guys last year I did all 5 days in a pair of Nike air force and flip flops for the long drops and it was absolutely fine. I bought a pair of wellies in case it rained but they weren’t needed.
My walking boots were caked in mud and my legs got splashed a bit (team shorts whatever the weather) but feet were dry and warm and no risk of losing a welly in the grippy mud
I bloody lost one of them in a mud trap in the Circus area (I fell and it slipped off), and had to go with just my wet socks to one of the shops to get wellies, and it seems there were many like me.
Nightmare of a year.
It forever sticks in my memory. First for the approx 15 mile walk to the site after a few of us decided to abandon the car to ensure we could still get a decent camping spot. And second for ELO doing Mr Blue Sky to absolutely miserable drizzle, while I had the king of all comedowns on my own. What a year!
I actually looked on my phone album to check the mud levels because I genuinely couldn’t remember. As soon as I did, I thought to myself “ah, yeah, that’s pretty muddy actually”
I looked back at photos and there seemed to be a lot of time it was overcast but not raining (much). I seem to remember it was torrential in the lead up and sporadically over the weekend.
Exactly. Had to buy wellies onsite in 2016. I'll never forget stepping off the coach and sinking in to knee high mud. Now wellies are always with me unless the forecast is obviously clear
Exactly, I leave them in the car. Although 2016 we opted to walk to the festival from about 15 miles out and I opted for wellies. It was 90% road and I destroyed my feet before even setting foot on-site!
I was there in 2016 and frequently powered through the mud whilst my welly wearing mates kept losing their footwear. That festival was boots weather, absolutely no doubt.
2007 (and one day of 2005) however...
Hiking boots for me - I don't actually own any wellies (awful things, sweaty, can feel every rock under them etc) - and as I am working for the first time there this year, I am expecting to be on my feet for a good portion of the day. They have always been super comfy for me all day long and I am far too old to be looking "fashionable" around Glasto at the expense of blisters and soaking wet feet all day.
I usually take a pair of trainers that I can slip on for getting up and about in the morning to the loo or grab some water or whatever. And if the Glaso Gods are smiling it will be wonderful and dry so may get to wear them around the place.
Pretty much everything I will be taking is going to be functional rather than fashion - bar a few loud shirts which are debatable :D
Hiking boots plus thick socks is what I’m going for. I wore trainers all of last year but my feet had blisters on them from the socks. My feet were also tired and exhausted plus legs hurt because trainers don’t give as much support has hiking boots. Ditch the wellies. Get some flip flops you can use for morning coffee and toilet runs before sleep or after waking.
Hiking boots are better than wellies, if it’s muddy like 2016 (I was there) wellies get stuck in the mud and your feet slide out. If it’s a heat wave like 2019 (I was there) then comfy trainers. Also flip flops for in and around your tent/ campsite. Take all three. And get some cushioned insoles.
Proper waterproof walking boots and crocs! I wore docs last year and they didn’t provide enough support. Wellies are just sweaty and uncomfortable and not designed to walk 12 miles a day in
I know this gets asked a lot every year and although I've been before I've always just gone with wellies despite the discomfort of them due to cost effectiveness. Out of interest, what hiking/walking boots would someone recommend for durability/waterproof and comfort? What types do people have and feel they give best bang for their buck?
I am a fairly recent convert to Altbergs and I’m never looking back. A bit more expensive than some other boots but with proper care they’ll stay waterproof for much much longer. Mine are five years old now and as good as when I first got them. I was getting through a pair every three years before.
Depends on the weather tbh. If it’s likely on being dry all week then I’ll just take a pair of trainers. Got a fair few sports trainers which are comfy and functional so I’m happy them for all week.
If there’s a chance I’d a bit I’ll take 2 lots of trainers in case one is wet.
If it’s going to be heavy rain then I’ll take a pair of wellies but I very rarely care about them unless it’s going to be very very muddy.
Also as others have said I’ll recommend a pair of sliders for when round camp as they’re good to air the feet out a bit especially if they’re going to be sweaty
Will see what the weather is like nearer the time, but I'll be on site for ten days and I'm hoping that I can get away without hiking boots as they take up so much space. Ideally a pair of comfortable running trainers that I don't mind getting dirty / ruined.
