Duke of Edinburgh expeditions put genuine demands on kit — everything has to fit in a rucksack, carry comfortably over 15+ km a day, and cope with whatever the British weather throws at you. Whether you're heading out on Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor, Exmoor, or along the South West Coast Path, the right tent, sleeping bag, and mat can make the difference between a successful expedition and a miserable one.

Here's our guide to the best kit for DofE, based on what we stock and recommend at our Newquay showroom.

DofE Kit Rules — What to Know Before You Buy

DofE assessors check kit at the start of expeditions. Key rules to be aware of:

• Each tent must be carried by the group — for Bronze, groups of 4–7 typically share one or two tents. Weight matters.
• No single-skin tents — double-wall construction is required. All tents below qualify.
• Sleeping bags must be appropriate for the conditions — a 3-season bag is the safe choice for UK expeditions from spring to autumn.
• Self-sufficient camping — no electric hookup, so rechargeable lights need to be fully charged before you set off.

Best DofE Tent: Vango Soul 200

The Vango Soul 200 is our top recommendation for DofE expeditions. At 2.17 kg with a 52 × 15 cm pack size, it's one of the lightest double-wall tents we stock. The 2-pole tunnel design pitches in around 7 minutes via inner-first pitch, and the low-profile shape handles exposed moorland and coastal wind significantly better than a dome tent.

The Protex 70D flysheet with 3,000mm hydrostatic head and factory-taped seams means it will keep you dry in a British summer downpour — which is useful on Dartmoor in particular. The Nightfall darkened bedroom is a bonus if you're camping in midsummer when it stays light until 10pm.

For a group of two sharing a tent, the Soul 300 (2.86 kg) gives you more room for only £5 more and 0.69 kg of extra weight — well worth it if you're not counting every gram.

Also available in Deep Blue and Peridot Green.

Best DofE Sleeping Bag: Vango Microlite 100

The Vango Microlite 100 is a compact, lightweight sleeping bag designed for backpacking and expedition use — exactly the kind of bag that works well for DofE. Check the comfort rating before buying: for UK summer expeditions (June–August), a bag rated to around +5°C comfort is typically sufficient; for spring or autumn, look for 0°C or lower.

If you want extra warmth without bulk, a sleeping bag liner adds around 5°C of warmth and is easy to wash after an expedition.

Best DofE Sleeping Mat: Vango Aotrom

The Vango Aotrom is a lightweight self-inflating mat that provides insulation from the ground as well as cushioning — important on uneven moorland ground. A sleeping mat is not optional for DofE: without insulation beneath you, you'll lose heat to the ground regardless of how warm your sleeping bag is.

Backup Light: Outwell Carnelian DC 200

DofE kit lists typically require a torch or headtorch, but a compact rechargeable lantern is a useful addition for lighting the tent in the evening. The Outwell Carnelian DC 200 weighs just 200 g, charges via USB-C, and delivers 200 lumens of warm white light with a 10–100% dimmer. It doubles as a nightlight for the tent and has enough battery for a multi-night expedition when used at low brightness.

Kit Checklist for DofE Camping

• ✓ Tent — double-wall, shared between group members
• ✓ Sleeping bag — rated for the conditions
• ✓ Sleeping mat — insulation from the ground is essential
• ✓ Rucksack — 65–75L for Silver/Gold; 45–55L may suffice for Bronze
• ✓ Waterproofs — jacket and overtrousers
• ✓ Torch or headtorch — required on kit list
• ✓ Stove and food — check your award group's rules
• ✓ First aid kit
• ✓ Map and compass — no GPS for navigation in most awards

South West DofE Routes

The South West has some of the best DofE terrain in England. Common expedition areas include:

• Dartmoor — the most popular Bronze and Silver terrain in the South West; exposed moorland where wind-resistant tents matter
• Bodmin Moor — closer to Cornwall; good Bronze terrain with varied ground
• Exmoor — popular for Silver and Gold expeditions with coastal sections
• South West Coast Path — used for some supervised Gold expeditions; exposed clifftop pitches where the Soul's tunnel design excels

Visit Our Newquay Showroom

We stock all the kit mentioned in this guide at our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ. If you're unsure which sleeping bag or mat is right for your expedition, come in and we'll help you choose.