Even festival veterans should have a yearly packing list to make sure that no essential item is left behind. With each passing year Glastonbury seems to offer more amenities than ever before, meaning many items once considered essential are merely nice-to-haves, or can be easily picked up at the festival itself. At its core however, Glasto is still a week spent camping in a remote field, and there are plenty of things you’ll be thankful for taking along with you. Here’s my list of 25 essentials for your rucksack.
25. Suitable tent
The key word here is suitable. Remember that capacities tend to be overestimated by tent marketers, so a 4-man tent will usually fit two comfortably (including belongings), and a single camper should be looking at 2-man tents as a minimum requirement.
Other considerations are pop-up tents versus traditional; pop-ups typically being far quicker to set up, but more awkward to pack away and bulkier to carry. A final thought should go into weather resistance. Your tent should be 100% rainproof as a bare minimum, but also remember that nylon/polyster tents get uncomfortably hot in the sun. Glastonbury festival often lands on one of the hottest weeks of the year, so if you’re planning to spend a lot of time in the tent you might want to investigate a canvas alternative, or a black/silver roof material which can absorb or reflect the heat.
24. Photo ID
You won’t actually need any form of identification to get through the festival gates. The staff will simply check that the photo on your ticket matches your face and you’re good to go! So why bring ID?
Put simply, for most people it may have been a while since your registration photo was taken, and if you look noticeably different to your picture, you’ll need to present some form of photo ID as a backup. What’s more, those of legal drinking age can show this ID to receive a special wristband, allowing those blessed with a younger complexion to be served alcohol at any of the bars on site hassle-free. Once you’ve got your wristband, you can lock away your ID securely in any one of the property lock-ups for the duration of the festival, so you won’t need to worry about losing it.
23. Cash & Cards
I always recommend taking a sum of cash, plus two debit/credit cards to the festival, if you’re able to. Pre-Covid, most vendors traded in cash, but I expect a significantly more contactless festival going forwards. You want to keep half of your cash and one of the cards on your person at all times, and the rest should be kept safely in your tent (somewhere hidden and secure, i.e. not in a bag that could be quickly taken by a tent intruder).
You can expect to spend £5-10 per meal at the festival (don’t worry, most of the food is 100% worth the price!), plus roughly £5 per drink at a bar. There’s also plenty of clothing, camping equipment, and craft stalls to attract your wallet, so take enough cash to cover your desires. It’s better to take more than you need, and bring most of it home, than having to waste valuable time queuing at one of the few cash machines – which will charge around £3 per withdrawal.
22. Mobile Phone
This one might seem obvious, since everyone has a phone in their pocket nowadays. Just remember that modern smartphones can be battery hogs, and signal can be patchy at the festival. I always recommend treating a phone primarily as an occasional camera and emergency contact device, nothing more. Many people, myself included in previous years, leave their expensive mobile at home in favour of a cheaper one for the festival. A temporary ‘festival phone’, with much fewer apps installed, will both last much longer and you won’t have to worry as much about losing it.
21. Power Bank
Going hand-in-hand with the previous point, modern phones like to die at the worst possible time. An inexpensive and lightweight power bank can significantly extend your mobile’s life by an extra couple of full charges, powering it through the week. I recommend a 10,000mAh bank, which will last you from Wednesday to Sunday with sensible usage, but it’s better to go bigger if you expect to use your phone often.
EE have partnered with the festival in the past to offer charging solutions, such as the Recharge Tent. Realistically though, who wants to be wasting their valuable glasto time queuing for such facilities, when you can solve the issue yourself for as little as £10-15.
20. Camping Chair
Returning to the low-tech equipment, a comfortable and sturdy camping chair is one of my highest priorities. Expect to average 10-15 miles of walking per day at Glastonbury, plus dancing! Your legs and feet are going to hurt by the end of the day, and having a proper seat to recover in is vital. Don’t bother with a mini folding stool either – go for a proper chair that you can lean back in and holds your drink – they are more than worth their small price tag.
The only potential consideration on this topic is whether to buy this at the festival instead, since they tend to be rather unwieldy to transport. I’ve done this in the past, requisitioning one for just £5 from one of the site’s many camping stalls. Nowadays, expect to spend £10-12 for the convenience of buying one on-site, and weigh up whether that’s worth it to not have to carry it (along with all of your other belongings) on the first day.
19. Compact Sleeping Bag
Don’t go cheap on a sleeping bag – it’s not worth it. Even on a hot summer’s day, the nights can be deceptively chilly, so a well-insulated bed is essential. More expensive sleeping bags not only tent to be warmer, but also more comfortable and pack into a smaller, lighter bag. Rucksack space is a premium, and I’ve already stated the importance of items that contribute to providing a good rest between the action. I’d rather have a cheap tent and a high quality sleeping bag, than the other way around!
