Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Sale price$25.95
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Drylite Towel
Drylite Towel
Microfibre Quick-Dry Towel · Ultra-Suede Finish · 80% RCS Recycled Polyester + 20% Polyamide · Mesh Pouch + Hang Loop

The Drylite Towel is the perfect choice when comfort, weight, and packed size are a priority. Made from ultra-soft microfibre with an ultra suede finish, it offers a luxurious feel. This towel is super absorbent and fast-drying, making it ideal for a variety of outdoor activities and travel. Despite its impressive performance, it packs down incredibly small, saving valuable space in your pack. Whether you're camping, hiking, or heading to the gym, the Drylite Towel combines comfort and convenience in one compact design.

Ultra-Suede Finish
Luxurious soft feel — most premium-feeling STS towel. Microfibre suede.
4 Sizes
S / M / L / XL — picks from face cloth to beach towel. Pick by trip type.
5 Color Options
Beluga, Sage, Desert, Moonlight, Picante — mix and match for family members.
Ultra Compact
Packs to 4-7 inches square depending on size — fits in any pack pocket.
80% Recycled
RCS-certified recycled polyester — sustainable without sacrificing performance.
Fast-Drying
Microfibre releases water quickly — ready to repack in minutes after use.
Size Comparison (4 Sizes)
Material: 80% Recycled Polyester + 20% Polyamide (Nylon)
The Drylite Towel uses a microfiber blend: 80% Polyester: - RCS-certified recycled (Recycled Claim Standard) - The "suede-like" hand-feel comes from the polyester microfiber - Soft, plush surface - Quick-drying 20% Polyamide (Nylon): - Per STS: "for absorbency" - Nylon absorbs more water per unit weight than polyester - Blend balances softness + absorbency - Standard microfiber towel composition Why this ratio: - 80/20 is the standard for premium microfiber towels - Higher polyamide (30-40%) = more absorbent but less soft - Higher polyester (90%+) = softer but less absorbent - 80/20 hits the sweet spot Sustainability note: - RCS-certified recycled content - Reduces plastic waste (polyester is recycled) - One of STS's more eco-friendly products Pouch material: - 100% Recycled Nylon - Mesh-faced (lets the towel breathe inside) - Same plastic-stream recycling
Ultra-Suede Finish (NEW — UNIQUE TO DRYLITE)
The Drylite is the premium-feeling STS towel — characterized by the "ultra suede finish": What "ultra-suede finish" means: - A specific microfiber weaving technique - Creates a velvety, suede-like hand-feel - Different from standard microfiber (which can feel plasticky) - Closer to luxury bath towel feel than camp towel feel Why it matters: - Most microfiber towels feel cheap or scratchy - STS Drylite = softness without synthetic feel - Treats skin gently (face, baby-friendly) - Camp luxury at minimal weight Price positioning: - Higher priced per gram than basic quick-dry towels - Justifies the price by feel - Best for users who want comfort + performance
Mesh-Faced Storage Pouch (NEW DESIGN)
Per STS: "Mesh-faced storage pouch to keep your towel fresh." Why mesh-faced: - Allows air circulation inside the pouch - Helps the towel dry even when stored - Prevents mildew + musty smell - Standard care for high-end microfiber towels Storage pouch functions: - Contains the towel during transport - Sized to fit the towel tightly when packed (compression) - Mesh face = ventilation even when closed - Doubles as a wash bag (some users put soap inside) Practical use: - Stuff the towel into the pouch between uses - Mesh prevents trapped moisture - Always-store-dry principle (towel must be FULLY dry before packing)
Hang Loop with Press-Stud Snap
