Microfiber Camping Towel

The whole concept of camping is to survive on the bare minimum. This means doing without what one can and what remains must be lightweight and compact. There is a lot of camping equipment especially designed to fit this niche. However, sometimes household or every day products can fulfill that role quite well.

Fortunately, one does not have to go to a sporting goods store to find a special camping towel they probably have a microfiber camping towel already in their cabinets. A ShamWow or similar shammy towel will serve as a microfiber camping towel just fine. Since the commercials started many households now have a ShamWow.

The uses of a microfiber camping towel is that it will help keep people and equipment dry. Most bathroom and household towels are made from natural fiber, probably cotton. Natural fiber towels are excellent in absorbency. However, they do have disadvantages over synthetic towels. One, they are bulky and relative to microfiber camping towels they are heavy. Two, they retain moisture too well. Once a natural fiber towel is wet it remains saturated until it dries or is dried. No amount of wringing will dry a cotton towel, once saturated it remains saturated until it dries.  No more absorbing moisture.

This is where a synthetic towel shines. It is lightweight and compact, yet it absorbs a lot relative to its size and weight. It is also very good expelling water through wringing and then immediately being able to absorb more liquid. They are also quick drying. This makes them multifunctional for camping- they can be used for drying equipment, as a bath towel, to dry (or as a drying mat for) dishes and pots, or for use when swimming. One final advantage a synthetic towel has is that it is rugged and meant for rough use, unlike a household bath towel.

The one downside to a microfiber camping towel is that it does take longer than a natural fiber towel to absorb moisture or liquid. But not much longer, usually only a second or two to absorb water beads on a body or a plate, as opposed to a natural fiber towel were it only has to run across any wet area.

Published June 12th, 2010

Tags: towels, camping, outdoors, microfiber