Go ahead, give them a squeeze

Tired of carrying that old scratchy towel around in your backpack? These five add a bit of comfort.

Scott Doggett

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SEA-TO-SUMMIT TEK-TOWEL

Unlike the others, the Tek-Towel was as soft as 100% cotton and came with a nifty stuff sack. Four sizes, $13 to $30. (303) 440-8977, www.seatosummitusa.com

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AQUIS ADVENTURE

The Adventure was only so-so in drying hair and skin. Though it didn’t feel as much like a chamois as the Multitowel, it wasn’t very soft. Four sizes, $14 to $30. (800) 421-1223, www.britanne.com

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MSR PACKTOWL ORIGINAL

This towel didn’t dry hair as thoroughly as the others and left a thin layer of water on skin. It did, however, become softer with each washing. Five sizes, $6 to $25. (800) 531-9531, www.msrgear.com

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REI MULTITOWEL

REI reps rave about this product, but the Multitowel felt sticky, like drying off with a car chamois or wax paper. It did, however, pack down nicely. Three sizes, $10 to $20. (800) 426-4840, www.rei.com

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COGHLAN’S DELUXE

Unlike the others, it doesn’t have a hang loop and it doesn’t retain its shape. But you can wring out lots of water before hang-drying. $7. (866) 576-0642, www.scoutgear.com