Field Report - Britanne Aquis Microfiber Towel

reviewed by Rob Davidson

Manufacturer:  Aquis

Manufacturer URL:  www.aquis.com

Year of manufacture:  2003

Listed weight: Under 4 oz (113 g)

Weight as delivered:  Same

Listed Dimensions:  15" x 29" (38 cm x 74 cm)

Review Date:  October 7, 2003
MSRP:  $13.89 US

The Aquis Microfiber Towel that I am testing is a size medium with a listed dimension of 15” x 29” (38 cm x 74 cm) and with a listed weight of less than 4 oz (113 g).  The color is listed as blueberry, and looks like a navy blue.  The towel is made of Aquitex, a patented microfiber (a microfiber is half the size of silk fibers, and one-third the size of cotton).

Other available sport towel sizes include small (10” x 14”; 25.5 cm x 35.5 cm) large (19” x 30”; 48 cm x 76 cm) and x-large (29” x 55”; 74 cm x 140 cm).  Other available colors include graphite, plum, seafoam, and stone.

The towel’s packaging includes the statements:

            • Super absorbent

            • Ultra-lightweight

            • Fast-drying

            • Compact

Other comments about the towel include “especially gentle on hair and skin”, and that the towels are machine washable.  The towel features a plastic snap close loop at one corner and is designed to assist with hanging to dry.

Initial testing included checking the absorption and drying time of the towel.  A bowl was filled with 1 litre (1 quart) of water.  The towel was placed in the bowl and completely submerged and allowed to soak-up water.  The towel was removed from the bowl, and excess water was allowed to drip off back into the bowl.  When the dripped stopped, the towel was set aside.  The remaining water in the bowl was measured at 550 ml (18 ½ oz).  This meant that the towel absorbed 450 ml (15 oz) of water.  The water left in the bowl was tinted with navy blue, suggesting that the dye from the towel had run.

The towel was squeezed out and hung outside in the sun by it’s snap loop.  The air temperature was +24º C (75º F) with a light wind.  The towel was checked after one hour, and was damp.  After 2 hours and 30 minutes the towel was completely dry.

The towel has been tested on several day hikes, climbs, and a backpacking trip in the Canadian Rockies as well as a trip to Scotland.

On one climbing trip the towel was used to dry myself after crossing the Kananaskis River in order to reach a rock climbing route.  The towel easily absorbed the water on my feet and legs.  The towel felt like it clung to my skin, so I preferred a patting technique rather than the usual wiping.  I hung the towel off my pack to dry by the loop designed for that purpose.  The towel hung much lower than my pack (towel hangs approximately 89cm/35" long). After 15 minutes of bush whacking I found that the towel was getting caught on tree branches, so I placed it inside my pack.  At the end of the day the towel was still damp since it did not have an opportunity to air dry properly. 

On additional trips I again found that the towel hung too low for drying when hiking and therefore carried it in my pack.  I would really have liked to modify this towel by moving the handy loop to the middle side of the towel to shorten it's length when hanging.

During a three day backpacking trip the towel was used to drying after washing.  The towel again easily absorbed all the water and I used a pat dry technique. The towel was hung in the evening and by morning was dry.  The air temperature through the trip ranged between -5º C and +13º C (23º F and 55º F) with calm to moderate winds.

The towel has been machine washed four times so far and has not shown any sign of wear or tear.

OVERALL IMPRESSION SO FAR

The material in the towel seems to be far superior to any backpacking towel that I have used in the past.  It absorbs a lot of water and dries quickly.  Other that location of the handy loop, I am quite impressed and pleased with this small piece of gear.

Name:
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Gender:
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Weight:
Email address:

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Rob Davidson
30

Male

5'10" (1.8 meters)

188 lbs (85 kg)

rob@canadianbackcountry.com

Calgary

Alberta

Canada

Backpacking Background: I have been backpacking since 1990 in various locations in Western Canada and the North Western United States. I spend the majority of my time in mountainous terrain and trek throughout the year regardless of the weather. I am a certified hiking/backpacking guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and spend most of my time working (and playing!) in the mountains. I am a recreational climber and climb mostly ice and alpine routes. On personal trips I prefer remote locations using minimal equipment.