Why does every tourist have a backpack

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I travel, I typically carry a backpack. I'm usually traveling with my family of four and I have the pack with the travel supplies. It usually has a mini first aid kit, ponchos for rain, a small waterproof container with snacks for my family of four (like granola bars, and such), water bottle, hats for sun, sunscreen, bug spray, a travel towel, backup battery for phones, flashlights. We've used all of those things regularly. So, this is supplies for two adults and two children who don't carry much on them.

What is the travel towel for? I’m assuming you aren’t talking about a beach day?

I have found it useful to have a towel for various things. We've had times someone had to make a quick run through the rain and a towel is useful. We've had times that we wanted to wipe something down like the wet bench by the fountain or the outdoor seats after rain. Also, when you get wet bottles that have been sitting in a cooler of ice and are dripping wet. We started carrying it when the kids liked to jump into any puddle or pool of water as kids and then found uses so we always pack it. Because it's an REI travel towel, it packs compactly and doesn't take up much space, but it's useful.

I like this idea. I’d probably need to have it in some sort of waterproof bag within the backpack.

The one I got from REI comes in a zippered plastic pouch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

Sounds like your DH could use a backpack to carry everything around for you.

The "Pepto" detail has really made this thread come alive.

OP if you are a troll, bravo!

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I travel, I typically carry a backpack. I'm usually traveling with my family of four and I have the pack with the travel supplies. It usually has a mini first aid kit, ponchos for rain, a small waterproof container with snacks for my family of four (like granola bars, and such), water bottle, hats for sun, sunscreen, bug spray, a travel towel, backup battery for phones, flashlights. We've used all of those things regularly. So, this is supplies for two adults and two children who don't carry much on them.

+1 We have similar supplies.

[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.

Proper hiking footwear is not a pair of running shoes. Many Europeans are now wearing athletic shoes (especially since Covid). Do they also receive your scorn? It’s so amusing that you assume you are walking more than anybody. The very fact that you are wearing sandals says otherwise.

[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.

Again, how could you possibly care what shoes someone else wears? Incredible.

[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.

My pet peeve is seeing people’s uncovered toes. Lots of foot fungus, hammer toes, and bunions out there. Do cover up. You’re not as pretty as you think yourself to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

Sounds like your DH could use a backpack to carry everything around for you.

The "Pepto" detail has really made this thread come alive.

OP if you are a troll, bravo!

I am not a troll.

He doesn’t wear, never has worn cargo shorts. The items I listed aren’t big. I don’t know why everyone makes it out to be a pile of stuff. The back up charger is about the size of credit card. The glasses wipes are two little packets equivalent to hand wipes you get at a bbq restaurant. The flashlight is tiny, about the size of my pinky, only a couple of inches long and has come in handy a few times. The wallets holds three cards. The pepto is four chewable tablets. We are both adventurous eaters.
The bag that he brings is a collapsible shopping bag it is about 4”x3” and less than1/2” thick.

[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.

You have no idea what they are doing with their day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or large sling?

I understand for hiking. But in 2023, in an urban settings what in the world are people carrying around that requires the need for a full backpack.

We travel all of the world and have never had the need for any type of bag to go sightseeing, walking, exploring in a city.

I carry medication in my pocket, my Apple Watch, small wallet and nothing else. DH brings his phone, slim battery back up, small wallet, glasses wipe, tiny flashlight, pepto, small tiny foldable bag which are all in front pants pockets. Slim battery goes in back pocket.

Sounds like your DH could use a backpack to carry everything around for you.

The "Pepto" detail has really made this thread come alive.

OP if you are a troll, bravo!

I am not a troll.

He doesn’t wear, never has worn cargo shorts. The items I listed aren’t big. I don’t know why everyone makes it out to be a pile of stuff. The back up charger is about the size of credit card. The glasses wipes are two little packets equivalent to hand wipes you get at a bbq restaurant. The flashlight is tiny, about the size of my pinky, only a couple of inches long and has come in handy a few times. The wallets holds three cards. The pepto is four chewable tablets. We are both adventurous eaters.
The bag that he brings is a collapsible shopping bag it is about 4”x3” and less than1/2” thick.

I’m sorry but this is hilarious!

[Anonymous]

OK? We carry three epi-pen kits. Good for you.

[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.

No, I’m not going for a hike. But lucky me, I have horrible, constant mystery swelling, inflammation, fluid and constant pain in both knees following a bout of COVID. So I even wear supportive sneakers to the office, just to be able to walk without the pain overcoming me. Good for you and your sandals, though. “I assure you” I wish I could wear just sandals, too.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to say shout to my fellow Epi-pen/inhaler parents who have to tote bulky life-saving gear around! Sorry it’s not streamlined to fit into our pockets but maybe one day…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My pet peeve is seeing people’s uncovered toes. Lots of foot fungus, hammer toes, and bunions out there. Do cover up. You’re not as pretty as you think yourself to be.

I have lots of orthopedic issues due to a disability. I wear ugly shoes on my ugly feet (sometimes uncovered toes!) and wear a backpack because a tote doesn’t stay on my shoulder well. I visit tourist sites and am fat. I think I win DCUM disgusting tourist bingo!