DofE: Main Items of Kit

Full Kit List has already been issued.

Please don’t rush out and buy kit until we’re had a change to have a look at what you’ve already got – it may be good enough.

On the following pages examples of kit will be given. Please bear in mind these are examples. If there’s a picture of a Scarpa hiking-boot, for example,

it doesn’t mean you have to buy a Scarpa boot – just something similar.

1) Ruc-sac

Capacity of 65 - 100 liters

2) Hiking Boots

OR Fabric (ideally GORE-TEX lined for waterproofness):Traditional leather:

Good quality (fabric or leather) boots are essential.

They must be: sturdy, waterproof, give ankle protection and have a good sole.

They must fit properly (!) – try them on in the shop while wearing thick socks and have a good walk around.

3) Waterproof Jacket & Trousers

Waterproof jacket: Waterproof trousers:AND

They must be: waterproof, windproof, breathable and have a hood.

Rubberised ‘pac-a-mac’-style waterproofs are not suitable as they are not breathable – you’ll just sweat.

No need to buy – hire then from West Lancs Scout County.

4) Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bag packed into a compression-sac (straps are tightened to reduce the size of the bag) :

Essential!

Must be able to be packed small into either a stuff-sac or compression-sac.

Synthetic-filled sleeping bags are cheaper and are warmer than down-filled sleeping bags (but down-filled bags are lighter and pack smaller).

5) Carry-Mat

Gives good thermal insulate from the ground.

Traditional foam-type carry-mats are fine.

‘Therm-a-Rest’-type carry mats are smaller, lighter and give better thermal insulation than traditional foam carry-mats, but are more expensive.

6) Torch

LED head-torch: Hand-held, ‘bulb’ torches or Maglite torches are not recommended:

A Head-torch is recommended as this allows ‘hands-free’.

LED torches are better than traditional ‘bulb’ torches as with LEDs the batteries last longer and bulbs have a nasty tendency to blow.

Hand-held torches are not recommended for the same reason!

Maglite-type torches are not recommended as these are very heavy.