The Best Sneakers to Wear at Music Festivals
Image Credit: Margot Bishop (@_mishep)
Music festivals are finally back and we hope you’ve copped tickets to at least one! Whether you’re into electronic music and gearing up for multiple days of raving, or lean towards the rampant moshipits of the rap genre, we all collectively have one thing in mind – what shoes to wear?
We have some thoughts and plenty of picks to share, but first we should break down our thought process when making our selections. Firstly, no matter how much fun you’re going to be having, festivals are exhausting affairs. You’re literally on your feet all day and then way into the early hours of the next morning. Comfortability and support was our number one priority. You don’t want to be that person, getting blisters on the first day because you chose to bust out your Hender Scheme Air Jordan 4s, that'll ruin the whole experience! Once comfortability is sorted we looked at how clean a shoe can stay when being stepped on, worn for hours a day multiple days in a row, possibly rained on and just generally beaten up. Technically-geared shoes were the obvious choice, lucky GORPcore is a trending look! Last but not least, being Sneaker Freaker we also had to include a few options for when you just have to flex.
Scroll down for our music festival sneaker recommendations.
Salomon XT-4
Let’s get Technical! First up is the , a cult favorite for lovers of both outdoor gear and sneakers. It’s almost the perfect music festival shoe, coming trail-ready, it’s sturdy as hell so you know it’ll remain intact throughout the event. There’s also a TPU layer covering the mesh that'll keep your creps crispy even if they’ve been stepped on. Comfortability is a given with Sportstyle, but the XT-4 also hosts Salomon’s famous ACS (Agile Chassis System) that was exclusively built to provide support for long distance trail runs. So a multi-day music festival will be a piece of cake.
Nike ACG Mountain Fly Low
Staying on the technical route, the next pick is the . An All Conditions Gear model from Nike, it was recently upgraded to house a membrane, similar to its . Over the years, it’s received plenty of positive attention due to its dexterity on the trails. Hiking needs aside, the Mountain Fly Low is an impeccable choice when packing for a festival. It’s durable, lightweight and built to be on the move all day. They’re also designed with aesthetics in mind, so we’re sure a few necks will crank when you’re strutting to the main stage.
Merrell Hydro Moc
Just say you’re hitting a multi-day camping festival, UK’s Glastonbury, Coachella, Australia’s Beyond the Valley or Pitch Music & Arts, you’re going to need a shoe that can easily adapt to any situation. A footwear item that can be worn in the shower, on the dance floor and lounging around, enter: the . As well as being an on-trend choice, the Hydro Moc was created for around-the-campsite activities, with the option to submerge the whole shoe in water. An added bonus, these can be worn with or without socks, cutting your packing list down. Incredibly compact, pair these with another shoe on this list and you’re set!
Reebok Beatnik
The was one of the main characters in the rise of the mule. It’s a practical, trail-geared option from the ‘Bok and it’s a forward-thinking classic that can adapt to plenty of situations at a music festival. One interesting fact about the modern-day Beatnik is that you can actually remove the strap, which used to be permanently fixed to the upper. Taking it out of sports mode means they can easily be slipped on and off, it’s perfect for when you’re coming out of your tent and instantly need to be on the move. They also come in plenty of durable materials such as and . The price point is never too high either, so you won’t feel bad when you use them as a festival beater.
Heater Festival Beater
There’s nothing cooler than being at a music festival and catching someone destroying a sought-after pair on the dance floor! Whether the x Nike ‘Chlorophyll’ from 2009 or the more recent ‘Protection Pack’, bringing ultra-hype heat to festivals is always a good decision. Sneakers are meant to be worn, so you’re using them for their purpose, they’ll also catch some looks as you stroll from your tent to the main stage and the scuffs and dirt will hold the memories of all the good times you had.
Let us know your go-to music festival footwear choice down below!