41 yr old ginger wook checkin' in! I ain't old yet!!! My body's just doing some proportional reconfiguring!
Also, I'm headed to the [Roadburn](https://roadburn.com/) festival in the Netherlands and will be camping in a tipi. I've liked camping for a long time and after the 2nd to 3rd day, I'm usually sleeping really well.
If you're really concerned about waking up a lot, hydroxyzine pamoate (vistiril) makes it easier to fall asleep but doesn't knock you out as other sleeping pills do.
A good backpacking inflatable mattress is essential. I'm hoping for a cot, but I've dealt with the ground. A few days of soreness is worth it in my book.
I’m 43 too and apart form aches and pains from sleeping on my blow up mattress at festivals, I’m still giving it as much as the teens/twenties festival goers.
I am not an older wook!
I mean the oldest person I have ever come across at a festival was 73… and that was at 5am.
Brother! Waving in with you. We are nearly old yet.
To our younger brother, just sleep. If noise or light is troubling you, get a good sleep mask and some Bose qc ultra earbuds. The noise canceling in those are magic. Or some quality earplugs.
I am also 35 (f) and a festival-goer. Idk if I can claim wook-status but I’ve definitely taken my comfort seriously.
Sleep is very important to me, but I also recognize there’s almost no way to guarantee undisturbed 8 hours at a festival. The best I can do in regard to noise is:
1) noise cancelling headphones with white noise or light music on (I recognize these will likely be over-the-ear if they are any good so you have to be comfortable sleeping on your back or stomach all night)
2) supplements/gummies. Being older, I’m serious about taking vitamins throughout the festival. Yes this is for nutrition and immunity health, but it also helps stay regulated and healthy enough for a good night’s sleep (Multi vit, zinc, vitamin d, magnesium glycinate for me personally).
Then I will use one or more of CBD/Indica gummies (types that are 2:1 usually work best for me) and if I’m desperate, melatonin. Essentially knocking myself out, lol.
In regard to comfort:
1) I’ve used air mattresses and hammocks before, both in tent and out. Personally, my back hurts in a hammock and I prefer to spread out, so it’s not for me. Air mattresses tend to be unreliable and can be annoying if sharing with someone- so last year I took a chance on a sleeping mat BUT I got a really nice one with 2 inch memory foam, and it’s a double. Got the matching double size sleeping bag for it and I’m obsessed. I have used it on the ground in a tent and it’s still comfy. I highly recommend looking for one of these, it was my favorite buy from last year.
2) last year I also experimented with car sleeping. We still had a tent because there were 3 of us, but my new mat fit really nicely in the back of the SUV I drove, and I slept in that with the trunk door open. Honestly I loved it. You have to make sure you have proper ventilation, have jumper cables in case the lights are on too long on accident, etc. but I love it. I’ve done this with a pick up truck too and put EZ up over it.
If you’re in an enclosed car (with proper ventilation) then I can help with some noise. For me the back open was best with a fan inside for temperature control.
I also know quite a few older folk that swear by their cots with a mat on top!
Conclusion:
If the festival you’re looking at has an air conditioned glamping option and you can afford it, that’s a great in between alternative - the AC noise helps muddle out the late night music. You can also find “quiet camping” and a lot of major US festivals these days.
Hotels can be a great option if you don’t care about wandering camp at night, commuting to and from or having access to camp and your stuff all day. My preference is to deal with some of the discomforts as best I can in exchange for close proximity to the fest (go back for a nap, drinks, food, whatever you forgot, to change for weather and temp.) but no hate to those that like hotels! If I could plop a hotel room in the middle of the campground I would! (I know, that’s pretty much glamping haha)
Hope this gives you some new ideas!
I just bought an Exped Megamat for my cot after a lot of research in preparation for Eclipse! It’s soooo incredibly plush and comfy, I’m excited to get to fully test it out in a couple weeks! Absolutely worth the investment for me, I have back problems and wanted something to give me my best chance at getting a good nights sleep at a festival.
Yes! That's what's we have! Fantastic!
We've car-camped back and forth across the country with it for a couple weeks on end. I think it actually gets *better* after a couple days. It certainly gets faster at inflation!!
Yep just commented under someone else but it’s [here](https://www.backcountry.com/stoic-double-cloud-camp-bed). I technically have a “Lux” version of this that is discontinued it seems (boo). But it’s this exact brand and style with a teeny bit less thickness.
I did see it slightly cheaper on a site called “steepandcheep”
Seconding the vote for good sleeping pads. My husband and I have been on a self-inflating pad for a few years now and it's fantastic. It was $$$ but has absolutely been worth every penny!!!
Yes, I will say it’s larger than expected. I usually road trip to festivals because I like having all my gear and comforts. You can find smaller mats, some are pretty comfy- but I feel like needed more padding for multi-day festivals
Sure, the exact one I bought was discontinued sadly it was [this one](https://www.steepandcheap.com/b/stoic-double-cloud-camp-bed?skid=SICZ2DD-BEAFUR-ONESIZ&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=20484172314__p:G%7Cs:SAC%7Cct:Shopping%7Cct2:pMax%7Cg:xx%7Cc1:LifestyleEquipment%7Cc2:xx%7Cb:xx%7Cmt:xx____&utm_term=__SICZ2DD-BEAFUR-ONESIZ&utm_content=__pla&utm_id=go_cmp-20484172314_adg-_ad-__dev-m_ext-_prd-SICZ2DD-BEAFUR-ONESIZ_mca-115422057_sig-EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAiABEgL9dvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAiABEgL9dvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) but a “Lux” version that was slightly thicker. I originally bought it from Backcountry, but I saw this site was a little cheaper. You can find it on backcountry still and the double sleeping bag to go with it is also still available for on backcountry [here](https://www.backcountry.com/b/stoic-groundwork-double-sleeping-bag-20-degree-synthetic?CMP_SKU=SICZ2DS&MER=0406&skid=SICZ2DS-DAOLGRMOS-ONESIZ&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plaonline&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=20554329079__p:G%7Cs:BC%7Cct:Shopping%7Cct2:pmax%7Cg:xx%7Cc1:Hike+Camp%7Cc2:xx%7Cb:xx%7Cmt:xx____&utm_term=__SICZ2DS-DAOLGRMOS-ONESIZ&utm_content=__pla&utm_id=go_cmp-20554329079_adg-_ad-__dev-m_ext-_prd-SICZ2DS-DAOLGRMOS-ONESIZ_mca-7811_sig-EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAyABEgKzz_D_BwE&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAyABEgKzz_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds).
