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.
When you think of drawstring pants, you probably think of two varieties. One is the wide and loose type made of a white muslin type of fabric so thin that you can see right through them. The other is the type with stripes in different bright colors, favored by NGO workers and people with dreadlocks. However, there are many different styles and colors to choose from. You can even buy a more tailored type with many pockets, similar to cargo pants.
The main advantage of choosing cotton trousers is that they're light and compact. You want your backpack to weigh as little as possible, since you'll be lugging it around on buses, boats, trains and from one hostel to another. Jeans are heavy and bulky, leaving you with less space for other items.
Jeans also take forever to dry. You may get caught in the rain or you may decide that your clothes are filthy and need a wash, which means that you'll have wet clothes every once in a while. You want these to dry within a few hours so that you won't have to carry around damp clothing when you hit the road again. Light cotton garments dry in no time.
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.
Jeans are certainly versatile but if you choose your drawstring pants wisely, you'll be able to wear them anytime, anywhere. The slightly tailored type is the easiest to dress up and they're also strong enough to wear when you're trekking through the wilderness or trying adventure sports. However, the loose type can look stylishly smart-casual with the right shirt too and you can sleep in them as well.
You may find that an unexpected advantage of the drawstrings is that they're adjustable. Most backpackers lose some weight during their trip. This is usually because of a combination of more exercise, different foods and the odd bout of traveler's diarrhea. While you'll soon find that your jeans need a belt to keep them from falling down, drawstrings can simply be pulled tighter.
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.
When you think of drawstring pants, you probably think of two varieties. One is the wide and loose type made of a white muslin type of fabric so thin that you can see right through them. The other is the type with stripes in different bright colors, favored by NGO workers and people with dreadlocks. However, there are many different styles and colors to choose from. You can even buy a more tailored type with many pockets, similar to cargo pants.
The main advantage of choosing cotton trousers is that they're light and compact. You want your backpack to weigh as little as possible, since you'll be lugging it around on buses, boats, trains and from one hostel to another. Jeans are heavy and bulky, leaving you with less space for other items.
Jeans also take forever to dry. You may get caught in the rain or you may decide that your clothes are filthy and need a wash, which means that you'll have wet clothes every once in a while. You want these to dry within a few hours so that you won't have to carry around damp clothing when you hit the road again. Light cotton garments dry in no time.
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.
Jeans are certainly versatile but if you choose your drawstring pants wisely, you'll be able to wear them anytime, anywhere. The slightly tailored type is the easiest to dress up and they're also strong enough to wear when you're trekking through the wilderness or trying adventure sports. However, the loose type can look stylishly smart-casual with the right shirt too and you can sleep in them as well.
You may find that an unexpected advantage of the drawstrings is that they're adjustable. Most backpackers lose some weight during their trip. This is usually because of a combination of more exercise, different foods and the odd bout of traveler's diarrhea. While you'll soon find that your jeans need a belt to keep them from falling down, drawstrings can simply be pulled tighter.
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.
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