Posted By Laura in Camping, Featured, For Teens, Out and About, Parenting Teens, Shopping | 10 comments

Faced with that lo-o-o-ong shopping list of essential DofE kit? Fear not – I’ve got you. And yes, it really is possible to put together a budget-friendly Duke of Edinburgh kit list without remortgaging the house.

Once the preserve of the hardy intrepid youth groups, the DofE Award has now become something of a rite of passage. Lately, my social media has been full of parents quietly panicking over the spiralling cost of expedition gear.

And you, as a parent, quite possibly never did it yourself and aren’t really sure what you’re letting yourself in for.
DofE – that’s hiking with a backpack, isn’t it?
Well, yes – at least for the Expedition section. Each level – Bronze, Silver and Gold – includes that iconic trek, usually across soggy hills with an oversized rucksack and a lot of pasta. The other sections (volunteering, physical and skills) are all equally important, but if your teen is doing DofE through school or a youth group, those bits are largely handled for you.

What you’ll be handed to sort is the DofE Expedition Kit List – and at first glance, it can make your heart sink (and your bank card shrivel in horror).

How do I know all this? Well… I’ve been there. I’ve completed my own DofE Award – and along the way, I even married my DofE assessor (yes, reader, I married him). He’s a Gold Award holder, and our 16-year-old recently completed his Silver (via the Army Cadets) and is now prepping for Gold. We’re also a family of keen hikers, so trust me when I say: I know a thing or two about getting teens safely across the moors – dry, warm, and even moderately cheerful.

The DofE Kit List: What You Really Need

Every spring, my social feeds fill with anxious parents facing their first encounter with the infamous DofE Expedition Kit List. Most haven’t done much hiking themselves, so it all looks completely baffling. But no one wants to send their teen off unprepared – or worse, in gear that makes them stand out for all the wrong reasons.

So what happens? They head to the nearest outdoor gear retailer, start trying to tick off the essential DofE kit list, and quickly realise they’re going to need a small bank loan. It’s no wonder so many end up overwhelmed – but the good news? You really don’t need to spend a fortune. There is a way to put together a solid, affordable DofE kit for teens that’ll keep them safe, warm, dry, and ready for anything the British weather throws at them.

Hold your DofE Kit List-panicky horses.

There’s no need to set up an overdraft to pay for this. DofE is totally accessible for everyone – you just need to be a little smart, and to know what you’re looking for.

How much does DofE cost?

There’s no way you’re getting to do it for free, that’s a given. But. It really shouldn’t break the bank, and if you take your time to prepare ahead you shouldn’t be stung with a hugely painful hit in the bank balance.
The formal cost of the DofE membership is £22 per level.
The additional cost of organising your weekends away for the expedition part is down to your youth organisation; we do it through the Army Cadet Force, and it costs us £12 per weekend.

It’s worth noting that the Army Cadet Force will also issue their cadets every bit of DofE Kit they need, from waterproofs to cookers and rucksacks. You’ll need to provide your boots and your food, that’s it. So if you’re on a budget, the ACF is my top recommendation!

DofE Kit on a Budget: Yes, It’s Possible

It doesn’t help that the DofE website helpfully provides recommendations on the kit list to gear they deem suitable: naturally it’s all the top-end branded product, and seems designed to make a less-affluent parent sob into their camping mug.

But here’s the truth: your teen doesn’t need to be dressed head-to-toe in premium brands to complete their expedition successfully. You can put together a complete DofE kit on a budget that ticks all the safety boxes, keeps them warm and dry, and won’t leave you staring at your bank statement in horror.

So this guide is for you – the parents trying to figure out how to tick off the DofE kit list essentials and stay sane (and solvent).
(and if you want a quick at-a-glance kit tips run down, just click here)

DofE Kit Clothing

Start with the Right Hiking Boots

I’m going to say this right here at the very top. Don’t ever set out on a 15mile hike in brand new walking boots. You. Will. Be. Miserable. If you’re buying full leather ones you’ll need to wear them for a month or so, but even modern fabric boots with lots of stretch will potentially rub until they’re moulded to your feet. Buy as far ahead as possible, and then don’t leave them in a cupboard until you pack. Wear them around the house, use them like slippers.

The DofE hikes are graded – for Bronze you start with just 15 miles across two days on relatively easy-going terrain. You won’t be scaling mountains, you’ll probably be walking sturdy well-trod paths. So there’s really no need to splash out on those DofE Kit List-recommended hugely expensive boots which are designed to handle mountains. Especially if you’ve no idea if your child will even enjoy the experience.

