The best festival shoes are a pair you have already broken in, with a closed toe, a sole that grips and enough cushioning to stand in all day. For most people that means chunky sneakers or a lug sole boot with a modest platform. Tall platforms can work too, as long as you have worn them for a full day before the festival.
Road Trip Women's Black Chunky Sneakers
What are the best shoes for a music festival?
The pair that is still comfortable at the end of the last set on the last day. A festival weekend means walking between stages, standing through long sets, dancing, and crossing grass, dirt or pavement, sometimes for several days in a row. Shoes that feel fine for a two hour club night can fail by the second afternoon.
Before you pick a style, check four things:
- Have you worn them for a full day already? If not, they are not festival shoes yet.
- Do they cover your toes? Crowds mean people stepping on your feet.
- Does the sole have grip? Dust on hard ground can be surprisingly slippery.
- Do they stay on when you jump? Laces, zips and buckles you can tighten beat anything that slips.
Are sneakers or boots better for a festival?
Both work, and the choice comes down to the ground and the weather. Our suggestion is sneakers for long walks on dry ground, and boots with a lug sole for mud or uneven ground, where the lugs give you traction.
A chunky sneaker is a good middle ground. Our Road Trip sneaker has a 1.5 inch platform, a lace-up front, breathable mesh accents, and an EVA insole that its listing describes as providing shock absorption and breathability.
The Black Asphalt high top takes a classic high top and puts it on a chunky platform. Its listing calls out all-day cushioning and breathable canvas.
Black Asphalt Women's High Top Sneakers
If you would rather wear boots, look for a lug sole. The Black Trek combat boot has a lug sole, a 1.5 inch platform, a 2.5 inch heel and a 6 inch shaft, with a slouch overlay fastened by silver snaps.
Black Trek Women's Slouch Combat Boots
| Shoe | Platform | Best for | Fastening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Trip chunky sneaker | 1.5 in | Long walks on dry ground | Lace-up |
| Black Asphalt high top | Chunky | Dry ground, with a high top | Lace-up |
| Black Trek combat boot | 1.5 in, 2.5 in heel | Mud and uneven ground, lug sole | Laces and snaps |
| Demonia Shaker mid-calf | 4.5 in wedge | Height, once broken in | Lace-up, back zip |
| Demonia Holographic ankle | 4.5 in wedge | The same height, shorter shaft | Lace-up, buckles, inside zip |
Browse the full range in our sneakers and boots collections.
Can you wear platforms to a festival?
Yes. Platforms add height in a crowd and finish a rave outfit. The trade off is weight and stability. The higher the platform, the more it matters that you have already walked and danced in that exact pair for hours.
The Demonia Shaker mid-calf boot sits on a 4.5 inch wedge platform, which its listing describes as a comfortable and stable base, with a lace-up front for fit and a back zip for getting in and out.
Demonia Shaker Black Lace-Up Mid-Calf Platform Boot
If you want the same height in a shorter boot, the Demonia Holographic stacked ankle boot has a 4.5 inch wedge platform, a lace-up front, double buckled ankle straps and an inside zip.
Demonia Holographic Black Stacked Platform Ankle Boots
For more on picking a height and getting the fit right, read our guide to platform boots and our Demonia boots guide, or browse our platform boots.
What shoes should you not wear to a festival?
A few choices cause most of the sore feet:
- Brand new shoes. Even a comfortable style can rub in new places over a full day.
- Thin heels. They sink into grass and soft ground and are hard to balance on in a crowd.
- Open toes in a packed crowd. Sandals are fine for the campsite or a quiet afternoon, but in a crowd your toes have no cover.
- Anything you would hate to see ruined. Dust, mud and spilled drinks are part of the weekend, so leave delicate materials and spotless white pairs at home.
How do you break in festival shoes?
Start a few weeks before the event. Wear the shoes around the house first, then on walks, then for a whole day, ideally with the same socks you plan to wear at the festival. If a spot starts to rub, you have found it at home instead of in the middle of a set, and you still have time to deal with it or switch pairs.
Dance in them too, since a festival asks for more than walking.
What shoes are best for mud, dust or the desert?
Check the forecast and the ground before you pack. For mud and rain, a lug sole gives you traction, and a waterproof pair keeps your feet drier. For dusty or desert sites, closed shoes keep dirt off your feet.
Should you bring a second pair of shoes?
For a multi-day festival, yes, if you have somewhere to leave them, like a car, a tent or your room. A second pair gives you something to change into if the first pair gets wet or starts to rub. A common approach is a statement pair for the main night and a comfortable pair of sneakers for the rest.
What socks should you wear with festival shoes?
Our suggestion is cushioned socks that fit well without bunching, and a fresh pair for each day. We also suggest packing an extra pair and a few blister bandages in your bag, in case your feet get wet or a spot starts to rub.
What size festival shoes should I get?
Your usual size, unless the listing says otherwise, and our shoe size chart says that if you are between sizes, size up. Feet can swell after hours of standing and walking in the heat, so a pair that is already tight in the morning will feel tighter by the evening. Some of our styles come in half sizes, such as the Black Trek, which lists half sizes from Women's 6.5 to 8.5. Check our shoe size chart before you order.
Once your shoes are sorted, our guide to what to wear to a rave covers the rest of the outfit.
Common questions
Can you wear running shoes to a festival?
Yes. Many running shoes are built with cushioning, which suits long days of walking and standing. Pick a pair you have already worn in, and expect them to get dirty.
What shoes are most comfortable for dancing all night?
Shoes with cushioning and a secure fit. A broken-in chunky sneaker is a common choice for a long night on your feet.
Where can I see all your festival shoes?
Browse our full range of rave shoes, from sneakers to platform boots.
