Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:46     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
This reminds me of the "Pepto DH" thread about the guy who wears overstuffed cargo pants instead of carrying a backpack. Amazing.

I do use a small Osprey backpack in Europe. Like others, I don't put money or valuables in there, but yes to water, sunscreen, extra layer if needed, and I like to have a place to put small purchases.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:31     Subject: Re:Backpack on Family Europe Trip
I always carry a day pack when I travel to carry water snacks umbrella, maybe a guidebook.

It would be odd not to have some way of carrying items.

Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:24     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised so many people are refilling water bottles from random taps in Europe. You’re not getting sick? This is basically the only time I buy plastic water bottles.

I got a bunch of those foldable nylon totes that fold down into a tiny square and I bring one or two of those in my purse to carry oir sweaters if it gets hot or to carry any purchases. I did use a backpack for some longer day trips though where we wanted more stuff but don’t use it for just like walking around the city.


Plenty of excellent water all over Europe.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:18     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
I’m surprised so many people are refilling water bottles from random taps in Europe. You’re not getting sick? This is basically the only time I buy plastic water bottles.

I got a bunch of those foldable nylon totes that fold down into a tiny square and I bring one or two of those in my purse to carry oir sweaters if it gets hot or to carry any purchases. I did use a backpack for some longer day trips though where we wanted more stuff but don’t use it for just like walking around the city.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:15     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
Anonymous wrote:I was in London last year and wound up borrowing a lightweight backpack from a family member to carry my water bottle and umbrella. It was indispensable. This was one of those lightweight backpacks made of windbreaker material so it wasn't bulky. I recommend you only carry two water bottles for the whole family. Otherwise, it gets to be too much.


In 96 degrees you should be drinking a lot.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:14     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
Anonymous wrote:PS I have also started packing a string type packable backpack also because you get charged for every plastic and paper bag you buy in major European cities and.


This is a good point too. We often buy souvenirs, groceries, etc., when we're out and about for a day, and carrying a backpack is so much easier than other types of totes and less wasteful than getting plastic bags. Sometimes we'll even pack picnics with us of food from our AirBnB for lunch and put it in our backpack.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:09     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
PS I have also started packing a string type packable backpack also because you get charged for every plastic and paper bag you buy in major European cities and.
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 08:08     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
People in Europe wear backpacks (gasp! gauche! lol!) Team husband. Bring a backpack, you can pack water bottles, sunscreen, and anything you acquire along the way. Backpacks are ubiquitous so you won't be targeted for that. .
Anonymous
Post 07/09/2025 03:38     Subject: Re:Backpack on Family Europe Trip
Anonymous wrote:We always bring a couple of packable backpacks when traveling to Europe, and elsewhere. We use them for items of little financial value, but which might be convenient to have with us when out and about, e.g., sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, a packable fleece and/or rain jacket if the forecast looks like those might be useful, and water bottles. If stolen, we'd be annoyed, but not much more. Wallets, passports, and anything else of more practical or financial value stays on our persons.


This person travels ^

The backpacks are great first for the airplane rides and then yes, always we bring at least one of them with water bottles on every trip out of the house.

You won't always have access to a water fountain and buying water in plastic bottles constantly is a waste. It's incredibly handy to have.

I've embraced wearing the man purse, it holds all the important stuff like passports, drivers license, credit card and some cash.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2025 23:51     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
Anonymous wrote:No I would not carry around a water bottle. I also wouldn't carry around a fanny pack.

+1
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2025 22:47     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
Anonymous wrote:No I would not carry around a water bottle. I also wouldn't carry around a fanny pack.



So helpful.
-DP
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2025 13:19     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
You are going to be in major cities. You don’t need to carry around water bottles. Absurd. People made it this far without carry around a water bottle.

The whole backpack thing for a daily stroll around a city is hilarious to me.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2025 13:10     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
I agree with your husband. I always carry a backpack in Europe. For our last trip through the UK, I carried this one, which folds up small. It was good for carrying extra sweatshirts, water bottle, ponchos (we were in Scotland and it was rainy), extra phone chargers, snacks, etc.

https://a.co/d/boKnEsL
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2025 12:59     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
I was in London last year and wound up borrowing a lightweight backpack from a family member to carry my water bottle and umbrella. It was indispensable. This was one of those lightweight backpacks made of windbreaker material so it wasn't bulky. I recommend you only carry two water bottles for the whole family. Otherwise, it gets to be too much.
Anonymous
Post 07/08/2025 12:55     Subject: Backpack on Family Europe Trip
I almost always carry a backpack - I like the travel one from LLbean. But, backpacks sometimes are a problem in tourist destinations...so look up the rules before you go and plan accordingly. But I am team backpack. I am careful to put my wallet well inside but to know where it is.