Microfibre Towel?

[Runjikol]

I'm thinking about purchasing one of these microfibre travel towels and have been asking a few people about them.

Does any of the commuter-people here use such a thing?
How does it perform?

What I'm keen for is a towel that is worth having (ie. it doesn't just move the water around on my skin) and carry without it needing its own backpack/pannier.

[Loneranger]

We use them when cycle touring and tried using them at work. At work I have the space for a normal towel so I went back to using one. When they're new it's really coarse to touch and I found that it ripped my hands up but once you've used it a while then it does the job and they dry quick.

If you need to watch your weight or volume then I'd use it but if you have a choice stick with a normal towel.

[Biffidus]

I bought a larger one a few years ago when I went overseas and now I use it for my commute. Much better than lugging a full-size towel around.

[rhancock]

I've been using one for a year or so, bought it from Anaconda for about $25. Its great. Lightweight and not bulky. Dries me well. Best thing is that they don't stay wet, so you can put it in your bag with your cycling clothes. Wouldn't be without it. Just be careful you get a decent one, though - I've seen some 'sports' towels which seemed to be very thin ordinary towels!

[banjo]

http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showprodu ... ory=Towels

These are great.

[banjo]

I hit submit to quickly!

They are available at Anaconda, amongst other places.

[simonn]

We have four or five of them hanging around. They are great for travelling because they dry quickly, but they are not as good as normal towels for getting you dry.

For commuting I just use hand towels.

[provoked]

Damnit - this forum always produces new ways to spend that imaginary money I have growing in the backyard!

My huge bathroom towels are a pain to carry around.

[Max]

They are available at Anaconda, amongst other places.

+1. I got one of the full sized Tek Towels for CQ09. Because it's sized like a regular towel, I don't have to change the way I dry myself. Plus, it folds up pretty small into the carry bag. There was a time I used it as my regular towel at home (dang, hadn't done the laundry in a while! ) and it did a fine job. It dries fast too.

Max

[Strawburger]

I've got the Tek Towels (bought from a camping store in the CBD). As everyone else says, they dry (but not better than a normal sized towel) and they roll up tight & compact, and best of all they dry quickly. I've got an extra large and it rolls up smaller than my shirt & pants.

[Runjikol]

I've ordered a "Lifeventure Soft Fibre Extra Large Trek Towel" from Wiggle (with other stuff for the free delivery).

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lifeventure_Soft_Fibre_Extra_Large_Trek_Towel/5360028543/

Then I found out Anaconda have 20% off everything... may mean I need a second one.

[m@]

I use them a lot bushwalking; great as a towel, for wiping condensation and rain off the tent fly before packing up, keeping feet clean and in place of a tea-towel. Separate towels recommended, particularly for tasks 2 and 3

I've actually found that the best one for using as a towel is a microfiber cleaning cloth from a vacuum cleaner shop though - the more 'towelly' for want of a better word ones with a deeper pile aren't very absorbent at all, but the cloth soaks up heaps of water and wrings dry easily. Given the choice, I'd always use a cotton towel though - I just keep a good supply of old ones from home at work, and bring them home in the car every so often for a wash.

[Runjikol]

I've been using a Lifeventure Soft Fibre Towel for about 2 weeks now and it's great. It feels a little different, a bit like using a chamois, but works well.
Have to recommend them as a great portable choice for commuters as well as hikers/backpackers, etc.

The one I bought was: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lifeventure_Soft_Fibre_Extra_Large_Trek_Towel/5360028543/

[kukamunga]

I have only been disappointed with 'microfibre' type towels in the past. I purchased a Speedo Chamois Sports Towel nearly ten years ago, and have never looked back. I can fit it into a zip-lock sandwich bag, and it absorbs water like a peat bog.....

[hartleymartin]

I have one. I used it when commuting. It isn't quite as good as a regular towel, but it does the job nicely.

[kiso]

I have only been disappointed with 'microfibre' type towels in the past. I purchased a Speedo Chamois Sports Towel nearly ten years ago, and have never looked back. I can fit it into a zip-lock sandwich bag, and it absorbs water like a peat bog.....

That's exactly what I've been using for the last year, and it's great.