Per STS: "Hang loop with press-stud snap." What this is: - A loop on one corner of the towel - Snap closure keeps the loop secure when not in use - When hung, the snap opens and the loop supports the towel Use cases: - Hang to dry between uses - Hang in shower / bathroom - Hook over a line or branch (camping) - Hang on the back of a pack to dry Per STS FAQ: "Yes. All our towel sizes have a loop with a snap closure, so they can hang on a hook or over a line." Why a snap: - Prevents the loop from catching on things in transport - Cleaner profile when stored - Quick-release for hanging
Microfibre Absorbency & Quick-Drying
Why microfiber absorbs well: - Microfiber = fibers split into many fine filaments - Way more surface area than cotton or standard towel - Holds several times its weight in water Quick-drying performance: - Polyester (80%) releases water quickly - Microfiber geometry doesn't trap water the way cotton loops do - Hang dry in 1-2 hours typically - Roll dry in a towel for faster drying Practical cycle: - Use → wring out → hang on loop - Dry in 1-2 hours (outdoor use) or 30-60 min (warm room) - Pack in mesh pouch when fully dry Vs cotton towel: - Cotton absorbs 3-4x its weight + stays wet for hours - Microfiber absorbs 5-7x + dries in fraction of the time - Significant camp advantage
Award-Worthy Construction
The Drylite Towel doesn't have the "Award Winning" tag (that was for the Detour Stainless Steel line), but the construction is genuinely premium: Premium elements: - 80% RCS-recycled polyester (sustainable luxury) - Microfiber with ultra-suede finish (premium feel) - Mesh-faced pouch (thoughtful storage) - Hang loop with press-stud (functional detail) - 4 sizes covering face to beach - 5 colors for personal preference Pricing: - $20.95-$35.95 depending on size - Comparable to other premium microfiber towels - Worth it for the feel + performance
Comparison: STS Towel Sizes
The Drylite Towel comes in 4 sizes — pick by use case: | Use Case | Recommended Size | Why | |---|---|---| | Face / hands only | S (80 × 40 cm) | Small, light (70 g) — backpacker-friendly | | Solo shower / gym | M (100 × 50 cm) | Body coverage, 100 g | | Backpacking | L (120 × 60 cm) | Standard body coverage, 145 g | | Beach / family | XL (150 × 75 cm) | Generous, 230 g | | Yoga / exercise | XL | Mat-sized coverage | | Couple's towel | 2 × L or 2 × XL | Each person full coverage | | Surf / swim | L or XL | Quick drying matters | | Travel backup | M | One towel for all uses | Approach: - Backpackers: S or M (priority is weight) - Campers: L or XL (priority is coverage) - Beach-goers: XL (most coverage) - Multi-purpose: M (covers most needs) Pair with STS Airstream Pump Sack: - Some users pack a smaller towel + a larger one (face + body) - The Drylite 4-size system supports this
Best Use Cases
Camping / Backpacking: Ultra-compact + ultra-light — perfect for any campsite or trail. Beach / Surfing: XL size + quick-dry = ideal beach towel. Won't carry sand home the way cotton does. Travel: Packs small for any luggage. Hang-dries in hotel bathrooms overnight. Gym: M size for gym shower. Daily use. Hunt & Fish: Quick-dry after wading or cleaning. Van Life / Overlanding: Keep in the van for daily shower use. Water Sports: After swimming, kayaking, surfing. Yoga / Mat Work: XL doubles as a yoga mat. Cabin / Cottage: Replace standard cotton towels for space savings. Emergency Prep: Lightweight towel for emergency kits.
Compatible Accessories
Airstream Pump Sack (STS951): Pump-sack inflation utility — unrelated but useful for sleeping mat stuff. Mesh wash bag (optional, for machine washing): A standard mesh laundry bag protects microfiber towels in the wash. Travel toiletry kit: The Drylite S folds small enough for any toiletry bag. Compression stuff sack: For over-packers, a separate compression sack reduces further. Detour Collapsible Bowl (STSA1323): Similar storage efficiency mindset. STS Wilderness Wash (50ml): Compatible for hand-washing in the field. Luggage packing cubes: Standard packing cubes work for the XL. Microfiber-friendly detergent: If using regular detergent, ensure no fabric softener.