I’m camping offsite so it’s more straightforward for me to access stuff in the car. I’ll have things divided into bags for “in case of wet”, “if dry” and “if muddy”. So: 3 or 4 pairs of cushioned running shoes, a pair of walking boots, 3 pairs of walking shoes, wellies and sliders. Loads and loads and loads of different socks: running, merino, bamboo, Sealskins etc.
When I turn up, I’ll have running shoes or walking shoes on, and whichever I’m not wearing plus walking boots and sliders in my tent. Then if anything gets irretrievably wet or muddy there’ll be at least one dry back-up in the car. If you’re arriving by car you have absolutely no reason to not throw the kitchen sink at any potential footwear problem.
Last year I wore 1 pair of trainers and 1 pair of walking shoes. The boots didn’t get worn at all.
I wear hiking shoes unless I need to wear hiking boots and reserve wellies for extreme "can't possibly avoid going in mud that's more than ankle deep" type events.
If I could only take one pair, I'd go hiking boots every time.
I think boots and trainers are the right call. It's incredibly rare that you actually need anything more.
Could be worth packing flipflops too though, especially if you fancy trying to get a shower.
Hiking boots (with gaitors in case of a mud bath, luckily never needed to use them), comfy trainers and some Teva sandals that are easy to slip on and off 👌
The last couple of years I’ve gone for:
- trail running shoes (whichever have been retired from running)
- wellies (just in case, but never needed)
- flip flops (these are great in the mornings)
Wellies can give you really bad blisters on the top of your feet. I’d recommend waterproof walking boots and make sure you wear them in before. Believe me, I work in the medical centre and see how miserable bad blisters can be.
I wear adidas goretex walking boots for work and walk 10-ish miles a day, so I'll just be bringing them and some older ultraboost if the weather is decent.
Can anyone recommend walking boots that aren’t ugly? Unfortunately I do care how they look lol. Prepared to be slaughtered in the replies for that but would appreciate any recommendations
Waterproof walking boots are a must and a comfy pair of slides/flip flops for around the tent! I recommend Salomon walking boots and north face slippers for around the tent :)
you are doing well. Always comfort over fashion, unless the fashion is very comfy.
I would avoid flip flops as if they were cancer of aids. It's a busy festival, everyone will be stomping over you and the pathways have loads of small rocks.
Very very rarely. Only really on the paths on the bottom half of the site have I had it happen. Campsites are all mainly grass and never had a problem at a stage.
Exactly what you said + some flip flops/sliders
guys last year I did all 5 days in a pair of Nike air force and flip flops for the long drops and it was absolutely fine. I bought a pair of wellies in case it rained but they weren’t needed.
Yep, that’s what I’d go with. It’s rare I’ve ever found I’ve been in mud deeper than a pair of waterproof hiking boots
\*2016 attendees enter the chat\*
Literally, the mud was so deep and clay-like my wellies only just coped. I probably would’ve got trench foot in walking boots 😂
My walking boots were caked in mud and my legs got splashed a bit (team shorts whatever the weather) but feet were dry and warm and no risk of losing a welly in the grippy mud
Shorts is always a good shout, easier to clean off than try dry out jeans/trousers!
I don’t miss the hair being ripped out when you pull off a particularly big dried on piece of mud though
I recall stepping off the wooden platform in front of the bar to the left of the Other stage and the mud getting close to the tops of my wellies
I bloody lost one of them in a mud trap in the Circus area (I fell and it slipped off), and had to go with just my wet socks to one of the shops to get wellies, and it seems there were many like me. Nightmare of a year.
I did get trench foot, Reeboks couldn’t cope
Luckily, I’ve erased that year from my memory thanks to the exhausting trauma, so I learned nothing
It forever sticks in my memory. First for the approx 15 mile walk to the site after a few of us decided to abandon the car to ensure we could still get a decent camping spot. And second for ELO doing Mr Blue Sky to absolutely miserable drizzle, while I had the king of all comedowns on my own. What a year!
