I'm glad you started with trekking poles because poles were the biggest improvement in comfort and safety of any backpacking gear I've added. My knees would always get sore, but since I started using pokes, they never get sore. They also help maintain balance and have saved me from falling many times. I'm 69, and this is my 55th year backpacking.

A lot of people give me grief for this, but I always take a few pairs of toe warmers. They have saved my bacon more than once on a wet cold night. Stick them under your air pad to warm the air inside. It’s like having an electric blanket in the woods!

About your wipes; I use hypoallergenic baby wipes with no scent and DRY THEM OUT before the hike. Them wet them slightly with the available water for a wipe-down every night before putting my sleep clothes on.

The Flextail Tiny Pump to inflate/ deflate your sleeping pad is a luxury item I won’t go without!

I am 71 and started backpacking when man first walked on the moon when I was 16. My wife and I still backpack but not as far. I was published by BACKPACKER Magazine in March 1980 about a snow trip to Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake. Two months later it was a major eruption and everything changed!!

I think all of those items would apply to young and older hikers alike. Maybe I’m early in the comments but I’ll be the first to mention a pee bottle. Absolute game changer on those cold nights!

Whoa, except for the dude wipes and the watch, I carry everything else on that list. My one extra luxury is a blowup pillow... heaven!

I like the Space blanket emergency tarps I've used them when I found my sleeping bag wasn't warm enough, I have put them over my tent when there was no shade in order to reflect the excess s heat, I have used them as a wind breakIn order to stay warm near the fireI've tossed them up as a temporary shelter when caught in a hailstormA little excess weight but comes in so valuableA little excess weight but comes in so valuable

Good ideas. My wife & I are in our 70’s and due to health & back issues we are restricted to much shorter day hikes for some time. Our favorite recent purchase are a couple folding pads that we can sit on when we stop for a snack break or just to admire another North Atlantic view in Newfoundland.

Great list! Used to think trekking poles were silly, now love them!

As a 68 yo hiker/backpacker, I can't gainsay any of these tips. Especially the hiking poles. One thing I do carry that I found purely by accident on Ebay. It's a roll up/fold up water basin that has a blowup rim. You can shape it into either a square, or close to round. It weighs about 2 ounces and is big enough for both my size 10 feet to fit into. There's absolutely nothing like dipping your feet into a hot water "bath" at the end of the day. I also use it for general cleanup of any cookware. Mostly though, I use it for my feet. Just heat up some water, set up the basin, pour the water in, and luxuriate in a warm foot bath. Of course, before you do that you can use it to wash of your face, or hands. I also take a GigaPump 4 air inflator with me as well. Normally I use a hammock, but when I have to use a tent, it's great for inflating my sleeping pad, AND it's also a small lantern I can use to light up the tent.

I found another alternative to Dude Wipes and that is "Attends wipes" 8" size (an item my 97 year old father uses). Super inexpensive and you can get the unscented ones. My luxury must have item is my REI 1 lb. chair, minus the carry bag. Fits right in the outside pocket of my pack and I cannot tell you how often I pull it out and use it on every break and at camp at night. Makes a world of difference for us older folks! Great tips, as usual! Thanks again for sharing!

A pocket hammock was a game changer for me. It makes the ultimate trail nap or camp seat.

After a day of Hydrating, I spend all night un-hydrating. For this older Hiker, a Kleen Canteen or any wide mouth foldable water bottle, is a must. For the bladder challenged, getting out of my tent many times into the cold wet night cuts too much into my much needed beauty sleep.

All good advice. I'm old school and still believe that sturdy footwear is more important than the lightest footwear. Years of backpacking ski touring, lugging canoes and kayaks have left me at 82 with only bike touring. Same basic trail gear minus the compression on my spinal collum. No more 90 day trips. Just shorter trips at half speed, making me a Half A Fast tourer. When I'm gone all of me left behind will be my ashes in a Ball Jar and a 5 gallon bucket of used titanium parts. If it were not for the replacement parts all I would have left of an active lifestyle would be memories. As for socks I have found Alpaca socks. they are the bomb. I still like my 45 year old Thermolite inflatable with foam core but now sometimes carry the new folding waffle pads they make a great sitz pad on the trail, and on that night when you need a wee bit more comfort under you,. Folding the mat in half sure helps. One suggestion I have is to carry a spray bottom. They come in one cup size to one liter. With extreme heat getting more extreme a spray bottle can keep you cool, Just a squirt across the face and neck cools through evaporation. In a dry camp they allow for a refreshing PTA shower before getting into your Sleep System.