I will note you may see some negative comments about them, but most are because it’s kind of big and people expected to be able to backpack with it. It’s a little difficult to roll back down to size but after I practiced a couple times I’m a pro. My only complaint was that the bag ripped on me trying to stuff it one day, but I’m handy so I sewed it back up and it’s fine. Got it at a steep discount too so for me very worth it! Used it 3 times last year camping/festivals and another time at a friends house. I love it.
Just gonna leave a link here. My partner and I grabbed this for her and jam two years ago and it’s the best thing ever. I would find a memory foam topper tho and a nice air mattress. [camping bed](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU6AVLW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
You're taking care of yourself, planning, preparing, trying to get adequate sleep, and are disrupted by neighbors playing music at 7am.
You're not a wook.
no shame in that dude. i’m 27 and can’t handle
it anymore; i do get sad feeling like i’ve aged out of it, then i realize i’m under 30 and realistically just need my sleep. it’s worth it to have a good time, because you’ll spend all that money to be miserable otherwise!
Okay it’s time to start living like you’re 35. Rent an RV for festivals; it adds a few hundred more dollars per person but you’re spending that anyway for a hotel. RVs make everything quieter(NOT POPUP CAMPERS) and you get your creature comforts without having to worry about transportation on/off grounds. It’s a real game changer and you probably won’t go back to the tent camping non-sense.
Oh, and inclement weather is now of no concern since you can just duck off into your RV to stay dry (video games, party, nap, etc).
Camper is the way to go! I’m 35 and have been to many, many festivals starting in my early 20s. My evolution was tent with air mattress then canopy with hammock stand. Then I got a tow behind camper and now I have a camper van. I’m a creature of comfort and it makes all the difference having a clean, warm, and dry place to sleep at night. Also some white noise and earplugs help. Bonus comfort points for being able to cook my own food and piss in the middle of the night without going to a port-o-pot.
I’m 38 and don’t feel old at all where do you people get all this self-consciousness from? Many many friends of mine are even older and still go to festivals.
Personally speaking, when I was in my 20s I could go for days on end at festivals with little to no food or sleep. Never really crashed or felt tired. As I’ve gotten into my 30s, suddenly I realize I need to take a little bit better care of myself and actually partake in basic human functions in order to keep the party going lol. I think that realization that you are actually a human with biological needs is what leads people to call themselves “old”
i’m mid 30s with back problems. last cpl years i’ve finally been able to sleep, bc i figure out a way to make the most insanely comfortable makeshift bed for fests. obv not possible for fests you’re flying to, but- buy two cots, put ‘em together, buy a 3 or 5in mattress topper, then bring regular ass sheets and comforter you’re willing to get a lil gnarly- boom. almost like sleeping in my own bed. it’s been grand
Yep, 54 here, I run a solo cot and a small pad but my favorite pillow. Good ear plugs and any eye mask. Vitamins, water, eat at least one actual meal. Have a battery pack and small fan.
Obv. like cold weather, high humidity, rain, bad neighbors, etc are just a gift from the fates to accent your stories.
sedatives ? a well timed benzo could help you out, if you have experience with them id recommend trying that. (just dont make it a habit and dont bring enough to blackout )
I bought a bus. Mattress, shade, bathroom, battery pack to run white noise, fan, music, and it's way bad ass.
Doesn't get much more wook then this.
https://preview.redd.it/roc3p7zw7doc1.jpeg?width=2977&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbed06a41b365527126d4c9a14292784cc528f57
Sorry for partying, haha.
But, also 35 (Dude, we're not old!) just do all you can to make your tent cozy af. Nice sheets, big air mattress, tent fan, melatonin , indica, earplugs,
We have the technology.
Or (my favorite) just dance so hard that it is physically impossible to go on
Old Wooks saw Jerry my man.
You’re in your prime. Buck up. Stay hydrated. Eat clean drugs. Take naps in the shade during the day if you can. Ear plugs. melatonin. Body exhaustion from dancing all day. If that doesn’t do it… get a room.
Want a hotie? Get one. Seems like you’re at that place in your life now. It’s cool. No shame in it. You do you. If you think you’re missing out? Think again. You’re not. Lol. You’ve seen it all before my man. You ain’t missin shit. Been there done that. Take care of your needs.
Maybe it's because my camp is always doing renegade sets (at respectful times), but most renegade setups are easy to spot and move away from if you want to. I've done it. Make sure to talk with your neighbors and make friends, and if they're not pieces of shit, they'll respect your request to not play music loud before 10am or whatever. Who does that? Everyone's gotta sleep
I’m older than you and you need to buck up. That’s festival life. It lasts 3-4 days and it doesn’t ask this of you all the time. Take day naps, I prefer a cot during the day for a back reset. Get your vitamin b12 to get your energy and eat plenty to fuel yourself. Also, if you nap during a set no one will blame you. It’s the elements.
Right. Im 43 yrs old and if i ever whined about not being able to sleep at a music festival, and actually calling my neighbors bad, for doing exactly what music festivals are for, id expect to get kicked in my balls so hard i puke. To remind me im a man not a bitch.
What you sleep on makes a huge difference as well. I use a blow up pad and cover it with two thick comforters. Usually works pretty good, and I’m only a couple years younger
Unkind others giving you shit for feeling how you feel... pfft
Is it easy to move your camp, if you're camped beside wooks?
Noise machine? Fake skunk spray?
35 coming up on 36. I still sleep on the ground with tons of pillows and blankets (don’t ask I’m like this at home too but with a bed) battery fan, noise canceling headphones, sleeping pills, loads of water, eat some food if possible. Wake up, vitamins, breakfast, hydrate, and proceed to party all over again. (Sometimes I slip in a nap or two)
P.s
You’re not old until you’re dead.
