13 Best Shoes for Festivals

From Outside Lands to Lollapalooza to Rolling Loud and every other event in between, music festival season runs throughout the year. While attending this fun-filled, multi-day endeavor, part of the thrill was deciding what to wear. And comfortable footwear was an essential part of making our music festival experience as stylish as it was comfortable. So, we were looking for the best shoes for festivals to get the true-blue, authentic experience. While we did want the best possible footwear, we also did consider important factors such as budget, toughness, and comfort. Trust us, we’ve tried dozens of such shoes, and finding the right one was easier said than done.

Luckily, we’ve done all the legwork for you, and we’re going to share some of the coolest recommendations in this article. We tried to create a lot of diversity here, so you’ll find everything from flats to boots. And, as always, we have a handy guide to selecting them too.

Reebok Unisex-Adult Club C 85 Vintage Sneaker

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Best vintage. The Reebok Unisex-Adult Club C 85 Vintage Sneakers are a remarkable choice when it comes to comfy shoes. These club sneakers boasted genuine leather construction and a flexible rubber sole. And since they came from one of the world’s biggest sports apparel, there’s no question about the quality. Most reviewers on Amazon praised how soft the inner fabric is, and we have to agree with them. Meanwhile, the midsole provided excellent arch support, allowing us to stand for hours as our fave musicians crooned our fave songs. What’s more, these sneakers also gave our ankles excellent mobility, allowing us to jump easily from one stage area to another. And thanks to their versatile design, we were able to wear them even while working out and at the office.

USA Today had amazing things to say about this sneaker – check out the detailed review.

Roxy Rose Hologram Laced Pyramid Leatherette Sneaker

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Most stylish. Imagine your feet catching the light and glistening with your every step – that’s the Roxy Rose Hologram-Laced Pyramid Leatherette Sneaker for you. We loved these shoes as they made for the perfect concert look. For one, they’re crafted from genuine leather and boasted a unique metallic finish. In fact, we constantly felt like we were in the spotlight while walking around the venue, thanks to these babies on our feet.

That said, this Roxy Rose Sneaker is more than just a cool-looking shoe from a technical standpoint. Firstly, this footwear has a waterproof lining, which was great when we were attending events in the rainy season. Plus, they were also useful when we were attending music festivals held in humid places. Apart from that, this sneaker also has a surprisingly durable construction. The best bit? They were available in five different models and cost us just around 30 USD.

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Chaco Z2 Sandals

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If you’re a sandals person like us and want to wear them all the time, then why stop when it comes to music festivals? That’s why we got ourselves a pair of the amazing Chazo Z2 Sandals. These lightweight sandals have been designed specifically for men and are, in fact, one of the best men’s sandals with straps. The Chaco Z2 Sandals were a great pair of footwear for when we were constantly standing at festivals. They provided excellent arch support, which allowed us to be comfortable all day long. Apart from that, they even came with adjustable straps, which allowed us to customize the fit. So, we’d tighten the fit while walking from arena to arena and loosen them while standing for comfort.

Watch this detailed YouTube video review of the Chaco Z2 sandals by Sam D. Cote.

Skechers Zinger Retro Rockers

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The Skechers Zinger Retro Rockers are the perfect pair of festival footwear that are available in both men’s and women’s models. This one has been specifically crafted for females and came in seven different and exciting colorways. What’s more, they’re made using pure leather, which ensures their durability since we’d mostly be wearing them outdoors. Some reviewers on Amazon did suggest going a size up since these sneakers might run a little tight. But apart from that, we had no issues with the sizing, especially since they come in half sizes too. Wrapping up the features is the lacing closure, which allowed us to get a snug fit.

Skechers Classic Delson Camden Sneaker

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Skechers doesn’t need any introduction. Over the years, the brand has released some of the most casual and affordable sneakers around. And the Skechers Classic Delson Camden Sneaker we looked into was no exception. Taken straight out of the Delson Camden category, this footwear is now available in 11 different variants. Thus, we had some amazing choices in front of us when it came to these sneakers. And since most of them carry dark color tones, they made for a classic look.

As we expected from Skechers, this sneaker is made only from the best synthetic fabric. Meanwhile, the addition of memory foam ensured that we got nothing but comfort when we wore these. In addition to comfort, we even got excellent breathability and cushioning. The air-cooled memory foam and the bungee lacing wrap up the excellent features of these sneakers.

For more information, head to the official product page.

