Just how deep does the mud get?!

[Aliandsas]

Ok, I am trying to judge the potential mudiness so that I can choose between wearing my expensive, comfortable, fairly new salomon walking boots, or my cheap, uncomfortable, millets wellies. There appears to have been quite a lot of rain over the run up to the festival, and quite a bit of mud is visible on some of the site photos, but the forecast is mainly dry for the festival itself. I would be much more comfortable in my walking boots but don't want to wreck them by getting them completley caked - so how deep are we expecting the mud and is the worst of it avoidable?

[rubenz]

Ok, I am trying to judge the potential mudiness so that I can choose between wearing my expensive, comfortable, fairly new salomon walking boots, or my cheap, uncomfortable, millets wellies. There appears to have been quite a lot of rain over the run up to the festival, and quite a bit of mud is visible on some of the site photos, but the forecast is mainly dry for the festival itself. I would be much more comfortable in my walking boots but don't want to wreck them by getting them completley caked - so how deep are we expecting the mud and is the worst of it avoidable?

[jmarmer]

I've been on site the last couple of days and the mud is pretty bad in places, bad enough to warrant wellies. There is more rain forecast tomorrow, then drying up during the week. The site does dry out quickly so by Sat/Sun wellies may well be unnecessary. So I would go for both, leave either/or in a lockup if you want.

[nexuss]

Even if the boots get caked in mud, they're not going to get wrecked, they're walking boots, that's what they're for.

If they do get muddy, when you get home just leave the mud to dry, get most of it off then wash them under the tap and give them a scrub. After you've done that don't forget to proof them with some footwear proofer.

[purplebridget]

I wear my walking boots every year and they have been caked in mud but are still good to use

[Aliandsas]

Thanks everyone! Good to have some insider info too.

[HurrahBrother]

There are places where it gets really mashed up with the sheer quantity of feet. Unavoidable ankle deep bits in 2005 (the great flood) and 2007 (constant drizzel with occasional spells of rain). It is looking a bit more 2008/2009, so the boots are worth a try.

It is a clay mud, very sticky, has been know to pull wellies off! (Pyramid near near the mandela bar being a place where I have seen that happen). But that was 2007 and one of the 3 main ways away from the pyramid stage.

Generally if you are not in a hurry, you can avoid the deep bits, but you can be caught unawares (especially getting out of the way of vehicles).

Keeping the mud off your boots is one good thing that gaiters are good for.

If you go for the wellies, get some sports insoles (they make a hell of a lot of difference).

[robin]

Have seen everything from nothing to 6ft deep. Varys greatly depending on where you are on the site and how many other people have been there before you.

[LostRiot]

Well in 2007 my mate stepped in a puddle and it went to the top of his wellies (a little bit of water even flowed in)....since then I've never even given walking boots a second look.

Some people swear by them, but wellies mean you can just walk wherever you want, even with gaiters you've got to be a bit careful.

I've got some awesome walking boots and I love them to bits, but at glasto, wellies win. Pro-tip take the innersoles out of the boots and put them in your wellies for extreme comfort.

[Teal]

To answer the initial question. I've found the actual squishy mud would go ankle depth or slightly higher in areas (well 05 anyway). Its the deeper puddles of water/mud that would go anywhere near 'top-of wellie' height. These deeper puddles can usually be avoided, esp if you are careful, walk slowly where there is a massive puddle & look at the person ahead of you to check how high the water is on them.

Hopefully wont be that deep though this year.

[Superscally]

Even if the boots get caked in mud, they're not going to get wrecked, they're walking boots, that's what they're for.

If they do get muddy, when you get home just leave the mud to dry, get most of it off then wash them under the tap and give them a scrub. After you've done that don't forget to proof them with some footwear proofer.

[robin]

This. If you have gaiters you CAN go through the deep stuff. I know I'd rather have closed gaiters in a knee deep puddle anyday that open wellies where the water will pour in through the top. If you already have boots and/or gaiters wear them (get gaiters if not). There literally is no argument for wellies apart from a cost one.

[tristanshout]

Have seen everything from nothing to 6ft deep. Varys greatly depending on where you are on the site and how many other people have been there before you.

[redrog]

I wear walking boots every year as they are far more comfortable than wellies in the wet and far more comfortable than trainers when the ground is hard. Sure, you might need to take a little more care about where you walk, but you will probably be walking 20 miles per day and I know what the priority is for me.

The only year I had a problem was 2007 on the Sunday and that was f**king awful weather, much worse than what is forecast this year.

*touches wood*

[Late]

Ah the old debate, decent boots or wellies...... I always go for decent boots, and if the mud (which hopefully there wont be any of) is very deep and mainly liquid i put on water proof socks.

I hate wellies, they are not for me.

The worst i have ever seen would have gone over the top of wellies, the more usual is just up to the bottom of laces of boots.

[airwaves]

Edited June 20, 2011 by airwaves

[Mildew]

If you're going to be uncomfortable in wellies, wear your boots with gaitors. You'll be walking a lot and you need to wear what's good for you. If you strap some gaitors on you won't have much a problem with the mud

[Penry]

Have worn walking boots every year since my first in '98 - and that was the only year i remember having to walk through any waterlogged areas, which were around knee deep ! - the drainage has vastly improved since then though. Have had to tiptoe for a few yerds on a few occasions since then, but never been underwater since.

[HurrahBrother]

[phil the shrew]

I find the mud tends to go through different stages

After a sudden down pour you get a thin layer of slippy mud, when boots with a good grip are definately best

Then if it keeps raining you sometimes get quite deep sloppy mud, which is churned up by peoples feet, and this can get quite deep so wellies become a good option

Then if/when it stops raining you go back to a thick gooey mud which isn't too deep but a bit difficult to walk through so boots best again.

I do occasionally watch bands at festivals too - but mainly study the physical qualities of mud

[Freewheelin]

I've been on site the last couple of days and the mud is pretty bad in places, bad enough to warrant wellies. There is more rain forecast tomorrow, then drying up during the week. The site does dry out quickly so by Sat/Sun wellies may well be unnecessary. So I would go for both, leave either/or in a lockup if you want.

[festnm]

I have shorter wellies - they're half way up calf... Now wondering if i should go buy some full knee length ones?

[HurrahBrother]

I have shorter wellies - they're half way up calf... Now wondering if i should go buy some full knee length ones?