Sam Sykes explains what personal kit you will need on a DofE expedition. This video explains what to look for in the best kit. Whether you are doing Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburghs Award, this video will explain all you personally need in your rucksack.

What’s Included on a Sam Sykes Expedition?

If we are your DofE EXPEDITION provider you will be provided with:

Tents | Stoves | Fuel for Stoves | Sleeping Mats | Maps | Compasses | Rucksacks

If you would like to bring your own, Please discuss with your instructor

You will need to bring the following:

CLOTHING

• 1 pair of walking boots (broken in)

• 2 pairs of walking socks

• 2-3 t-shirts

• Thermal t-shirt (optional)

• 2 fleece tops or similar

• 2 walking trousers (warm, NOT jeans)

• Underwear

• Nightwear

• Flip-flops/trainers/sandals etc. (optional for campsite use)

• Warm hat &/or sunhat (as appropriate)

• 1 pair gloves

• 1 pair shorts (if appropriate)

• Waterproof over-trousers

• Jacket/coat (waterproof & windproof)

• 1 pair gaiters (optional)

PERSONAL KIT

• Sleeping bag

• Waterproof compression stuff sack (5/10/15 litre)

• Whistle

• Head torch and spare batteries

• Personal first aid kit

• Expedition food (including emergency rations)

• Water bottle

• Knife, fork, spoon or Spork

• Plate/bowl

• Mug

• Box of matches (in waterproof container)

• Wash kit/personal hygiene items

• Towel

• Small quantity of money (optional)

• Notebook and pen/pencil

• Watch

• Sunglasses

• Sunblock (if appropriate)

• Insect repellent

• Spare boot laces

What should I wear for DofE?

You’re going to be operating outside, you’re going to be active, and the weather could be hot and sunny or it could be cold and wet, and we don’t really know until we actually get to the expedition. So, you need to wear clothing appropriate for any eventuality on an expedition.

That means, almost certainly no cotton, especially in the UK. When cotton gets wet, whether that’s through rain, or sweat, it dries very slowly. The problem is, once you stop moving, if you’re in wet clothing you get cold very quickly – That’s very dangerous. So, jeans, cotton hoodies, cotton t-shirts anything like that, are just not useful at all on UK expeditions.

Recommended DofE Clothing

• What you need to try and find is man-made fibre clothing, or Merino wool clothing. Clothing that, when they get wet, will dry quickly or, even if they are wet, will keep you warm. If you remove all cotton, that’s your first big step on getting the right kit. Football shirt material is the type of thing that we’re looking for, anything that is quick to dry and stuff that’s light.

• Fleeces / fibre pile type jackets are perfect.

• You’ll definitely need to have waterproofs as per the kit list.

• Padded skiing jackets are not suited to DofE expeditions.

• It’s about lots and lots of thin layers that are all light weight, that you can interchange for any weather condition. That’s what’s going to keep you successful through your expedition.

Footwear

• You need to come with boots that go up and above the ankle to support it, otherwise, you won’t be able to do an expedition with Sam Sykes ltd. That’s a safety factor for us.

• The boots need to be, most importantly, comfortable for you to wear.

• Don’t go out the day before the expedition and buy a pair of boots and then wonder why you are getting blisters. Boots, even the new ones, still need to be worn in and ‘broken in’ around the house, or on a walk around your local area, just so that when you come on expedition, you’re set up for success.

What do you need in a DofE first aid kit?

Sam Sykes ltd provides all of its teams with a group first aid kit, which is to be used in an emergency or incident.

In regards to first aid kits that individual participants bring, you need to look at covering the most obvious things. You need to look at bringing:

• Plasters

• Certainly some blister plasters

• Bandages

You don’t need to bring an enormous first aid kit because we will provide you with a substantial one for your team and train your how to use it.

What should I sleep on for DofE?

When camping on a DofE expedition, you’re going to be in tents. We provide everybody doing their expedition with  a roll mat. This will be a foam  mat between 5 and 6mm thick.

You’re more than welcome to bring your own camping mats, they’re pretty common in most gear shops so, go find one that you like, that’s comfortable, and bring it with you.

Or, you can just get one from us when you come on your expedition.

What is a wash kit, and what should I have in it?

Wash kit wise, when you come on a DofE Expedition, it’s just about keeping it simple.

• You’ll need some way of cleaning yourself so maybe a bar of soap, or half a bar of soap is all you’re ever going to need. Or, if you’ve got shower gel, put it in a small container that isn’t going to burst in your rucksack, travel bottles are ideal for this.

• You’ll need a lightweight towel that will dry easily. Don’t bring a great big beach towel because that’s going to fill up most of your bag and, there won’t necessarily be lots of opportunities to take showers on expedition. Most participants do the expedition without having a shower, though there are certain times we use campsites where it is a possibility.

• You’ll need a toothbrush. And talking about keeping everything light; you can cut your toothbrush in half just to keep it small, compact, and light.

• You’ll need a little bit of toothpaste. Take the end of a tube, don’t take a brand new one, or use one of the mini travel sized ones.

• Deodorant? Ask yourself do you really really need it?

• In regards to feminine hygiene products, make sure you bring enough supplies for the expedition if you know you will need them. Stick with a product you are familiar with. We do have some supplies on each expedition just in case you need them unexpectedly. You can always contact us directly to speak to one of our female instructors about what’s best.