It’s officially summer and the festival season is in full swing. Even the most hardened of festival-goers is never too experienced for a solid tip or two. So check out these 15 festival hacks for happy campers.

Invite a plus one.

If you’re going to be staying under canvas then saving a few bucks on tent size could be a false economy. If there’s two of you sharing then the smart money is on opting for a three-person tent. You’re bags, clothes and other junk will become the ‘third’ person and you’ll still be able to lounge luxuriously.

Pillow was the case that they gave me.

Packing a pillow is a necessary luxury, right? Wrong. Save on weight and space with the clever camper’s solution of opting for an empty pillow case. You can stuff it with clothes when you’re bedding down for a night of significantly smarter sleep.

Don’t forget your dry stores.

Especially important tip for anyone heading off to a festival where the weather is not to be trusted: leave a set of dry clothes in the car so you can enjoy the drive home basking in the joy of bone-dry underwear.

Remember your lines.

Reaching into a backpack and finding your precious possessions soaked through is enough to take the shine off anyone’s day. Line your gear with plastic bags to avoid this thoroughly unpleasant predicament and pack a roll of bags for all manner of handy emergency uses.

Smooth out the wrinkles.

Sun damage is one of the biggest factors for premature aging as UV light seriously damages collagen and skin elasticity. Slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, and slop on some sunscreen. For even better protection, consider a collagen-boosting supplement like this conveniently-sized liquid collagen.

Have a banana, man.

If you’ve over-indulged on festive tipples then the humble banana is your friend. Bananas are the perfect blood sugar and potassium pick-me-up and will help get you back to full fitness and another fun-filled festival schedule.

Wet wipes for the win.

The chances of finding a pristine shower or toilet amongst the seething mass of humanity at a festival are slim to none. So if you’re not packing a healthy stash of wet wipes for your sanitation requirements then you’re seriously missing a trick.

Plan your wardrobe changes.

Clothing choices should be planned as meticulously as the wardrobe change on a Lady Gaga world tour. Layers are critical if it’s likely to be cold but over-packing could be your downfall as yo lug home a huge back of unused clothes. Remember, the weather forecast and forward-planning is your friend here.

Mark your territory.

Finding a sea of almost identical tents when your fit to drop at the end of a night is everyone’s worst nightmare. At the bare minimum make sure you identify a landmark to navigate back to in the dark. At best, consider marking your tent with a flag or even a helium-filled balloon.

Avoid love bites.

Don’t make yourself a meal for hungry mosquitos. It’s often the last thing you’ll think of but you’ll remember real fast when you’re scratching a patchwork of bites. Make sure you get a decent insect repellant into that bag of yours before you seal it up.

Cash is king.

ATMs are a fickle bunch. They’ll either be no-shows, out of cash or at the end of an impossibly long line. You might well be able to pay with contactless but you’ll be glad you slipped a few bills inside your phone case if the traders turn out to be kings of the stone age.

A belting bag.

A fanny pack is a unisex savior for keeping your essentials safe from pickpockets and moshpits. Top it up with a healthy stash of sanitizer, cash, and condoms.

I have the power!

From charging your phone to topping up your flashlight, a (charged) power pack is an easy extra to slip into a side pocket but one that will probably pay dividends.

The sound of silence.

Many wireless headphones also double up as power packs so they could save the day when it comes to charging as well as drowning out the noise of late-night partying with some chilled tunes when you’re trying to catch some zzzzzs.

Out of the darkness comes light. 

A headlamp is a perfect hands-free essential for negotiating your way back to your tent. The straps make it ideal for hanging up once you’re inside for effortlessly changing into your jim-jams.