I am on Day 4 of our trip. I was not sure what pants to take. I am enthusiastically recommending Duluth Trading Co "Dry on the fly" pants. They come with LOTs of pockets - 2 at the waist and 6 on the thighs and 2 in the back. They are light weight. One pair I have is convertible - you can unzip the bottom of the legs to get a cargo shorts. Some pockets are velcro, some are zipper, some are open.
This is not a paid promo, BTW. It's simply an honest comment.
Ok-I’ll bite. Just what do you put into all of those pockets? :)
My favorite travel pants was Outerrim that I bought at Sams. It had pockets everywhere. Pockets behind pockets and most were zipper secured. Love it because I could put the credit card in one pocket, debit card in another, cash in third, passport in fourth, etc. That way when I pulled the item from the pocket nothing else came with it. And if I am being observed nothing else is seen. Unfortunately haven't seen that pants in several years. I don't carry a billfold or anything that concentrates my cards or money. A pickpocket might get something from one pocket but it was be min..
Has anybody ever tried "AVIATOR" jeans?
I am not really into travel specific clothing but they look like a regular pair of jeans.
I wear either shorts or jeans (usually shorts) phone in one pocket, wallet in back pocket, loose change in another. I can't think of any reason for any additional pockets. And as for trousers that zip off into shorts, I'll be brutally honest here, they look awful and if you're one of those who want avoid looking like a tourist then such trousers are an absolute giveaway.
Paul, I THINK it was also you on another post mentioned you got pickpocketed with your neckwallet loosely in one of your pants pockets? Was it this pair of pants.
On our RS Paris tour years ago, one of our fellow tour members was pickpocketed out of cargo pants. Nothing of value, but notes that meant something to him. He was so mad, he joked about doing nothing but riding the Metro the rest of the tour to "find the guy." He calmed down, ultimately laughed about it, and enjoyed the rest of the tour.
Cargo pants with zillions of pockets might make pickpockets wonder what you have in them that might be of value.
no the wallet that was removed was in the vest.
As to "looking like a tourist", we look like tourists. Any native can tell a tourist very quickly. If you think you do NOT look like a tourist, you're probably wrong.
Just going to stick to wearing jeans like most of the world wears. Comfy, look good, don't have to wash them every day.
Why have extra clothing just for traveling? Pants with a bunch of pockets will make you look so lumpy and goofy, once you fill them with stuff. Quick way to lose things or have them stolen.
Sorry you got pickpocketed...no matter what pocket your wallet was in.....it is not a nice thing to do to anyone...tourist, local, or whatever. Taking something that does not belong to them is wrong!! Sorry you experienced that frustration on your trip.
As to "looking like a tourist", we look like tourists. Any native can tell a tourist very quickly. If you think you do NOT look like a tourist, you're probably wrong.
I know that but I was referring to those who believe they can avoid looking like tourists.
My pants have 22 pockets. I fill them all with souvenirs, picnic supplies, etc. A few pockets are line with plastic for holding drinks with long straws that I can sip on the go. I also keep my passport, keys, sewing kit, first aid kit, Kit Kat bars, brotchen and Spargel in a few of the pockets.
I also wear pants when visiting Europe.
We're big fans of prAna's Zion pants for men and Halle pants for women- will work for anything from a 10 mile hike to a 'smart casual' dinner, comfortable stretch fabric that's wrinkle-free, and will still look new after 5 years of non-careful use. I've pretty much given up on jeans both home and away since I got my first pair.
On my summer trips I wear some sort of Dockers and Brooks, maybe I'll have a pair of Nautica packed along too.
What they have in common regardless of the brand name is they have to be worn with a belt, have what tailors call a "watch pocket" in the front, 100% cotton or mostly, have deep front pockets for my wallet (deep enough to my satisfaction), no velco pockets, no cargo pants, no shorts, ie, all long pants, and preferably with cuffs.
"Any native can tell a tourist very quickly." How very true! I have tourist written all over me, more in some countries than in others, still looking like a tourist is quite obvious.
Whether the bad guys can get you (pickpocket, scam, etc) is another story. My view is that "they" won't., although admittedly I've had a couple of close calls on being scammed but I disappointed the guy.
@Paul
Thank you. i will add spargle to my left lower zipper pants pocket.
One pair I have is convertible - you can unzip the bottom of the legs to get a cargo shorts.
By any chance do you also have a Tilley hat and some Teva sandals? I'd bet there is a least one person on every RS tour wearing that outfit! If you're hiking the CT it makes sense but if you are in a cosmopolitan city you'll stand out like well, you know. I tend to pack a little dressier with an unconstructed sport coat and at least one pair of jeans and one pair of darker khakis. I know I can't pass for a local but I do tend to have people asking me for directions alot. If it's hot during the day I wear shorts. The "dry on the fly" pants are mostly nylon which isn't my favorite material.
My favorite travel pants have been the Prana Brion pants and, more recently, the Banana Republic Traveller five pockets. Neither have security pockets or convertible legs. However, they are light, easy care, and blend in to the crowds very well. More so the latter pant.
