"18th Century figures; packs or not?" Topic

I was looking through a book on Frederician uniforms, and saw a photograph of a guard grenadier's uniform. I was striking how aesthetically pleasing it was. A big part of the look was that it did not include pack/ water bottle etc. The lapels (or lack of them) were clearly visible. It just looked nicer for being more clear and simple.

Having sculpted quite a few 18th Century figures at this point, putting on all the gear is fiddly work. I don't paint much any more but I can imagine that it's also equally fiddly to paint all those straps and extra bits.

Setting aside arguments about when packs were dumped before action , it seems they were if practical (Frederick for example recommended it), but it wasn't always practical.
Do you think it makes the prospect of painting lots of say, SYW figures more approachable if you know you can paint them quicker sans gear? Obviously infantry have to retain their cartridge box, but dumping the rest; is that straying too far from accuracy for you?
Same idea would apply to picket stakes for cavalry. I find it hard to believe those things were carried into action. Do you think it's different for the AWI where units are often operating with little baggage and so carry their lives in their packs so to speak?

Totally agree

Agreed. I prefer to paint figures that don't have a pack.

I prefer figs that have simplified the straps, gear. But I have become more into simple as time has gone by.

Agree, no packs.

I can't stand painting figures that have packs and water bottles and this and that. I just to play a game and my figures don't need to camp out, eat or drink. Just fight.