You’ve secured the tickets. You’ve successfully rallied the group chat. You can already feel the bass in your chest. But now comes the part that usually kills the vibe: packing.

We’ve all been there—standing in a big box store the night before, panic-buying cheap plastic ponchos, scratchy synthetic blankets, and "disposable" gear that ends up in a landfill by Monday morning. It’s expensive, it’s wasteful, and frankly, it doesn’t even look good.

Skip the last-minute chaos—pack mindfully with durable essentials that look good, feel good, and keep waste out of the festival grounds. Source

There is a better way to do this. You can be the most prepared person at the main stage without spending a fortune or sacrificing your values. At Earth Ragz, we believe that sustainability should be accessible, not exclusive. Our gear is built for practical use—durable enough to survive the mosh pit, soft enough to sleep in, and made from recycled fibers that help close the loop on textile waste.

Here is how to pack smarter, look better, and tread lighter on the planet this festival season.

3 Truths About Festival Packing (That Might Annoy Fashion Influencers)

Before we get to the checklist, let’s clear up a few misconceptions about festival culture.

1. New isn't better. There is a pressure to buy a shiny, brand-new "haul" for every event. That is nonsense. The coolest gear at any festival usually looks like it has lived a little. Worn-in textures, vintage vibes, and recycled materials signal that you are a veteran, not a tourist.
2. Comfort beats "fashion" by day two. Those complex, strappy outfits look great for the first hour on Instagram. They feel terrible after eight hours of dancing in the sun. If you can’t sit cross-legged in it, or if it chafes when you sweat, leave it at home. Real style is looking effortless because you are actually comfortable.
3. You don’t need expensive "technical" gear. Unless you are summiting Everest, you do not need a $300 performance fleece. For a chilly night at a desert rave or a damp evening in the woods, simple, heavy-duty weaves (like our bajas) perform incredibly well for a fraction of the cost.

Cold-Weather Festival Apparel: Layers That Keep You Warm All Night

The biggest mistake rookies make is underestimating the temperature drop. Deserts and open fields can swing from 90°F to 50°F the moment the sun goes down. You need layers that are easy to carry and warm enough to keep you dancing.

The Baja Hoodie (The Essential Layer): This is the ultimate festival staple for a reason. Often misunderstood or labeled with outdated terms like "drug rugs," the Baja hoodie is actually a piece of iconic surf and counter-culture heritage. It is breathable enough to wear when the sun is setting but heavy enough to cut the wind at 2 AM.

A laid-back, durable Baja hoodie built for long nights, windy sunsets, and festival adventures that don’t need flimsy fast fashion. Source

• Why it wins: Unlike a flimsy synthetic jacket, a Baja can take a beating. It resists dirt, provides a hood for sudden drizzles or "incognito mode," and the kangaroo pocket is basically a utility belt for your phone and water bottle.
• The Earth Ragz difference: Ours are made from 100% recycled fibers, preventing textile waste from clogging landfills. They are soft, durable, and cost between $35–$45, leaving you more budget for tickets.
• Note: Because our items are made of recycled fibers, colors can vary from what you see online—making your hoodie one-of-a-kind.

The "Emergency" Long-Sleeve: Pack a lightweight long-sleeve tee that you can tie around your waist during the day. It acts as a sun shield if you are getting burned and an extra insulation layer under your hoodie at night.

Footwear: Function First: Leave the open-toed sandals at the campsite. You will be walking miles and stepping in things you don't want to identify.

• Recommendation: Broken-in combat boots or high-top sneakers. They protect your ankles on uneven ground and keep your feet relatively clean.

Festival Seating & Bedding Essentials for Comfort Anywhere You Sit

At some point, you will need to sit. The ground will be dusty, muddy, or covered in spiky grass.

The Mexican Striped Blanket (The "Base Camp"): Do not be the person sitting on a plastic trash bag. A sturdy Mexican woven blanket defines your space in the crowd. It’s heavy enough that it won’t blow away in a breeze but soft enough to wrap around your shoulders when you’re walking back to the tent.

