By Jaclyn Hurley


You've saved up, bought your ticket and have studied the guide book for ideas on where to go. Now you just need to decide what to pack in your brand-new backpack. If this is your first backpacking trip, you'll probably be tempted to pack a pair or two of jeans. This is not a good idea, though. You'll be much better off investing in some mens cotton drawstring pants.

Drawstring pants come in many varieties. There are the classic white ones that are wide and look like pajama pants. There are also thicker varieties made of multicolored fabric for a fun, ethnically inspired bohemian look. You'll also find ones that are made of a strong fabric and are more tailored, with lots of pockets. Whichever variety you choose, they're a great option for backpacking.

One of the main reasons why backpackers choose lighter trousers rather than jeans is that they're less bulky. They take up very little space in any backpack, unlike jeans. They also weigh much less, which is good news since you don't want to drag around a backpack that weights about as much as a baby elephant.

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.

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.

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.

Finding drawstring pants is quite easy. Many clothing stores stock them but you'll probably have more luck at stores specializing in outdoor clothing. You can also order them online. Many little shops in tourist areas in the tropics sell light, cool clothing too, so you can always pick up another pair on the road.




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