Hell yes! lighter gear us the answer. Thanks for the tips. MY GEAR: TENT-> Tarptent NOTCH Li (Dyneema fabric) PACK-> Osprey EXOS 58 (Almost the lightest but surely the most comfortable) SLEEP SYSTEM-> REI Flash3 season insulated air mattress. Western Mountaineering Megalite overstuffed to 20 F. down bag. OOK KIT-> dTrail Designs Sidewinder titanium Caldera Cone (With the inverted cone INFERNO insert it burns wood as a high efficiency "gassifier" stove, otherwise I use ESBIT tabs with a BEGET tab holder, but alcohol is good too.Winter is a white gas version of an MSR Whisperlite universal. SHOES-> Merrill MOAB low shoes or MOAB high cut waterproof for winter or rain. SIT PAD-> from REI (can be put in 1/2) I'm 80 and still love backpacking. Here in Nevada altitudes are high so I take one L-Arginine tablet/capsule 45 minutes after breakfast and one 45 minutes after lunch. opens capillaries for much better O2 uptake.and better lactic acid flushing from muscles. 👍TIP: the Chinese made Fire Maple BLADE 2 canister stove (not the plain BLADE) is great for all weather down to 10 F. because its very light, well made and the canister can be inverted in cold weather due to the vaporization tube arcing next to the burner. (The plain BLADE does not have this necessary tube.) This stove has a lightweight braided steel fuel tube so the titanium burner sits on the ground (or rock or table etc.) for good stability. Fuel control handle is on the canister, safely AWAY from the stove.

I now swear by the portable bidet and that's for any age. As a 54-year old, I think my REI Flexlite Chair will be in my kit even when I go fastpacking. I still like to sit around at camp. Finally, I always carry a Nalgene bottle and cork ball for rolling my muscles morning and night. It's how I remain injury-free. ☮️❤️🤝

My favorite is my hammock sleep system. I only tent if necessary because I sleep so well in a hammock. Never hit the trail without trekking poles and a chair, Injinji socks, and shoes that make my feet happy.❤

I take a chair! It’s worth the extra one pound in my opinion!

I always buy cork grip trekking poles and remove wrist straps. They cause a significant number of injuries and damaged poles, and don't allow one to make all of the quick shifts in hand and pole positions that could be utilized. I use Gorilla Gue and sometmes Gorilla Tape to build up specific right hand and left hand grips at different positions and at least one lower ring for reaching up higher. I use a red Sharpie for marking up the right pole and blue Sharpie for left pole. May take several months to get it just the way you want. Should reduce at least half of the grip energy used.

New sub here. One tip for preventing blisters is vaseline or even chapstick. The lubrication prevents blisters. I learned this trick from a park ranger. It works better than moleskin.

Personal items I have dentures so I carry denture cleaning Tabs in a small screw cap jar just big enough for my teeth ,tab and a few once’s of water. I carry a bidet, but sometimes TP is just more convenient, I use a flextail to inflate my pad, instead of a foam sleeping pad I carry 1/8” foam pad from GGG. I have a pair of light gloves I wear at night to keep my Hans warm when they get out of my quilt. Finally I take my little contour blood sugar tester as I have type 2 diabetes. I recommend trekking poles and keeping your gear as light as possible.

I agree on all your items except the watch as I have no experience w/it. Seems like it might be something to consider though. When I hiked the AT I brought along a ultra-lite umbrella which I sprayed with permethrin (which kept bugs away from me night and day)...I always slept with it covering my head ...used it on MANY rainy days. It was a game changer and well worth the 6oz. Great video and thank you.

Hi, this the first time I've seen your channel but I've hit the subscribe button. Anyway, one item I take which I believe is absolutely vital is a pee bottle. It takes up a lot of space in my rucksack but it enables me to empty my bladder twice during the night without getting out of the tent. As I am 67 years old, I need to pee at least once each night and, if I've had rather a lot of fluids to drink (more than perhaps I should) and it's cold and/or raining it's a very necessary piece of kit. I also take a "chair" without legs - this means I can fit in my trekking pole tent without having to bend in the middle!

I found over the years that 2 of the main causes of plantar fasciitis are high sides opposite the main foot arch(cut them down to normal, and front points on either side of a raised heel (just behind the insole or shank). While they may seem vital for quick stops, they greatly interfere with the flexion of the foot at angles. The human heel is a round shape and the shoe heel should also be round.

I agree with all the other comments chair was a game changer for me. I also always take a Kelly kettle I canoe back country camp so weight is not so important and I love being able to take less fuel and boil water with almost anything

Chair...chair...chair...chair...chair. Did I mention bringing a chair? You can get a 16 ounce chair now that makes a world of difference.

