Festival camping is probably the most varied camping you're likely to see, you'll see groups with large family tents pitched up next to little two berth pop ups. The gear you take is obviously up to you and your budget, but for the most comfortable festival possible, we've put together a checklist so that all you need to worry about is which band clashes effect your day.
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Leave no trace is the number 1 rule of the outdoors, it helps us to care for the green spaces that we all enjoy, this is especially important with regard to festivals which for many years have created large amounts of waste with left behind camping gear.
When the festival is over it's important to take home everything you brought with you, or dispose of items you do not want in the correct way. If for some reason you do not wish to bring your tent home, ask the festival if they have drop off points for unwanted tents. Even if this is the case, the tent will need to be in usable condition, so please do take care of it. While some may think that all tents that are left behind donated to charities, this is simply not the case and most tents left at festivals go to waste.
Discarding your tent creates landfill that is very difficult to dispose of, and we urge all festival goers not to leave behind any of their camping equipment.
While it shouldn't need to be said, don't destroy other peoples kit either, this only adds to the chance to somebody will leave behind their waste.
One of the main reasons cited for not bringing home a tent is not knowing how to pack it back into its bag. The best way to learn is to practise and we promise you that it's really simple, check out the video below for some helpful tips.
The following items are must-haves before the festival, check once, check twice and check again to make sure you take these with you.
Buy gear you are proud of, gear you want to bring home. A good tent can last for multiple festivals and that can save you plenty of cash in the long-run. You should make sure you don't leave anything behind at your festival site.
The sleeping checklist is applicable to most forms of camping, the gear may change but the items remain the same. Airbeds are great, but cumbersome - why not consider a self inflating mat to save on space and weight?
If you want to save yourself a whole lot of money, it's best to cook your own food at a festival. Even if you've never cooked before, it doesn't take much to pour the contents of a camping meal or tin into a pan and heat it up.
Why not try: Hi Gear Festival Kit (Features Solid fuel stove, two mess tins and cutlery, all packs inside itself)
We're not going to try and tell you what to wear, and you probably wouldn't listen to us if we did. Here's a list of items you really should take, to make the weekend as comfortable as possible. Even if the weather says it will be one thing, always expect the opposite.
Look after yourself at a festival, if you're on medication make sure you're fully stocked up. Festivals can be dirty places (especially the toilets) so keep yourself clean and safe.
Why not try: Pits & Bits Festival Wash Kit (Wash without water!)
Here are some extra bits of kit that can help you along the way