10 Festival Survival Tips That You Will Actually Appreciate

You only thought you had it figured out. Check out the Braun Series 3 Proskin & Styling Tools to perfect your festival look this summer.

Festivals are the highlights of summer, but they're not always easy to plan for. We asked people for their best tips to make the most of your festival experience.

1. Time-stamp your texts.

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"Cell service is going to be really bad, and it can be hell to try to meet up with friends and coordinate. One simple trick is to change your phone settings to time-stamp your texts. This way, if service is bad, your friends will know the info is no longer relevant. Otherwise, you might try to meet someone by the chip stand even though they've been gone for two hours."

—Brent

2. Foldable water bottle > hard water bottle.

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"My best tip is to buy an inexpensive folding plastic water bottle. It's super light and collapsable, so it fits easily into a backpack or bumbag, and it will take up less and less space as you drink more and more water. You are definitely going to want to stay hydrated because you will quickly end your day if you don't stay ahead."

—James

3. A camping chair will change your weekend.

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"Bring a camping chair, especially if you're camping out. If it rains, you will not be able to sit down on the ground (unless you want to sit in a bog). I once went to a festival where you couldn't sit down for five days because it was so muddy everywhere! A camping chair gives you valuable space above the mud if the weather lets you down, and it's still a comfortable place to sit if the weather is sunny."

—Nyall

4. Wet wipes can do anything you need them to do.

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"Wet wipes are an absolute festival essential — you never know when they’ll come in handy. You can use them to clean yourself from mud or spills, or even freshen up in the morning."

—Jack

5. Prepare to actually sleep.

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"It's a foreign word in these parts of town, but there will come a time when you need to rest and recharge. When it comes to sleep, the most important question is: do you get a cot or mattress? Cots are collapsible and take up less space. If it rains, a cot will keep you drier. But a mattress is bigger and wider. Lastly, I would recommend you get a nice pair of earplugs and a sleeping mask to ensure a peaceful night of sleep. Being well-rested means you'll have more energy to enjoy yourself and the moments that matter — you won't regret it!"

—Logan

6. Don't pack a rain jacket; pack a DIY poncho.

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"I was at a typical British festival. The sun was shining, but the forecast said rain. I didn't want to carry around a jacket with me all day, but I also didn't want to get soaked if it rained. So I decided to pop a bin liner in my back pocket, which I could later fashion into a makeshift poncho. Lo and behold, the rain came down later that afternoon. But I was able to keep dry in my DIY poncho. It's also durable enough that you can reuse the same bin liner for a couple days."

—Ben

7. Wear something you don't normally wear.

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"Festivals are a chance to dress in something a bit different than your usual style. Statement hats, bandanas, ripped tees, a waist bag worn across the torso — the list goes on. But the real trick is to make sure your style serves a function. A hat or bandana can shield your face or neck from the sun, a bag can be filled with the stuff you need, or a packable rain jacket. You want to be looking good but also outfitted to enjoy yourself. Be cool but prepared. And don't forget your hair and facial hair. Ever wanted to rock a statement mustache? This is your chance. Don't miss it."

—Thomas

8. Forget your schedule.

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"They say rules are made to be broken. At festivals, personal schedules are made to be broken! Forget about who you *thought* you wanted to see and let the music guide your days. Some of the best artists I know of came from walking by small stages and being drawn in. You’ll always have another chance to see a headliner. But how often does that Portuguese-Psy-Pop-Dance-Dream-Outfit play in your city?"

—Pearson

9. Arrive early everywhere.

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"Get to the festival a little early with your group and lock in areas to stand for each stage. For example, my friends and I always stand towards the far left middle of the crowd and find a landmark to establish our location — a speaker tower, a sign, a fence, something stationary. That way, once things get more crowded, our other friends can find us more easily because we are still close to the thing instead of lost inside a sea of people."

—Clark

10. Mix up your style.

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“Your style says a lot about you at a festival and when it comes to your grooming routine, it’s no different. For any festival goer this summer, my tip would be to not be afraid to mix it up. Whether you’re going clean shaven for the first time in years or growing out a mustache in honor of one of your favorite musicians, a new grooming style will complete your festival look – allowing you to focus on the experiences at the festival that matter. As for me and my routine – I’d recommend the Braun Series 3 Proskin – the perfect on-the-go grooming device giving you the flexibility to create any look, for any moment."

—Dan Gregory – Braun Global Grooming Ambassador

Looking to make a mark this festival season? Check out the Braun Series 3 Proskin & Styling Tools for a range of tools that will help you create your ideal festival look this summer.