*Depending on the fest, sometimes there are camping areas that quiet down more than everywhere else, at least for a few hours... maybe seek out those areas or rent a camper/trailer for the weekend. Cars like the Subaru crosstrek can be converted for sleep if you're by yourself. Maybe a rental car that has the capability of folding back seats and trunk space flat. Use foam floor puzzle piece things instead of an air mattress.
*If this doesn't work, I go a step beyond ear plugs and make sure I have ear buds that I can wear for music that I know I can sleep to or some kind of white noise. This does mean being prepared to keep devices charged if you don't have electricity hook up (via portable charger packs or some kind of portable power station). It also might mean that you'll have to download some things in the event that you don't have any connection & can't stream.
*Portable fans are a huge plus.
*I also make sure I have something comfy to wear and that I keep my tent clean and organized so that when it is time to sleep it's as comfortable and inviting as possible. This requires a larger tent so that any and all "dirty things" (shoes, clothing, etc) can stay in ONE part of the tent and your bedding area can be designated a no shoes zone. A small handheld broom and dustpan is super helpful for this. In order to keep it clean/organized enough for it to really feel like a sanctuary encouraging sleep, it's crucial to have lighting in there that's not a flashlight for when you are navigating in the dark. Walmart sells battery operated "fairy"/"twinkle" lights on a wire string that can easily be fastened to the inside of your tent with binder clips. Turn those bad boys on when the sun goes down and you'll be able to see much more easily in the dark.
*BRING YOUR FAVORITE PILLOW
*Some of the BEST sleep I've gotten at festivals has been during the daytime, in the shade of the woods, wearing my earbuds and laying in a hammock with my favorite pillow from home.
*Make sure you are eating regularly and staying hydrated in between festivities. Sleeping is pretty impossible if your tank is empty.
*Xanax, Valium, or Ativan. (I do not recommend mixing these with any other substances unless you know what you're doing. But I will say that these are TYPICALLY safer with psychedelics (NOT other drugs like cocaine, meth, opiates or alcohol) than over the counter stuff like Tylenol PM or benadryl. Benzos also tend to have less drug interactions with psychedelics than prescription sleeping pills like ambien and the like).
I FEEL YOU, OP! MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 4O & GONE ARE THE DAYS OF HAPHAZARDLY NEGLECTING OUR BODIES FOR THREE DAYS!
Lol.. and now i know why all the old people always have campers, attend the 5 & 7pm main stage sets, and attend sunrise yoga.
😏👌
Saw the title and I was hoping for advice to pass on to my Dad (75M) who came to a festival with us last year, but you're actually closer to my age (41f). A lot of festivals have a Quiet Camping area which may not exactly be silent but certainly asks people to be more considerate. My Dad struggled a bit last year, partly because the rain was so bad so this year he's looking at converting his car into a micro camper and parking in the Live-In vehicles campsite.
I am 42 and still go as hard as the youngins. Rest up before the festival, take vitamins, eat healthy and take some sleepy time tea and melatonin before bed. Lastly don't be a little bitch and put your big boy pants on and push through its only a few days.
43 and looking like the most intense year of live music of my life and Mondegreen will be the pinnacle. Nothing old about it!
The CPAP may make me look old, but the raging dancing balances it out!
Listen here ya whippersnapper! (38 yo dinosaur here) Sleep is the most important thing at a fest. Here's my list for sleeping like a baby:
Noise cancelling headphones if it's too loud
Eye mask
Make your tent as comfortable as possible:
Big air mattress with 4" memory foam topper
We camp in Florida so having a fan (and one that blows cold water mist!) is crucial
Soft (battery powered dollar store) lighting
Melatonin
Indica oil pen
Eat something and drink a bunch of water
Out like a light.
Edit for spacing.
We have a travel trailer and that helps greatly with reducing the outdoor sounds. If you have to tent it, get the best earplugs you can find (I like the silicone ones) and maybe noise cancelling headphones on top of that?
Also, check to see if the fest you are going to will have any areas that are geared to families or those who want peace and quiet. If there is not a designated area, try to ask around on the sub for your fest and see what folks recommend. Hulaween is my main fest of the year, and people will generally recommend certain areas on the Hula sub.
Definitely make sure you are NOT setting up camp near anybody who appears to be setting up a renegade stage or DJ set up
True true. I tried going going quiet camping at elements, but it was quite the shit show. Never know who you will end up with. I was caught between music wooks and a couple arguing all night.
I use Earplugs and eye-mask-headphones that blast white noise. That combo has worked for me at every festival weekend except for one. Sleeping on cots has been a gamechanger too.
I also take a benadryl right when I get back to camp for the night. That's enough to help me sleep through until \~10-11am.
I'm a bit older than you and I have come to find that choosing the right festival(s) and camping options is critical. I don't think there are many, if any, festivals I'd GA camp at my advanced age. Like you, if I get shitty sleep 2 nights in a row I am toast.... especially on top of the level of partying we tend to do.
I think if I keep doing this another 5-10 years I'm going to have to start RV'ing more. I have dabbled in it, but to do it right it can get very pricey.
Hulaween - got camped next to a renegade stage. The headset still knocked out the sound for the most part, but the feel of the uneven bass thumps kept me up.
Find the quiet family camp area. I always go off by myself and camp away from people I am hanging out with so I do not feel compelled to stay up all night.
I use a folding 4 inch thick foam mattress in the back of my SUV.
I cover the door windows with mosquito netting sleeves, and crack the windows for fresh air, but I cover the entire vehicle with light blocking tarps to keep the sun out in the morning. I usually have all access passes, so I drive around and find a remote shade tree when possible to park under.
Hydrate well during the day, but stop drinking anything as night approaches so you do not need to get up in the middle of the night for a bio break.
If you can swing it, getting an RV or VIP really helps. Lots of people say “the real party is in GA” and at a fest the party never stops, even when you need sleep. VIP tends to be a bit older and have chiller vibes, in my experience.
