From Budget to Bliss: Elevating the Midlife Backpacking Experience

After thru-hiking over 1800 miles, we’ve discovered a strange phenomenon. In online forums and on the trail, middle-aged backpackers often apologize for spending money on hiking, as if spending money is “cheating.” As if thru-hiking is a young person’s sport and anyone doing it differently than a typical 23-year-old man is “doing it wrong.” Some things we’ve heard:

“I’m not sleeping at the cheapest places.”

“I splurged by eating at a nice restaurant and didn’t eat the cheap spaghetti meal there, because my body needs more vegetables.”

“I buy new shoes when my joints ache instead of when the soles fall off.”

“I know that everyone has opinions on planning ahead, but I have a technical question about this part of the route.”

Wow! So many stories and scripts on how to do backpacking and do thru-hiking. Sounds a lot like the “stories and scripts” we hear in personal finance, careers, and relationships. 

Darren and I came to backpacking in our late 40s. Neither of us had done much hiking or camping. Our life energy was poured into pursuing advanced degrees and working to self-fund our education. Most of our excursions were day trips in the tall grass prairies of Kansas. In a nutshell, we never participated in the backpacker culture scene of high school or college, and we were unaware of it. 

We have a lot of experience opting out of life scripts. We don’t have kids, we downsized in our 40s from a large coastal suburban home to a tiny house in the Great Plains. And we retired from W2 work in our late 40s. We’re here to give you permission to spend as little or as much as you like, as well as plan as much or little as you like when it comes to backpacking and thru-hiking. It’s your life and your trip. 

Being relatively clueless about backpacker culture and jumping in headfirst in midlife, we were oblivious to some of the biases, judgements, and tropes that existed. This got me curious about why so many people think that cheap backpackers are doing it “right” and that people who spend a little more, especially midlife backpackers, are “doing it wrong.”

Why Being Cheap Permeates the Backpacking Scene

Budget Constraints 

Backpacking requires a fair amount of free time. In Western culture, people tend to have the most free time in early adulthood and in retirement. 

Many avid backpackers become exposed to thru-hiking as young adults. Backpacking in Europe or Southeast Asia is a rite of passage for some young people. Because ads, media, and literature associate this rite of passage with youth, it’s easy to see why there’s a stereotype of the backpacker as being young and cash-strapped.

Almost everyone thru-hiking is on a budget. And that budget can vary wildly between each individual, irrespective of age. Statistically, you’re more likely to meet early and traditional retirees on thru-hikes than college students. You’re more likely to meet a Microsoft executive on sabbatical than a broke grad student. 

Simplicity and Minimalism

Hiking is often associated with a desire for simplicity and a break from materialistic pursuits. 

Some individuals intentionally adopt a frugal mindset to focus on the essentials and enjoy nature without the distractions of excessive spending or luxury. But this focus on frugality can spill over into every aspect of thru-hiking for some, even when it comes to necessary equipment. In midlife, you have our permission to purchase a backpack that fits appropriately. That goes for shoes as well. Consult with a living, breathing salesperson who’s had training in getting customers a good fit—you’ll learn so much!

And yes, that higher quality wool shirt will cost a little more than a fast fashion T-shirt, but it will last you years instead of a single hike. And you may even come to love it and wear it when you are back at home. 

Self-Sufficiency

Hiking often involves carrying essential supplies and equipment for extended periods. By being frugal, individuals may develop skills in resourcefulness, improvisation, and self-sufficiency, which can be valuable traits in outdoor adventures. As we age, though, we need to keep in mind that we are more prone to injury from an overweight bag than we were in our 20s or 30s.

Take your own journey, not someone else’s. Really consider if self-sufficiency is the top objective for your trip. If your trip is more about reflection, taking in nature, or bonding with a partner, align your kit and accommodations with those goals. 

Environmental awareness

Many hikers prioritize minimizing their impact on the environment. By adopting frugal practices, such as reusing gear, minimizing waste, and consuming fewer resources, hikers can reduce their ecological footprint and promote sustainability.

WARNING:

BACKPACKING OPINIONS AHEAD!

These are all concerns that we can get behind. When it comes to reducing ecological footprints, don’t sweat the small stuff. According to science, the top ways you can reduce your ecological footprint is to have one less child, live car-free, and take one less trans-Atlantic trip per year. How you backpack and sleep on your trip is not in the top ten list, according to science, on how to minimize your ecological footprint.

What Can Midlife Backpackers Do Differently?

It's important to note that not everyone who hikes is disdainful about spending money, and the motivations behind someone's behavior can vary greatly.

Priorities and goals

College students (you know, the ones featured in all the outfitter advertising) may prioritize adventure, exploration, and socializing while hiking.

In midlife, hikers might seek a balance between adventure and relaxation, enjoying nature at a more leisurely pace. Midlife hikers may also have different goals than younger hikers, such as personal reflection, connecting with nature, or seeking solitude.

Midlife backpackers may benefit from booking private accommodations or stay in hostels that promote quiet areas to reflect and enjoy solitude. 

Budget and resources

Midlife hikers generally have more financial resources available than college students. We may be able to invest in higher-quality gear, choose more comfortable accommodations, or have the flexibility to take longer hiking trips. This financial stability can contribute to a more comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience.

Don’t stress if someone calls you a “credit card pilgrim” on your thru-hikes. We are all sharing the same trails.  

Health Considerations

Midlife hikers might need to consider specific health concerns or physical limitations that come with age. We may need to pay closer attention to proper stretching, pacing ourselves, and taking necessary precautions (like cooking meals rich in fiber and protein) to ensure our well-being on the trail.

No, our bodies cannot accommodate 25 days in a row of spaghetti and canned vegetables. Don’t be embarrassed to order or make a fresh salad and lentil stew. 

Mindset and Perspective

Midlife hikers often have a different mindset and perspective compared to college students. We may approach hiking as a form of self-care, stress relief, or a way to reconnect with nature. We may value solitude, introspection, and appreciating the beauty of the natural world in a different way.

Consider that in taking the cheapest communal accommodations for yourself, you likely limit the accessibility of these experiences to those who have less financial resources.  

In Summary

A lot of our hiking experience is on historic pilgrimage routes in Europe. From researching the history of pilgrimages, pilgrims from all socioeconomic backgrounds participated.

You’ll find midlife backpackers in the cheapest albergues in northern Spain and in five star hotels in places like Montreux, Switzerland, and everywhere in between.  

Midlife hikers may have different priorities, preferences, or financial means, and may not place as much emphasis on frugality. Ultimately, each hiker approaches the activity in their own unique way.