FloydFest—a BRO Favorite—takes place July 22-26 in scenic Floyd, Va.—Photo by Roger Gupta
Don’t arrive at the festival grounds unprepared. Here’s a guide to the right gear for your upcoming sonic adventures.
Smith Optics Tioga
Smith turned 50 this year. To celebrate the venerable eyewear company is bringing back popular styles from yesteryear. Rep the vintage vibe with the Tioga, which features a classic outdoor style that’s been shading the eyes of dirtbags and extreme athletes for decades. In addition to a great look, you also get Smith’s expected clear-eyed polarized performance at a great price. $80; smithoptics.com
Mountain Hardwear
Lamina Z Spark
Play hard, and sleep very little. Such is life in tent city. When you’re done howling at the moon, get some quality slumber in the Mountain Hardwear Lamina Z Spark. It’s a tech-savvy bag that won’t break the bank, made with Hardwear’s refined synthetic insulation that mimics the loft and even distribution of down. With a lightweight design that features a wide, comfy mummy cut, this is a bag that will go well beyond fests and into the backcountry. $159-179 (size variation); mountainhardwear.com
Yeti Hopper 20
Known for making tough bear-proof coolers that hold a chill for days, Yeti is now branching into portability with the soft-sided Hopper line. The 20 is a great personal option, about the size of a briefcase to easily transport a 12-pack or essential perishable snacks. Burly enough to resist punctures in transit, the Hopper 20 will keep food and drinks cold all weekend, thanks to a thick inch of insulation. Anti-microbial liner on the inside prevents mildew and is also easy to wash. $299.99; yetcoolers.com
Chaco Z/Volv Sandals
During long days grooving in the Southern sun, feet need the open-air comfort and lightweight maneuverability of Chaco’s Z/Volv Sandals. This modified take on an old favorite features Chaco’s standard adjustability with a softer underfoot design that’s 20 percent lighter than the Classic Z. $100; chacos.com
Klean Kanteen Growler and Steel Pint Cups
Hit your local brewery on the way to the fest and fill Klean Kanteen’s Insulated Growler with your beer of choice. Your 64 ounces of craft tastiness will stay cold and fresh for 24 hours, thanks to a double-wall vacuum-sealed design, and you can feel good about cutting down the waste of bottles or cans.
Also, pour your brew into a 16-ounce Steel Pint Cup. Many regional festivals, including FloydFest and the Festy Experience, are including one of these reusable, stainless steel cups with the price of admission—a noble effort to reduce the sizeable footprint of multi-day events. Growler $49.95 and cups $9.95; kleankanteen.com
Alite Designs Meadow Mat
Grab some space for your crew with this affordable outdoor blanket. It’s waterproof and washable, so you don’t have to worry about wet ground or beer spills. When it’s time to head back to camp, it also rolls up tightly for easy transport. $39; alitedesigns.com
