21 Things You Should Never Go to a Fan Convention Without

By Brinton Parker
POPSUGAR Photography | Lisette Mejia
POPSUGAR Photography | Lisette Mejia
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Convention season never really ends, but Summer cons (like July's famous Comic-Con International in San Diego) are a whole different beast for fans. Warm weather combined with hordes of students on school vacations means that fan cons are crazier than ever during the Summer months, so if you're attending one, you need to be prepared. Not sure what to bring with you? Don't worry — I've been there. Coming up on my fifth Comic-Con (including three years as a cosplayer), I'm well-acquainted with the supplies it takes to say safe and sane during the chaos of a large con.

So before you start packing for your favorite fandom event, be sure to check this list: it'll save you money and probably a few blisters!

  1. Comfortable shoes: One of the uncomfortable realities of a con is that you'll be walking or standing all day long. Sure, you might pop a squat in a hallway while you wait in line for a panel or autograph, but overall you should be prepared with comfortable (read: broken in, with decent arch support) kicks.
  2. Light layers: In cities like San Diego, the mornings and evenings are cold but the days get hot. The convention centers tend to be highly air conditioned due to huge crowds, so bring a light jacket in case you get chilly.
  3. A water bottle: Holy crap, I cannot emphasize this enough! There are refreshment kiosks everywhere, but unless you want to spend $4 every time you get thirsty, bring a bottle to fill at the convention center's fountains. Trust me — you'll get thirsty when you're running a mile a minute for the entire weekend.
  4. Snacks and caffeine: On the same note as the water, you'll get hungry (and tired) frequently. Con days are like football minutes: they last forever and so much happens every second! Bring some granola bars and a canned espresso drink to keep your energy up.

  1. A camera WITH a strap: If you want to grab photos of the impressive cosplays, celebrities, and cool displays you'll see all over the con, bring a camera along — but don't forget a strap for easy carrying, or you'll regret your photography hobby faster than it takes Hall H to fill up. (For the newbies, that means fast!)
  2. Sunglasses: At some point or another, you're going to get stuck outside in a massive mob of con attendees. Help yourself hate life less by bringing sunglasses, so at least you're not blinded and can check out the cool merch purchases and cosplays around you.
  3. Airborne and hand sanitizer: The large crowds at conventions are part of the fun, but they also mean you're getting exposed to a whole bunch of grossness. Keep your immunities up and germs off with your own arsenal of protective goodies.
  4. A marker pen: Whether you're hoping to get a celebrity autograph or want the original artist to sign your comic book, it's always good to have a Sharpie around at cons.

  1. A sturdy backpack with lots of storage: One of the unfortunate/awesome realities of Comic-Con is that you accumulate a lot of stuff. From the seemingly endless merchandise booths to the freebies handed out on the street, you'll need a place to store it all (and your other supplies) without breaking your back. My current con bag is the Herschel Supply Co. Little America backpack ($100), which has laptop/charger storage, padded straps, and front pockets for easy access.
  2. Sunscreen: Just . . . trust me on this one.
  3. A portable phone charger: Between keeping yourself occupied during long lines, navigating the con map, and taking cool photos, your phone battery tanks pretty quickly at fan conventions! Bring along a portable charger to keep your phone alive and your spirits high — without having to battle other fans over a few scattered wall outlets.
  4. A general idea of your schedule: It's always prudent to take a long look at the convention schedule and prioritize which events you want to attend, where they're located, and how long the lines might be. However, be flexible — you probably won't have time for everything you want to see, so don't freak out if everything doesn't go according to plan!

  1. Geek-chic outfits: Comic-Con is the home of geek fashion; even if you're not cosplaying, you'll definitely want to incorporate some fandom into your outfits.
  2. A mobile internet hotspot: If you're one of the many attendees (like me) who will be writing, editing photos, and transcribing interviews during your time at the con, don't rely on the often-shoddy free WiFi set up around the con. Bring your own hotspot to save yourself the frustration of running back and forth between your hotel and the convention!
  3. A safety pin for your badge: It's always a good idea to secure your entry badge to your clothes with a safety pin, just in case your lanyard gets knocked around or somebody tries to swipe it. Plus, you can ensure that it's faced the right way so that con staff won't ask you to flip it around every time you enter or exit the convention floor!
  4. Deodorant: Con days are long and sometimes sweaty — do everyone (yourself included) a favor and freshen up in the bathroom every so often.

  1. A wristwatch: Fumbling around for your phone while you rush between events is a hassle, so just wear a watch. Plus, if you have a smartwatch, you'll see how much you walked over the course of the convention — last year, I averaged 12 miles per Comic-Con event day.
  2. A sewing kit: If you want to be every cosplayer's BFF, bring along a sewing kit for quick repairs. You would not believe the amount of rips and tears that come with the territory of wearing an intricate costume in a packed convention hall!
  3. A sanctioned meeting place with your group: Not everyone in your group is going to be as prepared as you, which means dead phone batteries. Always have a designated meeting spot in case you can't get in touch with one another!
  4. The event's own app: Most cons have their own app, which means you can access schedules, maps, friendly reminders, and the like all from your phone. This can be a lifesaver if you get lost!
  5. A sense of respect: OK, so this isn't an item to pack, but it's vital that you treat fellow con-goers — especially cosplayers, who are unfortunately touched or photographed without consent because of what they're wearing — with respect. Enjoy their costumes without grabbing or harassing them; it'll create a better con experience for all involved!