Here is the combined kit-packing wisdom of Leaders, the DofE and the general internet on what to pack, how to pack, and how to wear your rucksack.
Tip: If you’re looking to buy new equipment, check out the DofE Kit Guide before you buy, and remember you get up to 15% discount from lots of places if you take your necker or DofE card with you.
What to wear
Wear layers
Layering your clothing helps you manage your temperature on your journey and keeps you comfortable in all weathers.
Athletic tops are better for hiking than regular T-shirts, as they wick sweat away from the skin to keep you dry and comfortable.
A good pair of socks can make the difference between a pleasant hike and one that ends in blisters. If you’re prone to blisters, you may want to try wearing liner socks under your hiking socks to minimize friction against your skin. Compression socks promote blood flow and accelerate recovery.
In the summer, in addition to packing sunscreen, wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses. Light, long-sleeved shirts like sun hoodies can be a lifesaver on exposed trails. Avoid tank tops if you’ll be wearing a heavy backpack – the straps might chafe bare shoulders, and when the sunscreen wears off, you’ll burn.
Shorts or long trousers? Shorts give you better air circulation, keeping you cool and reducing sweat. The are less restrictive, less bulky, and dry faster. However, shorts leave your legs more exposed to sunburn, insects, and nettles. And even if the day starts warm, it can turn cold quickly, leaving your legs exposed. Zip-off trousers offer the best of both worlds.
If you wear a bra, you’ll want something that is flat on the back that won’t chafe (no adjusters or hooks poking you). Wear a sports bra that is stretchy, with mesh and moisture-wicking fabric, with a racer back to keep shoulders clear. Above all, it must be something you’re comfortable in.
Waterproofs
A waterproof (not water-resistant) jacket is essential.
If it’s cold and rainy, you’ll also want waterproof trousers and want a lightweight middle layer under your jacket, such as a fleece. Under that, you’ll need a base layer – breathable and tight-fitting to absorb moisture away from your body.
Avoid cotton & denim
Cotton absorbs and holds moisture, lets heat escape, gets heavy when wet (whether that’s through rain, or sweat), and dries slowly. So, no jeans or joggers.
If you’re in wet clothing, you get cold very quickly once you stop moving.
Walking boots
You’ll need walking boots with ankle support and not walking trainers. These are important when carrying rucksacks.
Make sure your boots fit and are in good condition. Badly fitting boots can make a hike a painful experience.
If you’re buying new boots, get them as soon as possible before the hike and break them in by wearing them around the house before you go outside. Make sure your toes don’t hit the inside of the boot, otherwise you could lose a toenail when walking downhill!
- Leather walking boots will cost you more than fabric boots and are usually more sturdy and longer-lasting.
- Fabric boots are lighter, cheaper, and a good option if your feet are still growing. Not all have ankle supports though, which may increase risk of injury if you’re on uneven ground.
Rucksack
You will need a rucksack large enough to fit your personal kit and, if you’re part of an Expedition, your share of the group kit.
If you’re buying a new rucksack we would recommend 65 – 75l rucksack especially if you want to go onto DofE Silver or Gold.
If you are smaller and already have a 55l rucksack you may get away with it if you have a sleeping back that packs down small.
Sleeping bag
A three-season sleeping bag is ideal for most Scouting activities. If you already have a two-season sleeping bag you can always use a liner to increase the warmth.
You can find temperature and season ratings on the inside of the zip on most sleeping bags. In extreme cold, and if bulk isn’t an issue, you can be warmer by using two cheap sleeping bags, rather than one expensive bag.
Your sleeping bag choice will make a big difference to the weight you carry so if buying new it is worth some research.
Expedition food
The best foods for hiking are nutrient-dense and provide lasting energy. Rather than sugars that only offer a quick boost of energy, choose complex carbohydrates (brown bread, pasta pots or apples) that are digested more slowly and release a steady supply of energy.
Pack light, but pack well.
As well as your food and team kit, you will need:
- 1.5 – 2 litres of water. Plastic bottles are best, rather than heavier, insulated ones.
- Spare clothes and underwear.
- Roll mat
- Pyjamas, with woolly socks & woolly hat for colder nights
- Toothbrush & paste, flannel, soap, towel
- Girls should also bring sanitary products, even if you are not expecting to use them, and read guidance on how to manage your period outdoors.
- Knife, fork, spoon, mug, and a plate or bowl
- Torch & whistle
- First aid kit, with tick removal tool.
