12 Festival Survival Tips with Basecamp Outdoor

The Irish summer festival season is ready to make its triumphant return – with a brilliant array of events taking place all across the country over the weeks and months ahead. However, after two years away from live music, even the seasoned veterans among us might be a little rusty when it comes to preparing for the big weekend away...

Luckily for you, we've teamed up with Basecamp to bring you the ultimate guide to surviving this year's festival season – whether you're heading off to Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, Sea Sessions, or one of the other countless festivals coming up this summer.

And for those of you who are feeling lucky, click here to enter our Basecamp competition – featuring a tent, sleeping bags and sleeping mats worth €280...

Read on for Basecamp's Festival Survival Guide...

(1.) Suncream – this is essential. We all have that friend who burns as soon as they step outside...

(2.) Baby wipes – consider them a luxury camping shower!

(3.) Tent – make sure your tent is easy to pack, lightweight, and has space for you, your friends and your bags. Also, practice pitching before you go to avoid a stressful packing up experience. You don't want to end up missing out your favourite act.

(4.) Parking – write down where you left the car. We've all been there...

(5.) Location – avoid camping on a slope, near toilets, water, or any other busy areas.

(6.) Black bin bag – bring one with you for any rubbish – or beer-soaked clothes.

(7.) Toasty sleeping bag – while down is warmer and lighter, Basecamp recommend a synthetic sleeping bag, as it dries quickly, and can still keep you warm when it’s wet. Cheaper too!

(8.) On a budget? – some festivals offer free entry in exchange for some volunteering shifts.

(9.) Midge spray – this always saves the day at Irish festivals.

(10.) Keys – put them in a safe place ! Don’t carry them around the festival. The amount of times we’ve seen people scouring the fields for their keys as everyone else is already on their way home...

(11.) Power bank – or, even better, a solar panel power bank!

(12.) Sleeping mats – Basecamp recommend a self-inflating mat. They're super comfy, and pack small and light. Much less bulky than an inflatable mattress or a roll up foam mat.

Check out Basecamp's full collection of Festival Gear here.

First established over 10 years ago, Basecamp is a 100% Irish-owned and independent outdoor store – built for adventurers, by adventurers. Located on Jervis Street in Dublin 1, they’ve got something for everyone, whether you’re trekking in the hills, going on holidays – or, in our case, heading off to a festival. With their extensive knowledge of all things camping (including festival camping!) Basecamp’s team of expert staff are there to offer advice on the best gear for you.

There are currently over 10,000 loyal Basecamp members – who get special perks like 10% discounts, as well as exclusive early access to sales, outdoor guides, special member sales, and much more. If you’re shopping on behalf of a group or a business, you should also be sure check out their Kitlist.ie website – featuring 65,000 products and discounts for group-buying purposes.

For more, see basecamp.ie