If you're headed to a music festival this summer, there's a good chance you'll be on your feet all day and night. It's important to prioritise comfort without sacrificing style – and after 15 years of festivals, I've mastered it!

At my last festival I clocked up over 101,000 steps throughout a 4 day event and most of those were dancing my heart out at the stages. I'm a big fan of long weekend camping festivals, but so often these festival grounds and campsites are huge which mean your legs will be getting a serious workout.

So don't scrimp when choosing your festival shoes because they are an investment – I've been wearing the same few brands for years and they've lasted so well and go with every outfit. Here, I'll share my favourite looks and links to where you can shop for them.

Are you going to a festival this summer? Here's where you can find:

  1. How To Choose The Best Shoes For A Music Festival
  2. 7 Things To Consider When Choosing Festival Shoes
  3. 5 Best Festival Shoes For 2024
>> CLICK HERE TO SHOP MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS <<

How To Choose The Best Shoes For A Music Festival

What are the best shoes for a festival?

You absolutely cannot go wrong with a solid, classic, black boot. They go with absolutely everything and are perfect if the weather changes suddenly (as it is prone to do in the UK). They're great for rainy, muddy or dusty festivals and are also really sturdy to stop your toes getting stepped on in the crowd or on the dance floor. Often 4 day camping festivals will be on uneven, grassy sites where there can be holes in the ground or bumps – by wearing a sturdy boot with thick soles, you also support your feet through thousands of steps and dance moves.

Should I wear walking boots to a music festival?

Personally I've never worn walking boots to a music festival and I probably wouldn't as I find them much heavier than a regular black boot. However, they do provide great support for your feet and ankle support. It's down to personal taste, but after 15 years of music festivals worldwide, I don't think walking boots are necessary.

What boots are best for Glastonbury?

It depends on the weather that year, but it's always good to take a pair of wellies as well as a pair of lighter trainers or black boots. The weather can be unpredictable, so it's always good to have a back-up in case of rain and if the site becomes muddy. Unless it is very hot that year, I would avoid trainers or running shoes as they don't provide quite as much coverage if it rains or becomes very muddy.

Do people wear wellies at festivals?

Absolutely! Especially at UK music festivals. Sometimes wellies are a necessity and people in the UK have really turned them into a fashion statement. There are so many different types and some really cute styles now so it makes it marginally less depressing if it rains during the weekend. One thing to consider is that even if it isn't forecasting rain, if it has rained over the previous week, the festival site might be sloppy and muddy. If you're not much of a wellies person, why not try an ankle height or calf length style?

>> CLICK HERE TO SHOP MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS <<

7 Things To Consider When Choosing Festival Shoes

There are so many factors that can impact which festival shoes you choose for your summer events. With limited packing space and a lot of stuff to carry across the festival grounds, it's good to make your decision ahead of the music festival to minimise packing and go prepared. Here's 10 things to consider for your festival shoes wardrobe:

1. Where is the festival taking place?

Is the festival in the UK or abroad? Not only does your style change depending on the destination – for instance I would dress differently for a festival in Costa Rica compared to the UK, compared to Croatia. If you are travelling abroad to a festival vs driving to a festival in the UK, there's a good chance you're limited on packing space so will have to think carefully about your choice of footwear.

2. What will the weather be like at the music festival?

This can be affected by the destination of the festival but also just by the insane weather in the UK thanks to global warming (yes it does exist!). Things are crazy worldwide with unseasonable heatwaves at festivals in Europe, meanwhile the UK is rainy, humid and unpredictable. Make sure you do your research, check the weather and plan for the worst while hoping for the best!

3. Go prepared for the worst!

Never take just one pair of shoes to a music festival – it's so easy for them to get trashed either dancing in the crowd. If the weather turns and the festival site is really muddy, your shoes could be beyond help. Plus there's a lot of gross humans out there – one of my mates stepped in a human poo at a festival site once on the first day! It never hurts to have a back-up.

