With summer on its way, I’m excited that festival season will soon be here. After attending the lesser known, yet really enjoyable Marés Vivas festival in Porto in 2013, I’m well and truly hooked.
Festivals are no longer just about a large outdoor music concert. There’s much more to gain from attending; the music’s simply the icing on the cake. Killing 2 birds at a time, festivals also give the opportunity to travel a new country or city.
Europe in particular has many festivals to choose from, with some located in lesser known places.
Packing for festivals in your 30s: a breakdown
Deciding upon which festival to attend is the easy, and fun, part. The biggest challenge is knowing what to pack, and being prepared for any (weather) elements that may come your way. For flashpackers, a festival bag is more than a standard sleeping bag, change of clothes, flip flops and a packet of wet wipes. Being prepared for the outdoor festival experience requires plenty of planning. If done correctly, you’ll be one happy glamper.
Tent away from home
Choosing a tent can be a tough task, particularly if you don’t know what you’re looking for. After taking advice from experienced campers, the following options should suit a variety of needs as well as budgets.
The Trespass Swift 200 2 man pop up tent easily accommodates 1 to 2 people. Waterproof fabric and a pop-up design allows for quick assemble and is also easy to fold up at the end of the day. Weighing only 1.9kg, the tent’s a dream to transport around. Tent pegs are not provided, so be sure to buy some.
The Vango Jazz 300 Tent Atlantic is ideal for small groups. Compact and easy to assemble, the tent features a handy porch area to store muddy boots and is constructed from a durable and waterproof fabric. It’s also been weather tested to European standard EN5912 in a certified wind and rain test centre.
I added Quechua’s 2 Seconds Easy III Pop Up Tent to the list solely because of its name. Admittedly, the video on how to set up is longer than the 2-second claim, yet assembly appears very straightforward. Wind and heavy rain resistant, the tent sleeps three people and comes with a 2-year guarantee.
Back to base-ics
Next up is the wardrobe. If you’re expecting to read the latest fashion festival trends, you’ll be disappointed. This is about the essentials. The following is for the moments when the sun goes down, and the nights get that little bit cooler.
Cotswold Outdoor is a good starting point, offering base layers for men and women. For men, t-shirts are an ideal choice as a base layer. Likewise for women, super soft and quick drying vest tops and t-shirts are great options for base layers.
With most festivals taking place during the summer months, choosing either a mid-layer or an outer layer should be sufficient. Using the UK as an example, a base layer with a durable waterproof jacket should suffice for any unpredictable weather.
Best foot forward
Choosing the right footwear is essential to making the festival experience more comfortable, and drier. Glastonbury in the UK is one festival where you’ll need a good pair of Wellington boots to weather the elements.
The popular brand Hunters is a favorite, but may be steep in price for some budgets. Other alternative and cheaper options include those by Helly Hansen and Crocs. Be sure to also bring a pair of flip flops, some good quality walking sandals, and a pair of trainers.
The brand Teva offers a stylish yet practical selection of sandals for women. Columbia and Jack Wolfskin sell a wide range of stylish sandals for men while managing to steer clear of the socks and sandals look.
As fresh as a daisy (almost)
Speak to anyone that’s spent a few days living in a tent, and there’s one sure topic that’s bound to come up: hygiene. Here’s some tips on how to stay ‘fresh’ without looking like a castaway and smelling like an old gym bag.
Hair
Female travelers with long hair will empathize when I say that long locks can sometimes be a pain in the backside. Tying hair up or wearing a hat etc are viable options, but these don’t work for everyone, especially if your hair’s prone to grease. With showering facilities typically saved for those with camper vans, these hair-saving products will help you fake the clean hair look.
Dry shampoo
Dry shampoos help to keep greasy roots at bay and they smell pretty nice too. The very reasonable Batiste original dry shampoo is a bargain favorite and comes in different fragrances too.
Dry shampoos are also great for styling hair to give that sexy, tousled beach look without even trying. Suitable for men and women, there’s little excuse not to stay fresh.
Face
The lack of water at outdoors festivals mean face washing routines go out the window. Dirty skin, blocked pores and greasy skin is not an attractive look on anyone.
There are some facial wipes that now combine cleansing and toning properties, making it easy to cheat your way to good skin. Avon’s Clearskin Blemish Clearing Deep Cleansing Cloths is one such product that cleanses, tones and removes makeup.
