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Zip-off pants

I've read it's showing lack of class to wear zip-off pants in Europe's cities these days. Is that true?? Am told that while athletic shoes (sneakers) were a no-no, it's not so now. Any advice??

Posted by
2527 posts

Dunno about fashionistas, but to this clod, zip-off pants are ugly and not necessary even when traveling very light.

Posted by
2613 posts

Well, I don't know what Europe thinks of us Tacoma citizens, but my travel partner wears his REI zip-off pants on each and every trip we take. They've been to France, Croatia, England, Montenegro and many other fun places. They're going to Spain in a few weeks and China in the fall!! If people think we're gumps, well there's nothing we can do about it. They're comfortable for him, they wash and dry overnight and I think they look just fine. There's really no way to hide that we're American anyways and what's more important is that we are polite and curious travelers:)

He also wears ordinary-looking ASICS for walking around.

Posted by
922 posts

I was in Italy in May and used my zip-offs. They came in handy when I wanted to go into a church and my knees weren't covered. I was comfortable and got to see what I wanted to. As for shoes, I wear hiking/walking shoes (Murrell and Nike). The key is to make sure they are comfortable and provide adequate support. We walked around 10 miles per day so shoes are very important.

Posted by
3514 posts

I am not a fan of zip off pants (same for the multi pocket travel vests). I just wear the same pants I would at home when I am on a tour. Since I will not be doing any kind of strenuous activity on most of the tours I take, like mountain climbing or hiking for days through the forests, standard jeans and khakis work for me. I have not found any need or use for the so called "travel clothes". I wear shorts only around the house or while at the beach. Shoes are the same thing, i just wear what I would at home on my days off work which are brown leather boat shoes. Not saying I don't look like a tourist, but I have been asked too many times to count for directions by people who thought I was a local while waiting for subways and busses in European cities. :-)

What it boils down to is you should wear what makes you comfortable.

Posted by
650 posts

My husband wears zipoff cargo pants when traveling. Can't say I find them ugly. They brand him as a tourist, but that isn't a crime, not even a fashion crime. They are ruggedly masculine. The unfortunate part is that all those pockets attract pickpockets. It's a nusciense even though there's nothing of value in his pockets.

Thirty years ago my shoes identifed me as American or Canadian. No more. Athletic shoes are worn by persons of all nations. Take care of your feet.

Posted by
2168 posts

My husband wears the zip-offs when we're traveling into areas with different climates in the same trip, I.e. Rome and London. This summer all our travel will be in the UK, so he will just wear slacks. In this day of global travel, tourist hail from across the globe and so does what they wear.

Posted by
5362 posts

They are just ugly and shout "tourist" but nobody gives a flip what you wear. In Europe, you see everything. Sneakers? Of course those are ok. Everyone wears those over here.

Posted by
1625 posts

Not a fan. Where the pants zipper off for the shorts is too far up the leg and not wide enough to look like an actual short. I think they do not give a man with bigger thighs the room needed to sit in the "Shorts" , like they would ride up even more and create a weird look. Actual shorts are wider through the thigh to allow men to sit more comfortably. I could see the convenience of zipping on and off to enter a church but do you really want to go through that hassle?? Do you need to take off your shoes to get the lower part of the pant leg off?? Plus dressing and undressing in public is not really considerate of others....waste time finding a restroom, where do you now store the zipped off section, do you stuff them somewhere and now they are wrinkled, what if you lose one leg of the pant during transit...LOL. I just think they are more hassle than anything. My Hubby also just wears what he wears at home, he is comfortable and "knows" how the clothes feel.

Posted by
2613 posts

@Staynsavor - I did not realize how lucky I should feel that my partner limits himself to the zip-off pants! I'm never going to let him see this website. What if he buys the vest for our next trip??!!

Posted by
1220 posts

I think that if zip-off pants are your thing, then you might as well go the full catastrophe.

Sandals with socks will complete the look, especially if paired with one of those vest things with multiple pockets, that make you look like you are heading off Trout fishing.

Posted by
7737 posts

Hey, at least the OP isn't asking about wearing velour tracksuits (my personal "favorite"). Just stepped off the cruise ship, did you?

Posted by
15679 posts

John, wear what is normal and comfortable for you. As long as you don't break any posted rules for amount of coverage (as at churches and some museums), no one cares. That whatever your "normal" is be reasonably clean and tidy is, of course, encouraged. :O)

Athletic shoes are fine as well: you'll be putting a lot of miles on your feet so cushion, support and grip are important. I mentioned "grip" as a lot of the smooth stone surfaces are very slippery so you want to avoid taking a header on rainy days!

Posted by
32519 posts

about the location of the zip I find that I can take off and put on my detachable legs without removing footwear. The zip is low enough, just at my knee, that they work quite well as both shorts and trousers.

The footwear that I most usually slide the legs over is white Nike trainers with a gold swoosh. And my feet are big - size 12 UK.

Maybe those available in Australia and the US are cut differently? Although, as I think of it, mine are several years old, bought from the Lands' End Outlet in Oakham, Rutland. So they were originally cut for Americans.