Why wear your knapsack backwards?
July 1, 2013 11:22 PM Subscribe
While travelling abroad, I'm seeing a lot of younger people wearing their backpacks on their chests. Ignoring those few burdened with two backpacks, fore and aft, I'm perplexed -- why would anybody do that? It makes about as much sense to me as wearing your pants backwards. Aren't the straps all wrong, doesn't it slip down your arms, and at the most inopportune moment?
Must note also that I often see students in the US using their backpacks wrong ie with the straps much too long, but I figure they didn't receive the backpacking wisdom I was taught (and gained through experience) in the Boy Scouts; however this chest-wearing really triggers my WTF meter. Thanks for any explanation.
Must note also that I often see students in the US using their backpacks wrong ie with the straps much too long, but I figure they didn't receive the backpacking wisdom I was taught (and gained through experience) in the Boy Scouts; however this chest-wearing really triggers my WTF meter. Thanks for any explanation.
I think it's intended to prevent pickpocketing.
posted by Orinda at 11:24 PM on July 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Orinda at 11:24 PM on July 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
To avoid getting pick pocketed.
posted by gt2 at 11:24 PM on July 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by gt2 at 11:24 PM on July 1, 2013 [3 favorites]
Perhaps if they wanted easy access to bulk trail mix without having to wear a fanny pack, this could be done. Also, maybe to allow sweat to evaporate.
posted by oceanjesse at 11:34 PM on July 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by oceanjesse at 11:34 PM on July 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
In middle school this was popular. The teachers surmised it was because we were insecure and didn't want things stolen out of our backpacks.
Really it was so we could keep a bag of chips (crisps) in the bag and eat them discreetly in areas where food was not allowed (most of the campus).
I suspect the former reason is more correct in your case, where pickpocketing is far more likely than being punished for eating snacks in public.
posted by WasabiFlux at 11:37 PM on July 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
Really it was so we could keep a bag of chips (crisps) in the bag and eat them discreetly in areas where food was not allowed (most of the campus).
I suspect the former reason is more correct in your case, where pickpocketing is far more likely than being punished for eating snacks in public.
posted by WasabiFlux at 11:37 PM on July 1, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's to discourage pickpockets, and it can be a nice thing to do on public transportation, where you can unwittingly bump people behind you with your bag.
posted by neushoorn at 11:45 PM on July 1, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by neushoorn at 11:45 PM on July 1, 2013 [6 favorites]
I used to do it because, otherwise, when it is crowded, I was always bumping into things with my backpack. I didn't really know how much space it took up behind me. Also, I could wrap my arms around it and keep an eye on it. And, if I wanted to take it off, I could do so while keeping my eyes on it the whole time. But my main reason was that it seemed to take up less space or that other people would be more aware of the space it took up too.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 11:46 PM on July 1, 2013
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 11:46 PM on July 1, 2013
Here in Japan, it's encouraged not because of pickpockets, but because of the etiquette angle described by neushroorn.
They even show it on posters and whatnot.
posted by GoingToShopping at 12:02 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
They even show it on posters and whatnot.
posted by GoingToShopping at 12:02 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
I sometimes wear one like this either to be able to reach inside it without taking it off or to refrain from banging into people with it, eg on a crowded train or whatever. It's only good for short trips though.
posted by Coaticass at 12:06 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by Coaticass at 12:06 AM on July 2, 2013
I do this sometimes, particularly on the bus (I'm in SF) or if my bag is heavy and I want to shift where I'm bearing the weight slightly. Or if it's hot and my back needs some air, or if I need ready access to whatever's in the bag, or if I'm afraid of pickpocketers. Also, it's not uncomfortable, and my bag doesn't slip at the shoulders-- not sure why it would?
posted by samthemander at 12:09 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by samthemander at 12:09 AM on July 2, 2013
I'm from Manhattan, NYC. Nthing pickpockets, and yes, I've had my wallet stolen out of my backpack years ago, when I was a naive student, on a subway in Manhattan.
This taught me not to put valuables in my backpack, because I have a generous bosom, so wearing a backpack on my front was not feasible.
Nonetheless, there ya go.
posted by jbenben at 12:17 AM on July 2, 2013
This taught me not to put valuables in my backpack, because I have a generous bosom, so wearing a backpack on my front was not feasible.
Nonetheless, there ya go.
posted by jbenben at 12:17 AM on July 2, 2013
It makes you more compact on public transportation, and gives you the ability to sit down without having to take it off or perch on the edge of the seat.
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:07 AM on July 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by ceribus peribus at 1:07 AM on July 2, 2013 [3 favorites]
Must note also that I often see students in the US using their backpacks wrong ie with the straps much too long
As others say, the backpacks at the front thing is to deter pickpockets. The other part of your question, re wearing straps long is, in my experience, so that heat doesn't get trapped and you avoid ending up with a sweaty back.
posted by biffa at 1:40 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
As others say, the backpacks at the front thing is to deter pickpockets. The other part of your question, re wearing straps long is, in my experience, so that heat doesn't get trapped and you avoid ending up with a sweaty back.
posted by biffa at 1:40 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's enforced in some art galleries, in Germany at any rate (don't know why). Maybe people can't be bothered changing, or get used to it.
posted by Segundus at 2:09 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by Segundus at 2:09 AM on July 2, 2013
It's enforced in some art galleries, in Germany at any rate (don't know why).
posted by Segundus at 11:09 on July 2
Many tourists are not used to having a knapsack on their back. The effect is that when they walk around they bump their knapsacks into all kinds of things, including very valuable art. For this reason, knapsacks are even forbidden in lots of museums, at least in the Neterlands that's the case.
