What do backpackers even have in their massive backpacks?
>>2873218Urban backpackers mainly carry around a fuckton of clothes. Here in India, it takes up to 96 hours to get your clothes back after you turn them in for washing. I like having clean clothes on hand at all times. Tried making it work with only three pairs of pants, but four pairs works better. Wash two, wear one, and have one in reserve.Thru hikers have to carry food and water for multiple days of trekking, which takes up a lot of space. They carry fewer clothes, and that's also why they smell bad. Of course if you do not expect any cold weather, you can travel a lot lighter. No need for long pants, no need for jackets or coats.
Something else I've noticed is that traveler packs tend to fill to capacity when you travel for a long time. Then they stay at capacity, because you obviously refuse to buy anything when your pack is already stuffed full. Traveling in hot climates, it's usually wise to carry at least one liter of water, if not two. Sometimes you don't have time to buy a bottle along the way. But water adds a lot of weight to your pack.
>>2873261I went to India with 5 pairs of pants and 10 shirts and I still fit it all inside a normal backpack. There's no way it's just clothes.
>>2873261Smelly basterd
>>2873270Some people don't want to be a travelslob wearing basketball shorts and a sleeveless shirt every day just because they pack small. Others want to be comfy at night and wear pyjamas. Cool or wet climates necessitate jackets and rain gear. Yeah, you can buy items along the way, but if you already have it, why not bring it along? There's a degree of comfort in having a heavy pack when you own very little else.
