Festival & Camping Season: My Go-To Survival Tips for a Stylish Summer with Very.co.uk
With the good weather set to return I can finally get excited about the fact our summer adventures are back. But if you’ve ever turned up to a campsite with soggy socks, no power, and a lukewarm drink, you’ll know preparation is everything.
Thankfully, I’ve refined my packing list down to the true essentials—and this year, I’m teaming up with Very.co.uk to share my must-haves, hacks, and clever little luxuries that’ll help you survive festival and camping season in style.
1. Create a Soundtrack for the Weekend
Nothing sets the tone like music—and a muddy festival field is no place for your best Bluetooth speaker. Instead, I bring the durable, ultra-portable JBL Speakers GO 4. It’s compact enough to fit in your daypack and packs a surprisingly powerful punch for campsite chillouts or impromptu dance breaks.
Hack: Keep a festival playlist downloaded offline in case the signal disappears mid-field.
2. Don’t Let Your Tech Die on You
When you’re relying on your phone for maps, photos, or calling lost friends back to the tent, battery life is precious. The Belkin 5,000mAh MagSafe Compatible Power Bank is a lifesaver. It magnetically snaps to the back of your phone, charges fast, and fits in your pocket.
Hack: Charge it in the car on the way to the site so you’re starting the weekend fully powered.
3. Pack Light—But Bright
Forget fumbling around in the dark for your toothbrush or trying to re-tie guy ropes by phone torch. The Vango Lunar 250 Eco Recharge USB Lantern is hands-down my favourite camping light. It’s compact, eco-conscious, and rechargeable via USB—so no endless battery runs. Hang it from the inside of your tent for ambient glow, or set it up as a table lantern for late-night card games.
Hack: Clip a small carabiner to the lantern so you can easily hang it from trees, tents, or even your belt for hands-free lighting.
4. Cool Drinks, Happy Days
There’s no glory in warm cider or melted snacks. Enter: the Ninja FrostVault 45QT Wheeled Cooler. This thing keeps everything ice-cold for days, and the wheels mean no lugging heavy loads across campsites. It’s my MVP for festivals and long weekends alike.
Hack: Freeze water bottles beforehand—they’ll keep things cool and double as drinkable water once they melt.
5. Capture the Magic in the Moment
Sure, you’ll take a million phone pics—but nothing beats the nostalgia of real prints. I always pack my Fujifilm Instax Camera Mini 12 for instant, tangible memories. It’s the perfect icebreaker with new campsite neighbours and gives you keepsakes that last long after the music fades.
Hack: Bring a mini peg line and string up your best shots around your tent for instant decoration.
Final Thought
With a few smart additions—light, power, sound, cold drinks, and instant memories—you can turn any outdoor adventure into a stylish escape. This summer, I’m letting Very.co.uk do the heavy lifting so I can focus on the fun.
Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a camping newbie, these essentials will help you survive—and thrive—under the summer stars.
** This is a collaborative post with very.co.uk **
