Sonder Bikes
One pair of well-chosen boots can last through all three award levels. Here's how to choose them and break them in on time.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is often the first time a young person spends serious time in proper walking boots. Getting the right pair matters, not just for the expedition itself, but because a good experience of hillwalking at 16 tends to stay with someone. A bad one, caused by blisters or the wrong footwear, often doesn't.
This guide is for both the young people completing their Bronze, Silver or Gold award, and the parents and carers helping them prepare.
DofE Footwear Requirements
DofE operating authorities require participants to wear appropriate footwear for the terrain. The standard expectation is ankle-supporting, waterproof boots suited to the expedition environment. Budget trainers, road-running shoes, and canvas boots are regularly flagged as insufficient at pre-expedition kit checks.
If you're unsure, contact your DofE group leader or school coordinator and ask what the specific requirement is for your expedition area. The answer will almost always be: waterproof walking boots with ankle support.
What Bronze, Silver and Gold Demand
The terrain demands increase at each award level, and so does the time spent on the hill.
Bronze Award: typically two days and one night on moderate terrain. Most Bronze expeditions use lowland or gentle upland paths. A waterproof, ankle-supporting boot is required and appropriate.
Silver Award: three days and two nights, with more demanding terrain. Open moorland is common. A three-season boot with good grip and a waterproof membrane is appropriate.
Gold Award: four days and three nights in remote terrain that can be genuinely mountainous, particularly for groups in Scotland, Wales, or northern England. A proper three-season boot is essential. In northern areas, conditions can be challenging even in mid-summer.
Choosing the Right Boot: One Pair for the Whole Award
A well-chosen pair of boots bought for Bronze should last comfortably through Silver and Gold with proper care. Buying a separate boot for each award level is unnecessary for most participants. The decision comes down to one question: what is the most demanding terrain this participant is likely to encounter across all the expeditions they plan to complete?
For participants starting with Bronze, on moderate lowland or gentle upland terrain:
A lightweight waterproof boot with ankle support is appropriate and will not be too much boot for the conditions. This is also the right choice for participants who are genuinely uncertain whether they will progress beyond Bronze and Silver.
Look for a synthetic waterproof boot with a Sympatex or Gore-Tex membrane, a supportive last, and minimal break-in requirement. It should handle maintained paths, lowland tracks, and moderate upland ground comfortably. This is often a first boot purchase, and price point matters: a well-made synthetic boot in this category offers good value without compromising on waterproofing or ankle support.
For participants planning Silver or Gold, or Bronze in upland or moorland terrain:
A more robust three-season boot with a stiffer sole and more substantial upper handles the open moorland, rough ground, and multi-day load that Silver and Gold demand. If a participant is serious about completing all three award levels, this is the boot to buy from the outset. It will serve Bronze comfortably and will not need replacing for Silver or Gold.
Look for a synthetic three-season boot with a waterproof membrane and a sole suited to the wet grass, bog, and uneven ground that characterise most Silver and Gold expedition environments. A boot in this category will serve Bronze comfortably and won't need replacing as the participant progresses through the award.
The Most Common DofE Boot Mistake
Parents frequently buy boots two sizes too large on the basis that the participant will "grow into them." This is one of the most reliable ways to guarantee blisters. Heel slip caused by an oversized boot will ruin an expedition.
Buy boots that fit the foot now. Feet can be remeasured and rebooted next season. A correct fit today costs less in the long run than an ill-fitting boot that causes enough pain to end a DofE attempt.
An in-store fitting is particularly recommended for DofE participants. Staff can check fit across both feet, demonstrate heel lock lacing, and advise on the right sock for the terrain and conditions. See: How to Find the Right Fit in Walking Boots
Breaking In Before the Expedition
DofE boots must be broken in before expedition day. This is not optional and is one of the most commonly ignored pieces of advice.
Allow a minimum of three to four sessions of at least an hour in the boots before any multi-day walk. The practice journey (a requirement of the DofE programme) is the ideal opportunity: use the practice expedition in the same boots the participant will wear for the qualifying expedition.
New boots on day one of a qualifying expedition is one of the most avoidable DofE disasters. Don't let it happen. See: How to Break In Walking Boots
Socks Matter as Much as Boots
Broken-in boots plus the right socks is the most effective blister prevention available.
Carry two pairs of walking socks per day of the expedition and change into a dry pair at camp each evening. Merino wool or synthetic hiking socks are appropriate. Do not use cotton socks; cotton holds moisture and creates friction.
Apply Compeed or blister tape to any hot spot at the first sign of rubbing, before a blister forms.
Gaiters
Recommended for any Silver or Gold expedition, and for Bronze expeditions in wet or boggy terrain. Low gaiters keep the lower leg and the top of the boot dry on wet ground, reduce debris getting into the boot, and extend the warmth and dryness of the layering system.
Caring for Boots After the Expedition
DofE expeditions put boots through wet, muddy, heavy use over consecutive days. After the expedition:
- Remove insoles and allow the boot to dry naturally at room temperature, away from radiators
- Brush off mud while still damp
- For leather boots, condition after drying
A well-cared-for boot will last through multiple award levels. See: How to Care for Leather Walking Boots