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 😊

Reflectex-Ibcut a piece to my body shape and use it inside my bag on top of my body to add extra warmth. Also use it as a tent mat/wind screen/sit pad/etc. lighter and cheaper than bag liner and multi use.

Closed cell pad vs ultralight chair: I carry a closed cell pad for reasons given in the video but I am seriously considering a light chair. Sitting on the ground though not painful is not comfortable at all. I am not comfortable on the ground when I should be very comfortable and recovering. Trekking Poles: Here in Arkansas they are a MUST regardless of age. The Ozark Highlands Trail has a TON of water crossings and the trail is rocky. All trails here have a rocky tread thus tripping is common. My tent requires them. Dude wipes: I am doing the PCT this year and plan on canteen bathes to wipe down instead of wipes. We will see how that goes. I share the dislike of the sticky feeling. Dedicated sleep clothing would be a good pick. Socks: never get blisters so I'll keep my darn tough socks. I do have a layer of wool from briefs, socks, base layer. beanie to suppress odor. Inserts: My feet usually can heal with inserts if I have foot issues. I trained with a broken bone and with an insert it healed over a marathon training cycle. If i have an issue on the PCT I will buy a set and generally in two weeks my foot issue goes away. I then take them out.

I started hiking in my 30's. Always used trekking poles. I've had a pair of Gabels since 2009. I still use them as they are in great shape. It pays to always clean and properly store gear. They are also part of the emergency 10x10 tarp tent setup plan. You're dead on about as we age, like it or not, we need to adapt to our aging bodies and the right gear helps. Even though I'm in decent shape, the warranty period is up. 🤣 I'll be 50 this year. I've never been able to escape being a weekend warrior due to work which kills long thru hikes. I still hike and hunt while carrying a pack. Usually 25 lbs as I'm prepared to be stuck outdoors in grizzly country should a road become impassable or I can't get back to the truck.

A chair with a back is a must have.

I now carry a cork ball when I go backpacking. I’ll also add my vote for the insoles. An old pair of boots without proper arch support lead to a particularly painful struggle with plantar fasciitis. I use the insoles to keep the pain to a minimum, and the cork ball to massage the painful feet and any muscles that might need a little attention at the end of the hike. If I massage the night before, it makes rolling out of the tent in the morning soooo much easier.

Compression socks have allowed me to avoid oedema and painful swelling after a long day's hike. I have been using hiking poles for many years and have found them excellent to help reduce the pain in my knees.

Great choices! As I get older, balance becomes more of an issue and at least one hiking pole always comes with me. I also carry an ultralight chair for overnight trips - I just cannot sit on the ground any more for any length of time. Great list. Subbed.

My trekking pole is a 1.5m stainless steel curtain dod with a ferrule at each end. I have 2 and they're hollow so I carry my cordage in them

I bring younger people as my essential gear. 😂

This one is for the ladies. I take Lancome City Block Sheer tinted moisturizer. It's SPF 25 and comes in a small tube.

Fleece arm / leg warmers are small but useful to keep the slight chill away on early mornings or late nights. Also a thermometer helps me to gauge how many layers to wear to avoid getting sweaty and potentially cold .

A Life Straw. Ultra light and gives access to water otherwise undrinkable. Water purification tabs, Sawyer etc. Depends where you go what you carry. Water is life.

Thank you for this video. Great gear tips. I always take a lightweight, open-cell foam mask my Wife made for me. I wear it to sleep at night. It warms and moistens the air. I also take earplugs with me. Sometimes the night is noisy, or there are others sleeping (and snoring) nearby.

I have been called a coffee snob before but one thing I carry is an 8 oz coffee grinder as my luxury item. Also as others have said, a p bottle, because in a hammock it’s so easy to use and not have to get up in the cold!