4. Don't take heels!!

I can't believe I even have to say this but honestly the amount of times I see girls in heels, platform boots or heeled cowboy boots they can barely walk in. Be smart when choosing your festival shoes - an uneven field is no place for high heels. Platform boots can look cool, but when you're spending 16 hours straight on your feet dancing, I think there has to be a better option. Be sensible, if you're choosing boots – always wear them in first and don't pick up a new pair of heeled cowboy boots and then wear them to a festival and cry about your blisters. Festivals are for well worn in shoes.

5. Make sure you take the right socks!

This one is so easily forgotten but makes a huge difference! Take enough socks for fresh ones every day of the festival – it makes a huge difference. If you have long boots or hiking boots, make sure you have thick socks, or double layer like I do. For wellies, I recommend specific welly socks, this will stop your feet getting sweaty and helps them stay cushioned in your boots. For trainers, take trainer socks – you can also get ones with slightly padded soles to add extra support. Most importantly – pack some plasters and blister plasters so you have an emergency stash.

6. Pick the prints and patterns

A festival is the perfect place to wear all the patterns, glitter and prints! So go crazy and don't be afraid to wear something a bit different and out-there. Get creative with your style, while choosing festival shoes that will last you a few years and go with all your outfits.

7. Other shoes to avoid wearing at a music festival:

  • Don't wear anything white – it will definitely NOT stay white
  • Avoid open-toed shoes or sandals as much as you can (unless at a festival on the beach)
  • Skip the flimsy shoes – go for something sturdy and hard-wearing!
  • Don't take your favourite shoes unless you're ready to say goodbye to them
>> CLICK HERE TO SHOP MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS <<

5 Best Festival Shoes For 2024

The Classic Black Festival Boot

Without a doubt my favourite style of festival shoes – I have two pairs that have lasted me around 5 years and I've lost count of how many music festivals. They're dance-proof, stomp-proof and rain-proof – exact what I need in a festival boot. Of course, there's really only one brand worth considering, and while they are a little more expensive, the value is clear from how long they last. Doc Martens are considered the original festival boot and I know I'll be wearing them for years to come. Luckily they're not just in black now – you can get all colours, styles, patterns and there's even holographic boots available! >> Shop my favourite festival boots <<

Ready For All Weathers In Wellies

If you've ever experienced a UK festival in the rain, you'll know it's no fun once you get wet feet. So go prepared with a good pair of wellies so you don't end up getting ripped off at one of the stalls, or buying a cheap pair that fall apart. I really recommend Hunter wellies, they're really classic in style so just look like a black boot (or other colours available). But what I love is they have a variety of lengths. I find full length wellies get really hot when you're dancing, so it's good to choose a pair that rise to mid-calf or even just ankle height. >> Shop my favourite festival wellies <<

Dancing At The Main Stage in Trainers

If you're just doing a day festival in London or another city, or in more of an urban environment where the rain is less of an issue. Perhaps it's been particularly hot in the festival location and you're looking for an alternative to heavier boots or wellies. Trainers are a great option – just make sure you don't wear your best ones, pick a darker colour and make sure they have good support. I really recommend running shoes as a good option as they're designed to support you in long runs or through prolonged activity. Nike have my favourite running shoes, they're just so comfortable! >> Shop my favourite festival trainers <<

Yeehaaah Cowgirl Ready For The Dance Floor

I'm obsessed with cowboy boots and think they make the perfect addition to a festival outfit, especially if you're going for a bohemian vibe. The key to finding the perfect pair is ensuring that they are comfortable and worn in beforehand, and always going for a lower or no-heeled pair. Comfort but without sacrificing style! If you can find a pair that are sparkly or unique, maybe even customised – even better! >> Shop my favourite festival cowboy boots <<

Sandals For Summer Festival Queens

If you're headed to a relaxed local festival in the sunshine, or perhaps headed abroad to a festival in Europe, you may prefer to take sturdy sandals as your festival shoe of choice. These are also a great shoe to have around the campsite for those late night runs to the Portaloo! Make sure you wear in your shoes before the event so you know that they won't give your blisters. I recommend going for a shoe with straps so it is secure on your foot and moves minimally, it also puts less pressure on your foot to hold the shoe on when you dance. Check out these three options:

 

>> CLICK HERE TO SHOP MY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS <<