Like our Gear Tester, Mike Gormley, I have used Snugpak Microfibre Travel Towels for at least the last seven or eight years and I usually carry a large one when on assignment overseas, writes Bob Morrison.
On my last trip out to the Middle East the late spring temperature and humidity were both on the high side, so my lightweight microfibre towel came in for a fair bit of use over the fortnight I was in-theatre, but after many years of repeated use it was clearly wearing a bit thin so I resolved to replace it prior to my next trip. On my return a quick search of the snugpak.com website showed that not only was this type of towel still stocked but also both full size ‘ Head To Toe‘ sheet and medium size ‘Hands & Face‘ versions are available plus three colour options – Coyote Tan, Olive Green and Russet Orange – are produced.

Each towel comes with its own mesh stowage sack / bag – note Snugpak shell logo on towel [© Bob Morrison]

Facilities in a Formule 1 hotel are basic and no towels are included in the room price so I took my own [© Bob Morrison]
For those unfamiliar with microfibre towels, they are made from an ultra-soft and super-absorbent lightweight fabric which shifts a lot of moisture off the skin yet dries out very quickly. The Snugpak towels are also treated with SILVADUR antimicrobial technology, which is a polymer-containing silver treatment that delivers continually released ions when organisms land, or form, on a treated fabric and kills off the microbes that cause odour and material degradation; a boon for those travelling with limited access to laundry facilities.
I opted for Coyote Tan, which in my opinion is the best colour for most military users, but the Olive Green shade is also a tactical colour. Backpackers may find the Russet Orange shade to be more practical as it is very visible and could come in useful in an emergency / survival situation. The mesh and nylon outers of the tactical towels are colour-coordinated.
These towels are available through most of the major Snugpak stockists but can also be bought online by going to snugpak.com/military/ and typing Towel into the Search Box. Highly Recommended.