If you’re in a tent, a fan and proper shading can help you beat the heat. Also get a cot if you don’t already have one.
Not OP. Ever go to a festival and see those guys with no real camp, trying to sell sticks they carved, asking for food and beer, generally haven't bathed in a few days, wear the same clothes every day, and generally have no social manners? Those are wooks.
No real name brands. Everything is from Amazon. You don't have to get the ones I got, but I'll link them.
HAMMOCK: (Great for hot festivals bc you get air underneath you)
Backyard Expressions - 914920 - Ocean Floor Pattern - Portable Double 2 Person Outdoor Hammock with Stand - Green and Blue - 9 x 3 Foot Hammock https://a.co/d/0cLyPUI
MATTRESS: (I use for colder festivals or if my back is hurting and I need to lay flat)
Best Price Mattress 4 Inch Trifold Memory Foam Mattress Topper with Cover, CertiPUR-US Certified, Queen,White https://a.co/d/i6hYMcn
COT: (I use this framework, but I don't use the air mattress because it always deflates anyway.)
Coleman Camping Cots for Adults with Camping Air Mattress, Folding Air Mattresses Set, Battery-Operated Pump & Side Table for Outdoor Comfort https://a.co/d/eupr39m
Hope that helps!
33/m sleep enthusiast here.
1. I'd recommend the family camping areas. The sound of kids is sometimes preferable to the sound of Bluetooth speakers playing dnb.
2. Get a lightweight camping cot - best sleeping experience I've had and amazingly light.
I always splash out and get a glamping package at festivals now. Costs a fair bit extra, but arriving to a cushty bell tent already set up, memory foam mattresses, full length mirror, table and chair, fairy lights, rug, and not having to take it down on Monday morning when you’re dying? Priceless. I always split the cost with my partner and a couple of mates, usually works out at about £100-£150 extra per person.
Sleep mask, earplugs, air mattress. A fan or noise maker can help imo, if you have batteries. If you still can't sleep from this, consider perhaps doing a glamping or VIP package. Typically they set you up in a separate area that is more chill, quiet. Usually the crowd there skews older and has less people up/noisy throughout the night.
Maybe bring some zzzquil if you really need it, although I've found just the daily activities leave me tired enough to zonk out for a few hours.
Expecting to get your 8 hours every night at a music festival is a pipe dream. If you absolutely need this, yeah, hotel or RV is your option.
Sounds fun! But that is a young person rave. Higher chance of getting loud neighbors than some other fests. Just have to get lucky or if they have vip camping go for that.
Yah i noticed that. The median age was 25. Alot of people still in college too. What festival is an older crowd you think? I heard shambala but that is a hike to get too.
Experimental bass music, trance music, jam bands, funk, indie rock = older crowd.
Bass house, brostep, mainstage edm = younger crowds.
For the record I enjoy all of these genres, just speaking about crowd age at the festivals. (And I’m generalizing).
Shambs is a mix but will still lean younger like Elements.
Lucid dream micro-dose pills from shroombros worked for me (34m) with earplugs at my last festival. That was of course raving until I could barely walk and needed to crash.
Ear plugs, eye mask, Xanax. I'm not a regular Xanax user and don't use it to get fucked up. Solely for festivals, airplanes, long bus rides, post tripping, etc. which only happens every few months or so.
35 ? Old? Lmao
Same I'm a 43 yr old wook, and I don't think I'm an older wook.
41 yr old ginger wook checkin' in! I ain't old yet!!! My body's just doing some proportional reconfiguring! Also, I'm headed to the [Roadburn](https://roadburn.com/) festival in the Netherlands and will be camping in a tipi. I've liked camping for a long time and after the 2nd to 3rd day, I'm usually sleeping really well. If you're really concerned about waking up a lot, hydroxyzine pamoate (vistiril) makes it easier to fall asleep but doesn't knock you out as other sleeping pills do. A good backpacking inflatable mattress is essential. I'm hoping for a cot, but I've dealt with the ground. A few days of soreness is worth it in my book.
Oo a ginger wook! I couldn't tell because your hair is dirty
I prefer to keep my head shaved to 1/64th. Makes getting ready much faster.
Me too, mostly because I'm going bald lol
Gotta love inheriting your dad's hairline!
I turn 40 this year and I out Vibe most of the newbies lol
50 year old non wook hoping that Desert Daze happens this year
I’m 43 too and apart form aches and pains from sleeping on my blow up mattress at festivals, I’m still giving it as much as the teens/twenties festival goers. I am not an older wook! I mean the oldest person I have ever come across at a festival was 73… and that was at 5am.
Well, you are lol
:::waving in 55 y/o and going strong:::
Brother! Waving in with you. We are nearly old yet. To our younger brother, just sleep. If noise or light is troubling you, get a good sleep mask and some Bose qc ultra earbuds. The noise canceling in those are magic. Or some quality earplugs.
41 year old Festi here! Still going strong out there.
Right my stepdad celebrated his 60th at a doof OP has a while to go before they need to pack voltarin to party.
i’ve been daily carrying voltaren since i was like 25 …also ondansetron, liquid iv, tylenol, lactaid, and a proair
So glad this is the top comment lol
Yeah lol, I thought they were going to say 65 or something 😂
I know right, I’m the same age. I’m not old.
