, but the one-person was plenty to cover even our tallest team member in Iceland when he slept in his rental car. It also packs into a tiny sack you can tote around.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
Keep the Party Going
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3Getting ready isn't the same without music in the background. This compact speaker is available in tons of fun colors and even has an outdoor bass-boosting mode. It's also nice to have for playing some soothing white noise to drown out your tentmate's snoring. (Sorry, babe.) Camping festivals often have limits on speaker sizes you can bring in, but thanks to the small footprint, you won't have to worry about security snatching this one up.
If you're hunting for more options, we have tons of picks in our Best Bluetooth Speakers guide.
- Photograph: Amazon
Made for Walking
Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Virginia Leather BootsFrom the dirty streets of Los Angeles to the literally uphill-both-ways gravel obstacle courses of Legend Valley, Ohio, these boots have seen it all. And they've held up. I've put more than 1,000 miles into these bad boys, and the worst of the damage so far has been a frayed lace. The thin leather is supple and helps mitigate Docs' notorious break-in period. It took less than a day for these to be comfortable to wear. And comfy they are. No blisters. No excruciating pain halfway through the day. They're reliable, and they don't clash with whatever I might be wearing. A good pair of shoes is nonnegotiable when it comes to festivals—that's why I bring these every time.
After a few years, the leather can get tight. Dr. Martens Wonder Basalm will keep your boots in tip-top shape.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
Hearing Protection
Eargasm High Fidelity EarplugsI used to be guilty of sacrificing my hearing health in favor of non-muffled sounds. But these affordable earplugs became a part of my festival essentials as soon as I first put them in. The silicone sleeve is comfortable, and there are various ear-tip sizes. The real magic is in the attenuator, which filters out the most damaging sounds without muffling them. I can still feel the bass in my pinky toes, but my ears aren't ringing back at the campsite. I'd call that a win. I also like the reusable metal keychain case.
For more recommendations, read our Best Earplugs guide.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
The Best (and Coolest-Looking) Day Bag
Sojourner Transparent Fanny PackWe've got a lot of opinions about bags here on the Gear team, but this is my absolute favorite for festivals. Obviously, it looks dope as heck. I like the price. But importantly, it's roomy. I have enough space for my phone, power brick, keys, hand sanitizer, too many tubes of lipstick, and tons of other bits and bobs. There's a pocket on the back that rests against your body for critical items like credit cards and identification. Since the bag is transparent, it aligns with most venues' security policies. Other patterns are available, but this is by far my favorite. I get compliments on it all the time (because I wear it all the time). Note that after a few years of taking this bag everywhere, the material has started to crack—a common problem with holographic gear. But it held up well to near-daily use for three years, and I still recommend it.
- Photograph: Amazon
A Portable Bath
Dude WipesDude Wipes have a tragic name, but they're big and durable. Sometimes festivals have showers. Sometimes they're expensive. Sometimes the line is long. And sometimes they don't exist. No matter what scenario you face, these wipes can help you freshen up throughout the day. They're also handy in case of spills, general grime, or as emergency makeup removal after a very long day.
- Photograph: Louryn Strampe
Fixer-Upper
Welly First Aid KitIt's pretty easy to put together a first aid kit on your own, but I'm lazy. Welly's cute, easy-to-find tins have many configurations, covering everything you need for minor injuries like blisters, cuts, or slivers. Make sure you know where the nearest medical tent is at all times, just in case. The event staff are there to help!
- Photograph: The Bunk Police
On Harm Reduction
The Bunk Police FentKitRegardless of your personal habits, drug use can be prevalent at festivals. It's important to know the location of medical tents, to pay attention to your surroundings, and to look out for your fellow festival attendees the way you'd want them to look out for you.
I highly recommend getting trained in administering naloxone (Narcan). It prevents opioid overdose, and it's easy to obtain training and the medicine itself for cheap. I took mine through EndOverdose online. It took half an hour and cost $5. I liken it to knowing CPR or choking rescue; you hope you never have to use it, but it's really good to have the knowledge just in case.
