Travel Towels

[nicolew79]

Hopefully no one has asked this already, I did a search but you never know.

My question is that I've heard several people debating travel towels. Chamoisse vs. other synthetic/cotton towels. I found this one search.goodshoppingguide.com.au/shopping/furniture.action?shopid=5§ion=age_text but it's AU$40 plus $6 S&H. Am I being cheap or does that seem like a lot for a towel? If it's a good price, I might get one so that I don't have to lug around a big towel that won't dry, but it seemed like a lot to me.

Also, wasn't sure if there was a closer place to buy from, since this one is in Australia and I hadn't done busines with them before.

Any thoughts?

[CuriousToronto]

I can't say I've ever traveled with one of those quick dry towels. I have, however, gone camping with one.

I use the Mountain Dry towel sold at Mountain Equipment Coop: www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=134005&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=583349&bmUID=1049205961330

If you are looking for something rather large. This isn't it. If you are intending to walk out of the shower only with your towel. This isn't it either.

I still highly recommend it! It really does dry quickly and I found it to be a suitable size.

I figure if it can take the wear and tear of camping (when you're REALLY dirty and a 2 1/2 hour canoe ride away from civilization) then it can certainly take backpacking.

As for a stuff sack...........you can just purchase one on your own for that. Or maybe just even stick it in a plastic bag.

[BARATIER]

hey Nicole

There exist a whole thread on towels and where to buy them. Here is the link:
pretravel.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Packing&action=display&n=1&thread=19

I am not sure if that is going to work, but if it doesn't, just advance to the secodn page and look for the post that reads: " My towels is too heavy, Another options?"


Bara

[nicolew79]

Thanks for the link, unfortunately all of the towels from the posts off of there are not available. They are all backordered or discontinued.

Any other ideas

[CuriousToronto]

Even the MEC towel? That can't be discontinued.

I'm sure wherever you live there must be a camping supply store......................And it has to be cheaper than purchasing it on the internet and having it mailed to you.

Cheers!

[Kim]

OK, here's two links to the towels where they are in stock:

www.qksrv.net/click-711188-10273661?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magellans.com%2Fcoupon.jsp%3Fcode%3DCJLINK%26url%3D%2Fshopping%2Fproduct%2Fdetailmain.jsp%3FruleID%3D4%26itemType%3DPRODUCT%26itemID%3D2613

www.menda.com.au/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=2&cat=Towels

Kim

[nicolew79]

Thanks to everyone for their help.

I had seen the Menda one (see my original post) but hadn't seen the other one. The towels just seemed to be expensive for ... well, for a small pack-towel.

But like I said, I'm probably wrong and just don't realize that it's going to cost $20-30 USD no matter where I order. I'll probably be ordering one - b/c I don't want to end up carrying around a huge sopping wet towel.

Thanks to all!

[Kim]

You could always just go with a normal towel that's thin-that works too. You just don't want a heavy or thick one that will take 10 years to dry.

Kim

[CuriousToronto]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!

I'm starting to feel like my advice is being totally ignored.

They are not out of stock. And I believe they cost about $10 Canadian.

Have you tried the MEC site?

If it's not the type of towel you want please say so.

[Kim]

I'm pretty sure Nicole is from the US, CuriousToronto so shipping from MEC to the US is $12-$23, depending on whether you want air or ground because it's international.

Plus, it also says this:
"All orders sent to the USA are shipped by surface or air mail only. Orders shipped to the USA are not charged Canadian taxes - however, all orders pass through customs and are subject to import duties, taxes, and custom processing fees. A customs invoice will arrive with your parcel or may follow in the mail. Recipients are responsible for paying these additional fees."

For Americans, it's often better to buy from a company within the US, same as for Canadians it's easier buying from a Canadian company-no borders, less hassle and expense.

Kim

[CuriousToronto]

BTW, I'm sorry I bit your head off yesterday.

I was feeling all stressed out and everything -- so perhaps I was already annoyed to begin with.

My bad.

Either way I agree that you look into stores near you. One of them is sure to sell a towel like the one you want - try camping stores.

Cheers!

[nicolew79]

Thanks for the help from everyone. Sorry it took so long to get back to y'all.

I'm planning to look at the camping stores next weekend. Even if they don't have many choices, I think it'll be the easiest solution (for me at least).

P.S. No offense taken on any of the advice Thanks to all for the great suggestions.

[Gallivant]

I have a Menda towel (ordered it from Australia for delivery to Canada) and it became expensive due to Canada Customs charges and PST and GST but I love it anyway. I got black so when camping it would not get too grubby looking and it is great. Not huge but perfectly adequate. Feels like a normal towel but dries faster.

[ryan]

You might want to check out REI's stuff. I have one of their stores locally and they are my source for anything outdoors, especially specialized equipment for any outdoors sport. A towel is available here: www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=11931175&parent_category_rn=4500614 for $20 or they have a viscose towel here: www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=9044281&parent_category_rn=4500614 for $25. They are located in the United States so shipping is not a problem.

[triple5funk]

i bought a packtowl from REI this weekend...it seems like it will do the job when i leave for the summer. REI also has great prices on other travel items or for anything to do with the great outdoors.