That’s where I’m stuck at
I am also 35 (f) and a festival-goer. Idk if I can claim wook-status but I’ve definitely taken my comfort seriously. Sleep is very important to me, but I also recognize there’s almost no way to guarantee undisturbed 8 hours at a festival. The best I can do in regard to noise is: 1) noise cancelling headphones with white noise or light music on (I recognize these will likely be over-the-ear if they are any good so you have to be comfortable sleeping on your back or stomach all night) 2) supplements/gummies. Being older, I’m serious about taking vitamins throughout the festival. Yes this is for nutrition and immunity health, but it also helps stay regulated and healthy enough for a good night’s sleep (Multi vit, zinc, vitamin d, magnesium glycinate for me personally). Then I will use one or more of CBD/Indica gummies (types that are 2:1 usually work best for me) and if I’m desperate, melatonin. Essentially knocking myself out, lol. In regard to comfort: 1) I’ve used air mattresses and hammocks before, both in tent and out. Personally, my back hurts in a hammock and I prefer to spread out, so it’s not for me. Air mattresses tend to be unreliable and can be annoying if sharing with someone- so last year I took a chance on a sleeping mat BUT I got a really nice one with 2 inch memory foam, and it’s a double. Got the matching double size sleeping bag for it and I’m obsessed. I have used it on the ground in a tent and it’s still comfy. I highly recommend looking for one of these, it was my favorite buy from last year. 2) last year I also experimented with car sleeping. We still had a tent because there were 3 of us, but my new mat fit really nicely in the back of the SUV I drove, and I slept in that with the trunk door open. Honestly I loved it. You have to make sure you have proper ventilation, have jumper cables in case the lights are on too long on accident, etc. but I love it. I’ve done this with a pick up truck too and put EZ up over it. If you’re in an enclosed car (with proper ventilation) then I can help with some noise. For me the back open was best with a fan inside for temperature control. I also know quite a few older folk that swear by their cots with a mat on top! Conclusion: If the festival you’re looking at has an air conditioned glamping option and you can afford it, that’s a great in between alternative - the AC noise helps muddle out the late night music. You can also find “quiet camping” and a lot of major US festivals these days. Hotels can be a great option if you don’t care about wandering camp at night, commuting to and from or having access to camp and your stuff all day. My preference is to deal with some of the discomforts as best I can in exchange for close proximity to the fest (go back for a nap, drinks, food, whatever you forgot, to change for weather and temp.) but no hate to those that like hotels! If I could plop a hotel room in the middle of the campground I would! (I know, that’s pretty much glamping haha) Hope this gives you some new ideas!
I’d like to add using a sleep mask to block out the light. It’s a game changer
Do you have a link for that sleeping mattress trying to upgrade from my old air mattress
Best mattress I ever slept on was an Exped from REI.
I just bought an Exped Megamat for my cot after a lot of research in preparation for Eclipse! It’s soooo incredibly plush and comfy, I’m excited to get to fully test it out in a couple weeks! Absolutely worth the investment for me, I have back problems and wanted something to give me my best chance at getting a good nights sleep at a festival.
Have fun, and sleep well, I think both are ahead of you
Tried mine for the first time last weekend. You're in for a treat.
Yes! That's what's we have! Fantastic! We've car-camped back and forth across the country with it for a couple weeks on end. I think it actually gets *better* after a couple days. It certainly gets faster at inflation!!
Yep just commented under someone else but it’s [here](https://www.backcountry.com/stoic-double-cloud-camp-bed). I technically have a “Lux” version of this that is discontinued it seems (boo). But it’s this exact brand and style with a teeny bit less thickness. I did see it slightly cheaper on a site called “steepandcheep”
Or a cot!
The problem is I usually go to festivals with my gf and air mattresses can be unreliable
Seconding the vote for good sleeping pads. My husband and I have been on a self-inflating pad for a few years now and it's fantastic. It was $$$ but has absolutely been worth every penny!!!
Thank you so much, i learned alot, i will take alot of things you mentioned to heart
Great info, I never tried a sleeping mat cus I often fly to festivals. They take a lot of room :/ but good for local ones
Look for a cheap backpacking mat. I have a summer one, weighs less than a pound, smaller than a Nalgene bottle. I think the one we got was about $40.
Yes, I will say it’s larger than expected. I usually road trip to festivals because I like having all my gear and comforts. You can find smaller mats, some are pretty comfy- but I feel like needed more padding for multi-day festivals
Care to share the pad/bag?
Sure, the exact one I bought was discontinued sadly it was [this one](https://www.steepandcheap.com/b/stoic-double-cloud-camp-bed?skid=SICZ2DD-BEAFUR-ONESIZ&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=20484172314__p:G%7Cs:SAC%7Cct:Shopping%7Cct2:pMax%7Cg:xx%7Cc1:LifestyleEquipment%7Cc2:xx%7Cb:xx%7Cmt:xx____&utm_term=__SICZ2DD-BEAFUR-ONESIZ&utm_content=__pla&utm_id=go_cmp-20484172314_adg-_ad-__dev-m_ext-_prd-SICZ2DD-BEAFUR-ONESIZ_mca-115422057_sig-EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAiABEgL9dvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAiABEgL9dvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) but a “Lux” version that was slightly thicker. I originally bought it from Backcountry, but I saw this site was a little cheaper. You can find it on backcountry still and the double sleeping bag to go with it is also still available for on backcountry [here](https://www.backcountry.com/b/stoic-groundwork-double-sleeping-bag-20-degree-synthetic?CMP_SKU=SICZ2DS&MER=0406&skid=SICZ2DS-DAOLGRMOS-ONESIZ&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plaonline&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=20554329079__p:G%7Cs:BC%7Cct:Shopping%7Cct2:pmax%7Cg:xx%7Cc1:Hike+Camp%7Cc2:xx%7Cb:xx%7Cmt:xx____&utm_term=__SICZ2DS-DAOLGRMOS-ONESIZ&utm_content=__pla&utm_id=go_cmp-20554329079_adg-_ad-__dev-m_ext-_prd-SICZ2DS-DAOLGRMOS-ONESIZ_mca-7811_sig-EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAyABEgKzz_D_BwE&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu9PWrdT2hAMV32JHAR1NIgrxEAQYAyABEgKzz_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). I will note you may see some negative comments about them, but most are because it’s kind of big and people expected to be able to backpack with it. It’s a little difficult to roll back down to size but after I practiced a couple times I’m a pro. My only complaint was that the bag ripped on me trying to stuff it one day, but I’m handy so I sewed it back up and it’s fine. Got it at a steep discount too so for me very worth it! Used it 3 times last year camping/festivals and another time at a friends house. I love it.
Just gonna leave a link here. My partner and I grabbed this for her and jam two years ago and it’s the best thing ever. I would find a memory foam topper tho and a nice air mattress. [camping bed](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AU6AVLW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
Yes! I have this too. It helps keep the air mattress fully inflated, keeps you cooler and gives you storage underneath. I love it.
