Towel recommendations
04-24-17 | 06:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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From: Aus
Towel recommendations
Hi folks,
I'm looking for recommendations on a good towel choice to get dry from a quick shower before work when riding in. I'm finding a proper bath towel, even a small one is a bit too bulky to commute with and unfortunately I can't leave it behind at work due to lack of facilities.
I have seen the thinner and lighter microfiber towels available. Do they actually work to get you dry?
Or can anyone lead me in the right direction for a better alternative please.
I'm looking for recommendations on a good towel choice to get dry from a quick shower before work when riding in. I'm finding a proper bath towel, even a small one is a bit too bulky to commute with and unfortunately I can't leave it behind at work due to lack of facilities.
I have seen the thinner and lighter microfiber towels available. Do they actually work to get you dry?
Or can anyone lead me in the right direction for a better alternative please.
04-24-17 | 07:10 PM
#2
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Packtowl makes microfiber towels expressly for back packers and the like. They are lighter and work well, but you'll still have to figure out how to dry them between uses.
What I don't get, is that there's access for showers, but no place to leave stuff. But that's your lookout.
What I don't get, is that there's access for showers, but no place to leave stuff. But that's your lookout.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
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04-24-17 | 07:43 PM
#3
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Washington, DC
I use a hand towel for drying after a shower. Plenty absorbant and doesn't take up much space. I have five of them and wash them on the weekend. For touring, I use a microfiber towel, and don't like it as much, but it does take up even less space and weighs less.
04-25-17 | 12:03 AM
#5
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I'd probably use baby wipes if this were a problem for me, but I'm a pretty slow rider so it's not.
"Here, suck this," said Roosta, offering Zaphod his towel.
Zaphod stared at him as if he expected a cuckoo to leap out of his forehead on a small spring.
"It's soaked in nutrients," explained Roosta.
"What are you, a messy eater or something?" said Zaphod.
"The yellow stripes are high in protein, the green ones have vitamin B and C complexes, the little pink flowers contain wheatgerm extract."
Zaphod took it and looked at it in amazement.
"What are the brown stains?" he asked.
"Bar-B-Q sauce," said Roosta. "For when I get sick of wheatgerm."
Zaphod sniffed it doubtfully. Even more doubtfully, he sucked a corner. He spat it out again.
"Ugh," he stated.
"Yes," said Roosta, "when I've had to suck that end I usually have to suck the other end a bit too."
"Why," asked Zaphod suspiciously, "what's in that?"
"Anti-depressants," said Roosta.
"I've gone right off this towel, you know," said Zaphod, handing it back.
Zaphod stared at him as if he expected a cuckoo to leap out of his forehead on a small spring.
"It's soaked in nutrients," explained Roosta.
"What are you, a messy eater or something?" said Zaphod.
"The yellow stripes are high in protein, the green ones have vitamin B and C complexes, the little pink flowers contain wheatgerm extract."
Zaphod took it and looked at it in amazement.
"What are the brown stains?" he asked.
"Bar-B-Q sauce," said Roosta. "For when I get sick of wheatgerm."
Zaphod sniffed it doubtfully. Even more doubtfully, he sucked a corner. He spat it out again.
"Ugh," he stated.
"Yes," said Roosta, "when I've had to suck that end I usually have to suck the other end a bit too."
"Why," asked Zaphod suspiciously, "what's in that?"
"Anti-depressants," said Roosta.
"I've gone right off this towel, you know," said Zaphod, handing it back.
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"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
04-25-17 | 04:46 AM
#6
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From: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
Swimmer's towel,
otherwise known as a synthetic car chamois. I use one for touring and canoe trips.
04-25-17 | 08:01 AM
#8
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From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
04-25-17 | 09:12 AM
#9
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
I remember a guy at work once who who showered and always dried off with paper towels from the hand dispenser. He'd get a whole pile of them ready before his shower.
I've also heard that you can drip/air-dry surprisingly quickly. For instance if (at home) you hand-squeegee yourself, and then use a rag to wipe down your whole shower (a) you'll prevent hard-water buildup, and (b) by the time you're done you're pretty close to dry. Obviously it's not worth the effort to clean your work's shower for them...
04-25-17 | 09:48 AM
#11
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
The REI towel my kids have I think the Multitowel, is kind of a synthetic chamois. You can get dry with it, wring it out and it's already 95% dry, it'll air dry quickly after that.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
04-25-17 | 12:45 PM
#12
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: NYC
Microfiber towels always smell gross pretty quick because they are synthetic.
A 100% cotton Turkish towel, or peshtemal, is lightweight, dries fast, is full-size and nice against the skin to wipe yourself down. Bonus? They are about $5-15 on Amazon and are also great for traveling particularly island vacations.
A 100% cotton Turkish towel, or peshtemal, is lightweight, dries fast, is full-size and nice against the skin to wipe yourself down. Bonus? They are about $5-15 on Amazon and are also great for traveling particularly island vacations.
04-26-17 | 11:25 AM
#13
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: North Shore, MA
Bikes: Jamis Aurora, Rivendell Sam Hillborne, Surly ECR, Serotta CSI
I've tried many. You'd be hard pressed to find a better towel than this:
https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X202.../dp/B0009IQZH0
Far far better than any 'camp' specific towel I've owned.