My wife would make me walk ten feet behind her if I had a pair of zip off pants on.
This is false for me and I suspect most Americans. The world dresses the same now.
There are definite trends and styles across the world and for the most part I can spot an American or a Brit. Southern European men and women can de difficult to identify by nationality likewise northern European but in general I can usually spot an Amrican a mile off.
After many millions of miles of global travel I have also decided to wear pants. I feel like I blend in better when I'm wearing them. That and shiny white sneakers, a white leather belt....yeah baby.
Jeans are a "thing" in many European countries these days. But, unless you are into wearing "mom" jeans you still won't blend in by wearing your worn Wranglers or Lees.... European clothes tend to be more "styled" than what Americans wear.
Cargo pants....make sure that they have hammer loops.
Sorry guys. I’ve been to Europe a dozen trips... Germany, Austria, Dolomites and Switzerland. I wear jeans. Not sure why anyone would need special pants to walk around Berchtesgaden.
If you want to avoid looking like a tourist, wear a T-shirt and jeans and don't be carrying anything.
If you want to avoid being pick-pocketed, don't carry a bunch of stuff on you that a pickpocket would want.
When I have to have valuables with me, passport, credit cards, etc., what I do is take one of those around-the-neck money belts, pull the pocket of my pants inside out, and fasten the bottom of the around-the-neck money holder to the bottom of my pants pocket with a small safety pin. Then push my pants pocket back down in place. So now I have what is basically a zip-able pocket that can't be pulled out of my pants pocket.
You could even fasten the inside top your pants pocket with a safety pin. That's a really cheap and simple way to foil pickpockets.
Three types of pants I don't wear in Europe, here either, ie, cargo pants, shorts, and jeans ever since the 1990s when over there in the summer.
Germans have told me outright that spotting me out as a tourist, an outsider, a non-local, or whatever you name it is obvious, and a blatant one at that. I agree, but it is also irrelevant.
In France it's even easier for them to recognise as such.
Everybody needs to quit looking and judging men's pants.
Always two schools of opinions on the subject of clothes: (1) wear what you want and are comfortable with; (2) OMG dont wear xxx or xxx or you look like a fool. Pick your side. Jeans aren't always comfortable. I like pockets, home and abroad. And hats because I dont like skin cancer. No white shoes - I draw the line there.
Tip: wear your zip-off pants with only one leg zipped off. Even the petition girls will stay away from you.
For those that think they are good at spotting, "tourists" or "Americans", you are only good at spotting those that you spot. None of us can quantify the percentage of those that you miss.
As for pants, I have found it isn't wise to purchase or pack something that you normally don't wear at home. Whatever is your goto comfortable outfit at home should probably be the first thing you pack.
I've gone through stages of pants wearing - learning lessons along the way. I'll share my thoughts but decide for yourself.
Cargo pants. I used to like cargo pants but as I traveled lighter I found I carried less and didn't need the pockets. Cargo pants went off the pack list.
Cotton in general. Cotton won't keep you warm if it gets wet and it dries very slowly. I had a pair of cotton Columbia cargo pants one trip. The first time I tried to hand wash them and line dry, they stretched out so much they were worthless. I finished the trip in a cheap synthetic pair of cargo pants I bought somewhere like a Walmart.
Jeans. Jeans will make you fit in because everyone wears them in Europe. That said, not all jeans are created equal and Europeans care more about fit than most Americans. Our baggy, sagging jeans don't make you look European. Jeans do stretch out in the waste, butt and knees and won't shrink until they are machine washed and over-dried in a dryer. Jeans, like other cotton, won't keep you warm when wet.
Fit. Europeans don't necessarily wear skinny jeans but they do like their clothes to fit. You won't see saggy crotches or baggy clothes in Europe on most adults. I now pay a lot more attention to fit when I shop for clothes.
Pockets. Once I went to a more fitted pant, stuff started going in pockets on my jacket. I'll usually put a debit and/or credit card in one front pocket and some paper bills in the other. The backup cards, cash, passport, etc. go in a neck wallet worn over my head and one arm and kept on the side under my shirt. I may put a phone in the back pocket but I'll keep it in hand when the crowds get thicker.
Packing. When (not if) you decide to pack light, the weight and bulk of your pants will make a difference. The heaviest and bulkiest are jeans and cargo pants. I now pack to keep things light and easy to pack (and wash). If you want jeans, you can find lighter weight jeans that won't take up near as much room as their thicker cousins.
Favorites now? I was really a fan of golf pants (specifically Adidas pants) because they are so light and wrinkle free. They take up little room or weight in my bag and wash and dry amazingly quickly. Recently I bought some stretchy synthetic pants that resemble a light jean. Two companies sell pants that are virtually identical (one is Eddie Bauer). They're nearly as light as the Adidas. They've added a second zip close back pocket, deep enough for my smart phone, that I like.
I like my Duluth dry-on-the-fly pants altho I get the regular pants instead of the cargo pant.
"...quit looking and judging men's pants." Very true. I do, however, wear white tennis shoes (partially or all white), and a waist belt. Since I am there in the summer, I have on cotton pants.
