A DofE expedition is often the first time someone camps under their own steam. The kit list can look long, but most of it is clothing you already have. The expensive items, like the tent, mat, sleeping bag and backpack, are the ones worth hiring.
Always check your own centre's kit list first. Centres and leaders have their own requirements, and some supply group kit like tents and stoves.
Personal kit
To wear and carry
- Walking boots with ankle support, worn in before the expedition
- Walking socks, plus spares
- Waterproof jacket and waterproof overtrousers, whatever the forecast
- Base layer, a fleece or warm mid layer, and walking trousers (not jeans)
- Hat, gloves, and a sun hat or sunglasses
- Something dry to change into at camp, and to sleep in
To sleep
- A three-season sleeping bag, ideally in a waterproof stuff sack or dry bag
- A proper camping mat. Not a yoga mat
To carry it all
- A backpack of around 55 to 65 litres, and up to 70 for Gold, with a liner or rain cover
Bits and pieces
- Water bottles holding at least 2 litres
- Mug, bowl, spoon or spork
- Head torch
- Personal first aid kit with blister plasters
- Whistle, survival bag, suncream, insect repellent
- Small washkit and toilet roll in a sandwich bag
Group kit
- Tents, usually 2-person tents shared in pairs
- Stoves, fuel and pans, shared between tents
- Maps, map cases and compasses
- Food, planned and shared as a team
What not to take
- Cotton, including jeans, hoodies and cotton socks. It stays wet and cold.
- Tins and glass. They're heavy and you have to carry them out.
- An oversized pack. You'll fill it. Aim for no more than about a quarter of your body weight.
What's worth hiring
The big four are the costly part: tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag and backpack. We hire all of them, cleaned and checked, delivered on day one of the hire and returned with a prepaid QR code from any Royal Mail parcel shop.
- 2-person tents to share in pairs
- Insulated sleeping mats
- Three-season sleeping bags
- Backpacks, including the Vango Contour 65 with an adjustable back
Kitting out a whole group? See our school and DofE group hire. We deliver to your school or campsite and can pitch the tents too.