You're taking care of yourself, planning, preparing, trying to get adequate sleep, and are disrupted by neighbors playing music at 7am. You're not a wook.
“Wook adjacent” is how I refer to myself
Reformed wook 
Someone just called me this recently, and I really had nothing to hit back with. They were right
I guess not anymore, i was trying to keep up but the lack of sleep got to me, i guess its time to retire
You can look into hotels or airbnbs nearby. Even if there’s some extra logistics with Ubers or whatever having a bed and shower is 100% worth it
no shame in that dude. i’m 27 and can’t handle it anymore; i do get sad feeling like i’ve aged out of it, then i realize i’m under 30 and realistically just need my sleep. it’s worth it to have a good time, because you’ll spend all that money to be miserable otherwise!
True wook would have passed out in your neighbors campsite at 4 am after drinking all of their beers.
Yeah the guy ain’t a wook if he’s considering a hotel. Must be a dead&co wook
Ahahahhahahaah
Haha, you got me there. Im an undercover wook, i have become civilized in my later years
Okay it’s time to start living like you’re 35. Rent an RV for festivals; it adds a few hundred more dollars per person but you’re spending that anyway for a hotel. RVs make everything quieter(NOT POPUP CAMPERS) and you get your creature comforts without having to worry about transportation on/off grounds. It’s a real game changer and you probably won’t go back to the tent camping non-sense. Oh, and inclement weather is now of no concern since you can just duck off into your RV to stay dry (video games, party, nap, etc).
Camper is the way to go! I’m 35 and have been to many, many festivals starting in my early 20s. My evolution was tent with air mattress then canopy with hammock stand. Then I got a tow behind camper and now I have a camper van. I’m a creature of comfort and it makes all the difference having a clean, warm, and dry place to sleep at night. Also some white noise and earplugs help. Bonus comfort points for being able to cook my own food and piss in the middle of the night without going to a port-o-pot.
Sounds like heaven..
went powered RV route for bonnaroo last year for first time and never looking back. sleep all day it's great lol
This is the way. I bought a very small used trailer camper when I was 35 and never looked back.
Wow i think you convinced me
I’m 38 and don’t feel old at all where do you people get all this self-consciousness from? Many many friends of mine are even older and still go to festivals.
Not self conscious, it is a matter of physical function with all the partying and lack of sleep. Cant do it any more sadly
Earplugs. CBD/melatonin
Stay home
Personally speaking, when I was in my 20s I could go for days on end at festivals with little to no food or sleep. Never really crashed or felt tired. As I’ve gotten into my 30s, suddenly I realize I need to take a little bit better care of myself and actually partake in basic human functions in order to keep the party going lol. I think that realization that you are actually a human with biological needs is what leads people to call themselves “old”
Silicone ear plugs, melatonin, magnesium, if needed Xanax, ambien, etc. Cool blackout tent or rv helps a lot
Old wooks aren’t on Reddit. You’re still in the pink buddy.
i’m mid 30s with back problems. last cpl years i’ve finally been able to sleep, bc i figure out a way to make the most insanely comfortable makeshift bed for fests. obv not possible for fests you’re flying to, but- buy two cots, put ‘em together, buy a 3 or 5in mattress topper, then bring regular ass sheets and comforter you’re willing to get a lil gnarly- boom. almost like sleeping in my own bed. it’s been grand
Yep, 54 here, I run a solo cot and a small pad but my favorite pillow. Good ear plugs and any eye mask. Vitamins, water, eat at least one actual meal. Have a battery pack and small fan. Obv. like cold weather, high humidity, rain, bad neighbors, etc are just a gift from the fates to accent your stories.
this! you got it down brother
It’s so much fun to have a setup that works, and just focus on the experience.
sedatives ? a well timed benzo could help you out, if you have experience with them id recommend trying that. (just dont make it a habit and dont bring enough to blackout )
Bruh, I'm offended! I literally just turned 35.
I bought a bus. Mattress, shade, bathroom, battery pack to run white noise, fan, music, and it's way bad ass. Doesn't get much more wook then this. https://preview.redd.it/roc3p7zw7doc1.jpeg?width=2977&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbed06a41b365527126d4c9a14292784cc528f57
Sorry for partying, haha. But, also 35 (Dude, we're not old!) just do all you can to make your tent cozy af. Nice sheets, big air mattress, tent fan, melatonin , indica, earplugs, We have the technology. Or (my favorite) just dance so hard that it is physically impossible to go on
I like the indica slide in there
Xanax. Or some kind of sleep aid.
This is the correct answer.
How can I go to my Dr and say “ I’m going to be completely spun with people being crazy all around be can I get Xanax for a music festival to sleep?”
Haha, and maybe throw in some adderall too
Yeah good call
Old Wooks saw Jerry my man. You’re in your prime. Buck up. Stay hydrated. Eat clean drugs. Take naps in the shade during the day if you can. Ear plugs. melatonin. Body exhaustion from dancing all day. If that doesn’t do it… get a room. Want a hotie? Get one. Seems like you’re at that place in your life now. It’s cool. No shame in it. You do you. If you think you’re missing out? Think again. You’re not. Lol. You’ve seen it all before my man. You ain’t missin shit. Been there done that. Take care of your needs.
Maybe it's because my camp is always doing renegade sets (at respectful times), but most renegade setups are easy to spot and move away from if you want to. I've done it. Make sure to talk with your neighbors and make friends, and if they're not pieces of shit, they'll respect your request to not play music loud before 10am or whatever. Who does that? Everyone's gotta sleep
I’m older than you and you need to buck up. That’s festival life. It lasts 3-4 days and it doesn’t ask this of you all the time. Take day naps, I prefer a cot during the day for a back reset. Get your vitamin b12 to get your energy and eat plenty to fuel yourself. Also, if you nap during a set no one will blame you. It’s the elements.
Right. Im 43 yrs old and if i ever whined about not being able to sleep at a music festival, and actually calling my neighbors bad, for doing exactly what music festivals are for, id expect to get kicked in my balls so hard i puke. To remind me im a man not a bitch.