Keep packing to a minimum by doubling up your moisturizer with SPF. Even in cloudy places, excessive exposure to UV rays can be harmful to the skin.
Olay 7-day moisturizer with SPF 15 and is one of the best budget buys. My personal favorite is Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation, 30SPF. It’s water resistant, and able to withstand against perspiration and oil.
Travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpastes have been around longer than me, so there’s no excuse for morning hangover breath!
Body
Another classic staple to add to the suitcase are body wipes for festivals.
Wet wipes double up as a temporary solution to washing, but can also be used when visiting the dreaded portable toilets. In short, don’t leave home without them. The brilliantly named Big Big Body Wipes are 2 4ft x 2ft towels, and claim to maintain its moisture despite its size!
If you do want to pack a towel, choose one from the anti-bacterial body range. These towels are typically made out of fabric that’s quick drying, absorbent, lightweight and compact. Online retailers like Amazon offer a decent range and at reasonable prices.
The bag
With the essentials packed, it’s time to turn your attention to the main event: the festival. Given the likely long periods away from your tent, a good bag is a must for having somewhere safe to store your belongings.
From bum bags to contemporary crossover styles, there are plenty to choose from. Easy to wear, and available in canvas to more plush leather styles, they also make good traveling bags. The compact size also means it’s easy to pack.
*All prices correct at time of publishing
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This is a great list of travel product ideas for many other types of trips, too! I must be too old for festivals… My first thought was to pack ibuprofen and a hotel reservation. ?
Haha, I love it! I’m a glamper more than a camper, but still bring these things when I go to festivals 🙂
What great tips. I am about to go to Cape Town and might need that dry shampoo given the current water restrictions. I am not sure I would ever take a tent though as I hate camping!
You and me both! The dry shampoo is a great alternative, and you won’t smell as bad!
Actually I’m going on a festival this summer and this came in the right time. I like your tips (even I’m not 30 yet haha), but very useful one, now I can prepare better, thanks!
Lucky you! I’m kidding. Festivals are something that anyone can enjoy at any age. Glad you found this post helpful!
Nice list for both festivals or camping! It’s awesome to get some of the grease and grim off throughout the day as well after all that dancing. I do add a bottle of aspirin to the list now that I’m in my 40s though. Still love the music and love, but do love the luxuries a little more for the resting period.
Actually that’s a great item to add to the list! I think anyone can enjoy festivals, and at any age too 😀
Although your essentials are a little different to what mine would be (purely the male and female difference and the fact that I don’t have any hair on my head) I agree totally with your packing choice here. I remember going to festivals when I was younger in a rainy muddy field in England (you know our summers are 1% sun 99% rain) to the extravagant experiences they have now become. Are you heading to any festivals in Europe this year?
Ha, lucky you that you don’t have to think about how to wash your hair! I haven’t got any plans, but I prefer the lesser known festivals, as they tend to be cheaper and with some great live acts too 🙂
I hadn’t thought to bring dry shampoo to a festival, but it makes perfect sense! And I love the idea of traveling to a new country for the sake of experiencing a festival. And a tent would save a lot on lodging.
You really kill 2 birds with one stone! And dry shampoo is a luggage must!
Lisa, I am actually very interested in two of these products and not for the purpose of visiting any festivals but I think they’re good to have especially when you’re camping or travelling long distances or not staying in the most convenient of places – the body wipes and the dry shampoo. There have been times that I have wondered about a good solution to be able to wash your hair clean even when there isn’t a proper shower or bathroom around and body wipes, just like face wipes, are a pretty cool idea too! Thanks for these ideas 🙂
That’s amazing to read! I have a few bottles of dry shampoo, and trust me, they’re the best! It’s also great to style hair into that sexy up-do, and without much fuss either 😀
Thank you for these tips. I totally agree with your packing list especially the wet wipes. It’s a must-have when going out and for times when there’s no washing. Appreciate your recommended products, will check them out.
I think they’re pretty essential, and not only for festivals!
I love attending music festivals but never the camping part so have always stayed at hotels instead. Am for sure looking into that Batiste dry shampoo. Maybe then I’ll finally give camping a try!
Don’t worry, I’m a glamper too! And the dry shampoo is a lifesaver, and smells good too 😀
I am going to go tenting soon, thanks I will keep your list in mind. Still, have to buy a tent, Trespass Swift 200 2 sounds like a good one, will check it out in nearby sports shops.
