To let my son wear trainers for his Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition?

[Sparrow7]

I just mentioned to a friend who's son is also doing the expedition this weekend that my son will be wearing strong comfortable trainers and she was shocked and appalled! As a family we do a lot of walking and we all wear trainers as I have always hated walking boots. On the bronze trip all the kids with walking boots ended up with horrendous blisters and tired feet, whereas my son's feet were fine. The weather is going to be dry but I am now second guessing my decision as it does say walking boots are essential on the kit list (as it did on the bronze one).

Adidas Terrex

The adults supporting the kids should have sorted this months ago to give everybody time to break their boots in / work out the correct sock combination to wear with them etc.

At this point trainers are probably the least worst option but expect them to come back in a mess. Consider adding flip flops for him to wear once they've finished walking for the day to give his trainers longer to try out.

Good hiking boots are essential. I don’t think ordinary trainers are supportive enough

Trainers are fine in dry weather. They don't even walk that far.
My sons' groups were both told to take a big break for lunch as they would get to the campsite too early.
It's not challenging enough imo for kids who are fit.

I agree with this about ankle support. I wanted new lightweight boots for hiking in the Andalusian mountains, which are another level of 'steep, rocky and loose' over anything in the most of the UK and was advised to buy approach shoes.

I was concerned that low shoes wouldn't have enough ankle support especially as I've sprained an ankle a couple of times, generally due to slipping on off road trails because I was wearing road shoes, so not enough grip. Im very happy with them and have hiked many many miles blister and slip free.

My son completed his DofE silver last weekend and has come home with horrendous blisters on both his heels, one of which we were very worried about as the top layers of skin completely came away and he had to wear sliders for the last few miles due to the pain. He has good quality walking shoes that are broken in and have never troubled him, but it seems, based on the feedback from the instructors afterwards, that he was wearing inappropriate socks. They were thick wool socks rather than low-friction wicking socks. He has always worn thick socks on mountains for warmth, but last weekend was warm and sunny and he covered over 30 miles in all, a much longer walk than he's done previously. So I'll 'step out' of the boots vs trainers advice here and simply say, get the socks right first! And maybe pack some Compeeds and vaseline to reduce friction if he does start to suffer. Good luck to your son!

Thanks everyone, I spoke to the leader and he said he's been doing this for 10 years and lots if kids wear trainers and it isn't an issue.

Depends on the terrain my DD will be on a lot of uneven ground so will be in boots to protect her ankles.not sure they are allowed to do it in trainers at her school noone did last year As I know she will be chatting away and not watching her footings. Boots have come a long way my DD boots ain't heavy also tried loads to get the right fit. A few of her friends got blisters on bronze but admitted shoes where never broken into before the DofE walks.

He may fail before he goes for not having the right equipment. Walking boots don’t cause blisters. Boots not broken in not fitting correctly or not hardening your feet that’s what causes blisters. You have failed as a mother by not facilitating all of this to happen. It may be forecast dry weather but that doesn’t mean the ground will be. You also get a lot of dew in the morning which means wet slippy grass. My DD did Dartmoor. Can’t believe there is no boggy ground, water crossings. We had inches of rain at the weekend.

You can buy waterproof goretex lightweight walking boots that might be the compromise but expensive and you need to check with the leader they will be acceptable. But he could still have blisters because you bought new boots just before the expedition!

The best thing is to show the kids how to strap their feet. Buy wide zinc oxide tape and put on heels balls of feet and big toes and small toes. It will need to be reapplied every day.

Not a very good leader and not complying with DoE rules.

There is a big difference in the bronze to silver. He might not be allowed to participate in trainers. Probably too late now to get some boots wore in.

I think he might get told he has to wear boots by the school. It is worth getting some boots and getting him to wear them a few times beforehand. Also, get some good socks. We did our silver duke of Edinburgh in the lake District and I can see why they want you to have good ankle support. It was also raining like mad and I don't think trainers would have had good enough grip.

I would check. I got bought very good walking boots for DOE. They were broken in in advance and I have them to this day, at 41! (As a girl however my feet didn't grow any more past about 14). Borrowed boots won't do. I don't think trainers would stay the course through rough or wet ground; he could end up very uncomfortable.

Boots are only needed if you're using crampons, or it's very cold.

Other than that, they are too heavy and restrict ankle mobility making injuries and slips more likely. Fell running or approach trainers depending on terrain are the right choice.

My daughter has PDA, which is Pathalogical Demand Avoidance Syndrome, and I think of PDA when I read threads like this - why avoid abiding by the rules? Why not just comply? DoE is about more than just doing a big hike. It is about camaraderie and learning how to navigate a world of rlues and restrictions as well as enjoying the freedom. Picking which bits of the rules you want to follow seems anti the whole spirit of DoE. If everyone else has to wear uncomfortable boots, why not the OP's son? What if he slips and hurts himself and everyone else has to look after him? It's selfish imo.

Spare trainers in the rucksack just in case

100% agree

My son is doing bronze this weekend and he’s wearing trainers - weather has been dry and forecast is good and I was worried new walking boots would cause blisters. I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong and our guidance letter confirmed trainers were OK as long as the weather hasn’t been terrible.

I think it will greatly depend on the terrain. I have walking boots, shoes and sandals. I tend to veer towards the sandals if I know the route will let me. Not great if there's suddenly loads of mud though!

The Chess Valley Walk is a good example. It's possible to have mud past your ankles and trainers really won't survive. However, it just looks like a mild footpath on a map! We've had to carry people across bad sections and seen people lose wellies midway!

I think a decent pair of waterproof shoes works quite well though. Leather shoes are seldom waterproof enough for hiking.

Depends. Are they "fashion trainers" or "trail shoes"?

My trail shoes look like trainers (and essentially are) but I've walked Snowdon, the west highland way, Ben Nevis, the Yorkshire 3 peaks and countless other hikes in them.

Im with you. Ive been an experienced walker and proper walking shows always have me bad blisters and sore feet. Trainers all the way

DofE are not that prescriptive. They don't insist on traditional leather walking boots, and neither will the operating authority. They may insist on good walking shoes or boots, but that includes the kind of modern fabric shoes designed for walking. It doesn't include ordinary every day trainers.

There should have been a kit list sent out which said what they expect and they will have been taught through what is good and bad with regards appropriate equipment.

People extolling traditional walking boots probably havent walked far in light modern footwear. I have in both. Far and high and wet and cold and rough. Boots are unnecessary...in fact worse in my opinion.

This is moving into Classics territory 😁