Why does every tourist have a backpack

[Anonymous]

How nice, OP, that you travel with a husband who has lots of pockets.
My usual bag — for travel or not — is often a backpack. I have several, in different sizes, from an old nylon Donna Karan, to a few sleeker leather ones, to a nice collection of MZ Wallace bags. My yoga teacher once asked if I regularly carried a heavy bag on my right shoulder, and suggested backpacks. I decided that she was right. I also usually walk or use public transportation— again, traveling or not — so it works for me.

Phone, wallet, keys, small makeup bag; often a small umbrella and a water bottle.

tldr: because we like them and they work well for us.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried being a marsupial? Your own pouches. Think about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?

I always carry my backpack— even when out in the US. I have water bottles, snacks, books, wallet, chargers, sanitizer, first aid, and whatever else we need. I have 3 kids but used to carry the backpack while traveling in my 20s!

I mean, I do think this concept of constant "hydration" is pretty new. When I was growing up, kids did not carry around reusable water bottles all the time, and I don't recall an epidemic of dehydration. We just went to the water fountain if we were thirsty.

As an adult, I do not carry a water bottle around NYC, where I live, or around the urban metropolises that I visit, unless it is extremely warm. I will bring water to national parks and rural areas, where there's no guarantee of a cafe for me to get a drink. So while I do not support OP's anti-backpack stance, I also don't buy into the hydration hysteria that has gripped so many.

OP here and this how I view it also. I think the water bottle obsession is a bit much. As I said in my original post I am talking about urban settings.

There are plenty of opportunities to have water/fluids throughout the day.

I disagree. Water fountains just aren't that prevalent anymore, and often don't work if you do see them. The other alternative is buying throw-away plastic bottles. Why would I want to buy water with single use plastic when I can just carry a water bottle that I filled for free? You're wasteful, all so you can brag that you don't carry a backpack or bag of some sort? That just doesn't make sense.

But I mean, that's fine. You do your thing. I can't fathom getting worked up to the point of posting that someone else chooses to carry water and a bag. What people complain about here is sort of mind boggling at times. WhoTF actually cares.

I mean, why can't you just stop in a restaurant/cafe and get a glass of water?

Because most places won’t give you one? Unless you’re buying it, in which case, why wouldn’t you just carry a water bottle instead of constantly paying for cups of water?

And adventurous travelers are not constantly within arms reach of a restaurant. Hence carrying water and perhaps snacks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You clearly don’t have kids who are unrelentingly hungry and thirsty all day!

There are cvs’s everywhere. Why would I carry things?

So, you only travel to places within reach of a CVS?
If so, has that felt limiting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll carry a le pliage sometimes when I need to take things with me (umbrella, sweater, water). I’m not a fan of backpacks.

My big pet peeve is the people wearing running shoes to stroll around town. I assure you that you’re not walking more than I am and I will be doing it in my sandals like I do everyday. You’re not going for a hike.

Sandals are not supportive enough for me. I wear sneakers or other shoes specifically made for walking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?

I always carry my backpack— even when out in the US. I have water bottles, snacks, books, wallet, chargers, sanitizer, first aid, and whatever else we need. I have 3 kids but used to carry the backpack while traveling in my 20s!

I mean, I do think this concept of constant "hydration" is pretty new. When I was growing up, kids did not carry around reusable water bottles all the time, and I don't recall an epidemic of dehydration. We just went to the water fountain if we were thirsty.

As an adult, I do not carry a water bottle around NYC, where I live, or around the urban metropolises that I visit, unless it is extremely warm. I will bring water to national parks and rural areas, where there's no guarantee of a cafe for me to get a drink. So while I do not support OP's anti-backpack stance, I also don't buy into the hydration hysteria that has gripped so many.

I guess my family was ahead of the trend. We brought water in the 1970’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?

I always carry my backpack— even when out in the US. I have water bottles, snacks, books, wallet, chargers, sanitizer, first aid, and whatever else we need. I have 3 kids but used to carry the backpack while traveling in my 20s!

I mean, I do think this concept of constant "hydration" is pretty new. When I was growing up, kids did not carry around reusable water bottles all the time, and I don't recall an epidemic of dehydration. We just went to the water fountain if we were thirsty.

As an adult, I do not carry a water bottle around NYC, where I live, or around the urban metropolises that I visit, unless it is extremely warm. I will bring water to national parks and rural areas, where there's no guarantee of a cafe for me to get a drink. So while I do not support OP's anti-backpack stance, I also don't buy into the hydration hysteria that has gripped so many.

OP here and this how I view it also. I think the water bottle obsession is a bit much. As I said in my original post I am talking about urban settings.

There are plenty of opportunities to have water/fluids throughout the day.

We get it. You don’t travel outside your little comfort zone where you can access a toilet and get more pepto if needed.

OP probably sits at cafes all day.

OP here. You make bad assumptions and I don’t have a small comfort zone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?

I always carry my backpack— even when out in the US. I have water bottles, snacks, books, wallet, chargers, sanitizer, first aid, and whatever else we need. I have 3 kids but used to carry the backpack while traveling in my 20s!

