I’m looking for some input on creating the “ultimate” transition towel. If I get more than 10 replies I’ll pick someone and give them a free towel of their choice.
Back story: I started a custom microfiber towel company and the towels seem to make awesome transition towels or a towel as they are lightweight, dry super fast, compact, and best of all we can print really cool graphics on them. Plus we as triathletes seem to love new stuff and we’re using a really nice, soft and techy microfiber. Cool stuff.
Problem: I’ve got two sizes right now and although they work really well (used one to change under yesterday after a fun uphill 9 miler in the fog…) I need to tweak them out to work for triathletes a bit better. My big size is awesome but might be a bit too long (it’s approximately the size of a yoga mat) and the smaller one 26.5x16" is great but might be a bit too small.
So I need some input. What’s the perfect size? Should it be big enough to change under? Smaller so you can kind of do a quick wipe down? Do you guys want features like a loop to hang the towel, maybe a dri-bag to throw it in, that sort of thing?
Some pics below. We just sponsored the Snapple Triathlon team and their athletes are getting hooked up with towels.
And one to cover my handlebars and wipe my face while on the trainer. So that 26.5"x16" would be perfect.
If I had to choose which one I would want…I’d want the bigger one as I use it to change at least 2-3x per week. I only ride my trainer a couple dozen times a year.
That’s what I’m thinking as well. Right now my big towel is too long (then again I might just be too skinny) so I’m thinking maybe something that meets in the middle. Maybe 24x36" or so.
I think the bigger one would be a better choice (for me) because you can change under but also fold it to make it smaller for T1 use. Of course I would pick both: the bigger one for changing under in training and the smaller one for cleaning my feet in T1 while racing.
That my .02 cents.
I use mine for wiping off after riding and then for changing so something around 48" X 22" and with a strip of velcro or similar along one long edge so you can easily fix it in place without worrying it will fall off while changing.
Cool, maybe we’ll do a strip with a snap on it or something so that you can hang it on things. I had a camp towel like that (camp towel was horrible but the hanging strip with snap closure) was awesome.
In my opinion towel size can make or break a race. I’ve tried many things and landed on the size of 17x27.5065778087, in accordance with the golden ratio. I lay my gear out on the towel in a position that adheres to the Fibonacci sequence spiraling outward from a single Nuun tab. Graphics and material of the towel are also of paramount importance, but I can’t give up all my secrets since someone in my AG could use them against me, sorry.
In my opinion towel size can make or break a race. I’ve tried many things and landed on the size of 17x27.5065778087, in accordance with the golden ratio. I lay my gear out on the towel in a position that adheres to the Fibonacci sequence spiraling outward from a single Nuun tab. Graphics and material of the towel are also of paramount importance, but I can’t give up all my secrets since someone in my AG could use them against me, sorry.
Haven’t got them on my website but they sell well at events and other places I sell them. the design goes through to the otherside. I didn’t come up with the idea but the guy who did talked to me about it before making heaps of them. They are not quite long enough to wrap around my waist, so that is something I would look at. It is a cool fun design though and would wrap around the waist of many kids. I only sell them within NZ as they end up a bit bulky to post too far and the guy who designed them sells them worldwide anyway.
Cool, maybe we’ll do a strip with a snap on it or something so that you can hang it on things. I had a camp towel like that (camp towel was horrible but the hanging strip with snap closure) was awesome.
I’m thinking velcro might snag a lot…
Thanks for the input!
Tai
To be able to use a towel to change after the race, it will need to either be longer than 36" to wrap around and tuck into itself. Velcro could snag, but a snap won’t necessarily be the right length to keep the towel snug around your waist. I would say 24" x 40" would be about right - or maybe a touch wider to preserve dignity while using it to change!
Another vote for the bigger one, microfiber towels can be folded pretty small. If you want it as a T1 towel, one fold, also big enough to change under, towel off with, beach towel in a pinch, etc…