posted by Ms. Next at 3:04 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Segundus at 11:09 on July 2
Many tourists are not used to having a knapsack on their back. The effect is that when they walk around they bump their knapsacks into all kinds of things, including very valuable art. For this reason, knapsacks are even forbidden in lots of museums, at least in the Neterlands that's the case.
posted by Ms. Next at 3:04 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
For fairly obvious reasons this is a carrying style seen most frequently amongst guys. Any one further reason why you might see it is if the carrier has been intermittently carrying his companion's backpack. Keeping the other pack on the front is a way of signalling willingness to do this again if necessary.
posted by rongorongo at 3:22 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by rongorongo at 3:22 AM on July 2, 2013
A number of reasons. Pickpocket prevention, for one. Also, when you are in a crowded train or bus it keeps from poking people behind you--saves space. And after a day of wearing your pack, putting it on backwards feels good--it gives your back and shoulders a break.
posted by zardoz at 3:44 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by zardoz at 3:44 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
I usually do this when I know I will need to be rummaging around for something in there and don't want to stop in the middle of a crowded somewhere, put it down, and bend over.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 8:07 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 8:07 AM on July 2, 2013
I do it so I'm not constantly crashing into people with my backpack.
posted by ersatzkat at 9:23 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by ersatzkat at 9:23 AM on July 2, 2013
I forgot to add that it makes it far easier to sit on trains and buses or anywhere, really. Otherwise, you have to lean forward or sit way out into the aisle. This way, it just pops between your legs or on to your lap.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:28 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:28 AM on July 2, 2013
Nthing public transit etiquette, here in SP we even have posters encouraging this.
posted by Tom-B at 10:29 AM on July 2, 2013
posted by Tom-B at 10:29 AM on July 2, 2013
Paranoia.
Most tourists I see doing this are doing it because they're afraid that they'll get robbed.
Re the public transit thing, where I've lived the etiquette has always been to take off your backpack and carry it at your side or place it on the floor, not to wear it on the front. I don't think I've ever seen a non-tourist anywhere wearing their backpack on their front on public transit. Not to say that it's never happened, of course.
IMO people who are genuinely afraid of actual pickpocketing (and not just paranoid about it because you read in your guidebook that it could happen), they generally choose not to use a backpack at all. I never travel with a backpack as my daypack for this very reason. During the day, I carry valuables in either a cross-body bag or a shoulder bag I can tuck securely under my arm. In addition to protecting against property crime, it also helps me blend in a lot more.
posted by Sara C. at 11:09 AM on July 2, 2013
Most tourists I see doing this are doing it because they're afraid that they'll get robbed.
Re the public transit thing, where I've lived the etiquette has always been to take off your backpack and carry it at your side or place it on the floor, not to wear it on the front. I don't think I've ever seen a non-tourist anywhere wearing their backpack on their front on public transit. Not to say that it's never happened, of course.
IMO people who are genuinely afraid of actual pickpocketing (and not just paranoid about it because you read in your guidebook that it could happen), they generally choose not to use a backpack at all. I never travel with a backpack as my daypack for this very reason. During the day, I carry valuables in either a cross-body bag or a shoulder bag I can tuck securely under my arm. In addition to protecting against property crime, it also helps me blend in a lot more.
posted by Sara C. at 11:09 AM on July 2, 2013
From what I've experienced in Japan on trains/buses, what GoingToShopping said, plus:
When you're standing (grumble, always crowded Keikyu line) and then a seat opens up, you can just sit down without a big jostling of your neighbors.
posted by ctmf at 5:16 PM on July 2, 2013
When you're standing (grumble, always crowded Keikyu line) and then a seat opens up, you can just sit down without a big jostling of your neighbors.
posted by ctmf at 5:16 PM on July 2, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for the responses, I kinda figured it was a security issue, although it's not on public transport where I'm seeing this, but broad daylight in situations I wouldn't consider that crowded or threatening. And yes, young women doing it mostly, which seems extremely uncomfortable.
posted by Rash at 6:58 PM on July 2, 2013
posted by Rash at 6:58 PM on July 2, 2013
Somewhat snarkily: because they want to advertise to all & sundry that they're completely green, fresh-off-the-plane first time travellers, who probably have items of high value in those backpacks that they'll jealously guard on their chests when surrounded by strange foreign people, but will happily leave unattended in any backpacker dorm.
I've spent years of my life lugging a backpack around overseas, and never had anybody steal anything from it. Part 1 of this involves not buying a silly backpack covered with a million external pockets in the first place (mine has one zippered pocket I can lock if I want, facing towards my head right near my ears). If you happen to have external pockets, don't put anything even remotely valuable in them (toilet paper, water bottle & snacks OK). Best not to carry anything of particular value, but if you do: shove it right in deep adjacent to your back midway down & nobody will ever get to it without you noticing.
In any case, it's just not going to happen while you're walking around. Maybe in a crowded bus or train, but why would you still be wearing it on your back in that situation? That's just silly.
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:50 PM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
I've spent years of my life lugging a backpack around overseas, and never had anybody steal anything from it. Part 1 of this involves not buying a silly backpack covered with a million external pockets in the first place (mine has one zippered pocket I can lock if I want, facing towards my head right near my ears). If you happen to have external pockets, don't put anything even remotely valuable in them (toilet paper, water bottle & snacks OK). Best not to carry anything of particular value, but if you do: shove it right in deep adjacent to your back midway down & nobody will ever get to it without you noticing.
In any case, it's just not going to happen while you're walking around. Maybe in a crowded bus or train, but why would you still be wearing it on your back in that situation? That's just silly.
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:50 PM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]
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posted by forza at 11:24 PM on July 1, 2013 [17 favorites]