I mean, I do think this concept of constant "hydration" is pretty new. When I was growing up, kids did not carry around reusable water bottles all the time, and I don't recall an epidemic of dehydration. We just went to the water fountain if we were thirsty.

As an adult, I do not carry a water bottle around NYC, where I live, or around the urban metropolises that I visit, unless it is extremely warm. I will bring water to national parks and rural areas, where there's no guarantee of a cafe for me to get a drink. So while I do not support OP's anti-backpack stance, I also don't buy into the hydration hysteria that has gripped so many.

OP here and this how I view it also. I think the water bottle obsession is a bit much. As I said in my original post I am talking about urban settings.

There are plenty of opportunities to have water/fluids throughout the day.

I like my water bottle. I despise plastic single use water bottles.

[Anonymous]

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?

I always carry my backpack— even when out in the US. I have water bottles, snacks, books, wallet, chargers, sanitizer, first aid, and whatever else we need. I have 3 kids but used to carry the backpack while traveling in my 20s!

I mean, I do think this concept of constant "hydration" is pretty new. When I was growing up, kids did not carry around reusable water bottles all the time, and I don't recall an epidemic of dehydration. We just went to the water fountain if we were thirsty.

As an adult, I do not carry a water bottle around NYC, where I live, or around the urban metropolises that I visit, unless it is extremely warm. I will bring water to national parks and rural areas, where there's no guarantee of a cafe for me to get a drink. So while I do not support OP's anti-backpack stance, I also don't buy into the hydration hysteria that has gripped so many.

OP here and this how I view it also. I think the water bottle obsession is a bit much. As I said in my original post I am talking about urban settings.

There are plenty of opportunities to have water/fluids throughout the day.

I disagree. Water fountains just aren't that prevalent anymore, and often don't work if you do see them. The other alternative is buying throw-away plastic bottles. Why would I want to buy water with single use plastic when I can just carry a water bottle that I filled for free? You're wasteful, all so you can brag that you don't carry a backpack or bag of some sort? That just doesn't make sense.

But I mean, that's fine. You do your thing. I can't fathom getting worked up to the point of posting that someone else chooses to carry water and a bag. What people complain about here is sort of mind boggling at times. WhoTF actually cares.

I mean, why can't you just stop in a restaurant/cafe and get a glass of water?

I’d rather not pay for a glass of water at a restaurant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?

I always carry my backpack— even when out in the US. I have water bottles, snacks, books, wallet, chargers, sanitizer, first aid, and whatever else we need. I have 3 kids but used to carry the backpack while traveling in my 20s!

I mean, I do think this concept of constant "hydration" is pretty new. When I was growing up, kids did not carry around reusable water bottles all the time, and I don't recall an epidemic of dehydration. We just went to the water fountain if we were thirsty.

As an adult, I do not carry a water bottle around NYC, where I live, or around the urban metropolises that I visit, unless it is extremely warm. I will bring water to national parks and rural areas, where there's no guarantee of a cafe for me to get a drink. So while I do not support OP's anti-backpack stance, I also don't buy into the hydration hysteria that has gripped so many.

OP here and this how I view it also. I think the water bottle obsession is a bit much. As I said in my original post I am talking about urban settings.

There are plenty of opportunities to have water/fluids throughout the day.

I disagree. Water fountains just aren't that prevalent anymore, and often don't work if you do see them. The other alternative is buying throw-away plastic bottles. Why would I want to buy water with single use plastic when I can just carry a water bottle that I filled for free? You're wasteful, all so you can brag that you don't carry a backpack or bag of some sort? That just doesn't make sense.

But I mean, that's fine. You do your thing. I can't fathom getting worked up to the point of posting that someone else chooses to carry water and a bag. What people complain about here is sort of mind boggling at times. WhoTF actually cares.

I mean, why can't you just stop in a restaurant/cafe and get a glass of water?

I’d rather not pay for a glass of water at a restaurant.

Or four for my whole family! It's awkward to ask for it for free and then just stand there and drink it?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You clearly don’t have kids who are unrelentingly hungry and thirsty all day!

There are cvs’s everywhere. Why would I carry things?

So, you only travel to places within reach of a CVS?
If so, has that felt limiting?

This!

And also, I don't want to overpay CVS prices for lame snacks all the time. I'd rather carry my own..plus if you don't finish the snack, where do you put it? Carry around a plastic CVS bag bc it's cooler than a backpack?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree backpacks are best - but do they invite pickpockets? Do you keep your important items separately?

Yes. A very small cross body purse with money passports and phone to keep those safe from pickpockets in Europe. They can have my water bottle and snack from my backpack.

[Anonymous]

I like to be prepared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When traveling with my family, I often carry some water bottles, guidebooks, hats in the summer, a little food, and extra layers of clothes. We also sometimes get souvenirs. It's easier to have a backpack than to try to carry stuff, even if we could. If you find it easier to travel without one, great.

+1
Sweatshirts for everyone. Water. Snacks. Guide book. Is it all necessary? No. Does it make travel easier? Definitely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried being a marsupial? Your own pouches. Think about it.