TEVA Sport Sandals

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We were looking for universally versatile sports sandals that would also look cool and not out of place at festivals. And there’s only one we could think of, that is the TEVA Sport Sandals. These sandals were particularly great for our fabric-sensitive skin as they’re quick-drying and made from recycled plastic. So, they not only stood up to abuse but also supported our feet. This footwear also left a large part of our feet uncovered, ensuring maximum breathability and airflow. These sandals were especially perfect when we headed for summer concerts, which is why they’re also one of the best summer sandals and shoes. There was more fresh air touching our skin, ensuring that we didn’t sweat easily.

Like most of the best shoes for outdoor festivals on this list, these sandals come in multiple designs. At the time we put together this article, there were no less than 30 models available on Amazon. Each of them is built to deliver vibrant vibes.

Lugz Clipper Sneakers

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Best street fashion shoes. We were looking for shoes inspired by street fashion when we chanced upon the Lugz Clipper Sneaker. These sneakers might not come with many bells and whistles, but it was great for us as we were looking for shoes with a minimal look. There were a total of 25 designs available, which meant that there was something for everyone. Plus, each of them carried a distinctive look, but the base design was similar. What’s more, these shoes were made from 100% canvas, thus intended to last us for at least 2-3 years before we need to buy a new pair. Meanwhile, the rubber sole gave us a firm grip, preventing us from slipping or tripping around the venue. So, if you’re looking for something versatile, the Lugz Clipper Sneaker is an excellent choice.

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Keds Champion

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No shoes can match up to Keds, and the Keds Champion was no exception. It was the perfect shoe for us as we were looking for a basic canvas shoe but with options for colors. These shoes are made from soft 100% canvas and were, thus, comfortable to wear all day long. What’s more, the Keds Champion was available in nine different colorways when we went looking for them, including the utterly gorgeous Barbie pink below! In fact, the color suits the season, don’t you think? Nevertheless, the rest of the colors are all bright and attractive too.

Like all the best shoes for outdoor festivals on this list, the Keds Champion provided added support for our feet. For one, the inner sole came with the Ortholite feature to make for a drier and healthier foot environment. Meanwhile, the outsole featured strong stitching for a sturdy construction. And to ensure a more comfortable fit, the sneakers came with adjustable laces.

Odema LED Sneakers

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What could possibly be better to wear to a music concert than LED shoes? They go right with the wild and crazy environment, don’t they? That’s why we absolutely loved the Odema LED sneakers. These sneakers boasted a rubber sole, complete with bright LED lights mounted on the surface. What’s more, the shoes themselves came in nine glittering variations, with silver and gold being the most popular ones on Amazon. We personally loved the gold ones, as seen below, as they jazzed up our feet like no other shoe has ever done. 

But that’s not all. These cute festival shoes are equipped with micro USB ports, which are the power source for the LED lights. All we needed to do was plug in our regular USB cable, which we know everyone will have plenty of lying around their homes, and the LED lights would recharge. As for their operation, there was a small switch near the USB ports, which can be used to not only turn on the LED lights but also toggle between the colors and select flashing modes.

Vans Checkerboard Slip-On

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There’s something about checked footwear that makes them perfect for festivals. When it comes to the best shoes for outdoor festivals, the Vans Checkerboard Slip-On was a no-brainer for us. These sneakers were more than ideal for summer events, concerts, and other massive celebrations that we attended. That’s because they were simple yet stylish enough to go well with many different outfits. We could pair a Vans Checkerboard shoe with denim pants, a dress, or even shorts and still look amazing.

When it comes to technical specifications, the Checkerboard shoe comes with padded collars and a waffle rubber outsole for an excellent grip. Besides being oh-so-comfortable, these shoes also came in multiple sizes, including half sizes for both men and women. The best bit, though, was that even in checkerboard designs, we had as many as eight options to choose from!

Hunter Refined Stitch Detail Chelsea Boots

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Best boots. Don’t let a rainy day spoil your fun of attending a festival. Simply put on the Hunter Refined Stitch Detail Chelsea Boots and move like a boss around the venue like it’s a sunny day! These sleek waterproof boots gave us an excellent grip with super cool-looking stitching details. As far as functionality goes, the Hunter Refined Stitch Detail Chelsea Boot comes with a super thick EVA sole that provided an excellent grip and support. For extra comfort, the brand has even added a polyester lining. So the inside of the shoes didn’t rub uncomfortably against our skin. All in all, these boots are a must if you plan to have some fun on a rainy day.

