What to Pack for Warped Tour
I’m so glad Warped Tour is back! This year they have five stops with their first stop being in Washington, DC. It is an exhilarating experience, but if you pack the wrong stuff then it can be very uncomfortable! I went two years in a row and the first time I went I got super sunburned. The next year I went I ran into some issues when I met Simple Plan. I don’t want this to be your story! So as a Warped veteran, let me help you out!
Here is a list of what you should bring with you to your Warped stop (besides your clothes, of course)!
Reusable Water Bottle - Warped Tour is a summer festival so you will definitely want to have easy access to water! The best way to do this is to bring a reusable water bottle. However, be careful some venues (such as DC) do not allow metal water bottles. I would suggest getting a collapsible water bottle as it can hook to your bag or pants easily. It can also fold up when it is empty.
Sunscreen - You are going to be outside for almost 48 hours. It is ESSENTIAL that you have sun protection. Make sure to apply your sunscreen over any parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun before entering the venue. Some venues may allow you to bring it in, but it will most likely be inspected. However, some venues do not allow aerosol cans so it is best to have lotion-based sunscreen. (Plus, I’ve used the aerosol sunscreen before and it was the worst sunburn I’ve ever had so I would not recommend.)
Credit/Debit Cards - Vans Warped Tour is a cashless event so make sure that you bring something like a credit or debit card to buy food, etc. They also will accept Apple & Android Pay.
Solid Shoes/Boots - You are going to be standing 90% of the time so make sure that you have comfy, solid closed-toe shoes. Standing in a pit with open toe shoes is a nightmare waiting to happen.
Phone Charger/Battery Pack - The festival is a great place to take photos and videos of your favorite bands and your friends. This will inevitably lead to your phone dying at least once during the festival. I highly suggest bringing a battery pack and phone charger for this emergency situation. You do NOT want to be separated from your group with a dead phone. It’s a nightmare trying to find your friends.
Sunglasses - You may not wear sunglasses the entire time, but it is great for peak noon during Warped. It will help you to not have to squint while looking up at the bands on stage. Plus sunglasses are a great way while commuting to show others you want to be left alone.
Pain Meds - You can’t bring in OTC meds to some Warped venues so make sure to check, but it is great to have back at your lodging or in your car. Regardless of your age or health, you will likely need pain meds from standing and dancing for hours. (Note: some first aid stations at Warped will have OTC meds if needed so read up on your venue FAQs.)
Hand Sanitizer - Germs are everywhere and Warped is no exception. You will be around so many people and it’s important to stay safe. Due to this, a small travel size hand sanitizer is needed. I never leave the house without one.
Clear Bag - Warped has some varying rules about bags and clear bags are usually allowed with size restrictions. Definitely look up your venue’s rules, but most of them do allow some form of clear bag. It makes it easier for security check lines anyway so that’s what I would bring. It helps you get into the venue quicker.
Sharpie - This might seem like a weird thing to recommend bringing. However, when I went to Warped as a teenager, I was fortunate enough to meet a bunch of bands, but I ran into a few situations where neither I nor the band had a writing utensil. I was so upset that I did not have the forethought to bring a sharpie.
Deodorant - Please make sure that you apply deodorant before Warped. Everyone around you will thank you. If you are able, I suggest bringing a small travel size deodorant into the festival so you can reapply every few hours. (DC requires it to be sealed at entry so make sure if this is the case for your venue.)
Misting Fan - This is a game changer at events in the summer. There are various rules around misting fans, but I would recommend trying to bring one if you can. At DC Warped, you can bring a misting fan with a bottle no larger than 1.5L (must be empty upon arrival).
If you have any questions about what to bring to Warped, feel free to comment down below! I hope that you have an AMAZING Warped experience!
