Sunday, March 23, 2014

Why Mens Cotton Drawstring Pants Are A Better Option For Backpackers

By Jaclyn Hurley


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.

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.

You don't want to walk around in damp trousers because this can cause painful chafing. This is also why jeans are a bad idea if you're backpacking in a hot and humid climate. You'll be sweating quite a lot and your jeans will never really feel dry. Light and loose-fitting pants are cool and comfortable and they won't chafe your skin.

The main reason why jeans may sound like a good item to pack is that they're so versatile. However, you can get the same versatility with drawstring trousers if you choose them wisely. Wide and loose ones double up as pajamas and you can easily dress them up with a nice shirt or T-shirt. The stronger, more tailored variety is a good choice for a night on the town or even for visiting churches or temples too. Choose solid, darker colors or earth tones because dirt won't show up as easily on these and they're easier to dress up or dress down as needed.

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.




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