Monday, March 31, 2014

Why Mens Cotton Drawstring Pants Are A Backpacker Favorite

By Jaclyn Hurley


Your airplane ticket has been bought and you're gearing up to go backpacking for the first time. Now you just need to decide which clothes to pack. You need something comfortable for travel days, lounging in a hammock or for those treks through the jungle. However, you also need something that you can confidently wear in a club or a restaurant. You probably think that jeans are the perfect choice but seasoned backpackers have learned long ago already that they shouldn't leave home without 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.

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 advantage is that the lighter the fabric, the more quickly it dries. Most hostels have facilities where you can wash your clothes by hand but very few have dryers. You have to rely on sunlight to dry your laundry or any clothes that got wet in the rain or on a boat. Jeans can easily take a day or two to dry this way, provided that it doesn't rain. Carrying damp clothes in your backpack is a bad idea.

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.

Another great feature of drawstring trousers is that you can adjust the waistline. Because you're more active and eat less junk food on the road, you'll probably lose weight. Some backpackers drop two or three sizes during their trip. By pulling the drawstrings more tightly together, it's easy to adjust your pants and wear them without having to pull them up all the time.

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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