18. Roll mat / Airbed / Camping bed
I’m combining each of these into a single point because they all serve the same purpose. Which is the best is a hot debate amongst festival veterans. Pick whichever suits you best, but remember that anything is better than nothing – sleeping directly on hard ground for five nights is a terrible idea.
- Roll mat – Typically foam mats that roll up tightly; these are super lightweight and, although bulky, strap nicely to the top of a rucksack. I recommend the more premium self-inflating versions over the basic foam ones.
- Airbed – As close to a proper mattress as you can get in a tent – your back will thank you! Much heavier than a roll mat, and that’s not factoring in the need for a pump. If attending as a group, it’s a good idea to make sure only one person brings a pump to save space and effort.
- Camping bed – Of the options, I have the least experience with these. Some campers swear by them however, and since they actually elevate you from the ground they should promise good comfort and insulating properties.
17. Pillow / Cushion
Here’s the first item that’s more of a personal bias, but a small pillow can be the difference between a good night’s rest and a weekend of neck pain. I don’t recommend a full-size pillow, but either a small cushion or an inflatable camping pillow. If you’re starving for space, a soft jumper folded in half makes for a reasonable alternative.
16. Toilet roll
Self-explanatory; keep a roll in your bag at all times!
15. Bin bags
A handful of refuse sacks are extremely easy to pack into your rucksack, and make a huge difference in maintaining a liveable camping area. They can also be used as impromptu waterproofing material during in the event that your tent fails to keep out the weather.
14. Duct tape
As above, if emergency tent, airbed or sleeping bag repairs are ever needed a roll of duct tape can be a lifesaver. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s hardly worth leaving behind for the small space it takes up.
13. Fibrous snacks
While it’s true that you can eat exclusively at the festival’s food vendors, and eat very well at that, it can quickly turn into a very expensive weekend. Cost-savings aside, there are two much more important reasons to pack a handful of lightweight, long-lasting snacks.
First of all, the time lost during a trip to the Goan fish curry stall is precious festival time indeed. What happens when you find yourself at the front of the Pyramid stage, five minutes away from a beloved act’s entrance, and your stomach begins to grumble. Always keep a couple of small and filling snacks on yourself, such as breakfast bars, so that you can satisfy your appetite and keep your spot!
Secondly, it’s important to keep on top of (some) dietary requirements whilst gorging on the festival’s plethora of world foods. Specifically, ensuring you’re getting enough fibre is critical. Glastonbury’s toilet situation is continually improving, but you still want to visit them as infrequently as possible. Again, breakfast bars are ideal for this, as is dried fruit.
12. Warm clothing
I’m specifically calling out warm clothing here because it’s all too easy to assume that you’ll be in shorts and t-shirts all week if the weather forecast permits it. Even in this case, the evening chill can catch you out. Those nights that you want to spend sat relaxing at the camp site, at the Park overlooking the festival lights, or making the pilgrimage to the South East corner, will be made vastly more enjoyable by the addition of a light jumper or jacket. Don’t be afraid to sleep in your warm clothing either, the nights really do get chilly!
11. Lightweight raincoat
You don’t want to get caught out in the centre of a packed crowd when the heavens open. Unfortunately you can’t be guaranteed to avoid that situation at Glastonbury. The best precaution is keeping a lightweight, thin waterproof coat that folds tightly into your bag – alternatively you can purchase a poncho to serve a similar purpose. Don’t waste time and space packing a large, heavy coat; all you need is something to keep the water off you that takes up as little space as possible.
10. Wellies / Walking boots
Another heavy-hitting debate of the Glasto veterans; wellies versus walking boots. There’s only one important takeaway here – anything is better than nothing! As little as an hour of rain at the festival results in walkways of thick, churned mud due to the massive crowds. Trying to navigate the conditions in sandals, shoes or trainers is not only silly, but potentially dangerous. Here’s my two cents:
- Wellies – Cheap, cheerful, and in my opinion a staple of Glasto fashion (even on the dry days). They can be awkward to walk in though, so a good fit and comfortable socks are a must.
- Walking boots – With the amount of walking you do at Glastonbury, footwear designed precisely for that purpose seems like a no-brainer. A good pair will surely be better for feet over the course of the festival, but they’re heavier than wellies, and won’t fare as well if it gets really muddy.
9. Sun hat / Sunglasses
Be it a baseball cap, bucket or bowler, make sure you pack some form of headwear if the forecast predicts any form of sun. You’ll spend 90% of your time at the festival outdoors, with the sun directly over you. Something to keep the heat away from the top of your head is a must, for both comfort and safety.
