- generationplurr
- Sep 5, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 10, 2025
The age old question - "What shoes do I wear at Lost Lands?"
This question has been asked & answered so many times, on so many different groups and social media platforms. Everyone has their own suggestions & opinions!
Of course, shoewear changes depending on what festival you are attending, so this Ultimate FAQ & Guide to Shoewear is specifically focused on Lost Lands Music Festival.
So I'm going to give you MY PERSONAL OPINION based on:
The last 3 years of attending Lost Lands
Camping in GA Car Camping
GA 1st & 2nd Year + VIP 3rd Year
Attending dozens of festivals for over 15 years
As a 34 year old Millennial woman
Someone who is chronically ill
When we were able to have the bean couches vs now we cannot
A person with weak ankles, haha!
I'll be attending Lost Lands again this year for our 4th year!
I have my own stories and experience from the past 3 years - with both fails & wins in the shoe department specifically - that I'd love to share with as many people as possible. So they do not make the same mistakes as I have & can set themselves up for the best festival experience ever!
Whether you're a newbie, or been a few times - maybe you'll find some good info. Either by me OR hopefully in the comment section!
SO LET'S GET INTO IT! :)
ULTIMATE SHOE FAQ
Q: What kinds of shoes to pack for Lost Lands?
A: A few different types! For different types of weather & also different functions:
*Bonus points for arch support & ankle support!
1-2 Pairs of Sneakers: for driving, chilling & walking around camp, walking back from the showers AND another pair specifically for the festival (if you are not wearing boots) that have a thicker sole
Sandals or Slides: for showering & chilling around camp - like Crocs or similar
Waterproof shoes/boots - like Columbia hiking boots and/or even rain boots for emergency
and/or waterproof shoe/boot covers
Platform Boots or what some of us call "stompers" ;) - preferably FOAM & lightweight - for photos & beginning of the day. not your main shoe, maybe even for photos only (optional)
Slippers for camp/inside the tent only (optional)
Q: What kinds of shoes are NOT RECOMMENDED for Lost Lands?
A: To each their own, but these are my opinions based on my personal experiences
Anything very stiff, without any give - like Doc Martens, Timberlands or even Converse. 10k-20k steps every single day can be A LOT for these type of shoes, especially if they are not extremely broken in.
Anything with a THIN sole - the rocky terrain will tear up your shoes quicker than you think! IYKYK & more on that in a personal story later in this post.
Anything open toed (especially for INSIDE the festival) - 40,000 people + the porta potties = well, you get the reasoning I hope
Bare feet (except at your personal camp, but please be cautious as we are in fields or the woods. Definitely not in the showers either...
HEELS!! Please, for the love of all of us, do not wear heels! This is not a festival like EDC where it's all concrete & flat or a traditional stadium metal flooring/stairs. It is NOT safe, nor is it comfortable! True talk, I would hate to see you in the med tent with a broken ankle.
Anything WHITE or super light in color - the Valley is very dusty & dirty sometimes. Especially in the Forest! Don't forget the porta-potties...
Anything expensive, delicate and/or heavy - like real Demonia or ClubExx brand shoes
I've personally seen multiple different people BREAK THEIR SHOES on day 1 or 2. Literally the bottoms break off because the terrain is so rocky and uneven sometimes, and you take so many steps not only INSIDE the festival, but back & forth to camp and the marketplace as well.
I've also seen girls CARRY THESE & wear for photos or content only, then keep inside a locker all weekend. Just an idea!
Q: How do I make my festival shoes or boots more comfortable?
A: There are a few tricks! Here are my top 3:
Replace the standard insert that comes with your shoe, with a Dr. Scholl's style insert, that has different types of support & can be custom cut to your shoe size. I prefer the Work Gel ones, but there are lots of different types to suit your exact situation and needs.
Wear DOUBLE or TRIPLE socks! Yes, you read that right. Not only for warmth, but to add a little more cushion on all edges of your foot. Especially so it doesn't slide around at all, most likely causing blisters. Ouch!
For me, because I have POTs, I wear my compression socks that are calf length + at least another pair of regular socks. Under the fishnets - as to not cause the diamond impression on my legs.
Use foot numbing spray. Old dancers trick. Before you put your socks on. But be cautious with this method, as it can cause irritation for sensitive skin folx.
Q: Should you invest in a supportive insert?
A: Absolutely 100% YES! A total GAME CHANGER, especially if you need a little better and more customized arch support, that may not come with every shoe. I usually buy Dr. Scholl's brand, but whatever works best for you!
Q: What different types of shoes have I personally tried, tested & approve or disapprove of?
A: I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED! ;) So I made a little side by side comparison, to go along with my experiences, both good and bad.
2022 (1st LL)
GA
Shoes I packed:
Combat boots, sneakers, flip flops
vs.
Shoes I forgot:
anything 100% waterproof & sole inserts
vs.
Shoes that BROKE:
the combat boots 1 day into the Thursday pre-party & the sneakers I was forced to wear all weekend that eventually fell apart
2023 (2nd LL)
GA
Shoes I packed:
2 Pairs of Platform boots, sneakers, slides + sole inserts
vs.