That’s great to read, I hope it suits your camping needs.
That is quite a good list for packing especially since you laced out good travel products. I sucked at packing for various events initially but with time I have understood to pack properly, which doesn’t let me feel embarrassed now. This blog will be useful for so many who are yet to learn it
Thank you! I hate packing too; I usually put it off to the last minute. Glad you found this useful.
I’ve never done overnight/camping type festivals before but I’m certainly intrigued by the idea! Not a fan of limited access to water because I’m bit of a hygiene freak but this list offers great tips/advice to help you properly prepare for an event of this nature. Thanks!
I completely understand! I love music festivals, but prefer to sleep in a bed at night 🙂
As a thirty something traveller, I really appreciate this post. In one’s thirties, the reality is that one can’t really be as casual with what one carries, as a teenager might be. All these tips are really useful, and while I’m not a big festival goer myself, your tips will nevertheless come in handy even on backpacking trips, which I often go on.
That’s very true. A lot of these products are perfect for backpacking 🙂
This is a good list for any festival-goer of any age. I was never really fond of festivals but someone else will find this useful. It’s also just great just for general travel too
Absolutely! I do enjoy the festivals, but prefer to check in to a hotel at the end of the day 🙂
This is a perfect and great list for festival goers. Actually, the list is also helpful for travelers. Festivals vary on different places but everything one here is on point.
Thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful.
Great suggestions!! Dry shampoo is a must for situations like these–my hair is almost to my waist and it’s always a pain if I can’t wash it for more than a few days, though braiding does help. Comfortable shoes is a big one as well–blistered feet can ruin a whole experience.
You need a few cans of dry shampoo in your life! Plus this brand comes in different smells too 🙂
This is a great list! Have fun at the summer festivals 🙂
Thanks!
I’m a camper though I tend to stay away from music festivals. My kind of summer festivals are the ones in Asia where there are cultural performances with partipants in colorful costumes.
That sounds lovely, and unique too I’m sure 🙂
This is a great list of products for travellers (not just for those attending festivals!), I swear by powdered body wipes, removes all the sticky perspiration on your body!
That’s good to know! I’ve not yet used them at festivals, but will do when I attend my next one.
I haven’t been in a festival for so looong. So this is a great list for every kind of traveler! I prefer to stay in a hotel though. Have a great summer!
Don’t worry, so do I! I do love festivals, they have a great vibe about them.
One thing I’d seriously suggest for everyone, though: DEODORANT, AND LOTS OF IT! =D
Ha, that’s a great tip!
This kinda article could be very useful for planning my trip, considering that I’m 30 now 🙂 Thanks for sharing dear, you are doing a great job.
You’re welcome, and I hope you find this post helpful 🙂
This is a useful list not only for festival but also can be used for any travel. I should consider buying the dry shampoo, I’ve never used before.
Dry shampoo’s the best, and it smells so good too!
Summer makes everything more exciting and the fesrival is the way to give the right carefree and fun this season
I couldn’t agree more!
Wow, this is truly a great list of things to pack when deciding to attend a festival. I would always make sure that I have tent in my bag and a sleeping bag so, I can rest comfortably. Truly, this is such a great tips and help for those that are planning to attend any festival. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
You’re welcome! I’m not a great packer, so thought this might help others too.
Great travel list!!! I think that this information can be applicable to every travel, not only festivals.
Thank you 🙂
I haven’t been to a festival since my 20’s and not that I am in my 30’s this is a perfect list for someone like me! I definitely need those body wipes to feel refreshed and clean from the heat 🙂
Yay! Glad you found it helpful; those wipes are incredible!
I’m not 30 yet, but this sounds like a great list of what to pack for a festival. It has been ages since I have been to a festival. I really want to visit a big one like Tomorrowland. I know boots are so important, many festivals and concerts I have been to have gotten really muddy. Thank you so much for sharing. Very useful 🙂
Aw you’re welcome! So you’re now prepared for when you hit your 30s!
Wow. You really thought things through. I like your list of essentials as it covers all the bases. I like how you have separate face wipes and body wipes. That’s really helpful for people with “problem” complexions.
Thank you! yes, those wipes are really handy and pack well too 🙂
Great packing list for festival goers… I’m getting to old for it all, I remember when I used to go with a backpack and a case of beer, these days I’d need a lot more comfort and your list provides just that!
Ha yes, just a few more things! Better to be prepared at these types of events!