Furthermore, don’t deprive yourself of getting the perfect view of your favourite artists all because of some sun glare. If you’re a glasses wearer, splash out on a nice pair of prescription sunglasses; they’re far less hassle than messing around with contact lenses in a field.
8. Sun cream
Following the trend, don’t neglect the sun cream! Having to sleep on the ground with a sunburned back and shoulders is not something you want to experience, and sun stroke is a real and dangerous thing at Glastonbury. Get some moisturising sun cream, and don’t let the sun ruin your festival.
7. Drinks
Okay, time for a fun one. Glastonbury is one of the few festivals in the UK where you are permitted to take your own alcohol (officially you may only take as much as can be reasonably consumed – but there’s no strict number). If you’re of legal drinking age, and planning on enjoying a cider or two during your time in Somerset, you’d be wise to make the most of this fact.
Although you can’t beat a fresh, cold drink from one of the many bars on a sunny day, you’ll save a boatload of money by supplying the majority of the drinks yourself. Just remember a couple of important points:
- Liquids are heavy – Pack as much as you need, but if you’re transporting multiple crates of booze you might want to consider investing in a large-wheeled trolley or wheelbarrow.
- Glass is banned – You can’t take any glass into the festival, so any drinks in glass bottles will be confiscated. Decant spirits into empty plastic bottles beforehand.
- There’s no fridge – Whatever drinks you take will likely need to be enjoyed lukewarm, or in some cases rather hot (if they’ve been sat in your tent on a sunny day). Some alcohols, such as wine, are better suited to being enjoyed warm rather than chilled – plus you can get wine in a bag to avoid glass.
6. Dental care
Back to the boring (but equally important) stuff. Don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste, they take a minuscule amount of space in your rucksack and weigh next to nothing. Don’t expect to be able to shower for the duration of the festival, so being able to freshen your breath every day can really feel like a boost to your hygiene.
5. Dry Shampoo
To expand on the previous point, unless you’re willing to queue for a long time at an unreasonable hour, or pay a premium at a pop-up salon tent, you’re likely not going to be able to wash your hair for the week. A can of dry shampoo makes a world of difference.
4. Baby Wipes
AKA the ‘festival shower’. A daily wet wipe bath in the morning will be your primary way of freshening up and removing the dirt and grub from the previous night’s antics. These are also useful to keep on your person to clean your hands before eating and after visiting the toilets – an upset stomach from poor hygiene is the last thing you want at a music festival.
A lot of wet wipes or facial wipes are expensive, but cheap non-fragranced baby wipes work perfectly for this purpose. Look to buy plastic-free, biodegradable ones in-keeping with the festival’s green mission.
3. Medicines
The medical tent and staff at the festival do an incredible job, and with everything up to and including a dentist on site, you’d be surprised at how well equipped they are to deal with any medical emergencies that may arise. Hopefully you won’t ever find yourself needing to visit the medical tent, but it’s still worth being equipped for minor issues that may arise. Here’s a quick list of small medical items I recommend throwing in your rucksack:
- Plasters (assorted sizes)
- Hand sanitiser
- Paracetamol & Ibuprofen
- Rehydration treatment sachets
- Any prescription medicine you need to take
2. Ear plugs
I didn’t use earplugs for my first several visits to Glastonbury festival. Sadly to say I learned the error of my ways the hard way, as I developed tinnitus in recent years in one ear – a hearing condition which ranges from mildly irritating to incredibly debilitating. I’m not suggesting that ear plugs should be worn religiously, but there will be moments when you’ll find yourself at a spot in the crowd right in front of a stage’s main speakers. Some loose earplugs in one or both ears won’t detract from the experience, but could save your ears from some serious damage.
Perhaps more importantly, however, I find ear plugs to be an absolute necessity when it comes to night time. Our campsite of choice at the festival is currently Oxlyers; nestled conveniently in front of the Other Stage and a short walk away from Arcadia and the Silver Hayes dance village. Needless to say, this area is rarely peaceful, and the thumping bass from Arcadia can be heard long into the early hours. Some basic foam earplugs are the godsend in creating some quiet, and aiding towards that sacred restful night’s sleep.
1. Water bottle
Staying hydrated is extremely important at Glastonbury. Between long periods of walking and standing, hot weather, and the potential for copious amounts of day-drinking, having fresh water at hand is key. Purchase a high quality metal bottle, keep it with you, and top it up regularly. Thankfully, like many of the items on this list, you can pick up a decent water bottle at the festival if you manage to forget to pack one.
Bonus point: Your ticket
Whatever you do, don’t forget to bring that.
Glastonbury.Music.Blog 