👍 .. after 73 Summers, with wrecked knees and a dodgy hip, I swear by my walking poles. I 'Nordic Walk' to keep in shape. I no longer 'distance hike' with heavy loads .. but with a forest just 150 metres from my front entrance and others easily accessible by means of an excellent Public Transport Infrastructure, I have no excuse to not 'get out there'. Heavier loads (for a decent 'picnic') .. I just pack everything into a shopping trolley (the two-wheeled pull-along type .. they're no hassle on public transport too) and I'm off! An alternative, I remove the 'shopping bag' and just strap on a 55 or 65 litre backpack. Chair .. not there .. yet 😏. Swiss Forests (many villages have a forest sitting adjacent or nearby) have a good infrastructure and are well-maintained. Benches / seating can be found on most of the pathways. Foam Pad .. I have a little collapsible 'concertina' closed-cell foam 'sit pad'. It takes up very little space in a day pack and is great for the rear end and knees. Also, at Bus Stops during Winter .. those that have the more modern 'slatted' metal seating 😳. Freezing the butt while waiting for the bus (not that one has to wait long .. pre-planning and a Service that 'runs on time' sees to that). However, offering the pad to an older 'Granny' reinforces a lomg-standing inbred 'old school' gallantry 😊. Watch and such .. my analogue works just fine. I have learned to 'listen' my body regarding how tired / out of breath / whatever I am at any given time .. and two fingers on my wrist pulse, six seconds times ten, give me my heart rate. Good tips .. thanks for sharing .. take care ..

All good stuff 👍🏼. I kid make a whole video of my own about ur vid. But I'm just going to mention one item that to me is invaluable !!! It's something I started using in my late twenties early 30's ish. A yellow nalgene bottle !!! This is so I don't have to get out of my sleeping bag at night to go pee. Once I hit my late 50s early 60s there were some prostate issues so I started peeing more often at night... That's when I was really grateful for my bottle !!! It's the same one and has never worn out. So I have a high opinion of nalgene bottles !!!! The liquid coming out of your body is warm, 98+ degrees and be cuz I never worry about my bottle, ii put I back in my bag and recycle the warmth 👍🏽😁

I bring my knee braces and wear them during the hike. They soften each shock, which cumulatively over time could lead to swollen stiff knees. With them on, my stiff knees problems went away.

An Amazon bubble wrap shipping envelop. Free and weighs almost nothing. I use it three ways: a doormat for my knees getting into and out of my tent, extra insulation under my hips at night (I like my inflatable mattress saggy), and to sit on. You could also use it has a bag for washing clothes. I am also team chair. I find the thing I like least about being an older backpacker is getting up off the ground.

Yes to the garmin instinct solar. My Apple Watch lives on the charger now because the Garmin just goes and goes and goes! My only beef is that sometimes the charging cable does not connect and I must fiddle with it. But I LOVE this watch.

Ignore arch support Insoles or shoes. The foot is a spring and needs the arch. Use flat footwear! Closed cell foam pad all the way! Fast to sit on for a sec and get off the ground, and so many other things. I’m still young but the best thing I’ve done is use a hammock. Comfortable sleep over a little more weight. I sleep all throughout the night unless I have to pee on my Amok Draumr

Gear choices "to swear by, or swear at." Exactly! I'll add that Farm to Feet socks are 100% USA sourced and made, with a performance guarantee similar to Darn Tough. Well done and thank you for the tips!

Trekking poles, Dude wipes, and closed cell foam pad are part of this 62-year-olds backpacking gear list.

Destin cream for rash. It can make a big difference. Us regular not Xtra as regular is less greasy and comes off easily.

Trekking poles provide better balance but also provide propulsion on uphills, braking or cushioning on downhills, and provide arm and upper body exercise.

Am I the only one that likes sock liners? Dry blister free feet longer lasting socks that don't reek. Comfortable sleep system. ( whatever that means to you)

I no longer hike due to age and Lyme Disease but when I did, I always took a Crazy Creek chair with me. I would say that from the age of 50 until now (I'm 71) I much appreciated the back support it gave me. I had very few sore back mornings on the trail, and I did have them prior to carrying the chair. A side benefit is that you can un-clip it and lay it flat under your sleeping pad for more R value too. I managed to get my pack down to 27-28 pounds even with the chair and a liter of whiskey from 72 pounds on Springer during my first thru hike in 1990. Hike safe, Hike strong, Have fun! geek

Regarding footwear, A boot with a shañk for stiffness will keep your feet from getting tired and sore from constant flexing.

Dude wipes! My fav. They have individually wrapped ones and they seem a little bit bigger than the ones in the big pack. Thanks for the tips my friend.

I swear by a bag of hot chips, not too greasy but doused in enough salt and vinegar for them to be an almost ever lasting snack on a long day trip. You can use the wrapping paper as a protective hat in the winter too! Win win!!

Hope the next video will be HOW TO USE TREKING POLES. hand straps too.. I like them because of balance problems. Im getting a real life bump hat so when I do fall with a backpack on I lessen the impact with the ground i hope. I know it seems dorky to wear a helmet but with TBI and other head injuries I'll take the laughs and pointy fingers.

