Do I need a tourer or can I get away with a road bike & backpack for a week away?

http://bikepack.pl/

go for them, cheaper and easier way to tour, helped keep the bike feel lively without getting bogged down by panniers and rack.

I now swear by them.

Nice link Ed.

Osh. A modern Audax bike will feel as fast as a road bike if set up the same. It just has more clearance. But I see where yo're coming from. We all like our road bikes to look like pocket rockets ;)

Bags like those from Revalate designs, and the ones Ed linked to, will last a life time of abuse. They carry less weight than panners. But then with road bike gearing, I'd keep things lght anyway.