D of E kit especially clothing for teen girl

[WhisperingAngelisnotbad]

Hi

I found [ www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5172607-waterproof-jacket?flipped=1&page=2 this ] thread from last year.

DD 13 wants to sign up at school for D of E from September.

Can anyone recommend good clothing options, especially jacket, for a teen about size 12?

I was thinking that if we start looking now, we may be able to find some good buys/recommendations. The ilk of Mountain Warehouse and Millets have their sales still on.

Also hoping to find a waterproof that teen DD would consent to wear over her uniform if it's raining!

She has suggested that she would like to get a pack-a-mac for D of E but I don't know that these would be waterproof enough.

PAC a Mac absolutely not suitable.

part of the training is usually discussing clothing requirements. I’d hold off until that point.

there is waterproof and waterproof.

Sports Direct was always my go to for stuff such as this with my boys but as previous poster said better to wait until the planning stages when it will be discussed with her team mates.

DD bought a Craghoppers Orion coat which was good for bronze and silver, still fits her now at 18 (she took it to a festival last week)and still looks good as new.The hood was important - this one stays up on its own and has a peak so really keeps her face dry and doesn't blow down.It wasn't cheap (it is now as looks like its been discontinued so can be picked up at around £30) but it was the only thing we spent on and it has lasted.
Trousers - both Dd took sports leggings and waterproof trousers (mountain warehouse in the packamac section)to pull over if needed .
T shirts -Mountain Warehouse.
Both took my M&S heat tech thermal long-sleeved tops to stay warm at night.
Edited as looked up details of coat.

Go to Mountain Warehouse, Decathlon, Trespass, North Face, Alpkit, RAB etc and try some on / check out prices versus your budget. You can spend anything from £20 to £500+.

TBH if she’s got to 13 without knowing where to find a decent waterproof then it seems like it’s not going to get much use, so a decathlon level option will likely be best. Agree that DoE course and practicals will help her work this out.

Coat wise don’t go for anything less than a hydrostatic head of 10,000, and make sure it’s breathable too (if there is no number / waterproofing column info on the label, walk away) beware that lots of ‘waterproof’ clothing really isn’t!
Waterproof trousers to be honest unless you go for gortex, or ‘MPV’ I’ve yet to find anything truly waterproof, I prefer a long waterproof coat, good walking boots and gortex gaiters. If you can borrow or afford a down sleeping back (preferably one which opens up to form a blanket and has a zip and shoulder baffle) it’s the best option (I’ve yet to find anything which can beat a down bag for warmth to weight ratio).
Everything else I’d wait until a bit closer to the time of the walk as she may have a growth spurt, and nearer the time you’ll be able to gauge what she needs for the weather. Both mine did DofE, one had unbelievably cold wet weather for the time of year, one had very hot weather, both did their practice walks and actual walk in the late spring / early summer.
good gortex walking boots are the most important bit of kit, but make sure she wears them in, and you do a few decent walks together first. My kids did D of E with scouts the parents were very proactive at setting up a borrow / sell WhatsApp group, initially for uniform but then spilled over in to various activity kits. If you know any of the parents you could see if you could get any of the kit second hand.
rucksack wise, go for a rucksack that’s designed for women, it will be much more comfortable, my favourite are osprey, but both Vaude and Berghaus, do decent quality ones. I personally wouldn’t go for Vango, as they don’t seem to have improved their design much, although I haven’t looked at the latest designs so I’m possibly being unfair. Which ever bag you go for, you ideally you want airflow between the harness and the bag, so you don’t get hot and sweaty on your back!
comfort is priority as if it’s uncomfortable you risk putting her off walking for life!! It’s also worth keeping an eye out on eBay, and once she’s enrolled she should get a discount card (10% off iirc) for various outdoor shops (Millets was definitely one, and I think go outdoor too, but it was some years ago!). Used to get discount if you were national trust members, but not sure if it still applies.

My dd had a Berghaus black waterproof jacket. Will still wear it now if raining.

One of mine did DofE through guides (rangers) and 1 through school. The Guides took the kit much more seriously!

School did arrange an evening at Millets where they were selling the gear at a discount.

DofE also do a discount, or did back a few years ago.

Wait til you get the list - is this bronze? they are only away for one night and don't walk very far. Mine borrowed my jacket and my walking trousers. Child's school entry fee included their rucksack and tent and stove and so she only needed a sleeping bag, again we had these ,oh and we bought her a spork from Go Outdoors. They get a d of e discount at Go Outdoors.

On reflection we probably (her dad and I) were probably quite relaxed as pre child we'd done quite a few trekking holidays .

Look Vinted for the stuff that the group are recommended.

I buy a lot of my outdoors gear on Vinted. Quite often it will say "bought for DofE" in the listing and you can get some great bargains. Craghoppers and Regatta are good brands to look for for fleeces and trousers/shorts.
Decathlon sell decent quality outdoors gear pretty cheap - I have a fantastic down jacket that cost much, much less than a branded one would have cost.

My daughter and all friends wore their school uniform waterproofs. They were at boarding school so that’s maybe why they had this kit. I would be more worried about them getting lost!

I always go for Berghaus waterproofs with Gore Tex. They are good value and hold their waterproofing if you follow the washing and drying instructions but I'm tall and not all brands come down low enough in the body for me. The womens Osprey backpacks are good but really it's all down to your size and shape. You need to try the backpack with weight in (about 10kg), most outdoors places have some you can use to try. Also worth looking at whether you can attach a roll mat to the outside. Ds started with a roll up SIM in his bag but quickly realised it was a faff to pack up and took up space in the bag so swapped to a foam mat on the outside. Another tip is to make sure the waist strap has some snack pockets so she can walk and access some snacks.