I’m a longtime fan of PackTowl towels. They’re super-absorbent (most absorb 4x their weight in water), lightweight, and quick-drying. The new Luxe line has a thicker feel and looped texture that’s quite similar to towels I use at home. Sweet.
So what’s the rub? Most PackTowl towels are made of a fabric that’s comparable to a heavyweight paper towel, and while they’re super-functional, they lack the cushiness of a home bath towel. The Luxe PackTowl has way more bulk, and, at 16 ounces, weighs about three times with the Ultrlite beach towel weighs (5.1 ounce). These differences make the Luxe towel more of a travel towel than a straight-up backcountry towel.
I tested the Luxe on a hot springs car-camping trip to Eastern Oregon, and loved the plush feel after a dip. The poly/nylon blend soaks up a whopping 5 times its weight in water and dries much more quickly than a traditional cotton towel. The 36×59” beach towel size is plenty big enough for an adult. Also available in face (10×14”), hand (16.5×36”), and body (25×54”) sizes.
Bottom Line: This ultra-plush, super absorbent towel is a must-have for adventure travelers.
Manufacturer’s Site: www.packtowl.com
$45 (for beach towel), shop at REI.com.