Let’s be honest, wouldn’t it be great to have a compact towel that morphs into a huge fluffy one when pulled out of your rucksack? Wouldn’t it be awesome to also pull out a small handkerchief that turns into one of those luxurious dressing gowns found in 5 star hotels? Let’s face it, until they are invented (along with the Hoverboard) we, as wanderes and adventurers have to make do with micro towels, aka Trek Towels.
The problem I have experienced with a fair few micro towels, is that when you are trying to dry yourself with one they tend to push the water around the body, rather than absorb it (much like those green paper towels you used to get at school, that were more of a hindrance than help).
Howeber, the benefit of micro towels is just that, they are ‘micro’, and therefore pack down small, ensuring vital room is not taken up in your travel bag. Having taken such towels on various adventures, whether overnight stays in bothies/bunkhouses or long distance trekking expeditions, they are a useful item but can have their cons. Though advised by others that there is a technique to effectively drying yourself with them, the pat-pat method, which is fine when not in a baltic campsite toilet bock or in breezy natural surroundings, where an added icy breeze is not welcome.
The problem I have experienced with a fair few micro towels, is that when you are trying to dry yourself with one they tend to push the water around the body, rather than absorb it (much like those green paper towels you used to get at school, that were more of a hindrance than help).
Howeber, the benefit of micro towels is just that, they are ‘micro’, and therefore pack down small, ensuring vital room is not taken up in your travel bag. Having taken such towels on various adventures, whether overnight stays in bothies/bunkhouses or long distance trekking expeditions, they are a useful item but can have their cons. Though advised by others that there is a technique to effectively drying yourself with them, the pat-pat method, which is fine when not in a baltic campsite toilet bock or in breezy natural surroundings, where an added icy breeze is not welcome.
I’ve also found that they can take a while to dry, so unless you are in a position to dry them out before packing away you can find yourself popping a damp towel into your rucksack, which isn’t pleasant, ensuring the next time you use it you're greeted by that musty smell – which, let’s be honest is pretty minging.
Having thought about updating my current micro towel, I was recommended to try out the Lifeventure Hydrofibre Ultrlight Trek Towel. I opted for the largest size, XL, as this would be enough to hide my modesty when wrapped around my body, but wouldn’t take up much room in my bag.
For me, there are a few required specifications when it comes to micro/trek towels:
1.) Lightweight – for use on ultralight expeditions ,where every bit of weight matters
2.) Effective – actually dries the body
3.) Quick Drying - So you don’t have to pack away a damp towel
4.) Antibacterial Protection – no musty odours (there is nothing worse than drying yourself with a whiffy towel!)
Having thought about updating my current micro towel, I was recommended to try out the Lifeventure Hydrofibre Ultrlight Trek Towel. I opted for the largest size, XL, as this would be enough to hide my modesty when wrapped around my body, but wouldn’t take up much room in my bag.
For me, there are a few required specifications when it comes to micro/trek towels:
1.) Lightweight – for use on ultralight expeditions ,where every bit of weight matters
2.) Effective – actually dries the body
3.) Quick Drying - So you don’t have to pack away a damp towel
4.) Antibacterial Protection – no musty odours (there is nothing worse than drying yourself with a whiffy towel!)
So, with a 2 day expedition planned, involving an overnight stay the Kirstone Pass Inn bunk house (which had been described as a stone tent), it seemed the perfect time to test out the Hydrofibre Towel. I also took it with me on an overnight bivvy in the woods to test it out in a natural habitat/wild camp scenario!
The conclusion on both occasions remained the same. The Lifeventure Hydrofibre Ultralite Trek Towel is the best micro towel I have ever come across.
Ultra lightweight (117g),and easy to pack within its handy compartment (I have struggled getting some towels back in their little bags in the past – there seems to be an art to folding), it doesn’t take up much room at all.
When testing out post-shower (in the bunk house) & post upper body/face wash on the wild camp, it was rather remarkable. Not only is it lovely and soft to touch, it is also extremely absorbent and I was surprised by how quickly it enabled drying (no pat-pat technique required).
The XL size is perfect for me as I am rather petite. For the taller amongst you, don’t expect a huge towel as the size is 130cm x 75cm, but then it’s not supposed to be a massive towel as it’s all about being ultra-light but effective.
So what do I think of the Lifeventure Hydrofibre Ultrlite Trek Towel? Quite simply, I love it! It is perfect for a quick dry-off after a bunk house shower, a wild swim, camp wash or to dry your head after rainy day on the hills. Great too for drying off your feet after a paddle in the river on a long walk!
In essence this Trek Towel is ideal for a variety of things including backpacking, sofa surfing, hostel stopping and adventure travel. Also very good to have in your Gym bag, and fantastic for popping in your bike panniers, before heading out on a wet and windy cycle (to dry your face before going to the pub!).
I can honestly say this effective & compact towel will join me on many an adventure, where lightweight & effective kit is top priority.
The conclusion on both occasions remained the same. The Lifeventure Hydrofibre Ultralite Trek Towel is the best micro towel I have ever come across.
Ultra lightweight (117g),and easy to pack within its handy compartment (I have struggled getting some towels back in their little bags in the past – there seems to be an art to folding), it doesn’t take up much room at all.
When testing out post-shower (in the bunk house) & post upper body/face wash on the wild camp, it was rather remarkable. Not only is it lovely and soft to touch, it is also extremely absorbent and I was surprised by how quickly it enabled drying (no pat-pat technique required).
The XL size is perfect for me as I am rather petite. For the taller amongst you, don’t expect a huge towel as the size is 130cm x 75cm, but then it’s not supposed to be a massive towel as it’s all about being ultra-light but effective.
So what do I think of the Lifeventure Hydrofibre Ultrlite Trek Towel? Quite simply, I love it! It is perfect for a quick dry-off after a bunk house shower, a wild swim, camp wash or to dry your head after rainy day on the hills. Great too for drying off your feet after a paddle in the river on a long walk!
In essence this Trek Towel is ideal for a variety of things including backpacking, sofa surfing, hostel stopping and adventure travel. Also very good to have in your Gym bag, and fantastic for popping in your bike panniers, before heading out on a wet and windy cycle (to dry your face before going to the pub!).
I can honestly say this effective & compact towel will join me on many an adventure, where lightweight & effective kit is top priority.
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