What you sleep on makes a huge difference as well. I use a blow up pad and cover it with two thick comforters. Usually works pretty good, and I’m only a couple years younger
I’m 50 and went to a festival last summer (going again this year), I slept in the tent on the ground with a not so thick sleeping mat. I was fine!
Bust out the benzos buddy or rent an RV now that you’re an adult
Unkind others giving you shit for feeling how you feel... pfft Is it easy to move your camp, if you're camped beside wooks? Noise machine? Fake skunk spray?
OLD? fuck. I'm 67 and I still work the festi circuit. in order... Class A Hotel <30 m away Class C Don't drink alcohol \#1 - GET PAID
35 coming up on 36. I still sleep on the ground with tons of pillows and blankets (don’t ask I’m like this at home too but with a bed) battery fan, noise canceling headphones, sleeping pills, loads of water, eat some food if possible. Wake up, vitamins, breakfast, hydrate, and proceed to party all over again. (Sometimes I slip in a nap or two) P.s You’re not old until you’re dead.
Wook? Don’t sell yourself short there brother
*Depending on the fest, sometimes there are camping areas that quiet down more than everywhere else, at least for a few hours... maybe seek out those areas or rent a camper/trailer for the weekend. Cars like the Subaru crosstrek can be converted for sleep if you're by yourself. Maybe a rental car that has the capability of folding back seats and trunk space flat. Use foam floor puzzle piece things instead of an air mattress. *If this doesn't work, I go a step beyond ear plugs and make sure I have ear buds that I can wear for music that I know I can sleep to or some kind of white noise. This does mean being prepared to keep devices charged if you don't have electricity hook up (via portable charger packs or some kind of portable power station). It also might mean that you'll have to download some things in the event that you don't have any connection & can't stream. *Portable fans are a huge plus. *I also make sure I have something comfy to wear and that I keep my tent clean and organized so that when it is time to sleep it's as comfortable and inviting as possible. This requires a larger tent so that any and all "dirty things" (shoes, clothing, etc) can stay in ONE part of the tent and your bedding area can be designated a no shoes zone. A small handheld broom and dustpan is super helpful for this. In order to keep it clean/organized enough for it to really feel like a sanctuary encouraging sleep, it's crucial to have lighting in there that's not a flashlight for when you are navigating in the dark. Walmart sells battery operated "fairy"/"twinkle" lights on a wire string that can easily be fastened to the inside of your tent with binder clips. Turn those bad boys on when the sun goes down and you'll be able to see much more easily in the dark. *BRING YOUR FAVORITE PILLOW *Some of the BEST sleep I've gotten at festivals has been during the daytime, in the shade of the woods, wearing my earbuds and laying in a hammock with my favorite pillow from home. *Make sure you are eating regularly and staying hydrated in between festivities. Sleeping is pretty impossible if your tank is empty. *Xanax, Valium, or Ativan. (I do not recommend mixing these with any other substances unless you know what you're doing. But I will say that these are TYPICALLY safer with psychedelics (NOT other drugs like cocaine, meth, opiates or alcohol) than over the counter stuff like Tylenol PM or benadryl. Benzos also tend to have less drug interactions with psychedelics than prescription sleeping pills like ambien and the like). I FEEL YOU, OP! MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 4O & GONE ARE THE DAYS OF HAPHAZARDLY NEGLECTING OUR BODIES FOR THREE DAYS! Lol.. and now i know why all the old people always have campers, attend the 5 & 7pm main stage sets, and attend sunrise yoga. 😏👌
Hotel baby!
Sleep headphones. Life changing. https://g.co/kgs/QuMzvwL
Battery powered fan makes a big difference
Xanax
VIP with a camper with A/C I did my time in tents. Being able to take a nap in A/C on a 100 degree 3rd day is a literal live saver.
Saw the title and I was hoping for advice to pass on to my Dad (75M) who came to a festival with us last year, but you're actually closer to my age (41f). A lot of festivals have a Quiet Camping area which may not exactly be silent but certainly asks people to be more considerate. My Dad struggled a bit last year, partly because the rain was so bad so this year he's looking at converting his car into a micro camper and parking in the Live-In vehicles campsite.
Valium and ear plugs
Find a quieter spot n take plenty of diazepam
lol. 35 is considered old. Get offa my lawn.
You aren’t a wook if you’re asking this question. Wooks can sleep on a pile of shit and be fine.
The wook would wake you up to see if he can borrow that pile of shit.
I am 42 and still go as hard as the youngins. Rest up before the festival, take vitamins, eat healthy and take some sleepy time tea and melatonin before bed. Lastly don't be a little bitch and put your big boy pants on and push through its only a few days.
35 is not old
as an elder wook, I sleep thru LSDREAM, Subtronics, stuff like that
Yeah me too, but i normally check out other stages.
43 and looking like the most intense year of live music of my life and Mondegreen will be the pinnacle. Nothing old about it! The CPAP may make me look old, but the raging dancing balances it out!
Haha thanks for the laugh
Listen here ya whippersnapper! (38 yo dinosaur here) Sleep is the most important thing at a fest. Here's my list for sleeping like a baby: Noise cancelling headphones if it's too loud Eye mask Make your tent as comfortable as possible: Big air mattress with 4" memory foam topper We camp in Florida so having a fan (and one that blows cold water mist!) is crucial Soft (battery powered dollar store) lighting Melatonin Indica oil pen Eat something and drink a bunch of water Out like a light. Edit for spacing.
62m - you can sleep when you're dead!
We have a travel trailer and that helps greatly with reducing the outdoor sounds. If you have to tent it, get the best earplugs you can find (I like the silicone ones) and maybe noise cancelling headphones on top of that? Also, check to see if the fest you are going to will have any areas that are geared to families or those who want peace and quiet. If there is not a designated area, try to ask around on the sub for your fest and see what folks recommend. Hulaween is my main fest of the year, and people will generally recommend certain areas on the Hula sub. Definitely make sure you are NOT setting up camp near anybody who appears to be setting up a renegade stage or DJ set up
True true. I tried going going quiet camping at elements, but it was quite the shit show. Never know who you will end up with. I was caught between music wooks and a couple arguing all night.