I am mistaken for a local so broadly across Europe wearing entirely (unfashionable) American clothes that my experience is this is false. You're spotting 1% or 5% of the Americans in a crowd.
I'll give you some credence for that because admittedly, much of my time in Europe with the family is spent in Marriott timeshare resorts or hotels which naturally increases the chance of encountering Americans. However, the biggest giveaway is footwear and shorts. American's (big generalisation I know) tend to favour athletic trainers (sneakers) with big baggy shorts. However when staying in more local hotels it is less obvious.
What is interesting is the level of pride and patriotism displayed in the clothing when visiting the US. I'll never forget the sight of a young man in his 20's sporting a pair of Speedo type briefs with the American Eagle emblazoned on the front and the stars and stripes on the back, they were so spectacularly over the top that I actually wanted a pair, visuallising the looks of increduility as I revealed them at my local pool. However it was South Beach, Miami and therefore I suspect they were worn for a bet rather than by choice.
Please stop with the white shoes myth. It might have been true 25 -30 years ago, but not since a long time.
Walk by any shoe store in any city in Europe and see what they are selling. Look at what people are wearing. They are all wearing Nikes, Adidas, Sketchers, Pumas, Altras, etc.
Re shoes:
I've found in summer the most popular shoe on the street in Paris (not a majority but more of them than any other single shoe type) is Stan Smith style Adidas white leather tennis shoes (made to play tennis). Men wear the basic Stan Smith with either green or black accents while women add some fashion color accents or shoe laces (e.g. glitter, reflective, metal or jewel tone).
Outside of summer, similar black leather Stan Smith tennis shoes with white soles are equally popular.
Paul- Glad you found something that works for you. Those convertible pants have a funky cut to them, you kinda have to be on the slim side to look decent in them. Would never work for my husband and I would strongly give my opinion that they are a no go.
My husbands favorite travel pant is called Levi Jeans, 511 in Olive, Black, Grey and a blue jean. Shorts are Cargo from Costco. Done and Done. Wallet in the front pocket, everything else in his daybag.
My current favorites:
Both share a few qualities, including:
Fair criticisms include:
Yes, I wear pants while in Europe. Trousers too. Rarely shorts. They seem to go together, pants and trousers.
I have never seen the need for travel specific clothing of any kind. Most of the items don't feel comfortable on me, they have way too many pockets to keep track of where what was put, and they seem to cost more than what I normally wear. So I wear what I do at home when I am on a trip -- cotton and maybe some wool in the winter. Never had any issues. Even had several people (especially in Germany) think I was a local!
If you have found something you prefer to wear on your travels, then wear it. No one will really care as long as you are properly covered for the location and environment. But thanks for the suggestions, I'm sure many will find them useful.
it was South Beach, Miami and therefore I suspect they were worn for a bet rather than by choice.
No, it was solely for choice. That is just how South Beach is. ;-)
OK, why these pants?
For the past couple of years, Costco has carried "travel pants" for men and women. They don't stay in stock long and you have to hit the store at the right time to find them. Lightweight, wash and drip dry, zippered pockets in a variety of dark colors. I wear a lot of capris (instead of shorts at my age). I am short and Ex-Officio makes some nice drip/dry pants that can snap up into a short (although too short, IMO). Most European females don't wear short shorts and this is a dead giveaway for an American (usually teens) female. Bermuda length is passable but capris are better. Its too bad that capris haven't caught on for American men like for European men. They look so much nicer and fashionable than shorts. A man in shorts is almost always an American. Of course, on the beach, anything, any length goes. But on the streets, shorts make you a target.
I don't agree that a man in shorts is almost always an American. Lots of European locals wear shorts when it's hot. If you don't believe me, use Google street view in any major European city, and "walk around" and if the street view was shot in the summer, most of the guys are wearing shorts. There's no reason for a European to suffer in long pants when it's hot.
There's no reason for a European to suffer in long pants when it's hot.
We're in Budapest now. There are a bunch of guys in shorts. Many speak Hungarian.
@Kay: The pants that I am talking about are quick-dry. They are light and airy. Most importantly, the waistband is elasticized.
If you don't look good in a pair of straight-leg Wranglers, you won't look any better in Dolce and Gabanna's summer collection (and you pay extra for slits across the knees).
"Shopping in a Lululemon store doesn't do a lot to reinforce your sense of masculinity" - neither does this thread which I've just joined.
I want the pants (long) to have 5 pockets, the fifth one being the "watch pocket" Depending on the pants itself, the tailor will say if it's possible to be added. .
If the particular pair of pants has only the usual 4 pockets, then there had better be some saving grace for me to bring that pair to Europe.
How about shorts for kids/pre-teen boys? It’s just going to be my 12 year old & myself for 2+ weeks, and I’m worried about being a target for pickpockets. We’ve never had a problem before (well, my older son had a “dummy wallet” —empty except for a nasty note for the pickpocket —stolen from his very obvious back pocket, in Venice), but we also had my 6’+ husband and 2 older boys with us at all times, as well.