Look for budget-friendly hiking boots for DofE that are sturdy, waterproof, and offer ankle support – and put your money into getting the fit right, not the brand label.
For us, we’ve found that the own-brand hiking boots are excellent for day walks and shorter hikes. I know this thanks to taking a brand new pair of amazing £200 leather hiking boots** on a walking holiday in the Brecon Beacons a month ago (go me. I told you I knew about this). The first 15-mile hike actually genuinely crippled my feet. I did the final mile in my socks. Next day I had to head into a town (in my flip flops) and purchase a cheap £30 pair of boots from Mountain Warehouse for the rest of the holiday. They weren’t the most comfortable I’ve ever had, but they performed well enough for the next five days and 60 miles across the Black Mountains. Further and tougher than any bronze DofE will ever be.

(**they’re beautiful Meindls. But it’s taken me 30yrs of hiking to earn that £200 pair of boots. Until these I’ve never spent more than £60 on a pair, and usually much less – I shop in the sales, and wear own brands if I can’t find anything better. I’ve never had a blister or a wet foot)

Don’t buy the boots online – go to a high street outdoors shop (Millets, Mountain Warehouse or Decathlon are our top choices – some outlets like Cotswold Outdoors will only stock beautiful boots with heftier price tags – far more than your 14yr old will need). Look for hiking boots by Regatta, Hi-Tec, and the shop’s own brand. Try lots of them on. Different brands fit differently, and you need to try a few to see what’s most comfortable. Be sure to wear thick hiking socks when you try them on too.

• Budget DofE Kit note – don’t be tempted into secondhand boots if you can possibly help it. Far far better to buy cheap ones to fit you than better ones which have moulded to someone else’s feet. That way lies blisters.

Walking Socks

Never understimate the socks. So many people buy decent boots then skimp on the socks and suffer accordingly. I aim to spend just over £10 a pair – and one pair will last for years. My current faves are the Danish Endurance socks – on Amazon for £22 for three pairs. But I also like the Millets own-brand Peter Storm, plus Bridgedale and Brasher.

• Budget DofE Kit note – Millets often have sales and codes on, so it’s always worth a poke about – and stores often have bins of reduced to clear socks too.

T-Shirts.

Plain old cotton tees from your drawer are fine, but even better are any running tops you have; the activewear fabric is perfect for layering and wicking away sweat. Amazon is your friend for cheap activewear tops here, obviously (£7!!), but also keep an eye out in the supermarket – all the big stores have really good activewear at very reasonable prices.

• Budget DofE Kit note – own-brand cheap activewear tops, long or short sleeved, are perfect for hiking in.

Fleeces

Please – don’t wear or pack heavy cotton hoodies. Cotton is heavy. And when it gets wet (and it will get wet) it stays wet – and you get wet and cold and miserable.
Fleece may not be super-stylish, and your teen may well grimace (although usually that fades the first time they wear that super-soft cosiness). But there’s a reason that anyone vaguely outdoorsy has an array of fleeces to throw on. It keeps you warm, it’s light to carry and it dries fast. It also happens to be super-cheap.

• Budget DofE Kit note – You don’t need expensive tech fleeces – cheapy supermarket-own are more than good enough for warmer months of walking in the UK. We like the Regatta fleeces for £11 (if you buy the boys ones, girls will gain a little extra length in the body which is really nice. Unless your girl is super-short, always buy the men’s fleeces).

Walking Trousers

No. NOT jeans. Not now, not ever. You might think they’re tough and practical, but when they get wet they get heavy and they stay wet. Awful. You can choose sturdy cotton trousers – walking trousers are fine, but don’t get sucked into the expensive branded options. Google ‘walking trousers’, and you’ll see exactly the type of thing you’re looking for. Locally we’ve find mens work trousers cheaper, though I like the look of these £25 Srizgo ones (remember if your teen is a cadet, they can walk in their MTPs, they’re perfect. Scouts can walk in their uniform trousers too).
You can see a round up of more favourites in our post on our pick of the best walking trousers here.

• Budget DofE Kit note – But actually? You can see in the picture above that our teens much prefer hiking in running leggings. Plenty of movement, they dry almost instantly, they’re super-cheap (Decathlon, ASDA and Tesco are your friends!) and you can always layer up with your waterproofs in really chilly weather. Personally, I only ever hike in IUGA leggings from Amazon – I’ve been wearing them for years. Warm, comfortable and pockets big enough to safely hold your phone.

