It’s the most wonderful time of the year – dust off your tent and don your wellies for camping and festival season. And whether you’re pitching up in a remote forest glade or dancing in a field to some 90s bangers this summer, a few clever techie gadgets can turn a good camping or festival experience into an unforgettable one. These five smart bits of kit are ideal companions for summer escapes under canvas, whether you want to capture memories, charge your devices or just keep drinks cool – and they’re all available at Very.co.uk.
The Best Tech to Take Camping and to Festivals This Summer
1. Vango Lunar 250 Eco Recharge USB Lantern, £34.99 from Very
Light up your tent without harming the planet. This nifty lantern from Vango is made using recycled materials and gives off a lovely soft glow that’s perfect for reading, late-night chats or midnight trips to the loo. It charges via USB and has a carabiner clip for hanging in your tent.
2. Belkin 5,000mAh MagSafe Compatible Power Bank, £27.99 from Very
My new festival must-have is this portable phone charger – once you own one, you’ll wonder how you did without one. This sleek, MagSafe-compatible power bank snaps securely to the back of your phone and offers enough juice to get you through a long day of taking photos, navigating stages, and checking set times, It’s compact, lightweight and perfect for iPhone users who want power without the fuss of cables.
3. JBL GO 4 Compact Portable Speaker, £34 from Very
Want to keep the party going back at your tent or campsite? The tiny but mighty JBL GO 4 is the perfect speaker to throw in your rucksack. It’s waterproof, dustproof, and has surprisingly punchy sound for such a small size. I like that you can hang it from a carabiner inside your tent or strap it to a rucksack. Plus, JBL speakers boast batteries that last all day, so you can keep the tunes going from sunrise to sundown.
4. Ninja FrostVault 45QT/42L Wheeled Cooler, £199 from Very
This is not your average camping cooler. The Ninja FrostVault keeps your drinks and snacks icy cold for days, and while it’s built like a tank but comes with wheels and a sturdy handle, making it easy to trundle from the car to the campsite or to take to the beach. A total game-changer for longer stays in the wild as well as for storing cool drinks at a sundrenched festival site.
5. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera, £74.99 from Very
Capture your favourite moments the old-school way – in a world where we snap endlessly on our phones, a Fujifilm Instax Camera is brilliant for creating keepsakes and really thinking about what you photograph. The Instax Mini 12 is compact, colourful and fun to use. Just snap, print and share – no filters, no fuss.
Ten quick tips for comfier festival camping
1, Invest in a good sleeping setup – A decent inflatable mat or camping cot plus a warm sleeping bag suitable makes all the difference when you’re trying to catch a few hours of sleep in between partying sessions.
2, Bring a reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated without queueing for overpriced bottles. Bonus points for one with a built-in filter.
3, Pack wet wipes and dry shampoo – Let’s face it: showers in the wilderness (or just at Wilderness Festival) are hard to come by or take ages to queue for. These are your best friends for feeling fresh on day three.
4, Plan your outfits – Think layers, comfy shoes, and something waterproof. Festival style is fun, but being dry and blister-free is better.
5, Pick your pitch wisely – Arrive early and choose a flat, sheltered spot away from footpaths and the bottom of hills (hello, puddles). Avoid pitching near noisy generators or the loos.
6, Bring a proper pillow – Skip the bundled-up hoodie and treat yourself to a real pillow or a packable travel one. Your neck will thank you in the morning.
7, Create a cosy tent vibe – String up some fairy lights, roll out a soft blanket or two, bring a good book for bedtime. A camping chair is a real game-changer too.
8, Keep bugs at bay – Pack citronella candles, bug spray, or even a mesh bug shelter if you’re prone to bites. Nothing ruins a sunset view like a swarm of midges.
9, Plan for all weather – Pack layers, waterproofs, and a tarp or shelter extension for your tent. British weather is unpredictable – but being ready for anything means you’ll stay dry, warm, and happy boogie-ing whatever the skies throw at you.
10, Bring Earplugs and an Eye Mask
Festivals are noisy, and sleep can be hard to come by. Earplugs and an eye mask help block out the chaos and let you rest better.