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Birkenstock Milano

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When the weather was nice, and there was no sign of rain anytime soon, there was no reason for us to not wear sandals to a festival. And what could be a better option than the Birkenstock Milano? Birkenstock is a household name when it comes to comfy sandals, and the Milano is yet another piece of proof. This unisex footwear came with a heel strap to offer us greater stability when we’d run from arena to arena. Moreover, it also featured an EVA construction, which included lightweight and soft soles.

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However, the main star here was the contoured cork footbed. Just this part alone made the Milano worthy of being outdoor shoes, as it helped fight foot fatigue as we stood all day long. Since it was lined with suede, the shoes provided unmatched comfort and firmer support. So if you don’t mind spending $125, the Milano won’t let you down.

Timberland Premium Waterproof Boots

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At the top spot, we have the Timberland Premium Waterproof Boots. These ankle boots have managed to gain a lot of popularity among festival-goers thanks to their practicality and attractive design. If you think that walking around the festival venue wearing boots is super tiring, then think again. These Timberland ankle boots feature an anti-fatigue midsole that provided excellent support and great shock absorption when we walked around the venues. In fact, our feet felt less stressed and got tired lesser, allowing us to walk or stand for hours on end comfortably.

“We’ve always had issues with standing for hours, and these Titanium boots dispelled any worries we had. They were stylish and comfortable all at once.”

WOW Travel

As we were doing this review, the Timberland Premium Waterproof Boot was being offered for anywhere between 80 and 200 USD on Amazon, depending on the color and shoe size. We loved that it was available in various colors, including wheat, black, and navy. If you’re planning to attend a rainy day festival, these boots are a no-brainer.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the shoe recommendations that you see above, the list below is a rather specialized one according to its best features.

• Best vintage: Reebok Unisex-Adult Club C 85 Vintage Sneaker
• Most stylish: Roxy Rose Hologram Laced Pyramid Leatherette Sneaker
• Best street fashion shoes: Lugz Clipper Sneakers
• Best boots: Hunter Refined Stitch Detail Chelsea Boots

How to Choose The Best Footwear for Festivals?

The shoe is one of the most crucial parts of your look. Most festivals take place all day long, so you’ll want something that both looks great and makes you comfortable. Hence, these shoes should be able to take you from one spot to another easily. Think about jumping from stage to stage, standing in line at the merchandise store, or running around to catch your favorite band’s gig. Putting on your most expensive pair of footwear wouldn’t be a great idea. That’s because no matter what kind of best footwear you choose for festivals, they’ll get dirty, whether it’s from mud, sand, or grass stains. That being said, here are our three essential tips for choosing the most comfortable shoes for music festivals.

Type

First of all, we needed to decide what type of footwear we planned to wear. Could we wear sandals? Yes, but you need to understand the risks. During the festival, you’ll be around a lot of people. If someone steps on your foot by any chance, it would be very painful. So unless we got sandals with a super-strong construction, like the Birkenstock Milano, we’d recommend that you look for sneakers or boots instead.

Practicality

One thing you need to remember is that a festival will require you to walk a lot. This is why you need a pair of shoes with excellent support. They should be able to make you feel like you’re walking on clouds! We looked for shoes that made walking a breeze. For example, knee-high boots were cool, but they tend to be heavy and forced us to drag our feet. 

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Location

Last but not least, think about the location and choose your shoes accordingly. If it’s a large lawn area filled with more than 20,000 people, you’ll want to avoid something like heels or dress shoes. Finding out about the weather forecast isn’t a bad idea either. If they say it will rain, you better not wear your 1,000 USD Jordan.

What Type of Footwear Should I Wear to a Festival?

Sneakers or boots are highly recommended, as they offer better grip and support. However, if the weather permits, you might want to consider wearing sandals. Just make sure that they have strong support and enough cushioning.

Are Docs Good Festival Footwear?

Surprisingly, yes. As time goes by, more and more people are wearing Docs to festivals or concerts. And after we tried them on ourselves, we found that these boots are super comfortable, even for everyday wear. So yes, Doc Marts is a great choice to wear at festivals.

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Can You Wear Slides at a Festival?

Of course, you can. However, we don’t recommend it, especially considering the risks. You see, sandals leave a lot of your feet uncovered. If somehow someone stepped on your foot, it would hurt a lot. Other than that, most slides don’t come with decent support. This will put more stress on your legs and make you tired faster.