Waterproofs

Don’t buy the actual waterproof-treated trousers. You’ll drive yourself mad with the shoosh-shoosh-shoosh noise as they rub together with every step, and they’re just not comfortable in hot weather. Instead buy the cheapy over-trousers. No you won’t win a style award – but seriously, you’re sweating in a backpack, how good do you think you really look?
They’re light to carry, easily tug on over your boots when it begins to rain, and take 3mins to discard again when the sun comes back out. They’re also totally waterproof. Job’s a good’un. (We all have these £14 Regatta ones, you can see Bear sporting them in the image below on a very misty hike in Wales recently).

For the waterproof jacket, a basic Cagoule will actually work just fine – again Regatta is often your friend for these, though I’ve just spotted Mountain Warehouse has some Pakka jackets reduced to £30. As long as you have layers underneath, the task is to keep you dry, which any cheap Cagoule should do.
What they may also do, however, is cause you to sweat underneath, which then makes you clammy and damp on the inside – not overly pleasant.
So it’s definitely worth hunting around the sales and clearance sections to see if you can find a more expensive jacket reduced – higher priced models will also have a peaked hood (never underestimate how useful that is), double zips, decent pockets for maps & a phone etc, keeping them all dry too – it is worth spending a bit extra if you can.

• Budget DofE Kit note This is one of the items you can def buy secondhand, or borrow from a cousin/friend. Waterproof is waterproof; if it’s the right size, wear it – it’s easy to re-waterproof if it starts to leak because it’s old. Let’s face it. A waterproof will never look cool…

The Important Little DofE Kit Extras

• Girls will be more comfortable with a sports bra – if they don’t already have one, try a supermarket’s own. My girl found her H&M sports bras (£18 for two) great for both hiking and kickboxing as she developed, but as a full-busted older teen she prefers the reliable support of her Panache sports bra for kickboxing, so uses that for hiking too.
• Boys may also be more comfortable with a pair of sports underwear – chafing can be an issue on hot hikes – we’ve used these from Decathlon for £5 , though the top faves with my boys are these longer compression boxers on Amazon for £26 for 3.
• Don’t forget a hat – and even in warm weather where you think a sunhat is what you need, it’s a good idea to tuck in a beanie to wear at night when it can get super-chilly in that sleeping bag.
• Flip flops or beach shoes are ace for the campsite – don’t pack hefty trainers, you just want some flat comfort. Keep everything as light as possible!
• tube scarf – not an essential, but oh SO useful. Can be used as a sun hat, to keep heads or necks warm, to keep sweat off face, to keep hair out of eyes, as a hairband… everyone should hike with at least one. Again. No need to buy a Buff, you can get them in loads of places; I’ve bought some from eBay at around £3 each. Also keep an eye on Hygge Bands – they’re excellent with fab patterns, and a few times a year run great offers.
• PJ’s. Don’t bother. No one gets undressed, and you don’t want to carry uneccessary gear. You all just accept you’ll stink.

Choosing the Right Rucksack for DofE

Alongside boots and socks, your teen’s rucksack is one of the most important pieces of kit – get it wrong, and they’ll feel every step of those 15 miles.
For the Duke of Edinburgh Award, you’ll want a rucksack that’s at least 60 litres in capacity. Sometimes you’ll see this listed as 50:10 – meaning the main compartment holds 50 litres, and an additional separate bottom section holds another 10.
What to look for:
? Padded waist and shoulder straps – essential for comfort on long treks
? Adjustable back system – those complex-looking straps let you tailor the fit exactly to your teen’s back length, which can make a huge difference
? Hi-vis waterproof cover – a must for visibility and wet weather
You’re looking at around £60 for a decent quality DofE rucksack, and honestly, this is one item where it’s worth spending a little more if you can. The cheaper options might be tempting, but they rarely offer the same level of comfort, support or adjustability – and an ill-fitting pack can turn an expedition into a misery.
Look for models specifically labelled as rucksacks for DofE expeditions, or check the reviews for mentions of multi-day hikes and teenage users.

We invested in the Vango Contour for Jolly’s DofE when he started Bronze, and actually bought a second one for our own use, it’s such a fabulous rucksack. Even when you find the one you want, shop around as prices vary widely: a Google search says that one’s currently £70 at Decathlon but £42 at Sports Warehouse!