• Why it wins: It’s a rug, a seat, a pillow, and a shawl all in one.
• The Earth Ragz difference: Our blankets are thick, authentic, and incredibly durable. While some competitors charge luxury prices for "boho throws," ours remain affordable and authentic to the style’s roots. Plus, they hide dirt exceptionally well.
• Note: Because our items are made of recycled fibers, colors can vary.

Svaroopa Yoga Blankets (For the Wellness Tent): If you are hitting up the morning yoga sessions or just need extra padding for sleeping in your tent, a Svaroopa-style blanket offers tighter weaving and more support. It doubles as excellent insulation under your sleeping bag if the ground is cold.

A tightly woven yoga blanket that doubles as support in the wellness tent and insulation for cold festival nights. Source

• Note: Because our items are made of recycled fibers, colors can vary.

Festival Bags & Carry Solutions to Keep Your Essentials Secure

You need your hands free for drinks, high-fives, and dancing.

The Cross Shoulder Bag: Backpacks are great for the campsite, but in the crowd, they are bulky and annoying to the people behind you. A crossbody bag keeps your valuables on your chest where you can see them.

• The Earth Ragz difference: Our bags match the Baja aesthetic—earthy, recycled, and tough. They complete the look rather than clashing with it like a shiny nylon sports bag would.
• Note: Because our items are made of recycled fibers, colors can vary.

A hands-free woven crossbody bag that keeps essentials close and completes the earthy festival look—without the bulk of a backpack. Source

Health, Hygiene & Emergency Items Every Festival-Goer Needs

This is the unglamorous stuff that saves the weekend.

High-Fidelity Earplugs: Hearing loss isn't cool. Tinnitus lasts a lot longer than the weekend. Invest in high-fidelity earplugs that lower the decibels without muffling the sound quality. You will hear the music better, and you won't have a headache the next morning.

These brands make washable, long-lasting, reusable earplugs, avoiding single-use foam waste.

• Loop Earplugs - Reusable, washable, durable design with low-waste storage case.
• Alpine Hearing Protection (PartyPlug or MusicSafe) - Award-winning reusable earplugs made from hypoallergenic ThermoShape® material.
• EarPeace Reusable Earplugs - Reusable earplugs with aluminum carrying tube and long life-cycle.

Biodegradable Wet Wipes: Showers at festivals are often expensive, cold, or non-existent. A "bird bath" with wet wipes is the standard alternative. Ensure you buy biodegradable ones; standard wipes contain plastic and take decades to decompose. 

When showers are scarce, biodegradable wipes keep you fresh without leaving plastic behind on the festival grounds. Source

Here are compostable, plastic-free wipes we recommend:

• Goodwipes Plant-Based Biodegradable Body Wipes - Compostable fibers with natural ingredients for quick “festival showers.”

• Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes - 100% biodegradable, plastic-free wipes with larger sheets to reduce waste.

• Combat Wipes Gaia (Women’s / Body) - Fully biodegradable outdoor-grade wipes designed for low-waste living.

Sunscreen (Mineral Based): Chemical sunscreens can irritate sweaty skin. A mineral zinc-based sunscreen sits on top of your skin and works immediately. Don't forget the tops of your ears and the back of your neck. Here are some brands that emphasize environmental protection, non-toxic ingredients, and minimal packaging recommendations:

• Badger Mineral Sunscreen - Organic, biodegradable mineral formulas with reef-safe zinc in recyclable aluminum tubes.

• All Good Mineral Sunscreen - Non-nano zinc, plastic-neutral certified, with clean botanical ingredients.

• ThinkSport Mineral SPF (Safe Sunscreen) - Sweat-resistant, non-toxic mineral sunscreen with low environmental impact.