Shoes I forgot:
something 100% waterproof
vs.
Shoes that BROKE:
my fiance's flip flops
2024 (3rd LL)
VIP
Shoes I packed:
3 Pairs of Platform boots, sneakers, slides + sole inserts for both boots
vs.
Shoes I forgot:
extra pair of sneakers because of the dust
vs.
Shoes that BROKE:
none this year! :)
STORY TIME: SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMBAT BOOTS MY 1ST LOST LANDS IN 2022?!
& why I do not recommend them, or at least caution them with this story.
I was totally unprepared! For what? For basically almost everything, honestly! AND we still had such an amazing time!
Mostly I was unprepared for 2 main causes of my boots to break:
the extremely rough terrain from camp to the marketplace, it is a mix of smaller and huge rocks
the distance we trekked from Camp Carnotaurus, to the marketplace and back, then the same trip again later in the day to get merch, then back again + across to the festival for the b2b2b2b Thursday set, and back again!
Somehow a combination of those 2 main things + all of the dancing... in those basic b***h combat boots for like $35, with the thin sole... was a recipe for DISASTER!
Literally tore a rip, maybe with a bigger rock, and then that quickly turned into a hole at the bottom of my boots! I didn't even realize until the WALK BACK TO CAMP and I stepped in something, not so dry. Potentially even in the porta potties near camp. Ew.... EW EW GROSS - NO THANK YOU & never again! Thank goodness I was wearing double or triple socks!
The sneakers I had with me, I think were Pumas & or something like that, that I was absolutely not planning to wear inside the festival. They eventually fell apart by Sunday night.
TLDR: The terrain is rough af - Bring better shoes that can handle that + all the walking/dancing. Bonus points if they're waterproof. Don't forget shower slides/sandals/flip flops.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES & Recommendations: WHAT PLATFORM BOOTS DID I WEAR IN 2023 & 2024 at lost lands?
& why I'm not wearing them for my 4th year, Lost Lands 2025
I won't keep the suspense... the only reason I'm not wearing them this year is because I tore my ATL several weeks ago, and I'm a very slow healer! I cannot believe it happened, but it is what it is & I am blessed enough to be able to order different shoes.
In 2023, I wore 2 different styles of lower cut, foam platform boots from Amazon. These are affordable knockoffs, between $35-65, that mimic the Club Exx, Demonia, and YRU platform boots & shoes found on the festival and rave websites. One of the pairs I wore in 2023 is no longer available, but the other one is + the calf high ones as well! :)
They both have a very thick & lightweight FOAM SOLE BOTTOM.
Which is perfect for navigating the rocky walk back & forth to camp AND standing in one place or small space while in the crowd.
There are very little differences between the 2 I wore in 2023 vs the other 1 with higher cut up the calf that I wore in 2024.
I customized all 3 pairs of these shoes with holographic vinyl & rhinestones to coordinate with my costumes.
DIY tutorial coming soon!
Yes, I wore an insole from Dr. Scholl's in each pair of boots as well. ;)
AND at least 2 pairs of socks. No, I'm not joking. :D
(another reason I recommend packing at least double the amount of socks that you'd think, especially if you change them at least 2x a day)
SO WHAT ABOUT THIS YEAR: WHAT BOOTS ARE YOU WEARING FOR LOST LANDS 2025?
& a special thanks to the 8 year LL veteran who recommended them!
I will be wearing these Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boots! Bonus, I found the all black on black ones for almost 1/2 off on Amazon a couple of weeks ago when I ordered them.
A wonderful gal by the nickname Momma T recommended these Columbia Hiking Boots to me... & to everyone else in our all girls Lost Lands group on Facebook!
Not only has she been attending every single year, but she has been raving for several years prior to that! She proves that age is only a number, as long as you take care of yourself and think smart during these longer festivals. Especially if you are camping.
I tore my ATL several weeks ago now, but even with 2x a week PT + daily PT on my own, I am a very slow healer. I would rather be safe than sorry! So I took Momma T's advice and ordered these Columbia hiking boots she recommended. For ultimate ankle support & arch support as well.
I will add the Dr. Scholl's inserts again this year + wear double socks!
I've been breaking them in the past couple of weeks, but they really are almost "ready-t0-wear" straight out of the box.
These are going to be a total game changer for how safely & comfortably I can navigate Lost Lands with a healing ATL tear.
QUESTIONS FOR YOU, MY READERS:
Q: What are your favorite shoes to wear to Lost Lands and/or other festivals & why?
Q: Do you have any shoe horror stories to share with the group chat?
Q: Do you have any questions?
Thanks for taking the time to read! I truly hope this little ULTIMATE FAQ & GUIDE TO SHOEWEAR for Lost Lands 2025 was helpful!
I also have a routine for taking care of your feet every night & in the morning, too.
Sharing that soon!
Stay tuned for more Lost Lands posts!
I cannot wait to see you in the Valley.
Remember, b a b y s t e p s !
xoxo PLURR Aunt Kelsey