I disagree with CPF Carrot. I don't wear synthetic base layers because of the stink factor, but I won't hesitate to use a synthetic towel - it's totally different. My wet synthetic towel smells no worse than the cotton washcloth I use in the shower. They both ride home with me in a plastic bag.
https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X202.../dp/B0009IQZH0
Far far better than any 'camp' specific towel I've owned.
I disagree with CPF Carrot. I don't wear synthetic base layers because of the stink factor, but I won't hesitate to use a synthetic towel - it's totally different. My wet synthetic towel smells no worse than the cotton washcloth I use in the shower. They both ride home with me in a plastic bag.
04-26-17 | 12:17 PM
#14
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Does anybody have recommendations for this? I've considered after my daily dry giving the towel a thorough rinse&wring in the sink, it should dry completely by the next morning.
04-26-17 | 12:39 PM
#15
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From: North Shore, MA
Bikes: Jamis Aurora, Rivendell Sam Hillborne, Surly ECR, Serotta CSI
Oh, you guys are using the same one multiple days?
Both my wet wash cloth and towel go in the hamper when I get home and I throw fresh ones in my bag for the next day. Perhaps that's why I haven't experienced any smells.
Both my wet wash cloth and towel go in the hamper when I get home and I throw fresh ones in my bag for the next day. Perhaps that's why I haven't experienced any smells.
04-26-17 | 01:23 PM
#16
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From: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
I don't understand the microfiber fans. In my experience, micro fiber doesn't absorb water, but instead just rubs it around. I think a synthetic chamois makes much more sense.
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Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
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04-26-17 | 02:03 PM
#17
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From: North Shore, MA
Bikes: Jamis Aurora, Rivendell Sam Hillborne, Surly ECR, Serotta CSI
The towel I use now (linked above) is super absorbent. It's nappy as opposed to smooth.
After I dry off, I place it on the floor and stand on it while I get dressed. Then I use it to dry in-between my toes before put socks/shoes on. It's awesome. That was a major complaint about towels I was using before - semi-wet toes in my shoes day in and day out tended to cause problems with athletes foot.
Last edited by Marc40a; 04-26-17 at 02:14 PM.
04-26-17 | 02:22 PM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman
That was my main complaint with camp towels. They acted more like squeegees than towels.
The towel I use now (linked above) is super absorbent. It's nappy as opposed to smooth.
After I dry off, I place it on the floor and stand on it while I get dressed. Then I use it to dry in-between my toes before put socks/shoes on. It's awesome. That was a major complaint about towels I was using before - semi-wet toes in my shoes day in and day out tended to cause problems with athletes foot.
The towel I use now (linked above) is super absorbent. It's nappy as opposed to smooth.
After I dry off, I place it on the floor and stand on it while I get dressed. Then I use it to dry in-between my toes before put socks/shoes on. It's awesome. That was a major complaint about towels I was using before - semi-wet toes in my shoes day in and day out tended to cause problems with athletes foot.
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Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
04-27-17 | 12:20 PM
#19
Let's Ride!
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
Hi folks,
I'm looking for recommendations on a good towel choice to get dry from a quick shower before work when riding in. I'm finding a proper bath towel, even a small one is a bit too bulky to commute with and unfortunately I can't leave it behind at work due to lack of facilities.
I have seen the thinner and lighter microfiber towels available. Do they actually work to get you dry?
Or can anyone lead me in the right direction for a better alternative please.
I'm looking for recommendations on a good towel choice to get dry from a quick shower before work when riding in. I'm finding a proper bath towel, even a small one is a bit too bulky to commute with and unfortunately I can't leave it behind at work due to lack of facilities.
I have seen the thinner and lighter microfiber towels available. Do they actually work to get you dry?
Or can anyone lead me in the right direction for a better alternative please.
plus one for Packtowel ( have another brand as well but packtowel dries better) might be the bamboo
They take a little extra drying off with the washcloth but they work well and are much much smaller for packing in the pannier if need be.
04-28-17 | 12:48 PM
#20
Heck on Wheels
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,055
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From: USA Midwest
Bikes: In Signature
I have a couple of Aquis long hair towels my ex bought from Bed Bath and Beyond. They're microfiber, but feel like cotton. As someone mentioned, they don't slide along your skin, so you pat dry. They are amazingly absorbent, but dry quickly. I hang mine off the back of my chair for about an hour and it's dry enough to pack for the ride home and wash before next use. I've taken it camping and had no problems using it for a week, as long as you let it fully dry after use.
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"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
05-05-17 | 08:05 AM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
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From: Washington, DC
Huh? I accidentally dropped a microfiber towel in the shower and it soaked up water so fast I almost couldn't use it to dry myself. What kind of towel are you using? Plus, why are you quoting a previous poster without attribution?
Last edited by alan s; 05-05-17 at 08:08 AM.
05-05-17 | 08:09 AM
#24
master of bottom licks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,210
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From: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
There are good quality and poor quality microfiber towels, you just have to get a good one. I have one that I've been using when touring/camping/traveling for the last 5 years or so and it works great and air-dries quickly too.
05-05-17 | 12:44 PM
#25
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
You can make that work. Keep rubbing until the layer of water is thin enough to evaporate quickly. It's a different approach than using something that is intended to absorb all the water. Once you know to do it differently, it should be easy.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.