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Britanne Aquis Adventure Microfiber Towel Field Test Report
December 5, 2003
Thomas Vickers
35 years old
Male
5 feet 11 inches tall (1.8 meters)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area
Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of
southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the
house. I started hiking in my college years
and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery, heavy gear, period
(internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or not - heavier, more
expensive gear. Over the last 3 or 4 years,
I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags
and tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure that can be
involved in being outdoors with your gear. While
I have flirted
with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is
one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible
Manufacturer's Details:
Manufacturer: Britanne
Website: www.britanne.com
Dimensions: Small 10 x 14 inches (30.5 x 61 cm)
Medium 15 x 29 inches (38 x 74 cm)
Large 19 x 39 inches (48 x 99 cm)
X-Large 29 x 55 inches (74 x 140 cm)
Weight: None Listed
Colors Available: Graphite, Plum, Blueberry, Seafoam, and Stone.
Details
as measured by tester:
Dimensions: 15 x 29 inches (38 x 74 cm)
Size: Medium
Color: Blue
Weight: 3.9 oz (110 g)
Over the initial field test period, I have managed to use and abuse the Britanne Aquis
Adventure Towel in many ways. While I had plenty of nifty test ideas in store
for this item, it was plain old trail usage that has so far proven its effectiveness.
I have dragged and carried the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel on several day
hikes, weekend camping trips, through yard work, and even on inside adventures, such as
drying dishes.
It has been used in temperatures as low as 32 degrees F (18 degrees C) and as high as 80
degrees F (44 degrees C).
The first time that this towel amazed me was after an accidental dip in the San Jacinto
River. It was rather surprising to find out that the size medium towel (15 x 29
inches (38 x 74 cm)) is absorbent enough to dry my body off to an acceptable level after I
was soaked due to my clumsiness. I was not perfectly dry after using the Britanne
Aquis Adventure Towel, but I was very close and was able to put on some spare clothes
rather quickly after my incident.
One of my intentions was to replace my bandana with the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel.
For most uses, such as nose blowing, wiping gear off, cleaning out my dinner bowl,
and cleaning my sunglasses, the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel easily takes the place
of my bandanna. I did feel that the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel was too
'heavy' to be wearing on my head. Now, I don't often wear my bandana like this, but
when I do, I prefer a lighter cloth, rather than the microfiber that is used in the
Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel. This is definitely a matter of personal preference,
but for protecting my noggin, I still prefer my old fashioned cotton bandana.
During a rather nasty rain storm that brought some unwanted water into my tent, the
Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel was brought out and used to mop it up. Not just some
of it, but all the water that had puddled in the front of tent. The ease of finding
the towel (snapped to my headlamp) and the fact that it got all the water quickly made a
bad night in the woods a little better.
The safety strap on the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel has made it into a very versatile
piece of gear. I have tried carrying the towel in a variety of locations and
snapping the safety strap around the sternum strap on my pack is one of my favorite.
It makes the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel handy and easy to access and keeps it within
close reach, especially when I don't feel like digging in a pocket to find it. I
have also attached the safety strap to my belt loop, watch band, and many other sites on
my hiking gear. It is so convenient to be able to secure something to the
outside of your pack and actually be able to reach it for quick use.
At one point, I even carried out the less than scientific, "Can it dry over night
test" on the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel. The Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel
was soaked, wrung out, then left to air dry over night. the temperature ranged from about
70 degrees F to about 61 degrees F (21 degrees C to 16 degrees C) with 70% humidity. The
towel did not dry completely over night, but it was dry enough to use in the morning after
washing my face. During the day, when it was in direct sunlight on the outside of my pack,
it did eventually dry.
I also experimented to see how much water the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel can absorb. I
decided that this would be an easy test to conduct in the kitchen, so off I went to get a
pan and measuring cup. I added 4 oz (118 ml) of water at time to the towel. It absorbed 40
oz before it was full. On the last addition of water (44 oz (1.30 l) total), there
was water standing in the pan under the towel. So, by my measure, the towel was saturated
at 40 oz (1.18 l). A little added note here; As I wrung the water out of the towel I
noticed that it was a purplish color, probably from the dye in the towel. It just might be
a good idea to wash this thing once before use so that the excess color doesn't wind up on
a pack, clothes or even a face.
Despite being dragged through dirt, mud, bushes, grass and many other natural substances
found in the great outdoors, the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel has developed no obvious
tears, rips, or snags. The microfiber fabric is holding up very well to almost constant
usage and the stitching around the outside edges of the towel has also held up very well.
No snags or breaks have appeared in the stitching or the safety snap. The snap
portion of the safety snap still snaps shut and holds very securely. The construction of
the Britanne Aquis Adventure Towel is sturdy and has not given out during my
testing.
At this point in the test I have a rather stiff, sour smelling Britanne Aquis
Adventure Towel. It has various spots of mud, snot, grass stains, and even dog urine on it
and is in dire need of washing. That is the next step in my testing schedule, but it
will not take place until I am into the long term report period of this test. After its
initial washing I will be better able to judge how absorbent it remains, how well the
construction (fabric, stitching, safety snap) holds up after repeated cleanings, how soft
it remains, and weather or not it holds it color well.
Current Likes:
1. Safety Snap - It has proven to be durable, versatile, and downright neat-o to have.
This was the last thing I expected to find on a camp towel and the one thing I
didn't know that I would like so much.
2. Size - The medium (15 x 29 inches (38 x 74 cm)) has proven to be just perfect. It is
not too small nor is it too big.
3. Absorbency - This thing sucks up water at a rate I find amazing. Never would I have
believed that I could actually dry my entire body with this thing. It also makes drying
your hair after the morning head dunking very easy.
I still have a lot more uses to put this towel to, but at this point the Britanne
Aquis Adventure Towel is proving itself extremely durable and versatile on the trail.
Read more reviews of Britanne gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Vickers
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