• Budget DofE Kit note – However… a quick glance on eBay for rucksacks reveals just how many teens start the DofE, invest in all the kit – and then never take it any further. The result? Desperate parents trying to claw back some of that spend, and you’ll often find barely-used DofE rucksacks listed for as little as £25.
  And the best part? Rucksacks are designed to be tough and long-lasting. As long as the straps and zips are intact, there’s absolutely no reason why a second-hand DofE rucksack won’t do the job perfectly. Also have a quiet ask around – you might be surprised who has one stashed in a loft. Friends or family with older teens who’ve already done a few expeditions could have exactly what you need, gathering dust. Going pre-loved not only saves you money – it’s also a more sustainable choice. Win-win.

Sleeping Bags for DofE: What You Really Need

Buying a sleeping bag for DofE is a bit like shopping for your first duvet – suddenly, you’re plunged into a world of ratings, fills, shapes and temperatures.

But don’t worry. Here’s what matters:
You want a bag that’s lightweight, warm, and long enough for your teen. A mummy-style sleeping bag (the kind with a built-in hood) is the best bet – it’s snug, traps heat effectively, and is far more practical for chilly nights under canvas.

And yes, it will get cold – even in summer. After a long day hiking in the sun, temperatures can drop fast, especially on exposed terrain. So don’t be fooled into thinking a thin summer bag will cut it.

Most sleeping bags are rated by season, which helps indicate their warmth:

• ? 1–2 season: Suitable for summer use only
• ? 3 season: Good for spring and autumn (ideal for DofE)
• ? 4 season: Winter-level warmth – overkill for most Bronze and Silver expeditions

For most DofE participants, a 3-season sleeping bag strikes the perfect balance – warm enough for spring and autumn nights, without the bulk of a winter-grade bag. Look for one that packs down small and weighs under 2kg if possible – your teen will thank you on the trail.

We like the Raven I Square 2°C (£35), but the Millets clearance section has a Vango Starlight 250 bag reduced from £55 to £32.

• Budget DofE Kit note – you can again pick up decent sleeping bags secondhand on eBay (£75 bags for £20-ish); it’s another one of those items that people buy, use a couple of times and then store in the loft! Don’t forget they’ll go through the washing machine just fine, so you can easily wash it when it arrives.

Couple it with a sleeping mat – don’t forget, they’re really important if you want to get any sleep. They’re not just for comfort, the insulation they provided is absolutely essential. It used to be that every camper carried one of those rolled up mats of thin foam – you can still get them, and they do the job just fine. This Camper Mat is an Amazon bestseller, £20. But if you’re feeling lovely, splashing out on a self-inflating mat (a SIM) will cause your teen to thank you with relieved joy at bedtime; and I’ve just seen that the bestselling 5cm thick Trail SIM is on Amazon for just £23. Given the choice, which would you choose to sleep on – 1cm of foam, or 5cm of insulated air cushion?

The Important DofE Kit Little Extras

• Waterproof liner bags. No getting around needing them, and you won’t think you need them… until you need them, and bless the day your mum got them for you. We got the Lomo 3-pack for £10.50, and they’ve been fine. But a commenter on Facebook has geniusly suggested Builder’s Rubble Sacks – a roll of 30 for £8!
• Water bottle. It used to be the thing to have a couple of (heavy!) bottles of water in the outside pockets of your rucksack. Now though, modern rucksacks come complete with a hydration pack space – a ‘water bladder’ you fill and carry on your back, with a pipe that comes out and over your shoulder meaning you can sip on the move. Genius. Camelbak’s are the go-to brand name, but there are so many to choose from, around the £13 mark.
• Whistle – lots of rucksacks have this built into the chest buckle, which is good to know. But having one fastened to your coat is good practice, too – look for a cheap, plastic, brightly coloured whistle like this.
• Torch – Make it sturdy, bright and not too heavy. We’ve got a couple of these Linkax LED torches (£7) , and they’re great (and the battery life is good too). But our boy has actually taken to wearing a headtorch (like this one, £10) in camp, he finds it easier to navigate around the tent (and out of it for a middle of the night wee break) if his hands are both free.
• Crockery/cutlery. No need to buy special camp cutlery – if you don’t have any you’re willing to lose, then head to the charity shop and pick up a knife/fork/spoon combo, probably 20p each. Crockery – plastic is fine; loads of shops sell bulk standard cheap plates and bowls, try picnicware from Dunelm (£1 a plate!). One of each is all you need, no need for whole sets. This isn’t single use plastic, you’ll still be eating off it in 25yrs time (we are). But if you’d rather go plastic free, then this 1-person enamel set for £14 looks great!
• The really lightweight microfibre towels are where you should spend a little cash; even the XL bath sheets weigh barely anything, cost is around £15.
• First Aid kit – you can buy ready-packed little hiking first aid kits for around £9, but really you just need stuff you’ve probably got in your cabinet already. I would potentially add Compeed Plasters to your DofE Kit – I never go hiking without a couple of Compeed plasters in my pack. Last summer I was wearing 5yr old comfy boots, and one day’s hike in a meltingly hot heatwave randomly shredded my heels into broken blistered ribbons. I carried on hiking next day with some carefully placed Compeed!

