Are Microfibre Towels Worth It?
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Microfibre towels are so popular they now seem to be involved in many parts of life from cleaning to washing and more. They are a great alternative for one us cloths, thick towels and paper towels.
Microfibres are definitely worth buying for camping trips as they are lightweight, easy to store and fast drying along with being versatile for a number of uses. They are worth investing in if you are hiking and travelling around as they take up very little space.
In this article we are going to be talking about what microfibre towels are, how they can be used and whether we think they are worth investing in or not.
What Is A Microfibre Towel?
Microfibre towels are finely woven towels that adequately absorb a good measure of fluid due to their texture. They feature thin fabric strands,(thinner than a human hair), while they absorb substantial amounts of liquid, they likewise dry rapidly and are less inclined to build up molds.
The basic components of a microfibre towel are a mixture of polyamide and polyester(polyester-80% and polyamide-20%). This dries up instantly and can be reused multiple times. It is a necessity for most outdoor enthusiasts, especially campers as they are water-retentive, fluffy, lightweight, can serve different purposes, and are incredibly durable.
Even though they are absorptive, they can fit into backpacks compared to regular towels, as their portable nature requires little space to be tucked in.
They are more hygienic for campers and those into full outdoor activities as they don’t hold dampness and dirts. A quick hanging after usage dries it instantly and keeps it ready for next use.
What Makes It Different From Ordinary Towels?
There are significant factors that differentiate a microfibre towel from ordinary towels, a few of them are:
1. Fabric Texture
Regular towels are often made with a mixture of wool and cotton(or only cotton)because they are retentive, and can stand the test of time. But microfibre towels are made of polyester and polyamide, which make them dry up faster than cotton towels. Also, microfibre fabrics are way lighter than cotton.
2. GSM
This is also known as grams per square meter. When grading a premium towel, the GSM level indicates if it’s of high quality or not. The strands in microfibre towels are too close, making the GSM higher than regular towels. The higher the GSM, the more absorbent it is. This implies that it is more absorbent than regular towels.
3. Less Time to Dry
Most campers like to have a “quick wash-quick dry” kind of gear, and a microfibre towel dries quickly after usage. It’s quicker when it’s spread on a flat surface or hanged.
What Can You Use A Microfibre Towel For?
For most regular campers, a microfibre towel serves many purposes while for some; its primary duty is to clean the body after shower.
It is a very versatile product, for starters, a large microfibre towel that is compacted into a backpack can serve as a blanket while camping. Its fluffy nature can offer warmth in the absence of a weighty blanket.
Besides, some campers use a microfibre towel as a bandana, in hot weather, it can easily absorb sweat and give you relief as you hike. It’s also lightweight to carry around for comfort.
Furthermore, it requires little to no cleaning solvent when used as a cleaning material on surfaces or objects. As a multipurpose camping towel, it can be used to clean reflectors, dust off the dirt and can also come in handy in cases where you need to clean the camera lens before taking shots.
It dries up quickly, so it can be used, washed, and reused within a short period.
Are Microfibre Towels Expensive?
The price of microfibre camping towels varies, it depends on the brand, quality of materials, and GSM. A good microfibre towel ranges from $8 up to $30 for a small to medium-sized towel (the one that fits into an average backpack size). Some large ones are also in the same range but not of premium standard.
Large microfibre towels or sheets are priced as high as $60. A well-known brand might be priced higher while offering the same quality as a small brand. Although an overly cheap microfibre towel might be a knockoff, it will not absorb liquid properly and will lose strand upon usage.
It is important to be on the lookout for high-quality ones that will stand the test of time.
Advantages Of Using A Microfibre Towel While Camping
The benefits of using a microfibre towel while camping are numerous, because they serve different purposes, few of them will be outlined below:
- They can be reused on various occasions.
While camping it can be used for morning routines simultaneously (e.g exercise and bathing). - Microfibre towels are extraordinarily delicate and lightweight, once used to clean up the dampness, they can be easily tucked away or hanged and can be brought out to use multiple times.
- They are easy to dry.
Microfibre towels dry out rapidly, which implies they are quick and simple to clean. - In cold weather conditions, a microfibre towel can be an immense advantage, as it forestalls mold buildup and odors.
- Microfibre towels are lightweight.
They are compact and can fit into camping bags.
The little filaments in microfibre towels make them extremely lightweight which differs from regular towels, particularly cotton towels.
It can be easily tucked into your camping bag without adding weight to your backpacks, unlike the heavy cotton towels. - Microfibre towels are durable, a good one can retain its quality for somewhere in the range of 500 to 1,000 washes without losing strands.
They just keep going on an unbelievably lengthy timespan, particularly when maintained appropriately. - Large ones serve as a blanket for most campers, some as sheets too. It easily shakes off dust.
- Upon usage, it doesn’t feel so wet, yet it absorbs liquid while giving a suede feeling on your skin.
Disadvantages Of Using A Microfibre Towel While Camping
There are some downsides to using a microfibre towel while camping.
- It takes time to get used to.
A newbie might find it difficult to clean up after a shower because you can’t wipe it across your skin, it will shift the water to another area.
A quick tip from regular users: simply dab, pat each area gently and watch it perform its duties. - Microfibre towels are quite pricey, compared to regular towels.
If you are on a budget and discovered you forgot your towel or simply need to get a towel en route to the camping site, regular towels will be your first consideration.
One high-quality microfibre towel costs as high as two or three cotton towels. - While camping, one rarely pays careful attention to handling chores like washing.
Microfibre towels are not meant to be washed with other kinds of fabrics, they are handled carefully. - Extra attention is required to maintain it.
Too much heat can cause it to lose shape and color.
Are Microfibre Towels Worth It?
As a camping towel, they are worth it, due to the numerous purposes it can serve. However, if you are on a budget and need soft cotton feel for instant cleaning, they are not worth it.
In the absence of a blanket or bed sheet, while camping, a microfibre towel can be handy. But, if you love varieties and hate holding onto a towel for a long time, purchasing a microfibre towel is not worth it.
On a final note, if you love to keep a towel handy for multiple purposes while camping or traveling, a microfibre towel is your best bet, but if you love to stay extra clean, carefree, and don’t mind multiple luggage, microfibre towels aren’t worth it.