Hydration

Electrolytes: Water isn't enough when you're sweating for 12 hours. Pack powder packets of electrolytes to mix into your water once a day. Here are some products that minimize trash compared to large numbers of flavored electrolyte sachets:

• Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets - Low-waste tablets in recyclable tubes; non-GMO and low sugar.

• LMNT Raw Unflavored - Minimal-ingredient electrolyte mix with reduced packaging footprint.

• Hydrant Hydration Mix - Clean-ingredient hydration packets with efficient, low-waste packaging.

Stay hydrated and skip single-use plastic with a durable refillable bottle—perfect for long festival days under the sun. Source

Reusable Water Bottle: Most festivals now have free water refill stations to cut down on single-use plastic bottles. Bring a durable bottle (metal or hard plastic) with a carabiner clip so you can attach it to your bag. Here are our recommendations:

• Klean Kanteen - Stainless-steel, B-Corp certified bottle with no plastic waste.

• Hydro Flask - Insulated metal bottle built for durability and long-term use.

• Lifestraw Peak Series Squeeze Bottle - Refillable bottle with built-in filter that cuts down single-use plastic.

Tech & Logistics: Low-Waste Power and Offline Prep

Portable Power Bank: Your phone will drain faster than usual because it’s constantly searching for a signal in a crowd. Instead of grabbing cheap, disposable power banks that die after one weekend, invest in one solid, high-capacity bank you can use for years. Here are eco-conscious picks:

• Nimble CHAMP Power Bank – Made with recycled plastic and aluminum, shipped in plastic-free, compostable packaging by a carbon-neutral company.
• Anker PowerCore (20,000 mAh class) – Not marketed as “eco,” but extremely durable and long-lived, which keeps e-waste out of landfills.
• BLAVOR Solar Power Bank – Includes a small solar panel so you can top up your battery using sunlight instead of hunting for outlets.

?Pro-tip: Put your phone on Airplane Mode when you aren't actively trying to find friends. You can still take photos, but you’ll save 50% of your battery.

Downloaded Tickets & Maps Do not rely on cell service to load your ticket QR code at the gate. Screenshot everything or save it to your Apple/Google Wallet before you leave home. Download the festival map offline so you can find the restrooms when the network crashes.

The "Copy & Paste" Packing Checklist

To make this easy, we have compiled the essentials into a list you can copy, paste, and print.

Apparel

☐ Baja Hoodie  - Critical for night warmth

☐ 2-3 T-shirts or tanks (Breathable cotton/hemp)

☐ 1 Long-sleeve shirt (Layering)

☐ 1 Pair of pants (Jeans or durable canvas)

☐ 2 Pairs of shorts

☐ Comfortable boots or sneakers (Broken in!)

☐ 4 Pairs of socks (Wool blend is best for sweat wicking)

☐ Hat (Wide brim or baseball cap)

☐ Sunglasses

Campsite & Comfort

☐ Mexican Blanket - For seating/sleeping

☐ Reusable water bottle

☐ Day bag (Crossbody or small backpack)

☐ Towel (Quick-dry)

Health & Hygiene

☐ Biodegradable wet wipes

☐ Sunscreen (SPF 30+)

☐ Earplugs (High fidelity)

☐ Hand sanitizer

☐ Personal meds / Pain reliever

☐ Lip balm

Tech

☐ Phone + Charging cable

☐ Portable power bank

☐ ID + Cash/Cards

Positive Impact

☐ Trash bag (Pack out what you pack in!)

Closing the Loop (And the Weekend)

When the music stops and the lights come up, take a look around your campsite. The true mark of an eco-conscious festival-goer isn't just what they bought, but what they leave behind—which should be nothing.

By choosing gear made from recycled fibers, you’ve already made a massive difference. You have diverted textile waste from landfills and chosen products that don't need to be replaced every year. That is the Earth Ragz philosophy: sustainability that fits your life, saves you money, and looks right at home in the front row.

Grab a rag that lasts, saves money, and cuts waste. Then go enjoy the music.