Comic-Con is a magical place filled with passionate people. It is the place where dreams come true across panels, activations, and experiences. But if you show up completely unprepared, your day can turn into a nightmare of dead phones, dehydration, and pain.
If you’re heading to SDCC, here are a few Comic-Con essentials and nice-to-haves that help enhance the experience, and keep you from falling into a few common Con pitfalls.
The sun is the all-time champion of the world. You will not defeat the sun, it will wear you down, make you sweat, and burn you if you let it. These items are all on this list to help you fight the sun in every way you can. A UV blocking umbrella for when your sunscreen wears off (or to use in combination, ideally). This UV blocking umbrella saved my butt in France last summer. UV blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes when the sun hits the hot concrete, a mini fan (or neck fan) to help keep you cool, and an insulated reusable water bottle to keep you cool and hydrated throughout the day. A reusable water bottle is one of the most important Comic-Con essentials. Fill up your water bottle whenever you can, trust me on this one, you’ll want it!
My first year at SDCC I ended up with a downright heinous sunburn waiting in line for the Immortal Universe activation, and that was with sunscreen. Bring sunscreen or an umbrella, and remember to re-apply!
I cannot begin to fully express how badly I wanted one of these the past two SDCC’s I attended. I saw so many others with them in activation lines, jealous that they got to rest their feet and keep their backs from hurting as we waited in yet another long line. Save yourself the pain of those waits and bring a collapsible stool with you. Con weekend is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t burn yourself out when you don’t have to.
Snacks
Once again, those lines get LONG. I mean, hours long. The longest wait I’ve done is 6 hours for the Percy Jackson activation in 2025, and in 2024 I went 12 hours with only a muffin to ration as I waited for and then got into Hall H. Do not make my mistake, bring plenty of snacks to avoid paying for overpriced food in the convention center, or risk losing your place in line or your seat to go get food. Hell, pack a sandwich, a few sandwiches even.
We all use our phones a LOT during the day, from navigating the Gaslamp to endless photos and checking socials to make sure you’re not missing anything cool, our phones get a lot of use. Bring a portable charger to keep your phone juiced and ready to go all day. I highly recommend one that has the cords attached to it already, to remove the bulk of carrying extra cords with you. And make sure you’re following The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog on social! They routinely post about cool Con experiences and host a free scavenger hunt during Con weekend.
Health/Wellness
Health/wellness kit
Mini deodorant (or full size if it fits in your bag)
Please. PLEASE. Wear deoderent. There will be a LOT of people in close proximity to each other for days on end, and we begin to smell each other quite easily, espeically after hours in the heat. Throw a travel sized deoderant in your bag and feel fresh all day after reapplying in the bathroom.
Electrolyte mix
keep yourself hydrated during the day, I’ve found electrolyte mixes kelp keep me in a better place during the day than if I just chug water. But if electrolyte powders aren’t your thing, skip this one.
Mini emergency kit
this will look different for everyone, but throw in the things you’re most likely to need during the day. Standards like band aids, anti-chafing stick, and a pill case with things like ibuprofen, tums, pepto, etc.
Don’t let anyone snatch your phone from your back pocket, grab a phone lanyard to be worn on your wrist, around your neck, or crossbody.
A good bag/backpack to carry everything
My first few years at SDCC I brought my trusty Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent purse with me, but in 2025 I realized I should have brought a backpack. A backpack will fit everything you need quite well, with room for most normal sized purchases added in.
I also recommend bringing an auxilary tote bag or foldable bag, just in case you decide to shop more than you anticipated. I purchased a foldable shopping bag with Kirby print all over in 2025 in Artist’s Alley (regretfully I don’t remember the shop name), and it is an absolute staple in my purse every day.
a pen and a sharpie
A written out list of your panels/activations and where they are (in case your phone and your backup battery die)
If you get overstimulated really easily, bring earplugs on a cord so you can take them out without losing them
Obviously bring your preferred wallet and keep it in a secure place in your bag.
Most importantly: Your Comic-Con badge!
Comic-Con Must Haves for SDCC Survival
Comic-Con is one of the few places that is still enjoyable even when you’re sweaty and exhausted. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for it, though! Keep your Comic-Con bag stacked with the essentials and leave plenty of room for purchases.
You don’t need to purchase new items like a backpack or reusable water bottle if you already have them. If you want them, and you know they’ll get routine use, go for it! But don’t feel compelled to get new/different stuff if what you already have still works. My con backpack is my North Face Jester that I’ve had since college, and my water bottle of choice is my Simple Modern 32oz I use for trips to Disney World.
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