I got a wicking swim towel for Christmas, and I want to know if anyone knows where I can get more. It's called the Wick-er Warmup Towel, it's made by Discovery Trekking Outfitters. It's quite large, very thin, dries faster than anything I've used before. Also gives some sun protection according to the label. I haven't seen them in stores. It was purchased in Canada at a swim meet I think, or maybe online. Anyone heard of these? I think it might be very new on the market.
Dont confuse it with a chamois towel, it's nothing like that. Much better in my opinion.
Years ago, I got a small camp towel that was made of non-reinforced PVA (Polyvinyl Acetal). It was OK for those times when I really didn't want to deal with a wet towel, but the thing wasn't very durable and wasn't treated with anything to keep fungus from building up, so had to put it in non-chlorine bleach every other month or so.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and now for the past year I've been using only these PVA ( 100% with synthetic fiber mesh reinforced) towels to dry off after swimming or after taking showers. Saves energy, too, as there are no wet cotton towels to dry. Perhaps twice a year, I've put the less used PVA towels in non-chlorine bleach as sometimes fungus spots pop up.
Here are some I've used and found readily available at many places (at least in the US). All of these come in a reclosable plastic tube, all of them really need to be washed (I used non-chlorine bleach, hand washed) before use the first time as they have a distinct "plastic" odor, IMO. Vroom towel - so far I've only found it in bright orange, has a softer, textured finish on one side and smooth finish on the other side. It's 27"x17" so you can wrap around and dry your back without having super flexible arms and shoulders. Found at Target in US in the Automotive section for under $10
UPDATE: this Vroom towel seems to lose wicking ability within a few months unlike The Absorber, Speedo, Sammy, and other thicker PVA towels.
The Absorber - also about 27"x17", but with both sides having slightly textured surface, effectively a larger version of the Speedo swim towel. Available in many colors at Target and other big box stores in the Automotive supplies section, also under $10.
Speedo swim towel - smaller, 11"x17" so only those who are really flexible can use it to dry your own back! Guess it encourages teamwork? Go for $12-$15 at various swim stores. Anyone else have comments about these PVA towels vs "microfiber" towels, or the trek towels discussed above, and traditional cotton "beach" towel?
My kids don't like the PVA towels with the smooth surfaces only, as they say that it feels clammy to the skin. Unless really hot, these PVA towels always feel cold unless you've put the towel & tube out in the sun or rinsed the towel in warm water before using!
Cheers de Mark W4CHL
Years ago, I got a small camp towel that was made of non-reinforced PVA (Polyvinyl Acetal). It was OK for those times when I really didn't want to deal with a wet towel, but the thing wasn't very durable and wasn't treated with anything to keep fungus from building up, so had to put it in non-chlorine bleach every other month or so.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and now for the past year I've been using only these PVA ( 100% with synthetic fiber mesh reinforced) towels to dry off after swimming or after taking showers. Saves energy, too, as there are no wet cotton towels to dry. Perhaps twice a year, I've put the less used PVA towels in non-chlorine bleach as sometimes fungus spots pop up.
Here are some I've used and found readily available at many places (at least in the US). All of these come in a reclosable plastic tube, all of them really need to be washed (I used non-chlorine bleach, hand washed) before use the first time as they have a distinct "plastic" odor, IMO. Vroom towel - so far I've only found it in bright orange, has a softer, textured finish on one side and smooth finish on the other side. It's 27"x17" so you can wrap around and dry your back without having super flexible arms and shoulders. Found at Target in US in the Automotive section for under $10
UPDATE: this Vroom towel seems to lose wicking ability within a few months unlike The Absorber, Speedo, Sammy, and other thicker PVA towels.
The Absorber - also about 27"x17", but with both sides having slightly textured surface, effectively a larger version of the Speedo swim towel. Available in many colors at Target and other big box stores in the Automotive supplies section, also under $10.
Speedo swim towel - smaller, 11"x17" so only those who are really flexible can use it to dry your own back! Guess it encourages teamwork? Go for $12-$15 at various swim stores. Anyone else have comments about these PVA towels vs "microfiber" towels, or the trek towels discussed above, and traditional cotton "beach" towel?
My kids don't like the PVA towels with the smooth surfaces only, as they say that it feels clammy to the skin. Unless really hot, these PVA towels always feel cold unless you've put the towel & tube out in the sun or rinsed the towel in warm water before using!
Cheers de Mark W4CHL