Performance

Best Use
Camping · Backpacking · Beach · Surfing · Travel · Gym · Hunt & Fish · Van life · Water sports · Yoga · Cabin/cottage
Activity Tier
Ultralight (S: 70 g) to Ultra Compact (XL: 250 g)
Material
Towel: 80% RCS Recycled Polyester + 20% Polyamide (Nylon) · Pouch: 100% Recycled Nylon
Sustainability
RCS-certified recycled polyester + recycled nylon pouch
Machine Washable
Yes (per STS FAQ)
Drying Recommendation
Cool setting or air-dry (high heat can damage microfiber)

Sizes & Dimensions

S (Small)
80 × 40 cm / 31 × 16 in · Weight 70 g / 2.5 oz (80 g / 2.8 oz packed) · Packed 11 × 11.5 × 2 cm / 4 × 5 × 1 in · $20.95
M (Medium)
100 × 50 cm / 39 × 20 in · Weight 100 g / 3.5 oz (120 g / 4.2 oz packed) · Packed 13 × 14 × 2 cm / 5 × 6 × 1 in · $25.95
L (Large)
120 × 60 cm / 47 × 24 in · Weight 145 g / 5.1 oz (164 g / 5.8 oz packed) · Packed 16 × 16.5 × 2 cm / 6 × 6 × 1 in · $30.95
XL (Extra-Large) — THIS
150 × 75 cm / 59 × 30 in · Weight 230 g / 8.1 oz (250 g / 8.8 oz packed) · Packed 19 × 19.5 × 3 cm / 7 × 8 × 1 in · $35.95

Features

Microfibre
Ultra-soft microfibre with ultra-suede finish (luxurious hand-feel)
Absorbency
Exceptional — microfiber holds multiple times its weight in water
Drying Speed
Fast drying (releases water quickly — polyester microfiber)
Hang Loop
Yes — with press-stud snap closure (all sizes)
Storage Pouch
Mesh-faced (allows airflow, prevents mildew) · 100% Recycled Nylon

Color Variants (5 colors × 4 sizes = 20 SKUs)

Color Options
Beluga · Sage · Desert · Moonlight · Picante (varies by size — see STS)
URL Selection
XL / Sage (SKU A2508-45)

