With the weather improving and spring on the horizon, festival season is nearly upon us. Whether you’re heading to a bunch of local country day festivals or heading to Glastonbury or Leeds festival, we all know that you have to dress for just about every weather. We’ve created this guide to help you decide on what to wear to a festival in the rain.
What to Wear to a Festival in the Rain: Our Top 5 Essentials
The most important factor to consider is the weather! Just because you’re off to a festival doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed nice weather, especially if it’s in the UK. Don’t forget that you’ll probably be outside all day, whether you’re enjoying music in a field or wandering around a country show. Bear that in mind when packing for a festival.
With that being said, we’ve listed our top 5 essentials of what to wear to a festival in the rain that should see you through any festival from springtime right through to autumn.
A waterproof jacket
If there’s any crucial layer, it’s your waterproof outer layer. Even if it’s the height of summer, British weather means unexpected rain can occur at any time, any place. A waterproof jacket is a must-pack item for anyone attending a festival. The warmer it is, the thinner it can be so don’t think you need to pack a bulky, fleece-lined waterproof coat during summer.
If you’re attending a countryside festival when it’s colder outside, you’ll want something a little thicker or a coat that you can layer underneath. A fleece-lined jacket is a great alternative especially if you’re always cold.
The colder it is outside, the more features you might want to consider. A foldaway hood is always a great idea because you never know when a downpour will happen, even if you’ve checked the forecast. Stormproof cuffs will prevent any wind from getting inside and keep the heat in your coat. Of course, all of our waterproof jackets (men’s and women’s) have lots of pockets, with at least two outer pockets and one internally to store your wallet or money inside.
A festival in the summer means you might not need a fleece-lined jacket but a jacket in a packet will never go amiss for men or women. Ours fold up easily to store in a rucksack or you could clip them onto the outside of a small bag. Trust us, you’ll be grateful for it if the heavens open and you’re outside!
Footwear with a good terrain
Festivals usually imply fields, which means even if it’s been dry, thousands of people walking on the grass will turn it to mud. A pair of canvas trainers will not cut it and you’ll end up sliding all over and have blisters within a couple of hours.
Instead, a pair of walking shoes or boots for women or men are your best option. Yes, they might not be the most fashionable footwear available but if you’re going to be on your feet for the day or a few days, you’ll need something comfortable on your feet as well as the extra support under your soles and around your ankles.
If you’re at an overnight festival, it can be a good idea to give them a quick clean overnight as mud stuck in the tread has a habit of drying and clogging it up. A small brush with tough bristles should do the trick and it’ll only take a few minutes before you go to sleep.
A rucksack
Whether you’re away for the day or a few nights, a rucksack large enough for your essentials is not only good for your back but it’s easier to carry than other styles, allowing you to be hands-free for drinks and food.
For daytime festivals, you’ll want a style with padded straps because it will be on your back for the most part of your day. It will need to have plenty of pockets to store your essentials as well as snacks and drinks for the day. Try not to overfill it because you’ll have to carry it for the day.
If you only need a few bits with you, a pack-and-go rucksack could be a better alternative. It’s ideal if you want to take a packed lunch with you. When you’re finished, simply fold it away and store it inside a smaller bag or clip it on the outside of your bag.
A small, cross-body bag
The best bag for anyone at a festival is something that sits across your body. You’ll want it to be big enough to carry what you consider essentials but try to carry as little as possible. You’ll be wearing this bag all day, perhaps even for multiple days, so you’ll want to save your shoulders a bit of weight if you can.
An adjustable strap is a must so you can carry it as close to your body as possible. We recommend wearing it fairly short and in front of your body for safety. Pick a material that’s waterproof, such as leather or nylon, so your stuff stays dry inside.
Pick a cross-body bag in a neutral shade so that it goes with every outfit you take. Tan and brown leather especially compliment any pattern or colour of outfit and don’t look as harsh as black leather.
Plenty of layers
This especially applies if you’re staying overnight or for multiple nights. You never know if the weather forecast will change whilst you’re away and you need to be prepared for all temperatures.
Thermals are a great option to have if it’s spring or autumn time but probably not needed during the summer. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need layers. In the height of summer, especially at a festival, it’s best to cover your shoulders so they don’t burn. You’ll also need a cap or bucket hat so your head doesn’t burn either.
If it’s cooler, your mid-layer will be the most important. A fleece layer is a great option to have and can work as an outer layer if the temperature rises. Again, you might wear it for multiple days so a neutral colour is an easier option. A full-zip is the best style as it’s easy to take off and put on throughout the day if needs be. We have plenty of styles for both men and women available.
Choosing what to wear to a festival in the rain can be overly complicated but as long as you have these few essentials with you, you’ll be set for any and all weathers! Pack as light as possible and enjoy yourself, whether it’s your local country show for the day or a weekend-long music festival.