If you're planning for your first backpacking holiday, you're probably wondering what the best gear would be to take. After all, you're going to carry your backpack around quite often and you don't want to have to lug around excess weight. Many first-time backpackers make the mistake of packing several pairs of jeans, thinking that these are comfortable and versatile. They then wear those jeans once or twice before spending part of their budget on mens cotton drawstring pants.
There are different types of pants that come with drawstrings. The most common are wide and loose, sometimes with pockets and sometimes without. They can be made of a thin fabric in a color such as plain white or they can be colorfully ethnic in design. Another type is more fitted and look almost like cargo pants or jeans. They're usually made of a thicker, stronger fabric too.
One of the major advantages that light cotton trousers has is that they won't take up too much space in your backpack. You can simply fold them up into a small bundle that can even fit into a side pocket. Jeans, in contrast, are bulky and can easily take up half the space in your luggage. They also add quite a bit of weight to the pack.
Another reason why backpacking veterans leave the jeans at home is that it takes so long for them to dry. There will be times when you get caught in the rain or when you have to hand-wash your clothes and you'll have wet trousers. If they're made of a light fabric, they'll dry within only a couple of hours, while jeans will probably still be damp the next day.
Most backpackers prefer traveling through countries in or near the tropics, where they won't have to take lots of bulky, warm clothes. Jeans are very hot and uncomfortable in these parts. They can cause chafing that is at best uncomfortable but is usually quite painful. With cool, loose trousers you won't have this problem.
You may think that nothing is as versatile as a pair of jeans, but this is not true. With drawstring trousers in a solid earthy or dark color, the possibilities are endless. The wide type makes comfortable sleepwear but can also look quite smart if you wear them with a nice shirt or even a fitted T-shirt. The type that is quite tailored already can be worn anywhere, whether it's for adventure sports or a night on the town.
The drawstrings make it possible to wear your trousers no matter what your size is. Most people lose quite a lot of weight when they go backpacking. Jeans will soon be too big and you'll have to keep pulling them up but if your pants have drawstrings, you can just pull these more tightly for a better fit.
Many clothing stores stock the loose-fitting pajama-type of drawstring pants and you'll also be able to find them on the road in towns frequented by tourists, especially in areas with a tropical climate. The more fitted variety is usually easier to find at outdoor specialist stores. However, with many online stores selling either type, your perfect backpacking wardrobe is only a few clicks away.
There are different types of pants that come with drawstrings. The most common are wide and loose, sometimes with pockets and sometimes without. They can be made of a thin fabric in a color such as plain white or they can be colorfully ethnic in design. Another type is more fitted and look almost like cargo pants or jeans. They're usually made of a thicker, stronger fabric too.
One of the major advantages that light cotton trousers has is that they won't take up too much space in your backpack. You can simply fold them up into a small bundle that can even fit into a side pocket. Jeans, in contrast, are bulky and can easily take up half the space in your luggage. They also add quite a bit of weight to the pack.
Another reason why backpacking veterans leave the jeans at home is that it takes so long for them to dry. There will be times when you get caught in the rain or when you have to hand-wash your clothes and you'll have wet trousers. If they're made of a light fabric, they'll dry within only a couple of hours, while jeans will probably still be damp the next day.
Most backpackers prefer traveling through countries in or near the tropics, where they won't have to take lots of bulky, warm clothes. Jeans are very hot and uncomfortable in these parts. They can cause chafing that is at best uncomfortable but is usually quite painful. With cool, loose trousers you won't have this problem.
You may think that nothing is as versatile as a pair of jeans, but this is not true. With drawstring trousers in a solid earthy or dark color, the possibilities are endless. The wide type makes comfortable sleepwear but can also look quite smart if you wear them with a nice shirt or even a fitted T-shirt. The type that is quite tailored already can be worn anywhere, whether it's for adventure sports or a night on the town.
The drawstrings make it possible to wear your trousers no matter what your size is. Most people lose quite a lot of weight when they go backpacking. Jeans will soon be too big and you'll have to keep pulling them up but if your pants have drawstrings, you can just pull these more tightly for a better fit.
Many clothing stores stock the loose-fitting pajama-type of drawstring pants and you'll also be able to find them on the road in towns frequented by tourists, especially in areas with a tropical climate. The more fitted variety is usually easier to find at outdoor specialist stores. However, with many online stores selling either type, your perfect backpacking wardrobe is only a few clicks away.