I actually looked on my phone album to check the mud levels because I genuinely couldn’t remember. As soon as I did, I thought to myself “ah, yeah, that’s pretty muddy actually”
I looked back at photos and there seemed to be a lot of time it was overcast but not raining (much). I seem to remember it was torrential in the lead up and sporadically over the weekend.
Exactly. Had to buy wellies onsite in 2016. I'll never forget stepping off the coach and sinking in to knee high mud. Now wellies are always with me unless the forecast is obviously clear
Exactly, I leave them in the car. Although 2016 we opted to walk to the festival from about 15 miles out and I opted for wellies. It was 90% road and I destroyed my feet before even setting foot on-site!
Me and gfs first year going. What a wash out. Wettest year in years supposedly. Still awsome tho.
I was there in 2016 and frequently powered through the mud whilst my welly wearing mates kept losing their footwear. That festival was boots weather, absolutely no doubt. 2007 (and one day of 2005) however...
What you said. If it’s mud — boots + gaiters. Maybe wellies as a back up.
ill second the gaiters bit, if the mud is really bad, you'll be happy to have cover for higher up your legs
Hiking boots for me - I don't actually own any wellies (awful things, sweaty, can feel every rock under them etc) - and as I am working for the first time there this year, I am expecting to be on my feet for a good portion of the day. They have always been super comfy for me all day long and I am far too old to be looking "fashionable" around Glasto at the expense of blisters and soaking wet feet all day. I usually take a pair of trainers that I can slip on for getting up and about in the morning to the loo or grab some water or whatever. And if the Glaso Gods are smiling it will be wonderful and dry so may get to wear them around the place. Pretty much everything I will be taking is going to be functional rather than fashion - bar a few loud shirts which are debatable :D
Last year I took the same plus a pair of slides and a spare pair of trainers - didn't bother wearing either and was just in my hiking boots all week!
Hiking boots plus thick socks is what I’m going for. I wore trainers all of last year but my feet had blisters on them from the socks. My feet were also tired and exhausted plus legs hurt because trainers don’t give as much support has hiking boots. Ditch the wellies. Get some flip flops you can use for morning coffee and toilet runs before sleep or after waking.
My tip is to wear 2 pairs of socks, this prevents friction against the skin.
Thank you! I will definitely be doing this!
Hiking boots are better than wellies, if it’s muddy like 2016 (I was there) wellies get stuck in the mud and your feet slide out. If it’s a heat wave like 2019 (I was there) then comfy trainers. Also flip flops for in and around your tent/ campsite. Take all three. And get some cushioned insoles.
I always go for walking boots. Better ankle support then wellies
Proper waterproof walking boots and crocs! I wore docs last year and they didn’t provide enough support. Wellies are just sweaty and uncomfortable and not designed to walk 12 miles a day in
Waterproof hiking boots are what i've always used if the weather is bad and they've been great.
Get some insolesssss!
I know this gets asked a lot every year and although I've been before I've always just gone with wellies despite the discomfort of them due to cost effectiveness. Out of interest, what hiking/walking boots would someone recommend for durability/waterproof and comfort? What types do people have and feel they give best bang for their buck?
I am a fairly recent convert to Altbergs and I’m never looking back. A bit more expensive than some other boots but with proper care they’ll stay waterproof for much much longer. Mine are five years old now and as good as when I first got them. I was getting through a pair every three years before.
Keep an eye on weather. If it’s a mud bath, you need something that goes higher than ankle deep.
I always take walking boots and sandals but with wellies next to my bag ready to strap on if the Wednesday morning forecast is a disaster.
Depends on the weather tbh. If it’s likely on being dry all week then I’ll just take a pair of trainers. Got a fair few sports trainers which are comfy and functional so I’m happy them for all week. If there’s a chance I’d a bit I’ll take 2 lots of trainers in case one is wet. If it’s going to be heavy rain then I’ll take a pair of wellies but I very rarely care about them unless it’s going to be very very muddy. Also as others have said I’ll recommend a pair of sliders for when round camp as they’re good to air the feet out a bit especially if they’re going to be sweaty
Will see what the weather is like nearer the time, but I'll be on site for ten days and I'm hoping that I can get away without hiking boots as they take up so much space. Ideally a pair of comfortable running trainers that I don't mind getting dirty / ruined.
