The Best Music Festival Must-Haves to Pack In Your Bag, from Tech to Skincare
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You’ve plotted out your summer festival itinerary, and now it’s time to get packing. Whether you’re headed to Coachella or Lollapalooza, the most seasoned festgoers might forget a thing or two amid the frenzy of prepping their most stylish looks and planning their top gear for road trips or long flights. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are the most obvious items to check off your festival packing list — but there are plenty of other items (such as a first aid kit or a powerful phone charger) that might come in handy as you’re traversing football field-length grounds and dusty or muddy terrain.
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One must-have that won’t take up any space in your bag? Frequent festgoers can make their event-hopping experience easier with services such as FestivalPass, which allows members to save up to 30 percent on up to 80,000 festivals, concerts, sporting events and more. memberships are $19 to $99 per month (or $210 to $1,080 per year) and include early access, no ticketing fees, bonus tickets and more perks. Resale sites such as SeatGeek, StubHub, Ticketmaster and VividSeats also offer tickets to sold-out events.
On that note, we’ve rounded up some of the best music festival essentials to pack, from hands-free carryalls and fanny packs that are fashionable and functional to practical outdoor-friendly supplies and sun care staples. It’s also worth noting that you should check each festival’s rules for prohibited items, such as metal water bottles; advanced first aid kits with sharp pieces; selfie sticks; and other gear.
1. Anker 525 PowerCore 20K Power Bank
Spotty reception and snapping photos all day can drain your smartphone’s battery, but Anker’s portable USB-C charger ensures that you stay powered up for the weekend. The 20,000mAh cell capacity can charge an iPhone 12 to 50 percent in as little as 30 minutes, and it’s compatible with Samsung and most other brands.
Anker USB-C 20000mAh Power Bank
2. Loops Experience Plus Pro Ear Plugs
When the bass and drums get louder, protect your precious eardrums for future music fests with Loops’ Experience Plus ear plugs. You can reduce the noise by up to 23 decibels with the included Loop Mute accessories, and the four ear tip sizes let you customize the fit. We love the chic gold design that makes them feel more like a stylish accessory than a (very necessary) piece of protective gear. They’re also great for anyone with sensitivities to sound.
MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Loops | Amazon
Loops Experience Pro Ear Plugs
3. Transparent Multicolor Fanny Pack
For those stadium festivals where clear carryalls are required, this top-rated transparent fanny pack — available in a variety of see-through designs — from Amazon is a must for breezing through security.
Transparent Multicolor Fanny Pack
4. Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
Shade may not always be easy to come by at a festival — and Supergoop!’s Play everyday lotion (available in a travel-friendly 2.4-oz. size) has SPF 50 to shield you from UVA and UVB rays for up to 80 minutes, sunflower extract to protect from the elements and rosemary leaf extract to calm and soothe the skin. The sweat- and water-resistant formula is also reef-friendly.
MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Supergoop! | Amazon | Sephora
Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
5. Baggu Packable Sun Hat
Packed the cutest hat, only to be burdened with a bulky accessory once the sun goes down? Yeah, we’ve been there too — which is why Baggu’s wide-brimmed packable sun hat is one of our favorite spring and summer accessories, thanks to its lightweight and car shade-like folding design. It comes in a ton of fun prints, too. (See more of our favorite sun hats for women here.)
Baggu Packable Sun Hat
6. Foldies Polarized Folding Classics V2 Sunglasses
Minimalism and convenience are clearly our mantra when it comes to festival packing — which is why we love Foldies’ polarized sunglasses that are perfectly portable. They feature UV400 scratch-resistant lenses and a cool folding design that makes them easy to stow away in your bag or pocket at sunset. Other frame colors and lens styles are available.
Foldies Polarized Folding Classics V2 Sunglasses
7. Coola Organic Liplux Lip Balm and Sunscreen with SPF 30
Sensing a sun theme here? You can never protect your skin enough, which is why Coola’s Liplux sunscreen with SPF 30 is a must-have in your festival kit. The water-resistant formula is vegan, gluten-free and 70 percent organic.
COOLA Organic Liplux Lip Balm and Sunscreen with SPF 30
8. Nomader Collapsible 22-Ounce Water Bottle
Most festivals don’t allow insulated stainless steel water bottles (yup, the kind that keeps your aqua ice-cold on hot days) — but the next best option for avoiding single-use plastics is this collapsible leakproof container by Nomader. It has a 22-oz. capacity, a wide mouth for easy cleaning and a protective spout cover to keep your bottle dirt-free.
Nomader BPA Free Collapsible Sports Water Bottle
9. Herschel Fifteen Hip Pack
If you prefer to travel light, Hershel’s Fifteen hip pack lets you stay hands-free while affording you enough extra space to stow away your essentials for the day.
Herschel Fifteen Hip Pack
10. Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel
If you’re not too careful, you’re bound to get a little burnt when you’re out and about beneath the sun for days. Sun Bum’s Cool Down aloe vera gel is infused with cocoa butter, vitamin E and tea tree oil to soothe and nourish irritated skin and prevent peeling. It can also be used to preserve your tan.
Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel
11. Inex Gear The Better Bandana Mask
Festgoers seeking protection from the dust, elements and germs can mask up in Inex Gear’s The Better Bandana, which is made of the brand’s breathable fabric that has two antimicrobial outer layers and a nanofiber filter layer that helps to keep out airborne contaminants. It has a customized nose bridge for a secure fit, but note that you may want to wear another mask (such as a surgical face covering or an N95, KN95 or KF94 mask) if you want more protection against COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that when it comes to coronavirus safety, “in general, most people do not need to wear masks outdoors.”)
Inex Gear The Better Bandana Mask (reg. $20)
12. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Instant Film Camera
What would a music festival be without memories to bring home? We love Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 90 instant film camera, which lets you take double exposures, adjust the lighting settings and turn the flash off or on. Don’t forget to stock up on extra film, too.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Instant Film Camera
13. General Medi 110-pc. Mini First Aid Kit
For the ultra-prepared festgoer who’s dealing with minor scrapes or a tiny tumble, this all-purpose mini first aid kit might just save you a trip across the field to the first aid tent (and keep you from missing the show you’ve been waiting for). Just be sure to remove any prohibited items, such as scissors, tourniquets and safety pins.
General Medi 110-pc. Mini First Aid Kit
14. Evolvetogether Malibu Hand Sanitizer Starter Set
Evolvetogether’s refillable hand sanitizer comes in a travel-friendly spray container and contains a cruelty-free concentrated formula that eliminates nearly 100 percent of common germs and bacteria. It has a light citrus scent, plus glycerin and aloe vera for soothing and hydrating the skin.
Evolvetogether Malibu Hand Sanitizer Starter Set
15. Caraa Sport Travel Waistpack
We’re fans of Caraa’s adventure-ready Travel Waistpack for its plethora of compartments and storage space, such as the two water bottle pockets, zippered pockets and detachable straps that make it easy to organize your stuff (but don’t blame us if you end up the most prepared pack mule of your group).
Caraa Sport Travel Waistpack (reg. $155)
16. Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs
Protect your hearing while keeping the music going with Vibes’ nearly-invisible High Fidelity earplugs, which come with different sizes of silicone tips so you can customize your noise-canceling levels.
Vibes High-Fidelity Earplugs
17. United by Blue Utility Fanny Pack
Yet another stylish waist pack option, United by Blue’s three-liter Utility Fanny Pack is made of deadstock 100 percent recycled polyester fabric, so that eco-conscious festgoers can feel good about their carryall. This cool and colorful bag is water- and stain-resistant, too. (Other colors are available.)
United by Blue Utility Fanny Pack
18. Yuni Shower Sheets Large Body Wipes, 12-pack
When you’re too focused on catching the first band and the last performer each day, we get that a shower might be the last thing on your schedule. This 12-pack of super-soft deodorizing body wipes from Yuni let you wipe away sweat and dirt when you’re on the go.
YUNI Beauty Large Body Wipes
19. Dr. Frederick’s Original Better Blister Bandages
If you plan to be on your feet all weekend, this variety pack of blister bandages will keep your steppers comfortable.
Dr. Frederick’s Original Better Blister Bandages
20. Sojos Small Round Classic Polarized Sunglasses
If you’ve got a bad habit of losing track of your designer sunglasses, this stylish pair of round frames is affordable, protects your peepers and looks great on pretty much any head shape. They’re available in other colorways, too.
SOJOS Small Round Classic Polarized Sunglasses
21. Kind Double Dark Chocolate Protein Nut Bars
When hunger strikes, don’t get caught with your stomach grumbling while waiting in long food lines. Pack some protein bars — like these double dark chocolate nut bars from Kind — to satisfy your tummy and load up on energy. (Make sure you check if outside food is allowed into your event.)
KIND Double Dark Chocolate Nut Protein Bars
22. BigTron Ultralight Backpack Stool Combo
Unless you’re in the VIP section, chances are you’ll be sitting on grass or dirt. If you’re allowed to bring folding stools or you plan on car camping, this backpack has a built-in stool and cooler that lets you sit down in comfort.
23. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea
Whether you’re facing dry or humid air, a good face mist can help cool you down. Mario Badescu’s refreshing facial spray contains aloe, cucumber and green tea works great as a toner, makeup setting spray or mid-fest skin energizer.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea
24. ’73 Originals Sierra Day Pack
Prefer a full-sized bag for carrying your festival essentials? This vintage-inspired day pack by ’73 Originals comes in several stylish colors and has the capacity to serve as a backpack for school or work, thanks to the laptop and tablet sleeve, plenty of organizer compartments, a convenient key clip and padded shoulder straps.
’73 Originals Sierra Day Pack
25. Athleta Pacifica Ilume UPF 50+ Relaxed Jacket
Athleta’s lightweight Pacifica Ilume jacket is made of UPF 50+ moisture-wicking fabric to protect your skin from the sun while keeping you comfortable in the heat. Made of recycled polyester, this garment is perfect for covering up during warm evenings — or you can easily roll it up and throw it in your bag.
Athleta Pacifica Ilume UPF 50+ Relaxed Jacket
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