With the festival season around the corner and tickets for the most popular gigs costing anywhere up to a jaw-dropping £200, we’ve pulled together a list of the top 10 affordable festival essentials to help revellers save money without comprising on the cool-factor.
Mattias Berg, managing director of PriceRunner.co.uk, said: “Make sure you’re prepared for your festival weekend, you don’t want to turn up and realise that you don’t have all the essentials. There are so many affordable products available that can make your weekend run smoothly so you can simply enjoy the music. My advice is to do your research first to ensure you get the best equipment at an affordable price - shop around, you never know how much you might save.”
PriceRunner.co.uk has found the most popular festival essentials under £100 for 2008 to ensure that you get the most bang for your buck.
2008 TOP 10 most popular festival essentials under £100, according to PriceRunner.co.uk
3 pack of torches including batteries - £14.92 including delivery from Tesco Direct
As any seasoned festival goer knows, a torch is an essential piece of equipment for those mid-night loo visits, not only does this set come with batteries but you get three of them, so your mates can have one too!
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/347/Garden-accessories?search=torches&other_hits=460%3Atorches%7C357%3Atorches%7C346%3Atorches%7C345%3Atorches%7Cx%3B%3B%3B&q=torches&ref=redirect
Fujifilm FinePix S5700 black digital camera - £99.99 including delivery from Amazon.co.uk
Relive the festival fun with a 7.1 megapixel camera weighing 30 grams with a large 2.5inch display screen. This hardy looking camera has a built in microphone and video-recorder function so you can capture your favourite bands on film too.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/29-889273/Digital-Cameras/Fujifilm-FinePix-S5700-Black-Compare-Prices
Freeloader portable solar charger – £24.99 including delivery from Amazon.co.uk
Ensure that you’re not left high and dry without battery charge on your mobile, MP3 player or digital camera with this clever little gadget. The Freeloader uses the suns energy to power your portable devices. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll be doing your bit for the environment too.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/199/Mobile-Phone-Accessories?search=solar+phone+charger&other_hits=460%3Asolar+phone+charger%7C42%7C10%7C461%3Asolar+phone+charger%7Cx%3B%3B%3B4&q=solar+phone+charger&ref=redirect
Vango Dart 200 2 man tent - £34.95 including delivery from Amazon.co.uk
Don’t waste valuable time with a canvas and pegs. This smart looking tent comes with an easy to use ‘pop-up’ pitching function, enabling you to get set up in minutes and be partying in no-time.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/detail/offer-listing/-/B0015FFJ2I/new
Snugpak Travelpak Xtreme extreme sleeping bag - £41.99 including delivery from packyourbags.com
This electric blue sleeping bag will not only keep you warm in the coldest and wettest of conditions, but it comes with a concealed pocket to allow you to tuck your valuables away whilst you sleep. It only weighs 1100g and folds into a small packed unit when travelling to your camp site.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/353/Sports-equipment?search=sleeping+bag&other_hits=72%3Asleeping+bag%7C350%3Asleeping+bag%7C357%3Asleeping+bag%7C361%3Asleeping+bag%7Cx%3B%3B%3B&q=sleeping+bag&ref=redirect
Logitech mm32 Portable Speaker White MP3 player portable docking station - £27.99 including delivery from Misco.co.uk
For around the clock tunes, these sleek portable speakers can be powered by batteries if they run out of charge. They also come with a 2 year guarantee and a handy travel case too.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/462/MP3-player-accessories?search=ipod+speakers&other_hits=287%3Aipod+speakers%7C72%3Aipod+speakers%7C242%3Aipod+speakers%7C210%3Aipod+speakers%7Cx%3B%3B%3B&q=ipod+speakers&ref=redirect
Portable gas BBQ - £72.94 including delivery from Amazon
Perfect for those early morning fry-ups, this sturdy looking portable gas BBQ is ideal for festivals. It has two handy shelves that slide away when not in use.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/335/BBQ?search=portable&other_hits=346%3Aportable+bbq%7C460%3Aportable+bbq%3B%3B%3B&q=portable+bbq&ref=redirect
Joe Browns Strawberry Wellies – £32.94 including delivery from Freemans
These sturdy wellies look good enough to eat with their appetising strawberry design, they come in other designs too and should certainly stop your feet from getting soggy, whatever the weather this year.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/337/Shoes?search=wellies&q=wellies&ref=sp
Family sized waterproof picnic blanket - £15.65 including delivery from Amazon
This chequered picnic blanket not only has a waterproof backing for picnicking in less than perfect weather, but is large enough for all of your friends. It also comes in a handy carrying bag. Dimensions 155 x 135cm
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/461/Kitchen-Accessories?search=picnic+blanket&other_hits=457%3Apicnic+blanket%7C357%3Apicnic+blanket%7C353%3Apicnic+blanket%7C72%3Apicnic+blanket%3B%3B%3B&q=picnic+blanket&ref=redirect
Sun Formula travel pack - £15.50 including delivery from Marks & Spencer
This handy sun tan lotion travel pack comes with 3 bottles of 75ml 5 star protection lotions. You get a 25 SPF, 15 SPF and an intense moisturising lotion with tan prolongator to ensure you keep your festival tan as long as you can.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/f/340/Health?search=sun+tan+lotion&other_hits=253%3Asun+tan+lotion%7C72%3Asun+tan+lotion%7C483%3Asun+tan+lotion%7C461%3Asun+tan+lotion%7Cx%3B%3B%3B&q=sun+tan+lotion&ref=redirect