- Bin bags for the different sections of your kit to go in, to keep sleeping bags, food and clothes dry, and for keeping wet clothes and tents separate.
- Gloves for colder days.
- Toilet paper & trowel in case you’re caught short when out and about.
Optional extras
- Seating mat. Sitting on a cold damp bench or rock, even in waterproofs, can be uncomfortable. Maybe treat yourself to a foam seat, like these folding mats from Amazon.
- Pillow. Not a huge one from your bed, but a small squashy/inflatable pillow can make a big difference to a night’s sleep.
- Flip-flops, sliders or sandals for once you arrive at camp.
- Penknife
Mobile phones
Whilst we discourage use of phones during a camp, we acknowledge they are a big part of recording the event and sharing the camp experiences with friends and family. They can also be an invaluable aid if you are lost, injured or need more water.
There are no charging points in the woods however, and phones may be flat by the end of the day, so portable battery packs may be a good idea, but they are heavy.
Packing a rucksack
Key points
- Your pack should not be more than 25% of your body weight.
- Ensure that you have easy access to the items you’ll need during the day and in an emergency.
- Pack things in separate bin bags to keep dry things dry, and keep wet things separate.
How to organise your rucksack
Packing your bag correctly is all about weight distribution (too much heavy equipment towards the front makes going up hills more difficult, and if you have too much weight on the left or right, you’ll be pulled to one side). See the DofE guide on how to organise your rucksack and follow the steps below.
- Make sure the centre of gravity is as close to the lower back as possible. Your heaviest/biggest item should go into your pack first – in this example, your tent. Put your tent in your bag vertically, against the part of the bag that will be against your back. This will keep the weight of the tent close to your body, making it easier to carry.
- Put your sleeping bag beside your tent to balance the weight. Your sleeping bag should always be inside another waterproof bag to keep it dry.
- Bulkier items should go in the middle of the rucksack, such as cooking equipment.
- If your bag has a bottom access point, keep a dry change of clothes at the bottom. The rest of your clothes can be used to pack out the spaces that haven’t yet been filled.
- Balance the weight of the side pockets with water bottles: keeping them upright will help prevent them from leaking and keeping them outside prevents any leaks from getting other equipment wet.
- Put your food at the top of the rucksack, with what you’re going to eat next at the very top. This prevents you having to search through your bag for food and stops the food getting squashed.
- Put your waterproofs in last, so that you can get to them quickly if it starts to rain.
- Finally, fill the space in the lid of your bag with all the things you might need during the day – your first aid kit, snacks, sun-cream and head torch. Once you’ve packed your bag, give it a shake to make sure there are no loose spaces that you haven’t filled.
- Check that you’ve balanced your bag properly by putting it down on the floor.
Wearing a rucksack
Having a correctly-fitted rucksack is essential to keep you comfortable on long treks and avoid injuring yourself or using more energy than necessary
- Locate your hip bone and prepare your rucksack. With your fingers, locate the uppermost part of your hip bone. Your hips will form the foundations of how your rucksack sits on your body and support the majority of the pack’s weight.
- Now, fill your rucksack. Take care to weigh the pack evenly and pad it out if necessary, then put on the weighted rucksack and allow it to hang freely from your shoulders.
- Attach the hip straps. Many people find it most comfortable to have the top of the hip strap in line with the top of the hip bone; however, some people may find it more comfortable to have the strap slightly higher. To get the hip straps at the correct height, you may need to either lengthen or shorten the main shoulder straps, so that the main body of the bag is moved up or down the length of your back. The hip strap should feel tight and secure once adjustments are made.
- Assess the shoulder straps. Once the rucksack has been adjusted to achieve the correct hip strap position, you should assess how well the shoulder straps fit. The tops of the shoulder straps should be just tucked in behind your shoulders, with the rest of the strap following the natural contours of your back.
- Adjust the back length. If the shoulder straps don’t fit correctly, you will need to remove the bag and adjust the back length. This process will vary depending on the manufacturer of the bag. Some use large Velcro panels that separate, whilst others may use webbing and pull cords that lengthen and shorten. It may take a couple of attempts and readjustments to get the perfect fit, but achieving the correct back length will allow the shoulder straps to follow the curvature of your shoulders.
- Use the compression straps: These are so often over-looked, but if you tighten the pack’s compression straps once it’s loaded it will hold everything in place and improve stability while you’re on the move.