I was surprised you did not bring up excercise. I realize it is not a piece of gear, but it can improve balance, strength and longevity. I an almost 65, been working out for over 12 years, it has changed me physiocally, but also my mental state in that I Believe I can do things not associated with age. Just my 2 cents. Totally agree with the dude wipes!

I love soft feet and hands. Never had a blister, callus or hot feet. I use hike goo, silk toe liners and darn tough socks. I also put this on my hand crease because of trekking poles and barbell training. And yes, I have silk gloves as well.

I’m 49 and hiking the AT this summer, half of it. Already got the REI 1lb chair and the Flexlight pump.

Great video, thanks for the info!

Thanks...stay safe, enjoy life

Helinox Zero camp chair. Don't be surprised if you come back from peeing away from camp and find one of your buddies sitting in YOUR chair. I won't backpack without mine.

Great video! Great advice!

Dude Wipes are awesome. They help prevent getting a rash in the, ummmm, neither regions. I won’t leave home without them. For good leave no trace practice I haul them out with my trash.

Mosquito head net. Those little devils are relentless.

Another use for that large pad is as cover for a squat/pee.

Thanks AK, I've been taking the standard wipes you get in the grocery store. Great for hygiene & many other uses as you mention. Appreciate the "Dude Wipe" recommendation. Looking forward to giving them a try. As always thanks for your content!

I LOVE my down booties. Weigh nothing, so no reason not to always have them.

I'm thinking about adding a super lightweight cot to my gear mix.

I find wipes to be too heavy, and generally unnecessary. I might take a few dried ones, only on a short hike. For long hikes, I just bring a lightweight washcloth and use water to wash. Or a tiny bit of soap with it, well away from lakes or streams. The more I can eliminate from my pack, the happier I am.

Never mind the insoles, it's important to avoid the air soles!

thank you sir, great video p.s. I'm just 38, but it was great advice, and you look better than me! ahaha

Thanks for the useful information!

This likely isn’t an “older hiker” item so much as it’s just been my goto for the past 30 years. However, I have an item called “The Original Bug Shirt”. It can be hot, but it’s been a piece of gear that’s been an absolute staple of mine, young and older…

Generally wipes are not biodegrable and should packed out per leave no trace. Other than that good list, but my can't leave without gear is now a packtowl. Great for washing and wiping down tent when wet. Dries super fast.

Just seein' that trail up Whitney gits me 'cited! I spied someone washin' laundry in a bear can. Hmm. That a great secret or a one off? BTW, two poles give you 3 points of contact, if you're not standin' still. ;-) Just picked up my NRS Hydroskin sox from REI's Outlet last night. Haven't pulled the trigger on Injinji or the foam pad since my suitcase is full now and I'm hopin' my inflatable will be safe until a hiker box sprouts a foam pad for me!

Mole skin is essential too!

Use all that gear minus the watch. Love dude wipes at end of the day like a nice bath.

Appreciate this "swear-by" list. Might you also advise of your "swear-at" list?

You know, you can evaporate the dude wipes or wet wipes, store them in a plastic bag and use a little water to rehydrate just before use. This saves weight.

paper map and compass have always works😃🗺🥾

Your wife will help you find a small 30-50ml plastic spray bottle, they usually come with a tube so the liquid place inside can be drawn out from the bottom. Take the tube out, fill with water and you can get a couple of good sprays each time you turn it upside-down. Makes a great bidet. (butt washer)

I bring a hammock even tho i have a tent. The hammock doubles as a chair and sets up just as quickly. Only requirement is a couple of trees tho.

Gear for older backpackers? And THIS is why God made horses!

Great information and video. What brand or style of hiking clothes do you use. I had skin cancer and would like recommendations on long pants for summer and winter. Jeans are uncomfortable. Also do you use shoe gaters when hiking

Excellent! You might like alpaca insoles :)

Good advice

I'm working on overcoming your 1st thing on your list of mistakes...Not going, but, I am doing day hikes to prepare for a longer trip someday.

I always have lipstick. My lips never chap. I want to look alive in pictures with color. And you know what, it makes me feel pretty on the trails.

For older men particularly, a pee bottle. Stay in your tent the whole night. It really is invaluable when you get to 'that age'.

Thank you for your video

Last couple of years I’ve added a bidet and a pee bottle to my kit. No more getting out of the tent 2 or 3 times a night.

Zero chair and small umbrella….comfort is king

Do those wipes break down and compost fairly quickly in the ground or in the forest service privy?

What about pee bottle?

😂😂😂😂😂 I am a 64 M. My essential gear fits in my pockets. My extended kit fits in a 30 liter bag.

❤❤❤

Definitely a pole. I find sticks can suffice