Why it works as a gift
Some travel towels win a spreadsheet and lose the first shower: they are tiny in a bag but feel like wiping water around with a lens cloth. The Personal aims for the useful middle. Its 80/20 polyester-nylon microfiber is still thin, yet the full Body size gives enough surface for ordinary shower, swim, gym and campsite routines.
That balance makes it easier to give than a highly technical ultralight towel. At 6.4 ounces it is not the lightest option, but it can absorb several times its own weight, wring out readily and dry much faster than comparable cotton. The snap hang loop creates an obvious place to air it before the next travel day.
Who should get it?
- Great for: hostels, campsite showers, gyms, swimming and road trips.
- Great for: travellers who want a softer hand than an ultrathin nanofiber towel.
- Great for: recipients who can hang and air gear between uses.
- Skip for: anyone expecting plush cotton loops or a guaranteed storage pouch.
The verdict
Less compact than NanoDry, easier to live with for some
PackTowl Personal Body is the comfort-weight compromise in this gift category. It is slightly larger and heavier than the Matador NanoDry Shower Towel and does not offer NanoDry's structured clip-on case, but many travellers will prefer its familiar soft microfiber surface. The current assortment's recycled content and broad colour range add gift appeal without changing the practical choice: air space and skin feel matter more than the boldest absorbency number.
Why it works
- ✓ 25×54-inch body coverage at a stated 6.4 ounces
- ✓ Soft 80/20 microfiber blend made with 50% recycled fabric
- ✓ Snap hang loop, odour-control treatment and machine-washable care
Tradeoffs
- × Thicker and heavier than the most minimalist travel towels
- × Current official listing does not promise the legacy zippered pouch
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Before you buy
- Select Personal in Body size: 25 by 54 inches and 6.4 ounces. Face, Hand and Beach versions share the name but have very different coverage, weight and price.
- Current Personal fabric is 80% polyester and 20% nylon with 50% recycled content. Older reviews commonly describe an 85/15 blend, so use the current listing and sewn label rather than legacy specifications.
- Cascade Designs' current Canadian page says the towel absorbs three times its weight, while its U.S. page says four times. Treat three times as the conservative promise; real performance also depends on wringing technique and humidity.
- Do not assume a zippered storage pouch is included. Older Personal packages and reviews show one, but the current official feature list promises a hang loop—not a pouch. Confirm the exact package contents before gifting.
- Wash before first use in cold water with like colours. Do not use bleach, an iron or fabric softener; air-dry or tumble-dry low and dry it completely before long-term storage.
- Polygiene odour control can help the towel remain fresher between washes, but it does not replace washing or justify sealing damp fabric in luggage for days.
Good to know
What size is the PackTowl Personal Body?
The current Body size is 25 by 54 inches and weighs 6.4 ounces. The larger Beach size is 36 by 59 inches and heavier, while Hand and Face are much smaller utility towels.
Does PackTowl Personal include a storage pouch?
Do not count on it. Some older versions included a zippered mesh pouch, but PackTowl's current official Personal page does not list one among the promised features. Check the exact seller photos and package contents.
How absorbent is the Personal towel?
The current official regional pages disagree: Canada says three times its weight and the U.S. says four. Three times is the safer expectation, and the towel can be wrung out to continue drying.
How is PackTowl Personal different from Matador NanoDry?
Personal Body is a little larger and heavier with a conventional soft microfiber feel and no currently guaranteed case. NanoDry is lighter and narrower, uses thinner nanofiber and includes a ventilated silicone case with a carabiner. Choose Personal for hand feel and NanoDry for lower weight and a structured carry system.
As an Amazon Associate, XmasGoat earns from qualifying purchases. Prices, sellers and availability can change. Choose Canada or the United States for local pricing.