DofE Kit: Expedition Food Ideas

Let’s talk DofE expedition food. You’ve got two main options:

1. Bring real food and cook it yourself
2. Go with pre-made expedition meals – just heat and eat

If it’s your teen’s first or second expedition, I recommend keeping it simple and going with the ready meals. It saves time, energy, and reduces the risk of something going wrong with the cooking kit.

? Breakfast: Quick, Homemade Porridge

Make your own porridge packs before the expedition:

• Half a camping mug of organic oats
• A handful of dried fruit (raisins, chopped apricots, banana chips)
• Optional: cinnamon, or even a teaspoon of hot chocolate powder
• Add 1/4 mug of dry milk powder

Come morning, just add a full mug of hot water – stir, wait a minute or two, and you’ve got a warm, energy-packed start to the day.

? Lunch: Pack It From Home

For Bronze Award expeditions, lunch can be packed in advance:

• Wraps, pitta bread, or sandwiches (avoid meats if it’s hot)
• Cereal bars, flapjacks, and other high-energy snacks
• Try to avoid anything that’ll go soggy or spoil after a day in the bag

? Dinner: Hot, Simple and Substantial

Dinner should be filling and easy. We love the Beyond the Beaten Track range – their multipack meals (curry, chilli, pasta, meatballs etc) are:

• Lightweight
• Easy to heat
• Can be eaten cold in an emergency

They’re also calorie-dense and designed for expeditions – perfect for hungry teens after a day of walking.

? Snacks: High-Calorie & Durable

Snacks need to be light, energy-packed and uncrushable. Some of our go-to favourites include:

• Trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips)
• Boiled sweets or mints (great for energy & a morale boost)
• Shortbread biscuits
• Granola or cereal bars
• Peanut butter sachets
• Avoid: chocolate (it melts) and crisps (they’ll be dust by day two)

Keep in mind: they often prefer savoury over sweet, especially after hours of hiking. Salted snacks are a good choice for electrolyte replenishment.

Final Thoughts

Getting your teen ready for their first DofE expedition doesn’t need to be stressful – or expensive. With a little planning, some clever budget hacks, and a focus on comfort over branding, you can tick off the entire DofE kit list without emptying your wallet. Remember, the goal isn’t to have the flashiest gear – it’s to keep them safe, warm, dry, and fuelled for the adventure ahead.

If you’ve found this guide helpful, do share it with other DofE parents – or bookmark it for when the next award level rolls around. And if you’ve got any tried-and-tested kit tips of your own, I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

Here’s to dry socks, hot porridge, and a happy teen at the finish line.

?? At-a-Glance: Budget DofE Kit Guide for Frazzled Parents

? Hiking Boots

• Break them in! New boots = blisters and misery
• Fabric boots are fine for Bronze – no Everest required
• Buy early, wear everywhere (yes, even indoors)

? Rucksack

• 60L (often labelled 50:10) is ideal
• Look for padded straps, adjustable back, hi-vis waterproof cover
• Second-hand is recommended – eBay and Facebook Marketplace often have barely-used options

? Sleeping Bag

• 3-season mummy bag = warm, light, no frostbitten toes
• Avoid anything bulky or cheap-as-chips (they’ll hate you at 4am)

? Clothes

• Layers! Base layer, mid layer, waterproof outer
• Supermarket own-brand activewear is budget-friendly and effective
• NO jeans. Just no.

? Food

• Keep it simple: pre-made expedition meals or just-add-hot-water magic
• DIY porridge packs = genius breakfast
• High-calorie snacks: shortbread, trail mix, boiled sweets (crisps = powdered disappointment)

? Budget Hacks

• Don’t buy the lot at once – prioritise boots and a bag
• Ask around – kit’s often hiding in someone’s loft
• eBay/FB Marketplace = a goldmine of barely-used bargains