4x4x4doors
Adventurist
Mrs. Doors and I definitely qualify as seniors by most definitions. We are reasonably healthy (not decrepit) but somewhat limit some of our outdoor activities due to orneriness, physical condition and general interest.
We are not (and do not intend to become) serious hikers but we will tackle the occasional trail with limited altitude changes -- we recognize the value of trails that go up as you leave the parking area and allow us to go down as we return.
Generally we don't commit to much that will exceed a one-way distance of 1.5-2 miles with an equidistant return trip.
We have discovered that carrying things, most notably that overweight purse, but also a couple of water bottles, a couple of hats, maybe the camera gets to be cumbersome. Actually, you'll see I'm carrying her purse in a lot of the pictures of the two of us hiking. It has become physically painful to haul that thing around all day slung over one shoulder.
Behavior modification is not an option. It's only been in the last couple of years that she'll consider leaving it with me in an eatery while she leaves the table, it is certainly not going to be locked in the car/truck while we walk away.
What I'm looking for is a recommendation on a backpack with two --probably padded-- straps that I can reasonably carry to spread the load across both shoulders and stay pretty much out of the way but still be reasonably secure so she doesn't worry about the contents being removed since its behind me. I guess what I'm looking for is a flap system that fastens (velcro or snaps or zipper) enough to discourage stealth removal of contents yet simple/wide enough that she can access if she wants without it being an ordeal.
Cost is a factor but comfort/convenience is more important.
We are not (and do not intend to become) serious hikers but we will tackle the occasional trail with limited altitude changes -- we recognize the value of trails that go up as you leave the parking area and allow us to go down as we return.
Generally we don't commit to much that will exceed a one-way distance of 1.5-2 miles with an equidistant return trip.We have discovered that carrying things, most notably that overweight purse, but also a couple of water bottles, a couple of hats, maybe the camera gets to be cumbersome. Actually, you'll see I'm carrying her purse in a lot of the pictures of the two of us hiking. It has become physically painful to haul that thing around all day slung over one shoulder.
Behavior modification is not an option. It's only been in the last couple of years that she'll consider leaving it with me in an eatery while she leaves the table, it is certainly not going to be locked in the car/truck while we walk away.
What I'm looking for is a recommendation on a backpack with two --probably padded-- straps that I can reasonably carry to spread the load across both shoulders and stay pretty much out of the way but still be reasonably secure so she doesn't worry about the contents being removed since its behind me. I guess what I'm looking for is a flap system that fastens (velcro or snaps or zipper) enough to discourage stealth removal of contents yet simple/wide enough that she can access if she wants without it being an ordeal.
Cost is a factor but comfort/convenience is more important.
