Reviews > Personal Hygiene > Towels > Packtowl Camp Towels > Owner Review by Mike Daurio Jr.

MSR PACKTOWL PERSONAL
BY MIKE DAURIO JR.
OWNER REVIEW
July 15, 2007

TESTER INFORMATION

I am quite new to backpacking. My experience lies mostly as a canoe guide. My inspiration to get more into this sport/hobby was a backpack trip to Thailand in 2005. Due to my experience I am fond of lightweight, waterproof quality gear. I backpack in mainly hilly forested areas and of course near rivers and streams. I also do a lot of backpack traveling to other countries. I am a 3-season backpacker. Every year I spend time in the Ozarks in Missouri and in Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. I'd love to explore Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Manufacturer's Website: www.msrgear.com
MSRP: US $ 34.95
Listed Weight: 8.5 oz (240 g)
Measured Weight: 7.1 oz (201 g)
Other details: Reviewed is the Bath version. This is the largest model available
Size: 25 x 54 in. (64 x 137 cm)


Also available in body, hand and face sizes.

The towel includes a vented carry bag and has a woven tag fastened to it that loops around and snaps to create an easy hanging loop.

The towel when in its bag has approximate dimensions of 1.25 in (4 cm) thick by 10 in (25 cm) by 5 in (13 cm). The included bag has one mesh side with the other consisting of two pieces of strategically cut and sewn nylon to form an opening to stuff the towel into. The two pieces are fastened to each other with a hook and loop type lock securing the towel in its case.
Materials used to make the towel are 85% polyester 15% nylon microfiber blend as listed on MSR's website. It is available in two colors, Dusty Blue and Curry.

TOWEL IN THE CARRY BAG

FIELD USE

I had purchased this towel before a ten day trip to Thailand. We flew in to Bangkok in 2005. After arriving and clearing customs we spent the night on the hard concrete floor in the airport. It was then and there that the towel made its first appearance on the trip. I took it out to use behind my head as a pillow and it did the trick. When I woke the towel was returned to the front pocket of my pack for quick access.

After boarding a plane to the Phuket province and being met by our jungle guide Lek at the airport we made our way to the Khao Lak natural area. After arriving we packed a day pack and hiked up to a roaring water fall. We walked up and were drenched from the water falling from above. It was just what we needed after hiking about two miles (3.22 km) in temperatures around 95 F (35 C). When finished with our shower we dried off and relaxed in the sun. The towel was impressive with its absorbency. When done I shook the towel out and laid on it for about an hour on a large boulder. In the hot sun, the moisture evaporated from the towel except in the places resided upon by my body. They were still visibly wet. I packed it in the carry bag and back in the front pocket it went when we got back to the SUV.

We proceeded another hour before stopping for lunch and a stop at one of the many Thai beaches on the Andaman Sea. When I unpacked the towel It was still cool, hinting a presence of moisture, but not visibly or physically wet. I spread it out on the beach and went for a snorkel. After the dip in the ocean I toweled off and laid out under the hot sun again. The towel's dimensions are a little small for my stature, but fit my body well. My extremities did hang over the edges of the towel. The towels dried, with the exception of where my body was. I repeated my packing method and we headed to the jungle.

We arrived at our residence for the next three days. It was a crude jungle hut. I hooked the towel through the provided hoop and went to sleep. The towel was dry in the morning and after passing the nose test it was packed in my daypack. I used it once as a small blanket to eat lunch on. The towel saw tons of use over the next 8 days as a towel, blanket, and pillow as we traveled throughout southern Thailand and back north to Bangkok. My girlfriend even borrowed it to use as a head wrap.

The fast evaporation of water from the towel seemed to limit the build up of any mildew or musty smell. I only had to launder the towel once on day seven. This was after we stopped off to ride elephants into the jungle. We allowed the elephants to bathe halfway through the trek and they enjoyed spraying us with the cool river water. After the shower provided by the elephants trunk the towel couldn't hold off the funk any longer. It was rotten. The towel didn't come with any instructions on care. It has been laundered in hot, cold, and warm water in separate washings. I have only used laundry detergent and have never used bleach. It has been air dried and also dried using a tumble dryer. The towel hasn't shrunk at all in the two years I've used it.

The Packtowl Personal has been included in my pack on all of my trips since. I even bring it with on day hikes, mountain biking trips, and on my canoe trips, in case I experience rain, or it's great as a drop cloth when taking a break for lunch. It is very versatile in my everyday use also. It is brought with when going over to my friend's house to swim. I have also brought it to some outdoor festivals to use as a blanket to sit on. I take it to the gym as a great space saving towel when I have to shower there. It is a perfect fit for my backpacking needs but it is always a bonus when a piece of gear is versatile enough to get use out of the field such as this.

SUMMARY

The Packtowl Personal is an versatile, lightweight, super absorbing, quick drying towel that is included in any packing that I do.

THINGS I LIKE

1. The main thing I like is how versatile this towel is. What makes it so versatile is the lightweight , compact design of the towel while in its storage bag.
2. The super absorbency and quick drying of the towel is great while on the move in multiple day trips.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

I wish the towel had a bigger footprint when spread on the ground. I believe the portability would be compromised if it did however. It would add weight and size to the packed towel.

SIGNATURE

Mike J Daurio Jr.

Reviews > Personal Hygiene > Towels > Packtowl Camp Towels > Owner Review by Mike Daurio Jr.