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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]Op, don’t you hydrate? Or you one of those constantly buying plastic bottles?[/b]

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! [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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. [/quote]

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

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?[/quote]

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

DCUM travelers are not adventurous. They think they will be killed at a Mexican all-inclusive; they’re not exactly hiking through the Sarawak jungle, let’s be real. These are people who need hand-holding about their bog-standard London/Paris/Rome vacation.[/quote]

I specifically started the thread saying when traveling in urban areas. I said I get it when hiking off going on adventure.[/quote]

But even in a city. You can be in the middle of Central Park or the National Mall and the only option for water that doesn't upend whatever you and your family is doing would be buying a single use plastic bottle from a vendor. I'd simply rather not.

Other things: a packable rain coat in case I get chilly or it rains. Sunglasses, my keys, wallet, phone. Maybe a snack item. I'm hardly packing for a hike here, but carrying basic items vs spending time and money when I'll inevitably want something over the course of a full day out seems totally sensible.[/quote]

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