kit recommendations for DD please - Wintercamp!

[EcoLady]

10yo DD is going with Guides to the annual Wintercamp at Gilwell. They may have snow. They will certainly have lots and lots of mud! I've got a loan of suitable sleeping bag and fleece liner, but need some practical advice on keeping her warm and dry on a budget please.

She'll need waterproof coat & overtrousers - where to find at a sensible price?

Any ideas for trousers? She lives in jeans but I know they are awful when wet.

Any other equipment or gadgets that will make life less grim?

Thanks!

Jeans are also cold, and take forever to dry.
Can she get a merino baselayer, they are not that expensive in mountain warehouse, and breathable waterproof trousers on top? You will find in either mountain warehouse or millets.

She should sleep in her merino long-johns and longsleeved t shirt, rather than pj. Merino or cashmere wool socks.

I've just bought some heattech jeans from Uniqlo, if she really insists on wearing jeans, but if it's likely to snow you really must try to insist that she wears something else - jeans are a nightmare to get dry once they get wet, so she'll be much better off wearing long johns and thinner trousers on top - Rohan or Ronhill type trousers. Either cotton or some sort of quick drying synthetic. Will she be going after Xmas - can you wait for the sales and then get stuff from a proper outdoor outlet like Tiso or Cotswold?
Decent boots will go a long way towards keeping her feet warm - I'd suggest something with Gore-tex lining if your budget will run to it, and if you can get winter grade boots they are actually really warm. I was wearing my North Face winter boots in the snow and storms last week in Scotland with just a regular pair of thin socks and my feet were as warm as toast.

Wow - thank you for such speedy replies. Realistically I'm not sure that we can stretch to boots (bigger wellies and lots of socks may be the limit) but I really appreciate knowing what to look for as trousers. Off to Millets at the weekend!

Thanks

Go outdoors site is quite good for bargains. And they have free delivery on at the moment.

Really recommend thermals, they used to laugh at me on camp, but I was always warm. If you can't stretch to merino, i have M&s in navy stretch in them so stay close but a little sweaty, aldi/lidl black cotton are cheap and have lasted well.

Layers are always recommended, thermal vest and some long sleeve cotton tops.

Go outdoors has been excellent for my unit, I even haggled discount when I met all 16 of my girls and tgeir parents there. 10% iirc. Waterproof shell trousers were good and dried quick, tuck into wellies too. Cotton combats are usually good there too.

Lots of nice thick warm socks, I often find I changed mine 4 times or so a day if it's wet/snowing.

Wellies are fine, as she get's more into Guides and camping then it's worth looking at sales and invest in a pair of £20 hikers, handy for walks and camping.

Check if hot water bottles are allowed, I use mine to warm my sleeping bag before I go to bed.

Carrier bags for her to put wet kit in, away from her dry goods.

Also rate highly aldi/lidl ski mittens & coats (salopettes as well) wear well and cosy fir the price.

Try primark for cheap fleece pj's or a onesie for sleeping in. Fleecy slipper socks are cheap in there too and great to sleep in. Also leggings & vest tops to wear as an extra layer. They can be scrunched up so they don't take too much packing room.

For waterproofs TK maxx is always worth a try. I got a decent regatta waterproof jacket in there for £10. You may even find some lightweight skiwear at a reasonable price.

Lots of pairs of sock - as many as she can pack as cold wet feet make life miserable. A head torch is useful as well as a hand held one. 2 pairs of gloves - then you can wear a dry paid while the other set drys. Primark is good again.

You are all wonderful! I'm going to print this an shove it under DH's nose. We've got a head torch - great idea :-)

Thank you

WOOL.

merino wool does not itch. It is much warmer than synthetics. It breaths, it does not cool you down if you are wet or sweaty, but keeps warm when drying on your body. In addition, it wont stink if you are sweating. It has natural wicking properties. And it is the warmest you can get.

Agree with QS-go for wool, it's so much warmer :)

Decathlon!! If you have one nearby I got dd2 a base layer from there. And they sell waterproofs at a reasonable price.

Disclaimer:- we are allergic to real wool and I'm a cheapskate ; )

anothr one for decathlon - you can now shop online with them.

I got 4 fleece jumpers 5 years ago for £20 and they are still my regular day to day wnter wear as they wash and dry so nicely. DS gets a lot of his wardrobe from there as the clothing tolerates abuse so well. They do nice cargo type trousers that would be ideal for winter camping.

As well as thermal layers they do nice fleece lined wellie type boots with removeable and washable inserts.

The primark £6 onsie pyjamas are a must to stay cosy at night. Primark also do nice cheap bedsocks for an extra layer on the feet over standard cotton socks.

Depending on how big her feet are Northwest territory hiking boots off amazon for approx £25 inc postage are fantastic. They only start at size 3 ladies but are so nice! My Mum asked for a pair of the black fake fur lined black ankle boots I have as her Chrimbo pressie. They are so comfy it feels like I'm walking the dog in me slippers at 6 am every morning ; )

Millets/blacks are in financial trouble so may be having closing down sales after Xmas - they normally have great sales but for gawds sake don't make any big purchases you may need to return just to be on the safe side.