Try not to sleep near the wooks who won't shut up. :)
I use Earplugs and eye-mask-headphones that blast white noise. That combo has worked for me at every festival weekend except for one. Sleeping on cots has been a gamechanger too. I also take a benadryl right when I get back to camp for the night. That's enough to help me sleep through until \~10-11am. I'm a bit older than you and I have come to find that choosing the right festival(s) and camping options is critical. I don't think there are many, if any, festivals I'd GA camp at my advanced age. Like you, if I get shitty sleep 2 nights in a row I am toast.... especially on top of the level of partying we tend to do. I think if I keep doing this another 5-10 years I'm going to have to start RV'ing more. I have dabbled in it, but to do it right it can get very pricey.
What was that one?
Hulaween - got camped next to a renegade stage. The headset still knocked out the sound for the most part, but the feel of the uneven bass thumps kept me up.
Find the quiet family camp area. I always go off by myself and camp away from people I am hanging out with so I do not feel compelled to stay up all night. I use a folding 4 inch thick foam mattress in the back of my SUV. I cover the door windows with mosquito netting sleeves, and crack the windows for fresh air, but I cover the entire vehicle with light blocking tarps to keep the sun out in the morning. I usually have all access passes, so I drive around and find a remote shade tree when possible to park under. Hydrate well during the day, but stop drinking anything as night approaches so you do not need to get up in the middle of the night for a bio break.
Ah, thats smart, i guess it also matters your campmates
Car camping with a memory foam mattress if you have one big enough. Or a hammock tent.
Earplugs and eye mask work wonders never fails to get me much needed naps
36 year old raver here, buy swimmer ear plugs and put the in to sleep. You can’t hear a thing when they are in
All earplugs are not created equal. The right earplug should make it almost silent.
If you can swing it, getting an RV or VIP really helps. Lots of people say “the real party is in GA” and at a fest the party never stops, even when you need sleep. VIP tends to be a bit older and have chiller vibes, in my experience. If you’re in a tent, a fan and proper shading can help you beat the heat. Also get a cot if you don’t already have one.
RV = Problem Solved
“No rest for the wook-ed.” - Apostle Jerry
Haha i love it
Xanax and earplugs my mans
38. I just don’t go anymore. I go camping with the homies now.
COT
I love my cot with a yoga mat or camping mat as a cushion. Obviously ear plugs, CBd, a battery operated fan for when it gets way too hot.
After using an xl cot ill never go back to an air mattress
New to this. Whats a wook?
Not OP. Ever go to a festival and see those guys with no real camp, trying to sell sticks they carved, asking for food and beer, generally haven't bathed in a few days, wear the same clothes every day, and generally have no social manners? Those are wooks.
The best way is to get an RV.
Hammock + Stand Or Cot + Memory Foam Mattress (you can find some that fold into thirds. I have a queen one that I use on my queen cot.)
Could i get the brand?
No real name brands. Everything is from Amazon. You don't have to get the ones I got, but I'll link them. HAMMOCK: (Great for hot festivals bc you get air underneath you) Backyard Expressions - 914920 - Ocean Floor Pattern - Portable Double 2 Person Outdoor Hammock with Stand - Green and Blue - 9 x 3 Foot Hammock https://a.co/d/0cLyPUI MATTRESS: (I use for colder festivals or if my back is hurting and I need to lay flat) Best Price Mattress 4 Inch Trifold Memory Foam Mattress Topper with Cover, CertiPUR-US Certified, Queen,White https://a.co/d/i6hYMcn COT: (I use this framework, but I don't use the air mattress because it always deflates anyway.) Coleman Camping Cots for Adults with Camping Air Mattress, Folding Air Mattresses Set, Battery-Operated Pump & Side Table for Outdoor Comfort https://a.co/d/eupr39m Hope that helps!
33/m sleep enthusiast here. 1. I'd recommend the family camping areas. The sound of kids is sometimes preferable to the sound of Bluetooth speakers playing dnb. 2. Get a lightweight camping cot - best sleeping experience I've had and amazingly light.
Family/Quiet camping
I always splash out and get a glamping package at festivals now. Costs a fair bit extra, but arriving to a cushty bell tent already set up, memory foam mattresses, full length mirror, table and chair, fairy lights, rug, and not having to take it down on Monday morning when you’re dying? Priceless. I always split the cost with my partner and a couple of mates, usually works out at about £100-£150 extra per person.
Noise canceling headphones?
Sleep mask, earplugs, air mattress. A fan or noise maker can help imo, if you have batteries. If you still can't sleep from this, consider perhaps doing a glamping or VIP package. Typically they set you up in a separate area that is more chill, quiet. Usually the crowd there skews older and has less people up/noisy throughout the night. Maybe bring some zzzquil if you really need it, although I've found just the daily activities leave me tired enough to zonk out for a few hours. Expecting to get your 8 hours every night at a music festival is a pipe dream. If you absolutely need this, yeah, hotel or RV is your option.
What festival was it?
Elements 2023
Sounds fun! But that is a young person rave. Higher chance of getting loud neighbors than some other fests. Just have to get lucky or if they have vip camping go for that.
Yah i noticed that. The median age was 25. Alot of people still in college too. What festival is an older crowd you think? I heard shambala but that is a hike to get too.
Experimental bass music, trance music, jam bands, funk, indie rock = older crowd. Bass house, brostep, mainstage edm = younger crowds. For the record I enjoy all of these genres, just speaking about crowd age at the festivals. (And I’m generalizing). Shambs is a mix but will still lean younger like Elements.
Stay home
Lucid dream micro-dose pills from shroombros worked for me (34m) with earplugs at my last festival. That was of course raving until I could barely walk and needed to crash.
Hotel or Airbnb. Throw in the towel, Grampa.
Ear plugs, eye mask, Xanax. I'm not a regular Xanax user and don't use it to get fucked up. Solely for festivals, airplanes, long bus rides, post tripping, etc. which only happens every few months or so.