[Women's shoes for summer festivals] Don't give up on style and comfort! Tips for choosing shoes that you won't regret at festivals

Summer festivals are events where you can enjoy not only the music but also the fashion to the fullest.

People tend to focus on tops and accessories, but in fact, your feet are an important factor in determining how comfortable you are at a festival. You'll be standing and walking for hours outdoors under the scorching sun. Even a small mistake in choosing your shoes can have a big impact on your mood for the day.

I once wore new sneakers to a festival, but they got steamier than I expected, and by the time I got home my feet were exhausted... Since then, I've become much more careful when choosing shoes for festivals.

Especially when it comes to women's shoes, there are many designs that prioritize fashion, but I feel that it is surprisingly difficult to find a pair that also satisfies factors such as comfort, durability, and waterproofness.

This time, from the perspective of festival and fashion lovers, we will be sharing how to choose women's shoes for summer festivals that are both stylish and functional, with a sustainable perspective as well.

What are the footing conditions like at festivals?

Summer festivals put more strain on your feet than you might think.
If you stand for hours in a place with little shade and have to go back and forth through a crowd of people, the soles of your feet will start to feel tingly.

Furthermore, sudden rain can worsen the conditions under your feet.
Even though it was sunny, it started pouring in the evening... I've had that experience many times. My favorite sneakers got covered in mud, and it was a struggle to clean them afterwards.

That's why it's important to strike a balance between comfort, waterproofness, breathability, and style at a festival.

[My experience] A story of my big failure because I only cared about fashion

I once attended a festival wearing a pair of high-cut leather sneakers that I had fallen in love with at first sight.

The color and silhouette were ideal, and I thought, "If I wear these, I'll look great in photos." At first, I was excited when I went out, but as time went on, I began to regret my choice.

First of all, there is almost no cushioning, and the soles of my feet start to feel tingly within a few hours.
Even when I tried to take a break, the ground was hard and the pain didn't go away, so I spent the second half of the journey enduring it.

Moreover, the shoes had poor breathability, and before I knew it, the inside of my shoes had become quite sweaty and stuffy. When I got home and took them off, I honestly never wanted to experience that stuffy feeling again.

After this experience, I realized that "stylish = right" is not always the right answer. I realized that both "appearance" and "functionality" are important, especially at events where you spend a long time outdoors, like summer festivals.

5 points to consider when choosing shoes for summer festivals

Here I've summarized five truly important things that I've learned from attending many festivals.

1. Cushioned insoles

Standing for long periods of time can cause damage to the soles of your feet. Wearing shoes with sturdy insoles or adding your own insoles can make a big difference.

2. Breathable material

The key to comfort is materials that don't get stuffy under the scorching heat of summer. Mesh and canvas materials look lightweight too.

3. Waterproof/water-repellent finish

If you want to prepare for sudden weather changes, waterproofing is a must. Just getting wet with rain can instantly bring your mood down.

4. Easy to put on and take off

Whether you want to sit on the grass, get into a tent, or just relax your feet, slip-ons or sandals with straps that are easy to put on and take off are convenient.

5. Compatibility with styling

It's also important to have a sense of balance so that your shoes don't look out of place when you look at your whole outfit. You want to enjoy your outfit in style at a festival, after all.

These shoes are just right

To be honest, festival shoes can't be satisfied with just being "stylish" or "functional". I've failed many times, so I feel a great sense of relief when I find a pair of shoes that just feel right.

For example, the thick cushioned sole is really useful for standing for long periods of time. Furthermore, the straps that hold your ankles provide stability and are perfect for festivals where you move around a lot.

Appearance is also important. Simple colored sports sandals or water-repellent sneakers with designs that you can wear around town are easier to use.

• Thick sole prevents feet from getting tired
• Water-repellent finish that can withstand light rain
• Natural colors that don't clash with any outfit

In my case, beige sandals are a big hit. They go well with any outfit, and I can wear them when traveling or walking around town after the festival.

The balance with the whole outfit is also important

At festivals, people tend to dress functionally. But that alone can make you feel like it's a bit boring. When I first started going to festivals, I had a few times where the balance between my shoes and clothes didn't match, and it just didn't feel right.

That's when I started to pay attention to the idea of ​​"thinking about outfits with shoes as the focal point." By using shoes as the base to coordinate the overall style, it's easier to create a stylish look that's natural.

for example…

• Black water-repellent sneakers + cargo pants + logo T-shirt
• Sports sandals + long dress + cap

The trick is to create a whole body look that matches the style of your feet.
As a result, I was able to create a style that was easy to move in and looked put together. When I look back at the photos from the festival, I think to myself, "I'm glad I thought about it carefully."

Summary | Find a pair of shoes that are both stylish and comfortable

Summer festivals are not just about listening to music, but also about moving around from location to location, eating food, chatting with friends, taking photos...it's basically a "day of constant movement."

That's why a single pair of shoes can make a big difference in how comfortable you are throughout the day.
It's surprisingly difficult to find a pair of shoes that you think, "I'll wear these again" every time you go to a festival. But just having a pair like that makes a huge difference in how relaxed you feel.

Whether you only focus on functionality, thinking "I'm going to sweat and get dirty anyway...", or you only focus on appearance, thinking "I want to lift my spirits with some eye-catching shoes!", the results may be a bit disappointing.

Be sure to find a pair that feels just right for you and enjoy this summer's festivals to the fullest.