Dear Wirecutter: What Should I Pack for a Summer Music Festival?

Q: A good friend of mine is going through a midlife crisis and has become addicted to multiday music festivals. In a few weeks I will be joining him for one that promises to be hot and crowded. Any recommendation for clothing to keep cool as well as to tote around all of the stuff a modern person needs, such as mobile devices, etc.?

A: Going to a summer festival is a lot like hiking on a hot day, and the gear and clothing requirements are similar. The best piece of advice we can give is to dress for the weather and plan for the entire day. Don’t wear some cool outfit you’ve been planning if it’s going to leave you uncomfortable, sweaty, and regretting that you ever decided to join your friend. Instead, opt for a wicking T-shirt (Uniqlo’s Airism shirts, available in both men's and women's styles, are a staff favorite). During the hottest part of the day, you may want to consider soaking your top in water, too. It’ll cool you down, and most of the water should burn off by the end of the day. You should also bring a light jacket for when the sun goes down. Our rain jacket pick isn’t insulated, but it should be plenty enough for a warm summer night—plus, it’ll protect you from sudden downpours. If you’re going someplace where the temperature drastically decreases at night, consider packing a light sweater, fleece, or vest to layer underneath.

For the sake of all things holy, wear proper footwear and moisture-wicking socks. Nothing will ruin your festival quicker than getting blisters, twisting your ankle, or experiencing some other catastrophe involving a poor choice of shoes. Heels, wedges, and flip-flops (for the most part) are out. Consider adding an insole to your favorite pair of shoes to make them more comfortable to stand in all day. If rain is in the forecast, stash an extra pair of comfortable sneakers and socks that you can change into once it’s dry, since walking around in wet shoes is the last thing you’ll want to be doing.

If you need a daypack that’s easy to travel with, we have a couple of recommendations. Choose something that’s light and breathable. Our top pick, the L.L.Bean Stowaway Day Pack, offers ventilation on its straps and back panel to help keep you from overheating.

We have several guides for things you may need during a festival, but here are some key items to remember to pack.

• Sunscreen: We’ve tested lots of options, and we offer some good recommendations for all sorts of preferences.
• Breathable clothing: We haven’t reviewed moisture-wicking shirts, but Uniqlo’s Airism shirts are a staff favorite for both men and women. We currently recommend the company's line of underwear as our budget pick in our travel underwear guide. It doesn’t hurt that these items are cheap to boot.
• Water bottle: Security will likely empty it before you enter, but having your own bottle means you can refill your water for free. If you’re aiming to pack light, one of our collapsible picks might be your best bet, since a collapsible bottle stows away nice and small when empty. You can also throw in a couple of packs of electrolyte powder if you want to make sure you’re good and hydrated.
• USB power bank: Between staying in communication with your friend, taking photos and videos, checking social media, and looking up set times, you’ll be lucky if your smartphone’s battery lasts half as long as it usually does. A USB power bank like the Jackery Bolt has built-in cables (one less thing to carry) and packs enough power to fully top off your phone two or three times between charges.
• Hat: Wear a brimmed hat that protects your head, ears, and neck. We have some picks in our best sun hat for hikers guide, but a ball cap will do. Stay away from mesh and choose a darker color, as it will offer better sun protection than a lighter one. If possible, wear one made with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) fabric. Consider adding a bandana that you can tuck into the back like a cape to protect the nape of your neck. You can also soak your bandana in cold water to cool off.
• Sunglasses: A good, cheap pair of sunglasses is all you need if you don’t want to risk losing a pricier pair while you’re out and about.
• TP and hand sanitizer: Porta-potties can get gnarly. It’s not a bad idea to throw several sheets of toilet paper and a travel-size hand sanitizer into your bag. They’re two things you’ll thank yourself for bringing if you need them.
• Binoculars: These aren’t a necessity, but you may want to consider bringing a pair of small travel binoculars along to help you see the stage.
• Earplugs: We haven’t yet tested earplugs specifically for concert use, but our pick for sleeping earplugs will protect your hearing—just don’t expect the best sound quality.

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