Scouts hiking - what does DS really need.

[eosmum]

What gear does DS really need for hiking with scouts? They haven’t been much help when asked. He will be bivving next weekend, but has SPD and can’t bear too many clothes. He will also be doing a week hiking around Wales in July. Does he need different gear? I got him good boots but the shop was trying to sell me hundreds of €s worth of gear. Where would be good value? Thanks .

In my experience he'll really need a good torch and spare batteries. A head torch is a good idea. He will need plenty of socks! Nothing worse than wet feet. A few plastic bags...little ones as well as a couple of carrier bags (for dirty and wet clothes) He;ll need a warm hat and some joggers and sweatshirt...it's cold at night....if he can carry it, a warm coat.,

In July, he'll need some shorts and t shirts as well as swimming gear. He won't need those next weekend. A cap for July too...keep off the sun.

Cotswolds usually good. Decent waterproof , good hat

Go Outdoors is good value. You can look online to compare products easily.

Layers. Extra layers. Waterproofs. Spare socks. Maybe gloves.hat.

Thanks guys. One pair of waterproof trouser they told me he needed were over €100 I just can’t afford that.

You can get decent waterproof trousers from decathlon for about £20. I'd also get some cheap thermals from mountain warehouse. I fact, mountain warehouse is good for all things scouts related. They even give a scout discount.

Try Go Outdoors if you have one they are pretty reasonably priced and you get 10% scouting discount on top of you download the voucher from the My Scout website

DS has been hiking with Scouts for a few years now, including all day hillwalking.

He has waterproof trousers and jacket. The trousers were about £20 on sale, he'll need new ones in the spring but they will have lasted 3 years then. They weren't the cheapest, they have zip pockets and zip bottoms to put on over boots easily.

He has Scout trousers (second hand), but any hiking trousers or tracksuit bottoms will do, anything quick drying (not jeans). A t-shirt and lightweight polyester fleece or poly-cotton sweatshirt, jumper or jacket, waterproof hiking boots and socks.

We’re a scouting family & have done lots of walking etc.

We’ve had the waterproof trousers from decathlon ( around £15)
Gaiters often really useful as saved wearing the waterproof trousers if not raining
Lots of socks
Good waterproof jacket. Size up, so can wear for next year. We’ve bought good Dark ones of these & they’ve worn them to school too.
Eg berghaus or north face
Bin liner inside rucksack against wetness
Trousers that not jeans

Layers are you’re friend too.

Ebay is also great for this sort of stuff.

DS1's basic kit for a Friday to Sunday is
three pairs of cheap track suit bottoms not the jersey type, the nylon ones
Two t-shirts in the same material
One long sleeve top in the same material,
(All these were relatively cheap from sports direct.)
A thin fleece, a thick fleece and a hoody
Four pairs of thick socks
Two pairs regular socks
One pair of fluffy socks for nighttime
Pants!
Pyjamas- he wears a lounge suit set from Primark which are a bit thicker than usual ones
Water proof trousers his were about £25 and are great
Waterproof coat
Rucksack with waterproof cover
Boots with spare laces
Sliders for around camp
Sleeping bag
Thin blanket
Big water bottle
Roll mat
Thin towel
Torch and head torch
Heavy duty bin bags/rubble sacks

Could maybe get away with a bit less but DS is both clumsy and sweaty so usually ended up needing all his spare stuff!

Speaking from my own experience (D of E, many years ago): blister plasters (not just normal plasters) and a properly warm sleeping bag for camping out in January (I remember doing similar and all my friends had fancy sleeping bags but mine was shit - I had such a miserable night )

Oh yes, and a waterproof cover for his rucksack.. otherwise it gets sipping wet and soaks through whatever clothes you're wearing (even waterproof coats). Grim.

*sopping

Thanks a mil everyone. I know now where to start.

Sorry just looking at the websites, could someone put a link to the type of waterproof trousers and jackets please. I’m sorry I’m so clueless about this stuff and worried about getting it totally wrong and him either being soaked to the skin or roasted alive. Also is the gear from lidl/ALDI any good?

Will he need a sleeping bag? Will probably need a roll mat too. Sleeping bags come in different types depending on the seasons, the ones for winter are more expensive but you can get liners to put in the others to make them warmer.

I would go to Go Outdoors or Mountain Warehouse they are both good value. If your son has a necker take that, you get a discount.

If you get waterproof trousers make sure he can get them over his boots. DS failed to put his on whilst walking in a horrible storm once as he couldn't get them over his boots and he didn't want to take his boots off. We got him new ones. Maybe check in the shop before buying.

Is there a facebook/Whatsapp group for the scout group, maybe you can check with other parents what they have and also if you can borrow anything if their child isn't going on the hike or if there is anything second hand if their child has grown out of it.

Will you need a rucksack too?

Cotswold outdoor have a package for DFE which is their basics.

mountain warehouse kids waterproof trousers www.mountainwarehouse.com/kids/trousers-shorts/kids-waterproof-trousers/pakka-kids-overtrousers-p11882.aspx/purple/

This is 3 in 1 so should cover fleece, warm & waterproof www.mountainwarehouse.com/compass-youth-3-in-1-waterproof-jacket-p14300.aspx/petrol/

I’ve looked at kids but mountain wharehouse/ blacks have pretty decent gear fairly cheaply and there’s often a sale.

Lidl/Aldi gear is ok as far as I know - met quite a few people wearing it.

By the way, you can rent sleeping bags - definitely worth it If you need a 4 season bag for a few weekends.
www.outdoorhire.co.uk/quick-links/sleeping-bags.php

If fact this link seem to hire entire kits....

Thanks guys. We’re in Ireland so a bit limited with the shopping. But I can figure it out now. Our group doesn’t have any WhatsApp or Facebook unfortunately. I just took out his sleeping bag to find the zip is gone and it’s too small anyhow, he’s nearly 6ft and he’s had it since he was in beavers, sleeping bag hire would be great if I can find one.

I always seem to have the biggest child so hand down gear but always have to buy new. Same with my other children with ballet gear and uniform😩

Do you have an Explorer group (the one above Scouts) they might have larger stuff you can borrow?

Ours also expected to have
Pen knife
Head torch
Water bottle
Small first aid kit
Compass
Notebook and pen
Fire starting kit

If camping etc then a camping mug, plate and cutlery.

Our group provides stoves and lots and pans but some expect the scout to have their own portable stove etc so double check.

Clothing wise - warm hat and gloves (spare gloves is always wise) lots of good quality thick socks, trousers that are not jeans or joggers, thinner layers rather than one giant thick jumper - so T-shirt, long sleeved T-shirt, thin fleece, thicker jacket, completely waterproof jacket. They can then layer up/down as needed.

Always good to chuck in small bottle of sun cream, small pot of Vaseline or a chapstick, small pack of tissues and a small travel pack of wet wipes

Thanks everyone. You have all been a great help.