Sea to Summit Drylite Towel - Ultra Lightweight Quick Dry Camping & Travel Towel for Hiking, Backpacking, Beach & Gym Use

I purchased the Large Sea to Summit DryLite Towel in Cobalt Blue back in 2011. My main interest in purchasing the towel was for emergency preparedness and, more importantly, backpacking trips. This towel has come in rather handy for backpacking and camping trips.In looking for quality and low weight options for backpacking, I came across Sea to Summit and went down the rabbit hole of pack gear on offer. I knew I would be hitting the trail into Havasu Pai and knew this trip would require an easy to lug around towel. If you are not aware, Havasu Pai is an oasis 10 miles from the North rim of the Grand Canyon. There are waterfalls, rivers for wading and stunning blue natural pools to soak in after a long day of the trails. It is only accessible by trail (or helicopter for part of the way) so you have to be prepared to pack everything in that you want to use. I was not looking for a full size, luxury hotel towel, I was looking for a fit-for-purpose towel for a quick dry after a day in the water. This towel fit the bill.Things to note, microfiber towels are most effective if you pat down the area you want to dry. This is how I dry off regardless of what type of towel I use, so it was not a big change for me. If you are used to rubbing your towels across your body to dry off, you might find this towel dragging more than gliding. For me, this towel has been effective in drying skin and hair. I have a lot of hair, so I need something to bundle the whole of it and help grip the drips.A "large" backpacking towel is a far cry from a large bath towel, and this is a fine detail to note. I was not looking for a towel to wrap around my body, or to use as a shield for changing. If you need this, look carefully at the dimensions to find a towel that will fit your needs. This "large" towel will probably not be it.After use, this towel dries incredibly fast. I aid in the quick dry process by laying the towel out as flat as possible in places where the air flows freely. I am often camping or hiking in warm climates, so the warm air and sun also help. I've also looped this through a belt or pack loop and let dry while I keep hiking and it dries pretty quickly.This towel has held up pretty well against the elements, including multiple trips to Havasu Pai and hitting the lap swim pools at home (which I believe have mostly been saltwater chlorination systems). I have not experienced any mold or mildew growth. I have not experienced any funk or lingering smell on the towel. I have not experience any other mineral buildup, which is great. I was a bit worried about that, with the heavy concentration of calcium carbonate in the waters at Havasu Pai. This is the mineral that gives the waters their amazing color, but the sediment also builds up in your hair, in your clothing and in everything it touches while you swim these waters. It is great while you are there, but a beast to remove from everything when you get home (think travertine, think limestone, now you get the picture). This towel has not retained the mineral build-up. Phew.One thing I do to help minimize retention of smells and limit static is to add vinegar when I wash my clothes. The vinegar smell does not stay with the clothes. This may have helped to keep my towel smell free, but it all in all I am pleased with the retained freshness of this towel. I usually air dry this towel, but I think it made it into the machine dryer a time or two without issue.The structure of this towel is still intact. There are no holes or no tears in the fabric. I have not experienced any fading, bleeding, pilling or fraying. I store the towel in my hiking pack, so I know where it is. It is lightweight and takes up very little room. I like the performance of Sea to Summit goods so far, including this towel. I would recommend and will look to Sea to Summit again if I need to replace this towel.