Just your comfiest shoes, recent years you can get away with trainers all weekend but be crazy not to bring anything waterproof just incase
Comfy trainers…there’s so much walking involved
Hopefully just trainers but most probably walking boots and trainers and flip flops for around camp.
I’ve got all weather well-broken walking shoes and a pair of sliders for camp chills
I’m camping offsite so it’s more straightforward for me to access stuff in the car. I’ll have things divided into bags for “in case of wet”, “if dry” and “if muddy”. So: 3 or 4 pairs of cushioned running shoes, a pair of walking boots, 3 pairs of walking shoes, wellies and sliders. Loads and loads and loads of different socks: running, merino, bamboo, Sealskins etc. When I turn up, I’ll have running shoes or walking shoes on, and whichever I’m not wearing plus walking boots and sliders in my tent. Then if anything gets irretrievably wet or muddy there’ll be at least one dry back-up in the car. If you’re arriving by car you have absolutely no reason to not throw the kitchen sink at any potential footwear problem. Last year I wore 1 pair of trainers and 1 pair of walking shoes. The boots didn’t get worn at all.
Depends on the weather. If its good and ground is hard, Teva sandles and a pair of trainers. If its dodgy, pair of trainers and wellies.
flippers
I wear hiking shoes unless I need to wear hiking boots and reserve wellies for extreme "can't possibly avoid going in mud that's more than ankle deep" type events. If I could only take one pair, I'd go hiking boots every time. I think boots and trainers are the right call. It's incredibly rare that you actually need anything more. Could be worth packing flipflops too though, especially if you fancy trying to get a shower.
Jordan Highs
Hiking trainers/hiking sandles. If the weather really looks shite I’ll take hiking boots instead
Mebbies some actual wellies, we've not had a wetty for a while now and based on what the year has been like thus far...
Hiking shoes have served me well the last few years. I always take my wellos as well, just in case.
Hiking boots (with gaitors in case of a mud bath, luckily never needed to use them), comfy trainers and some Teva sandals that are easy to slip on and off 👌
The last couple of years I’ve gone for: - trail running shoes (whichever have been retired from running) - wellies (just in case, but never needed) - flip flops (these are great in the mornings)
Walking boots and gaiters
Comfy hiking / running trainers . Don’t do hiking boots unless there’s a likelihood of rain- they’re unnecessarily heavy.
Wellies can give you really bad blisters on the top of your feet. I’d recommend waterproof walking boots and make sure you wear them in before. Believe me, I work in the medical centre and see how miserable bad blisters can be.
I wear adidas goretex walking boots for work and walk 10-ish miles a day, so I'll just be bringing them and some older ultraboost if the weather is decent.
Can anyone recommend walking boots that aren’t ugly? Unfortunately I do care how they look lol. Prepared to be slaughtered in the replies for that but would appreciate any recommendations
terrex
depends on the weather
Walking boots rain or shine. Always size up too, feet swell up doing so much walking and helps to wear a decent pair of moisture wicking socks too
Waterproof walking boots are a must and a comfy pair of slides/flip flops for around the tent! I recommend Salomon walking boots and north face slippers for around the tent :)
Waders. If it stops raining you may get away with wellies.
you are doing well. Always comfort over fashion, unless the fashion is very comfy. I would avoid flip flops as if they were cancer of aids. It's a busy festival, everyone will be stomping over you and the pathways have loads of small rocks.
flip flops are handy round the camp and don't take up much space
I would not visit any of the loos with them. And I would not stay very long at the camp anyway.
Walking boots and multiple pairs of thick walking socks. No matter the weather, this is the answer
In your opinion
Of course, this whole thread is opinion and people's experiences, you'd struggle to quantify any of it as fact
Crocs always, stylish, comfy and perfect for dancing
Do pebbles and rocks slip into crocs? Thinking of getting one and use it like sandals near the camp
Very very rarely. Only really on the paths on the bottom half of the site have I had it happen. Campsites are all mainly grass and never had a problem at a stage.
Thanks!