Packtowl Original

Owner Review

Review Date: January 25, 2006

Name:  Pat McNeilly
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.7 m)
Weight: 175 lb(79 kg)
Email address: pmcneilly@osophs.dhhs.gov
City, State, Country: Gaithersburg, MD, U.S.A.

Backpacking Background:  I have been hiking for at least 20 years but backpacking for only the last three years.   Most of my backpacking is done as overnight trips and occasional weekend and weeklong trips.  My typical packweight is approximately 18 to 20 lb (8 to 9 kg) before food or water.  Most of my hiking and backpacking is the three season variety and done in the mountains of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.  In addition to backpacking, I also fish, hunt, and have been involved in disaster relief.  As a result, some of my backpacking equipment gets use in a number of different venues.

 

Product Information

 

Product: Packtowl Original

Size: Small
Manufacturer: MSR
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.msrgear.com/

Listed weight: 1.5 oz (45 g)

Weight as delivered : 1.5 oz (45 g)
Length: 30 in (76 cm)
Width: 10 in (25 cm)
MSRP: $6.95  US

 

Product Description:

The Packtowl comes folded in a cardboard package with a portion of the material exposed.  This allows the purchaser to actually feel the material to gauge its sturdiness and softness.  The small size Packtowl measures 30 in (76 cm) by 10 in (25 cm) and comes in a number of solid and print colors.  Attached to one corner of the Packtowl is a 6 in (15 cm) synthetic ribbon with the product and manufacturer’s name.  This ribbon contains a metal snap that, when folded on itself, produces an approximately 2 in (5 cm) loop to allow hanging the product for drying.  According to the manufacturer, the material of the Packtowl is 92% viscose/8% polypropylene which is machine washable.  The material looks and feels somewhat like chamois cloth.  However, right out of the package the material is quite stiff and the manufacturer indicates that it will soften with each washing.

 

Field Conditions:

I have used the Packtowl in a variety of situations including short backpacking and car camping trips in Virginia and Pennsylvania where temperatures have ranged from approximately 25 to 90 F (-4 to 32 C).  I also used this product for a week in southern Louisiana (non-backpacking) in 90+ F (32+ C) temperatures and high humidity.

 

Product Review:

I have used the Packtowl on numerous backpacking and other trips around the country for the past two years.  Since the material was a little stiff, I felt the need to wash it once before actually using it in the field.  The Packtowl did soften up after it was washed and has continued to become softer with additional washings.  The material is soft enough to use as a towel but doesn’t quite have the feel that a true bath towel does.  I also noted that the material did shrink a bit after a few washings but not to a significant extent.

 

The manufacturer claims that the material can soak up nine times its weight in water and will soak up water when it is wet.  Since using the product, I am amazed at the amount of water that this piece of cloth can absorb.  I used it during a rainstorm in Pennsylvania to soak up a puddle in a tent of my Scout group.  I’m not sure that any other material we had in camp that could have soaked up as much liquid.  The Packtowl was able to be wrung out and then continue to absorb more water over and over again.

 

I have used this product as a towel on backpacking trips but its use has been rather limited to washing my hands and face as well as quick “baths” on short trips.  It also makes a great potholder but is a little large for that purpose.  I did have a chance to use it for an extended period during relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.  I chose to bring this product along because of its compact size and its ability to absorb water.  I used it as my only towel for approximately one week (after which I had access to other towels).  The Packtowl was able to dry me off to a point.  Since the temperatures were above 90 F (32 C) and high humidity, it did leave a bit of water that could not be completely absorbed.  The small size of this product did make it a bit difficult to use like a full size towel.  Even under the high humidity conditions the Packtowl dried very quickly.  The manufacturer states that the Packtowl can be wrung out and given a good shake and it will be ready to use again.  I tried this and found that I had to be careful shaking it or I simply got myself all wet again.  Overall, I am please with the way the product performed.

 

Summary

The Packtowl is an excellent compact towel for use in a variety of situations.  Its compact size and highly absorbent material makes it a good choice for backpacking use, as well as anywhere a towel might be needed.

 

Things I like:

1. Highly absorbent.
2. Small size for travel.

3. Dries quickly

Things I don't like:

1. Difficult to use as full size towel.
2. Stiff fabric prior to washing.