The 7 Best Shoes For Music Festivals

With spring entering its full bloom, music festival season is upon us once again. The next six-ish months will be filled with outdoor and indoor engagements, and each event will call for meticulous planning that’s sure to involve the discussion of style versus comfort — especially when it comes to footwear. After all, these festivals can run for a solid 12 hours, and when you’re on your feet all day, it only makes sense to wear a pair that suits your personal style while keeping you comfortable throughout. To help narrow down your choices, Hypebeast has selected seven pairs to add to your rotation, ranging from an updated take on classic leather boots to contemporary running sneakers.

Rick Owens x Dr. Martens 1918 Lace-Up Platform Boots

Owenscorp

Rick Owens reinvented yet another classic Dr. Martens silhouette for Fall/Winter 2022, creating an offering for those muddy, outdoor festivals. The pair’s most recent collaboration arrives in the form of the 1918 lace-up boots — an exaggerated pair crafted with soft, full-grain napa leather with a milled finish and grungy features such as oversized tongues, hefty side zips, a total of 18 eyelets and extra long pearl laces for repeated wrapping around the top. The boot stands on a two-inch rubber outsole and is finished off with the traditional Dr. Martens yellow welt stitching — delivering a balance of punk and high fashion for a hardcore show.

Price: $415 USD
Where to buy: Dr. Martens

Gramicci x Salomon Techsonic Leather Advanced

Hbx

For those who can’t decide between sandals or sneakers when attending summer engagements, Gramicci and Salomon’s latest joint effort is a prayer answered. The hybrid sandal-sneaker is both stylish and comfortable at the same time, with a breathable mesh upper accompanying its chunky midsole to provide comfort for long days, while the cut-out panels, hiking inspired lacing and Salomon and Gramicci co-branding on the tongue and insole elevate its fashionable status. To top it off, the silhouette is available in “Black” and “Safari,” providing options for picky festival-goers.

Price: $170 USD
Where to buy: HBX

Nicole McLaughlin x Vault by Vans Slip-On

Vans

Another classic with a twist, Nicole McLaughlin’s DIY DNA lands on her newest Vault by Vans collaboration. The footwear giant’s classic Slip-On silhouette transforms into green and white or black and brown iterations initially inspired by gardening aprons, a build that also serves dual purpose as the provider of r a more hands-free music festival experience. Usable pocket slots on the toe box allow for placement of small necessities, while pull straps on the heel offer easy wearing for those who prefer to uncage their feet.

Price: $105 USD
Where to buy: Vans

New Balance 2002R

Hbx

The New Balance 2002R’s ABZORB impact-absorbing cushioned midsole is ideal for attendees who prefer to roam the festival grounds or simply jump from stage to stage. This green and white model is crafted with a mesh base with stark white leather overlays, while hues of green are sprinkled on the sock lining and “N” panel logo. It also arrives with a detachable ripstop zip pocket, perfect for stealthy storage.

Price: $190 USD
Where to buy: HBX

Suicoke Wake

Hbx

Open-toed footwear may not be a favorite among festival-goers, but the Suicoke Wake could change your mind. The Japanese brand modernizes the once-outdated dad sandal with a wavy outsole and midsole design, saving any of the extravagant detailing and preferring a simple black offering with nylon-blended uppers, branded velcro straps and an EVA antibacterial footbed and sole. Match it with socks or wear it as is — the versatility makes the sandal a strong contender.

Price: $185 USD
Where to buy: HBX

UNDERCOVER x Clarks Wallabee

Hbx

Clarks Originals’ Wallabee boot has experienced a surge in popularity over the past few years, with Vandy The Pink and NEIGHBORHOOD delivering their renditions of the silhouette. This time around, UNDERCOVER highlights its famed motifs on the “Black” and “Beige” suede-crafted colorways of the Wallabee collaboration, with a lightning bolt embroidered on the left boot’s lateral towards the collar and heel, and the brand’s signature “CHAOS” and “BALANCE” insignias printed on the toebox. Custom, co-branded hangtags land on the laces as the shoe rests on the signature crepe sole.

Price: $300 USD
Where to buy: HBX

Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX

Salomon

Salomon’s widely-popular XT-6 silhouette is now offered with special GORE-TEX material, ready for those festival days with unfavorable weather and may require long walks. Offered in a total of five colorways ranging from hues of black to brown, the trail shoe is constructed with an innovative ePE membrane, EnergyCell midsole, Ortholite sockliner and a quicklace system, with reflective detailing added as a bonus. Salomon’s SensiFit technology provides elongated comfort while its outsole ensures maximum grip on uneven surfaces. Finally, the added GORE-TEX element promises dry feet, rain or shine.

Price: $200 USD
Where to buy: Salomon