What to Wear to Red Rocks- Five Essential Items- 2025 Edition

One of the telltale signs that Spring is here and Summer is not far behind, is the beginning of the outdoor concert season. In Colorado, many make the trek to Morrison to see a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater in the foothills outside Denver.  

As anyone who has spent time on the Front Range in Colorado can tell you, the weather there is ever-changing and with Red Rocks being slightly elevated, dynamic changes are even more likely. Add to that the fact that the Red Rocks season now extends from March to November and you need to be prepared for anything. A little teaser...we are about to mention wool a lot.

1. Good Socks

Since every concert at Red Rocks begins with some sort of hike into the amphitheater, it is crucial that you have the right socks. We have found that a light wool (think hiking) sock is perfect  since it is breathable, comfortable and if the weather should change and moisture should start to fall, insulation for your feet even if they are wet. Current favorites are the Low sock by Ivanhoe and the Merino 10 Cushion Crew and the Ultra Light Quarter by Feetures in the wool blend category.

2. Wool T-Shirts

Wool is a fantastic material for varying and quickly changing temperatures. In the heat of summer, merino wool's breathability and wicking properties keep you as cool as the other side of the pillow. As your concert evening progresses and the temps drop, merino serves as an excellent base layer to throw a windbreaker or hoodie over.  We love the Cilla (plain and with design) for women and Ceasar (design and with another design) for men from Ivanhoe as a 100% merino tee. In the blended category, the 

3. Windbreaker

It is always a good idea to keep one eye on the forecast but be aware, the weather can change from song to song. Snow can be seen throughout May and as early as the beginning of September while the summer heat produces intermittent showers and thunderstorms out of nowhere. One constant tends to be the wind. It is usually breezy in your seats with the wind seemingly hitting you from every direction. For that reason, we always bring a light shell with us. A few current favorites are the Eitre by Klattermusen for men and the ADV Wind Jacket for women by Craft.  Need more protection? The Wonder Magic Shell by Colturi is wind and water proof and available for women. The Snaefell by 66North for men will definitely get the job done with its wind and water proof membrane.

4.Sun Protection

Red Rocks is not afraid to throw an all day concert which can put you out in the Colorado sun for long spells. While sun block is always a great option we carry some SPF rated items to ramp up the protection.  Famed photographer, Chris Burkard, helped design the Ljosufjoll hooded sun shirt for 66North with men and women's versions. For your head, we love the Ansur and the Nal from Klattermusen. 

5.Good pants/shorts

As mentioned above, each visit to Red Rocks begins with a hike into the amphitheater.  The hike's length and difficulty can be dictated where you park (if you drive) or where you arrive via a ride-share vehicle. If driving, we always recommend trying to park in the upper north lot, but that is the favored spot for locals so it fills up first. From a ride-sharing perspective, it is always easy to get dropped off but beware, the wait for your car post-concert can be looooooong. For all of this hiking, sitting, grooving, waiting we highly recommend bottoms built for movement. 

For most of the concert season, we opt for pants like the Harness pants for women by Rungne or the Korp Lite Pants by Haglofs for men. Fancy functional pants? We turn to Amundsen for their Field Slacks for men and women for that. Amundsen also makes shorts in the same version for women and men too. Speaking of shorts, hikers are great for Red Rocks and we really like the Alfhild for women and the Korp Lite Shorts for men

Encore

It wouldn't be a show without a little something extra at the end. This is a great time for the showstopper, an item sure to turn heads. For women, the Poppy Poncho definitely gives off the summer concert vibes. For men, the Pace Flow Houdi by Houdini is a thin hoodie for dusky duets and dipping temps.

"Thank you very much, you are a beautiful audience."