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I wear them when hiking or doing outdoor activities. I hike in a lot of places that have mosquitoes/ticks or mud, but it can be hot out. The pant portion is good for that part of the activity, but when I am done with it, then I can remove them and will have shorts for the rest of the day. The ones I have are extremely lightweight/breathable and dry quickly. I don't wear them outside of outdoor activities or travel where I would hike or do more nature-oriented activities.
If traveling in Western countries and other developed countries, fashionable denim is the way to go. They can be worn for a week without washing (more in cooler weather) as long as you always have clean underwear, and they don't make you stand out, trouser-wise. Even in the hottest weather of temperate climes they are tolerable.
Chinos and nylon convertibles scream tourist. It is fine to not be embarrassed about being a tourist, but you don't want to be taken advantage of or targeted either. European tourists do not dress 'special' when visiting other European nations, and Americans, Canadians, Australians or anyone else for that matter, shouldn't either. If you wouldn't wear a pith helmet, you shouldn't wear technical outdoor gear either.
If you are doing serious back country travel whether in Europe, tropical/equatorial countries, or the Americas, or you are otherwise going to be experiencing extremes of temperature or humidity, all bets are off. Use what works for the conditions.
In tropical/hot Western countries or states (Australia, Florida, South Africa, etc.), pack regular, fashionable shorts. But walking around London, Munich, Denver or Sydney in khaki nylon convertibles is goofy.
I've used them in the past when traveling in the tropics: Amazon rainforest, Sub-Saharan Africa, etc. It's versatile, light-weight and useful, especially when the mosquitoes start coming out.
I have one of those tech travel vests and like it. Lots of pockets, etc. But I forget where I put stuff and still have to search the pockets for stuff.
I always assumed they were just for hiking too. They carry them at lots of outdoor gear places that don't necessarily specialize in travel stuff... just outdoor sports gear.
If traveling in Western countries and other developed countries, fashionable denim is the way to go. They can be worn for a week without washing (more in cooler weather) as long as you always have clean underwear, and they don't make you stand out, trouser-wise. Even in the hottest weather of temperate climes they are tolerable.
I lived in Phoenix for 25+ years. Trust me - except for cool days in December January and February, nobody is comfortably wearing jeans.
When traveling, those things are heavy in suitcases. Big problem if you don't check bags (and we don't).
And if somebody is wearing them for a week, I don't want the bus seat next to them.
Frankly, I don't give a rip if somebody knows I'm a tourist. Some of the best memories I have of traveling is when a local talked to me because I WAS a tourist!
I've never found there to be that much of a difference between lightweight breathable pants and some shorts that give you an extra 15 inches of bare skin, or at least enough to be thinking I'd be carrying around some pant leg pieces in a backpack while enjoying my newfound comfort.
I've never found there to be that much of a difference between lightweight breathable pants and some shorts that give you an extra 15 inches of bare skin, or at least enough to be thinking I'd be carrying around some pant leg pieces in a backpack while enjoying my newfound comfort.
And they do look absolutely ridiculous.
There is one thing that looks even worse, though... shorts with knee-high sport socks.
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