Backpacking for Seniors

First, packing for two weeks is no different than packing for one week, or three days, or one month.

You don't bring two weeks worth of clothes. You bring enough for a few days and sink wash every couple of days and hit a laundromat once every week or two. Your pack, assuming you're not camping, should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (check out RS line of bags to start).

Many train stations in Europe have lockers to store your gear while sightseeing.

May I suggest you get a hold of Rick's "Europe Through The Back Door" and you can learn how to travel light--which is something the majority of us adhere to. The book will also answer many of your basic questions.

Frank, thanks for quick response and advice. Gives me more assurance and now to convince wife. Steve

Hi Steve,
I'm not sure about the term "backpacking." You can pack lightly (a small piece of luggage and a small back/day pack), take the train to various destinations, stay in budget to moderately priced hotels/hostels/pensions (spend 1-3 nights at each), and daytrip or hike from there. Your wife might enjoy traveling that way instead of "backpacking."

When I think of backpacking I think of trekking up a mountain trail and camping.

We are both in our mid 60s. Marcia and I both use backpack style of bags. Her weighs about 18 lbs and mine is little heavier at 22-25 -- I get to carry the travel books. We carry two changes of clothes plus what we are wearing and go for weeks. Unfortunately I believe that packing light is "learned behavior." We can preach but you will not be a true believer until you have done it at least once.

Frank/Sharon, I have backpacked in Greece for three weeks about 7 years ago but stayed at a relatives house as base and just took items I needed from my luggage for the travel to various islands. That worked for me and I appreciate other viewpoints and advice. Planning to make the trip in the Fall. Thanks

Hi Steve,

I think it all depends on where you are staying and how long you will be spending in each place. Some days when I went backpacking, I only had to carry my backpack from where I was staying to the train station, and then the next train station to the new place I was staying.

Some days, though, I was touring places in-between points of accommodation. For example, I had my backpack with me the entire day that I took a boat up the Rhine river and hopped off to explore one of the towns. As I was nowhere near my destination for the day, I could not drop off my bag and come back to get it later. Therefore, I had to have my backpack with me the entire day and needed to ensure that it was not too much weight so as to slow me down.

If you are not going to have any intermediary points along the way like this, then a backpack can be a useful way of getting from point A to point B, but it is not necessary - you can just as easily get by with a wheeled suitcase. A backpack is mostly useful if you need to have all your stuff with you for a few hours, or even a full day, of visiting sites and walking around. If you think you might be doing that, then do a dry-run of your packing and spend a day walking around town and window shopping, or doing whatever. That will quickly let you know if backpacking is for you.

When you say "backpacking," would you please tell us if you mean:

a) having the pack on your back, serious hiking from one place to another or

b) carrying your clothes on your back (a la Rick Steves) but mostly between hotel and train station.

If (a) then you will need a good backpack.

If (b) then you need a convertible pack...a bag that has hidden backpack straps to use when you don't want to carry it any other way. I would suggest one that also has a hidden waist belt.

If you insist on taking 2 weeks worth of clothes, then you'll need a bigger backpack or suitcase.

Steve,

Click on the "Travel Tips" tab at the top of the page you're reading now. On the new page you'll get, see the "Packing" heading near the top on the left-hand side. You'll see links to several very helpful articles.

Also read the "Savvy Senior Travelers" article under the "Planning Your Trip" heading at the bottom of the "Travel Tips" page.

Pack your backpack and put it on your back for a day, before you leave on your trip. Try up and down lots of stairs and hills. You might find like I did that the knees won't hold up, they're just not what they used to be. Also this is a good way to talk yourself into travelling much lighter! We travel with less than 15kg. including the weight of the suitcase, even for three months at a time and we use small wheeled suitcases. Works perfect for us.

Steve,
I'll be 63 this summer and I'll be going to Ireland in June. I'll be taking a convertible suitcase like Frank described and a Civita daypack. I'll pack two sets of clothes and wear one other. I've found that the backpack is easier on my body than the wheeled cases. With them I'm always "twisted" and after a while, I hurt. Good luck and good travelin'

Boy, I just joined this site and what a great bunch of guys. I can see by your responses that when we go on our trip, we will be well prepared. What I meant by backpacking is not the mountain climbing type, which I did when in the Marines, but more of a leisure trek through villages and cities. Given the light packing that we will do, mine heavier of course, we should be able to manage. I probably would like to have a pack that would have wheels in case I have to manage two packs. Thanks,

Luggage storage is available in most train stations. Traveling by train, the backpack style bags are so much easier to maneuver boarding and leaving the train. Wheeled luggage is a struggle on the train. Go backpack, and you wont be sorry.

We are two seniors who, last year, took the kind of trip you are contemplating. We backpacked and never had any second thoughts.

Go and enjoy.

Tom

Steve, you could take one of each especially if your wife doesn't like the idea of wearing a backpack.

This, BTW, is how RS travels with his wife: he uses the convertible backpack, and she uses the bag with wheels.

Steve,

I'm in the 55+ age range and also use the Backpacking method of travel. That's been working really well for me so far, and I have NO plans to use any other method.

There has been quite a bit of a debate here at times on "the best" luggage, and there seems to be two distinct "schools of thought". Some really like Backpacks, some prefer "wheelie bags".

Based on my experiences in travelling (rather than mountaineering) with a Backpack, there are primarily two situations:

• travelling a short distance from the train to the Hostel, or from one train to another. Length of time wearing the Pack is usually short, so the "fit" of the Pack is not too critical (without a properly adjusted waist belt, the weight rests on the shoulders).

• walking longer distances or for a longer period of time while wearing the Pack. In that case, proper fitting for torso length is much more important (with a properly fitted Pack, most of the weight rests on the hips and the amount of weight on the shoulders can be balanced).

I didn't notice any mention in your Post on whether you currently have Packs? If you're going to be buying for your trip, the fit is definitely something to consider.

One other nice thing about Packs is that they can be "fitted" into Lockers much more easily than hard-sided luggage.

Happy travels!