Profile

Brand
Sea to Summit (Australian outdoor gear, founded 1983, Boulder CO US HQ)
Category
Quick Dry Towels / Travel Towels / Microfiber Towels / Camping Towels
Launch
26NewProduct (May 2025 launch per MAY_25 tag)
Position in STS Lineup
Ultra-soft microfiber towel line — premium variant (vs Pocket, Tek, DryStorage lines)
Washing Rules (CRITICAL for microfiber towels)
Per STS FAQ: "Yes. You can wash this towel in a washing machine with standard laundry detergent. However, avoid fabric softeners since they will significantly reduce absorbency." Why NO fabric softener: - Fabric softeners coat microfiber fibers - The coating blocks the capillary action that absorbs water - Towel stops absorbing — only dries skin by pressure - Permanent damage (need to wash multiple times to strip the coating) Towel washing rules: - MUST: Standard detergent (any non-fabric-softener brand) - MUST: Wash in warm or cold water - MUST: Rinse thoroughly (residue affects absorbency) - MUST: Wash separately for first few washes (per FAQ — not colorfast-dyed) - NEVER: Fabric softener (any kind) - NEVER: Dryer sheets (same coatings as softener) - NEVER: Bleach (degrades microfiber) - AVOID: Mixing with cotton towels (lint + softener residue)
First-Wash Color Care (Per FAQ)
Per STS FAQ: "These towels are not colorfast-dyed, so clean them separately for the first few washes." What "not colorfast" means: - Excess dye may bleed out during initial washes - Color may lighten slightly - Could stain other items in the same wash Why STS chose non-colorfast dye: - Colorfast dyes often require more chemicals or heat treatments - Non-colorfast is gentler on the microfiber - Slightly less vibrant colors but more sustainable First-wash protocol: 1. Wash separately for at least 2-3 cycles 2. Use cold water for first wash to minimize bleeding 3. Don't mix with light-colored items 4. After 2-3 washes, the bleeding stops 5. After stabilization, normal mixing is OK
Drying Rules
Per STS FAQ: "Dry on a cool setting (or better still, just air-dry)." Recommended drying: - Best: Air dry on the hang loop (1-2 hours) - OK: Tumble dry on COOL setting (preserves fibers) - NEVER: Tumble dry on HIGH heat (damages microfiber) Why cool setting only: - High heat melts the fine microfiber filaments - Reduces absorbency and softness over time - Permanent damage (fibers don't recover) - Cool drying preserves the fibers for years
Anti-Microbial Note (Per FAQ)
Per STS FAQ: "No, but fortunately a towel that is this easy to wash and dry doesn't need chemical treatments to keep it fresh. Just make sure it's fully dry before packing it in your bag." Why no anti-microbial treatment: - Anti-microbials are chemicals applied to fabric - Many users prefer chemical-free - Microfiber + air-dry + mesh pouch = naturally stays fresh - Easy to wash removes bacteria anyway Forgetting anti-microbial means: - Must follow "fully dry before packing" rule - Wet microfiber in a closed pouch = mildew risk - Air-dry after each use is the prevention
Mesh-Faced Pouch Care
The pouch is 100% Recycled Nylon + mesh face: Washing: - Wash with the towel (or separately) - Same care as the towel (no fabric softener) - Mesh allows water through — dries quickly Air flow: - The mesh face is critical for ventilation - Without it, the towel stays damp in storage - If the mesh tears, replace the pouch (contact STS) Practical care: - Don't pack wet towel in dry pouch (the mesh works WITH air flow) - Hang both to dry together - If the towel is wet, leave the pouch open
Hang Loop Care
The hang loop has a press-stud snap: Snap function: - Press to close when not hanging - Press to open when hanging - Located on a reinforced corner Use: - Hang on a hook, line, branch, or pack strap - Snap secured = no snagging in transport - Don't hang by the snap itself (hang the loop over the support, snap stays closed) Replace: - If the snap fails (worn or corroded), contact STS - The loop + snap are sewn-in, user-replaceable is complicated - For typical use, lasts years
Avoid These Failure Modes
Don't: - Use fabric softener (permanent absorbency loss) - Wash with cotton towels (transfers softener residue) - Dry on high heat (melts microfiber) - Store wet in closed pouch (mildew) - Bleach (degrades fibers) - Use dryer sheets (same coating as fabric softener) - Machine wash with hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) — catches and pulls microfiber - Iron (microfiber melts at iron temperatures) If reduced absorbency after washing: - Likely fabric softener contamination - Strip with repeated hot-water washes (no detergent) - Or use a stripper product (like Nikwax BaseWash) - Absorbency should return after 3-5 strip washes
Sustainability & End-of-Life
RCS-certified recycled materials: - 80% recycled polyester (RCS = Recycled Claim Standard) - 100% recycled nylon pouch - Reduces new plastic production Longevity: - With proper care (no fabric softener, cool dry), lasts 5+ years - Microfiber holds up if treated correctly - Cheap to replace when worn At end-of-life: - Microfiber towels are mostly synthetic - Some specialty recyclers accept microfiber - Otherwise landfill (small footprint — a single towel)
Activity-Specific Tips
- Backpacking (S/M): Ultra-light, packs small. Daily use in a 1-3 person tent. - Camping (L): Standard size for shower use. Family-friendly. - Beach (XL): XL covers a beach mat. Sand brushes off easily. - Travel (M): Hotel bathroom use. Dries overnight on the rack. - Gym (M): Daily shower towel. The pouch fits in any gym bag. - Van life (L): Daily shower towel. Hang inside the van to dry. - Water sports (L/XL): Quick-dry after swimming is the key advantage. - Yoga (XL): Doubles as a yoga mat for travel. - Emergency kit (S): Compact backup for kits. - Couple (2 × L): Each partner has full coverage without breaking the bank.

Shipping Policy

Components:

All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.

Bicycles:

Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.

Riding Gear & Apparel:

Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.

Returns & Exchanges:

If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.

For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.

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Prepared with intention.

Every product is carefully inspected and handled by our team before it ships. From fit and function to final details, we make sure each piece is ready for the outdoors ahead—so you can focus on the experience, not the gear.

Passion drives us

At SpokeX Bike Co., bikes aren't just our business — they’re our way of life. As a rider-owned and operated shop, every decision we make comes from firsthand experience on the trail, at the race, and on the open road. We know what it’s like to chase a new line, push through the pain cave, and celebrate the ride — because we live it every day.


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