Camping towel

[ANTONISH]

A few years ago I bought an item which claimed to be light and very absorbent. It was light, but it's absorbancy left a lot to be desired. Are there any suggestions for this?

[alicej]

I actually prefer to take a tea towel rather than those special microfibre camping towels, I want a bit of abrasion in my towel! Can't effectively scrub off the top layer of skin and muck with microfibre, which is what I want to do if I'm going to go a few days at a time without washing.

At a pinch newspaper works fairly well and can just be thrown away so doesn't add to the weight you carry, plus you don't need to mess around trying to get it dry.

[johnb]

I have tried more than a few and the best one I have used is the Lifeventure soft fibre advance trek towel.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&client=ms-android-htc&gl=uk&biw=480&bih=800&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=lifeventure+soft+fibre+advance+trek+towel&oq=lifeventure+soft+fibre+advance+trek+towel&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=12&gs_upl=1570l1614l0l1925l2l2l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0#i=13

Better link here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lifeventure-Soft-Fibre-Advance-Towel-Pattern/dp/B000R2BQFO

Can be got cheaper elsewhere

[Aushiker]

I have just ordered a small Sea to Summit Pocket Towel Size which is a microfibre material. Hopefully it will live up to the hype. I purchased it from Ultralight Outdoor Gear



Andrew

[ANTONISH]

I actually prefer to take a tea towel rather than those special microfibre camping towels, I want a bit of abrasion in my towel! Can't effectively scrub off the top layer of skin and muck with microfibre, which is what I want to do if I'm going to go a few days at a time without washing.

At a pinch newspaper works fairly well and can just be thrown away so doesn't add to the weight you carry, plus you don't need to mess around trying to get it dry.

Tea towel? that may well work - don't know about going a few days without washing and using a newspaper - doesn't the print come off? You probably venture into more extreme conditions than I'm used to.
Thanks Aushiker that looks promising - might try a small one plus a tea towel.

[simonineaston]

I actually prefer to take a tea towel rather than those special microfibre camping towels, I want a bit of abrasion in my towel! Can't effectively scrub off the top layer of skin and muck with microfibre, which is what I want to do if I'm going to go a few days at a time without washing.

At a pinch newspaper works fairly well and can just be thrown away so doesn't add to the weight you carry, plus you don't need to mess around trying to get it dry.

Tea towel? that may well work - don't know about going a few days without washing and using a newspaper - doesn't the print come off? You probably venture into more extreme conditions than I'm used to.
Thanks Aushiker that looks promising - might try a small one plus a tea towel.

Never mind, the printing ink - it's more the 'top layer of skin and muck' coming back off when I dry up the tea-set that'd worry me!

[alicej]

Tea towel? that may well work - don't know about going a few days without washing and using a newspaper - doesn't the print come off? You probably venture into more extreme conditions than I'm used to.

Or maybe I just have lower standards of hygeine

[phil parker]

I agree that most microfibre travel towels are a real compromise between weight and efficiency and feel like you are drying off with a square of chamois leather!

However, I have found a genuine alternative with the Trek Mates Soft Feel Travel Towel, which I've been using for a few years now. It folds up nice and small (comparatively, for what it is) is lightweight, but actually feels more like a towel when you use it.

[johnb]

Cycling, Camping and Durty women, this forum is getting better.

[ANTONISH]

[Or maybe I just have lower standards of hygeine

I don't know about that - it's just that I attract enough flies already .
We probably worry about hygiene too much and I suspect you may go into wilder places where there isn't the option.
I did "sleep rough" a couple of times when I did Jogle. On one occasion I was disturbed by a man walking an Alsation- I suppose the dog scented something.

[horizon]

I just a take hand towel, usually one that's a bit worn and therefore a bit lighter. I agree with Alicej in that if really pushed I would take a tea towel but I still believe that there is distinct borderline between camping and hiking and this is probably it. But then we are into an argument about how light cycle camping should be.

[AndyB]

I always take a flannel face cloth, which I find essential for scrubbing sun cream and dirt from my legs, but when wrung out also does 90% of the drying (I work on the assumption that most of the dirt gets washed away!). I then use a small (A4?) section of microfibre towel to finish off; this doesn't need to absorb much water, so I don't have too much wet stuff at the end of the shower.

[kuba]

I've used a couple of different microfiber towels in the past. This one is my favorite:

http://www.webtogs.co.uk/MSR_Packtowl_U ... aliteLarge

The only downside was that the hanger fell off after a few months (on mine, my partner's towel is still fine). That aside, no complaints. I've had it for around a year and used it on a two-month trip, so it seems durable. Also it is super light and packs very small, dries fast and doesn't smell too badly... I mean, it still smells a bit after a couple of weeks but is nonetheless the least smelly of all towels I've used!

[ANTONISH]

Thank you all for the good advice - especially the bit about using newspaper.

[Millhouse]

I agree with Andy B, it's a face cloth for me.
Drip dry for a minute or two and then dry off with the face cloth, wring it out hang it out to dry, perfect!