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See the 13 tests

1. In the Box
2. Specifications
3. Features
4. Absorbency
5. Wringing
6. Drying Test 1 (After Wringing)
7. Drying Test 2 (100mL/3.4 fl oz)
8. Odor Resistance
9. Grass and Dirt Test
10. Sand Test
11. Portability
12. Comfort
13. Durability

In the Box

I bought mine in the Large size, and here is everything in the package:

• The towel
• A zippered storage pouch
• Care instructions

Specifications

These are my own measurements, for the Large size:

• Size 46 x 22.5in
• Weight of towel 4.1oz
• Weight of storage pouch 0.9oz
• Packed size 6 x 3 x 2in
• Blend 100% polyester
• Made in China

Features

• Hanging loop Yes

• Machine washable Yes
• Tumble dry Yes, on low heat
• Storage pouch Zippered soft EVA, with its own hanging loop for a carabiner

Absorbency

I soaked it in a measured bucket and worked out how much water it held against its own weight.

• Water absorbed 11.8fl oz
• Absorbency 3 times its own weight
• Cotton towel 3.26 timesFor a towel comparison

A much fluffier cotton towel still beats it, though not by much.

Wringing

After soaking it, I wrung out as much water as I could and weighed it again.

• Weight after wringing 8.3oz
• Water left in the towel 35%
• Cotton towel 46% left, at 29.7ozFor a towel comparison

Drying Test 1 (After Wringing)

This test measures how long it takes to dry after a full soak and a hard wring, which is what happens when you wash it while backpacking.

After wringing	Pocket Towel	Cotton towel
Outdoors	32 mins	2 hours 15 mins
Indoors	4 hours 30 mins	27 hours

Drying Test 2 (100mL/3.4 fl oz)

For a fair comparison I add the same 100mL/3.4 fl oz of water to every towel I test. It also recreates drying off after a shower at camp.

That takes it to 7.6oz.

With 100mL/3.4 fl oz	Pocket Towel	Cotton towel
Outdoors	27 mins	40 mins
Indoors	3 hours 45 mins	7 hours

Odor Resistance

I ran three odor tests. It has no antimicrobial coating, so I was not expecting much.

• Soaked in seawater, then bagged 4 days A damp sea smellAnd no mold
• Showered and dried off, then bagged 4 days Only a very faint smell
• Used daily for 7 days, hung indoors between uses No smell at all

Not bad at all for an untreated towel. The cotton towel smelled like rotten food after the same seawater test.

Grass and Dirt Test

I dragged it along some grass and stepped on it. It picked up a few specks of dirt.

The cotton towel picked up more, and still had bits stuck when I got home.

Sand Test

I covered it in sand at the beach to see how much would stick.

A few good shakes cleared it. The cotton towel behaved the same.

Portability

• Weight 4.1oz
• Cotton towel 11.9ozA similar size, for a towel comparison

• Packed size 6 x 3 x 2in
• Hanging loops On both the towel and the pouch, and it never drags

Comfort

Sea to Summit markets this as silky soft and I can vouch for that. I love how it feels, and it is not stiff at all.

It is sticky against my skin though, so I have to pat dry instead of wiping, and I do feel a little damp afterwards. The Large is also a bit smaller than a regular bath towel.

Durability

The stitching is not very consistent, and it feels loose.

• After 2–3 months of light use About 1% of its material lost
• Color The Lime green does not bleed much
• Hanging loop Useful and secure
• Storage pouch Good quality with smooth zippersNot very compressible, and not the lightest

Pros and Cons

Now, what are the pros and cons, and would I recommend the Sea to Summit Pocket Towel?

Silky soft, exactly as advertised

One of the nicest materials of every towel I bought and tested.

It does not bleed much

My Lime green came through the wash cleanly, which is rare in this category.

Decently dirt repellent

A few specks off the grass, and they shook straight off.

It sticks to your skin

You have to pat dry instead of wiping, and I still feel a little damp afterwards.

The quality is not the best

Loose stitching, and about 1% of its material lost after 2–3 months of light use.

Bonus – MUST Read!

Every figure above is from my own testing — measured by hand, bought with my own money.