If packing your towel down into a tiny space isn’t a concern for you, the PackTowl Luxe is about as comfortable as a towel can get. Although it does take up a bit more room and takes significantly longer to dry, its “body” size has the same dimensions as our top pick but has a plusher feel against the skin. Unlike similar big and luxurious camp towels, it didn’t smell after being put away wet. It absorbed water off the skin without trapping in the dirt and sand, which left it surprisingly clean for a towel with such a high pile. As it was easy to shake off, we enjoyed having it as a wrap and beach blanket, too.
The logistics of packing a paddle board aren’t always easy, either. Inflating this beast with the hand pump is the most exhausting part of the day. (ISLE does offer a $145 Custom Electric Pump.) And rolling it back up can sometimes get a little frustrating. As a frequent backcountry hiker and camper, I have to admit it’s nice not to worry about weight.
At 35 liters, this pack is perfect for day trips or for hikers who don’t need to carry a lot of gear on the trails. Also a good choice for youngsters who are new to hiking, or who need a rugged pack for toting school items. This pack fits me fine and is very comfortable for lightweight loads.
Consider bringing waterproof shoes and treating your clothes ahead of time with permethrin to repel insects. In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round. It does come with a carrying pouch, and though not as stylish or durable as the Sea to Summit Pocket Towel’s ozark trail canopy silicone carrying case, it’s adequate for what it needs to do. We consider this towel a solid option for car camping and day trips, when taking up a little extra space won’t matter. Packable towels are usually made from microfiber, although a few of the ones we tested are made from other materials (which didn’t end up performing as well).
Here’s another AWESOME thing about the Ozark Trail Atka day pack. My son and daughter each took one of these on a trip through Europe and they carried it on every plane, train, and bus they rode without any problems. It’s also small enough that it wasn’t inconvenient for them to have it with them everyday. Be aware, this is a daypack, intended for lighter loads and shorter distances. It isn’t built to be on your back 8 hours a day, and it won’t support 25 pounds.
This cooler has a number of features that you would find on more expensive coolers and a few that you won’t find. I tried out the ISLE Switch Pro specifically to see how far I could go. This burly board rounds out ISLE’s Pro Paddle Board Series with a high weight capacity and extra-rigid construction for longer adventures. It was a long day of exploring, capped off by campfire sausages in a place only reachable from the river. It didn’t dry quite as fast as our top pick and that may be due to the fact that some of the water beaded off and remained on the surface before being absorbed directly into the towel. The size we tested (L) is also slightly smaller than some of the pricier options but still big enough to wrap around the average person’s body.
After just a few weeks of use, the Explorer 2 has already suffered some visible damage. Some days this bag was heavier than I would have chosen it to be. For the second overnight hike in which I used the pack, I left the hammock at home and stuffed an REI Stratus insulated pad and lightweight bivy inside. Aside from the main pack bag, there is a small zippered compartment on the front, that, depending on how much you have stuffed inside, is pretty tight. I managed to fit my headlamp, lighter, map, compass, and some tp in the pocket.