What Shoes to Wear to a Festival

Festival season is here. Whether you’re drawn to the big names like Glastonbury, Reading, and Download, or something more niche or up-and-coming, one factor remains the same: you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet.

From standing for hours in crowds to walking across expansive sites, attending a festival puts a surprising amount of strain on your feet. Throw in unpredictable weather, uneven ground, and accumulating tiredness, and it’s the perfect storm for discomfort. Unless, that is, you plan your footwear properly.

In our opinion, the perfect festival footwear should combine comfort, durability, and style. Get it right and you can enjoy the event without worrying about sore feet or soggy socks. In this guide, we’ll cover the best boots, trainers, and sandals to wear to festivals, plus practical do’s and don’ts to help you stay one step ahead.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The best boots for festivals
• The best trainers for festivals
• The best sandals for festivals

Best Boots for Festivals

Boots are time-honoured festival staples because of their ability to combine fashion, offer protection, and a certain rugged charm that fits the atmosphere perfectly. Let’s break down the best options if you’re planning to take a pair to your next festival weekender.

Best Trainers for Festivals

If you’re lucky (or brave) with regards to the weather, or if you’re heading to an urban festival, trainers are a comfortable, versatile choice. They give great support for long hours of walking, and their breathable materials help keep feet cool.

Here are a couple of styles we’d recommend for staying comfortable and stylish.

Chunky-Soled Trainers

Chunky-soled trainers like the Ava-Maes are trendy and work well with relaxed or sporty outfits. Their elevated soles look good and provide additional cushioning, which is a huge benefit when you’re on your feet from midday to midnight. In short, this style strikes a balance between fashion statement and festival practicality.

Top festival tip: choose durable materials and bold details if you want to lean into the aesthetic.

Canvas Trainers

Canvas trainers are another good pick for comfort and style. Their breathable construction makes them ideal for hot days and crowd-heavy spaces, but keep in mind that they will offer less protection against rain or mud. You can boost their resistance with a fabric protector spray, but we’d recommend packing some spare socks just in case the weather turns!

Top festival tip: read and re-read our warning about weather resistance, and plan accordingly.

Best Sandals for Festivals

For a sunny day with a relaxed vibe, there’s no better footwear than sandals. They’re airy and comfortable and, if you choose the right pair, can be supportive and secure as well. Definitely try to avoid flimsy flip-flops or thin soles for a long festival, opting instead for sandals with robust footbeds and adjustable straps.

Here are some good options to consider.

Flat Sandals

Flat sandals are the perfect choice for more laid-back festivals with a slower pace, especially if the ground is dry. While they’re a little less rugged than boots or trainers, a good pair of flat sandals can see you through the weekend in effortless style.

Top festival tip: look for leather or cushioned footbeds and straps that hold the foot securely to prevent rubbing or slipping.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Festival Footwear

With our suggestions in mind, here are a few extra tips to help you make the best footwear choices for your next festival:

• Do prioritise comfort. You’ll be on your feet for hours, so choose shoes with cushioned insoles and supportive soles.
• Don’t forget about the weather! Even summer festivals can mean rain and mud, so always pack a waterproof option just in case.
• Do break in your shoes before the festival. Wear them around the house or on shorter walks to avoid blisters or discomfort.
• Don’t bring your most expensive or delicate shoes. Even the best-planned events can get muddy or crowded, and your footwear may take a beating.
• Do choose breathable materials. Especially in hot weather, leather, mesh, or canvas will help keep feet cooler.
• Don’t wear shoes with no grip. Smooth soles and slick surfaces are a recipe for slips and spills, especially in thick, gloopy mud.

The Perfect Festival Footwear

The best festival footwear combines comfort, durability, and style. Whether you're stomping through fields or dancing the night away, the right pair of boots, trainers, or sandals will help you do so in comfort.

By choosing shoes that suit the weather, the terrain, and your outfit, you'll avoid blisters, soggy feet, and wardrobe regrets. If you’re ready to find the perfect pair of festival shoes for you, take a look at our ladies boots, trainers, and sandals today.