Elevate your Camping Experience with these Festival Season Essentials
As the official start date of the British summer looms nearer (Thursday 20 June FYI), the sun is beginning to grace us with longer days and warmer nights already, and with that, the festival season comes into full swing. For some of us, the day festival is all we need to feel like we’re making the most of the summer weather, whereas, for others, the immersive, almost week-long festival is exactly what we need to scratch the itch for escapism, away from our day to day lives.
I have only ever attended day festivals in the past, mostly in London where I could walk or take the tube home, by which point I’d be more than ready to kick off my no-longer-white trainers and dive into soft sheets, plush pillows, and a memory foam mattress…
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not too precious to camp. I love the outdoors, but my childhood camping experiences ended prematurely when my parents bought a static caravan. Now that’s what I call luxury! By my late teens, I’d seen one too many photos of friends stuck in mud in the pouring rain to find Leeds Festival appealing, not to mention the humbling stories they shared thereafter. Since then, I’ve camped with friends in Polzeath. Though I must admit, it was largely organised by the seasoned pros of the group who already had all the gear, and knew how to make the experience as civilised as possible - which is not difficult by Leeds comparison.
Despite my sheltered upbringing and purposeful avoidance, I now, at the ripe old age of 25, find myself feeling like I am missing out on a quintessential British rite of passage. But this year, that all changes, because I am attending my first ever camping festival. What better way to be introduced to the world of festival camping than at the largest greenfield music festival, Glastonbury?!
Have I bitten off more than I can comfortably chew here? Probably, but thankfully I’m not camping alone. My good friend Alice is coming with me and also went to Glastonbury last year - phew. After going from little to no idea of what to pack, wear, and prepare, to having a tried and true guide to how to equip myself for the experience, I’m fuelled only with excitement.
Question is, how can I elevate my camping experience so that I can enjoy the festival to its fullest? With lacking access to normal facilities, I know I need to be ready to face unorthodox ablutions, adopting a ‘laissez-faire’ attitude for the course of the festival. However, if there are items I can take to make it just that little bit more dignified, I’m here for it.
Without further ado, here’s what we will be investing in ahead of the festival season to ensure comfort, cleanliness, and conscious luxury…
Festival Season Essentials:
Water Bottle -
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler, 0.89L
Let’s start with the obvious. The stamina required to survive any festival means our top priority is to stay hydrated.
Without a doubt, Stanley cups are our #1 choice, and whilst there are literally thousands of reusable cups, bottles, and flasks on the market, this IceFlow Tumbler is perfect for outdoorsy summer environments due to its heavy duty design, and ability to keep water cool for 12 hours, and iced for 48 hours.
Now, let’s face it, it’s probably going to rain and we want to avoid the discomfort of feeling and looking like a drowned rat at all costs. The black bin bag isn’t cute, and the plastic disposable ponchos aren’t exactly effective or cute either.
Introducing Amsterdam-based brand, Rainkiss. Made from recycled polyester, Rainkiss ponchos have a wide selection of fun designs, perfect for festivals, as well as some more city appropriate styles for when you’re caught in the rain leaving work. They’re long in coverage but light enough to put over your festival outfit so that you’re not too hot amongst the crowds.
Sunscreen - pai BRITISH SUMMER TIME SPF 30
As mentioned, we Brits are used to making fun of the summer rain. Unfortunately that has meant that when the sun does actually come out, we don’t take its rays seriously enough. It doesn’t take long for direct sunlight to have a harmful effect on our skin, and so if we’re going to make an effort to protect our skin from sun rays, we might as well protect our skin, and the environment, from harmful chemicals too.
Made from natural zinc oxide and cotton extract, which is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, pai’s fast absorbing sunscreen has been made for sensitive skin.
Natural Deodorant - Salt of the Earth Ocean & Coconut Natural Deodorant Refillable Spray 100ml
When it comes to freshening up, we have limited options.
At the very least, natural, aluminium-free spray deodorant means there’s no gassing out you or your campmates with highly toxic chemicals. Salt of the Earth sprays are drip free, dry quickly, and have a number of unisex scents. The brand even has a Foot Deodorant Spray in Peppermint & Tea Tree that has won several awards. Perhaps something to think about if you’re planning on wearing a pair of Doc Martin's all weekend…
Reusable Pads - UpCircle Cotton + Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads
After a long day, or maybe the morning after one, everyone could do with wiping away the makeup, sunscreen, sweat and whatever else we find from our faces. Biodegradable wipes are problematic for the environment as they quickly break down into microplastics, and even plant fibre-based biodegradable wipes release greenhouse gases as they decompose. We recommend reusable pads or cloths.
UpCircle’s pads are travel size, triple layered, soft, and machine washable, neatly kept together in a mesh bag. With 7 pads in a pack, there is enough to last you the festival with some spare left over for getting the tougher to remove face paint and glitter.
Changing Robe - dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve
Now, we may find ourselves changing outfits in some very awkward positions, due to the limiting standing height of some tents, and trying to respectfully avoid baring all to our campmates. Well, consider this problem solved!
Providing protection from all the elements, the dryrobe is an essential part of any outdoor enthusiasts packing list. Its durable waterproof outer and super-warm inner lining is perfect for cooler evenings, and is designed to offer ample space to change outfits. Made with 100% recycled fabrics and PFC-free water-repellent technology, the quick-drying fleece lining allows for multiple uses throughout the day without needing to dry it in between.
Dry Shampoo - Amika perk up plus extended clean dry shampoo
Some of us can go a week or more without washing our hair. Others, only a few days. Yet, when you’re up against the elements a camping festival brings, your hair will inevitably need a bit of attention, and Amika’s perk up plus is just for that.
Not only is Amika making impressive strides in ethical haircare, but this product was ranked the #1 best-selling dry shampoo in the US in 2022.
Water Resistant Backpack - Helly Hansen Duffel Bag 2 70L
You’ve got all the gear, but no idea how you’re going to carry it from car to campsite?
Helly Hansen has us covered for easy conversion between bag and backpack. This durable duffel bag is a multipurpose investment due to its professional grade for anything requiring water resistance, whether that be sailing, hiking, skiing, or even the unpredictable British weather conditions festival-goers inevitably face year after year. Keeping your belongings dry is absolutely key to making sure you have the best festival experience.
What have we missed? Why not send us some of your elevated camping essentials? We’d love to hear from you.
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