I also recommend looking into drug testing kits. You can obtain these from The Bunk Police and DanceSafe. Fentanyl testing strips are affordable, and it takes little time to test any substances that may be around. Some festivals have vendor tents that will test substances with amnesty. It doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Finally, I recommend signing up for alerts from BunkBot when applicable. It's an emergency alert system that texts folks if dangerous substances are found. It adds another layer of harm reduction and helps you be extra alert when needed.
Photograph: ERIKA GOLDRING/Getty ImagesStick Together
The Buddy SystemSince phone service can be spotty at festivals, and not everybody has a smartwatch, the buddy system is invaluable. My group sticks together when possible, and if someone has to separate, they make sure someone in the system knows where they're going. We also designate a meetup spot, both inside the festival grounds and outside of the gates, in case of emergencies. Pay attention to your surroundings, and don't be afraid to contact festival volunteers or employees if you need assistance.
Unfortunately, pickpocketing does happen. I've seen many people use a ClutchLoop phone tether to keep their devices secure, though I haven't tested the device myself. Make sure to set up stolen device protection on your compatible iPhone or Android phone. You might also want to set up a few Bluetooth trackers for your wallet, bag, or other necessities. Most major festivals have a dedicated lost-and-found program. Review the details of it before you arrive so you're familiar if need be.
Photograph: Louryn StrampeJust for Fun
Just for FunOf course, it's good to be prepared with the essentials. But ultimately, festivals are about having fun. Here's a list of festival accessories you might like to have on hand purely for the joy of them.
Kandi-making kits: Trading beaded bracelets is a hallmark of electronic music, but thanks to the Taylor Swift Eras tour, more music genres are joining in. Any beads will work, but I highly recommend Stretch Magic elastic ($20)—the cheap stuff falls apart way too easily.
Flow props: There are tons of toys that some dancers like to use. I'm partial to the Fiberflies Pixel Whip ($85), but the Flowtoys PodPoi ($135) are another popular choice. You can even get levitating wands and light-up staffs. These are super fun to dance with (and they'll entertain your fellow attendees).
An instant camera: Most of us have a perfectly capable camera in our pockets. But I like bringing my Instax along when attending festivals. You'll get physical, tangible memories, and they can also be fun to photograph strangers (with their permission).
Little gifts: Tiny ducks. Sprouts for your hair. Squishy animals. Festivals often have a culture of gift-giving. It's not expected, but it can be nice to have something to pass out to the folks you meet. Consider bringing some trinkets with you—you might even make a new friend or seven.
A night-light: If you’re at a camping fest, moving around in the dark can be treacherous. And sometimes you just want to grab a snack from the cooler without shining a flashlight around. I like this nightlight because it provides a gentle glow—enough to see with but not so bright that I wake up everyone in the vicinity.
A camping towel: Sometimes it rains outside. Sometimes you accidentally spill an entire Beatbox in your tent. Whatever the case may be, a camping towel is handy. They're super absorbent, and they dry quickly.
Fun clothes: When it comes to festival clothing, you can be as bold or as practical as you'd like. Don't sacrifice comfort in the name of fashion! But if you're looking for fun clothes to wear, I recommend checking out IHeartRaves and Rave Wonderland. These are EDM-adjacent, but they'll work for everything from Bonnaroo to Burning Man to EDC. Your favorite artists' merch is probably a good starting point, too. And when in doubt, you can always accessorize—consider a bucket hat or a Pashmina-style shawl to make your outfit a little more adventurous.
A bandana: We have a lot of feelings about the importance of a small multipurpose cloth. Music festivals are often dusty and dirty. A bandana works as a face covering, a sweat absorber, a quick place to sit, and an easy way to wipe up spilled drinks. Stash a few in your bag and you'll be better prepared.
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