Shoes for DofE

[HigherNature]

Not sure this belongs here, but what shoes can I buy (preferably online) for DD's DofE, size 5? Don't want anything too expensive as she won't use them much afterwards.

Try Decathlon's own brand Quechua. I've not had their walking boots but I've had other stuff from the range and it's been very good.

Otherwise try Karrimor

My current ones are Merrell and they are excellent, but unless you find some on offer, they're probably more than you'd want to pay, unless you happen to find a good offer.

Probably worth sizing up one size

Whatever she gets make sure to go on a few walks in them first to break them in. I got some in sports direct and previous ones on eBay (new), but they do take a couple of weeks to get comfy. Can also try mountain warehouse.

I wore Dickies walking boots. Theyre not too pricey and would probably sell well after if you know they wont be worn again, although mine became a very comfortable favourite pair of boots for any day out that involved lots of walking

I wouldn’t buy something like that without trying them on. Try Go Outdoors or somewhere like that. Mine always wore walking boots. They need wearing in first and get decent walking socks.

Depends on length of walk and conditions. DD did 15 miles a day for 5 days in dry conditions, around lakes so mainly flat in Nike trainers that she knew were comfortable as did the others in the group and their leader

Hi-tec boots from go outdoors

My daughter got Trespass walking boots for her DofE trip, and surprisingly didn't have any foot related problems with them despite not breaking them in beforehand. We did however try them on instore, which would always be recommended I think. The boots were £50 or so.

Yes I was going to say this. If she's not going to wear them much afterwards, I'd say material ones something like this www.gooutdoors.co.uk/16143617/hi-tec-womens-raven-mid-waterproof-hiking-boot-16143617
otherwise leather ones by Hi tec or Peter Storm may be a bit drier/harder wearing but assume she's going in summer so unlikely to be very bad conditions. Plus material ones won't need breaking in.

I'd also say decathlon as their prices are so competitive. Having said that we got DD's at Go Outdoors from the clearance section and used her Duke of Edinburgh discount.

DD1 wore cheap trainer type walking boots and ended up with wet feet on bronze DofE. For silver, we bought her Hi-Tec leather ones - they were about £50 from Go Outdoors. She is now in her mid 20s and still wears the same boots for walking at weekends when it’s wet etc. If you think her feet have stopped growing, then it’s a good idea to get ones that will last. DD2 - hers were more expensive leather boots as sensitive thin feet - but will wearing them 10 years later.

Keep an eye out for some in charity shops or ask on freecycle

Depends if their feet have stopped growing, if so buy a pair with gortex and full ankle support, mine are saloman but merrels are good too, cheaper are mountain warehouse brand, hitec

karrimor have done DS for Scouts and Dfe

I wouldn’t buy online tbh. You need to go to an outdoor shop and have a look And try them on. Buy proper walking socks too. We’ve always gone to go outdoors if you have One locally. They have a variety from really cheap (non waterproof, fine for a child to wear a couple of times to trash, but not great for a wet weekend of hiking) all the way through to really decent boots that my dbro buys for climbing (UK) mountains.

whatever you buy, I’d go for a boot rather than a shoe and double check they are waterproof. Having spent many Saturday walks where the weather starts sunny and by 4pm, it’s heavy rain and the dofe groups That are also about are drenched Through- I wonder what they are going to put on in the morning if everything is wet (a few years ago, we saw a girl carrying her sleeping bag loose about 15 mins before the heavens opened- she would have been freezing that night and had to carry all the extra weight as her kit was soaked through).

DS got away with using some sturdy trainers that 'look' like hiking shoes.

Mountain Warehouse or Sports Direct should sell you something acceptable and moderately priced - much easier to go to an actual shop where you can try stuff on than faff around with returns for footwear.

Which dofe is it? Bronze isn't very long tbh and trainers may be ok.

Karrimor ones were good value, my son got some recently, they were really comfortable for him on hikes.

This was helpful, thanks everyone. I have ordered a couple of different Hi-tech models in 2 different sizes for her to try, plus walking socks. I'll return what's not suitable.

Now I could do with help to select a waterproof jacket...

millet's are good for this sort of thing, they have their own brands