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Sarong as a towel?

minaleigh

Member
May 16, 2015
44
131
Time of past OR future Camino
June 2016
I'm fairly certain instead of a towel, I'm going to bring a sarong instead. It can double as a skirt to walk around town and for church, as well as a privacy screen. I would like to hear thoughts from people who have actually done it. Which would be the best material and how well does it actually dry?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-

purplesage

Active Member
Feb 7, 2013
260
340
United Kingdom
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Camino Francais, Finisterre and Muxia (2012) , Camino Portuguese 2014, Camino Inglese 2015, Camino Muxia 2015, Incomplete part of CF 2015 ... will hopefully finish later this year
I'm fairly certain instead of a towel, I'm going to bring a sarong instead. It can double as a skirt to walk around town and for church, as well as a privacy screen. I would like to hear thoughts from people who have actually done it. Which would be the best material and how well does it actually dry?

Thanks in advance!
There are really HUGE micro-fiber quick drying towels u may want to check out on amazon. Buen Camino :) Caesar
 
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MichaelSG

Retired member
Jun 3, 2014
615
1,587
Singapore
Time of past OR future Camino
Not enough
I'm fairly certain instead of a towel, I'm going to bring a sarong instead. It can double as a skirt to walk around town and for church, as well as a privacy screen. I would like to hear thoughts from people who have actually done it. Which would be the best material and how well does it actually dry?

Thanks in advance!
I live in Singapore so have no issues using a cotton sorong as a privacy cover when changing as well as something to wear to & from the shower. It also doubled (quadrupled?) as a pillow case or an additional layer on cold nights on there different Camino's. That said, I use a washcloth in the shower, then wring it out before using it as a towel. I'm almost completely dry before I put on the sarong. Also, I'm not to comfortable walking around outdoors in Spanish towns while wearing a sarong but that's for other reasons. :p
 

LesBrass

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Aug 8, 2013
1,847
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Perigord - France
thenwewalked.com
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yes...
On my first camino I took a sarong and also a large muslin cloth for a towel. I used the sarong as a skirt in the evenings and as a scarf and blanket and pillowcase as needed and it got well used but I did had a rethink on my second camino.

* I swapped the muslin for a large quick dry towel and I was so much happier with the towel

* I swapped the sarong for a pair of lightweight trousers... for me I just felt more comfortable in trousers. I think I'll stick with this on my next walk but I am still looking at sarongs as they are mutipurpose and really useful... but I never used mine as a towel :rolleyes:
 
Apr 30, 2008
639
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New Zealand
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So many since 2003.
On my first camino I took a sarong and also a large muslin cloth for a towel. I used the sarong as a skirt in the evenings and as a scarf and blanket and pillowcase as needed and it got well used but I did had a rethink on my second camino.

* I swapped the muslin for a large quick dry towel and I was so much happier with the towel

* I swapped the sarong for a pair of lightweight trousers... for me I just felt more comfortable in trousers. I think I'll stick with this on my next walk but I am still looking at sarongs as they are mutipurpose and really useful... but I never used mine as a towel :rolleyes:

Like @LesBrass, I also tried the muslin for one of my caminos but it didn't dry well in cooler weather. I’ve gone back to the quick dry towel method (super small or cut a medium in half) which is perfect.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-

hsabs

Member
May 20, 2013
36
33
Time of past OR future Camino
camino frances (2013) Primitivo 2014; Frances 2015
I have a turkish Hammam towel, which is lightwieght, cotton and is nice enough to use as a sarong. It dries quickly and is big enough to use as a blanket to lay on. All round good buy as I am not keen on the microfibre towels.
 
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Tay and I

Active Member
May 10, 2018
102
47
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Camino Francis " 2018"
On my first camino I took a sarong and also a large muslin cloth for a towel. I used the sarong as a skirt in the evenings and as a scarf and blanket and pillowcase as needed and it got well used but I did had a rethink on my second camino.

* I swapped the muslin for a large quick dry towel and I was so much happier with the towel

* I swapped the sarong for a pair of lightweight trousers... for me I just felt more comfortable in trousers. I think I'll stick with this on my next walk but I am still looking at sarongs as they are mutipurpose and really useful... but I never used mine as a towel :rolleyes:
 

Tay and I

Active Member
May 10, 2018
102
47
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Francis " 2018"
I agree with the light cotton sarong for multi uses including niggtvwear and pillow case , privacy hanging from the bunk , wearing in the albergue
This is what I often did . Yes,- if you use it fior a towel you can’t wear it immediately around the town but I also took a light silk dress which was invaluable .

BTW , unless really significant , I seldom had the time to sightsee after walking for the day as it is quite a routine getting washing done etc and getting ready for the next day.

I preferred to spend more time in the cafes along the way than come in early to accommodation as it is often not very comfortable.

. Along the way I also bought a light
Cotton pillow case and put it on the pillow supplied each night . Take one from home us best though . . Those sheets and pillow cases made of synthetic material as provided were frustrating and ineffective
 
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FourSeasons

Veteran Member
Apr 16, 2012
1,289
6,470
Pacific Northwest USA
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2013, 2016, 2019, 2024
My sarong was a keeper however I did not use it as a towel because I wouldn't be able to wear it straight out of the shower. Even though I'm not super thrilled about my travel towel, it serves it's purpose. I'm so excited for my Summer del Norte where I know I will get plenty of use out of my sarong. I might even use it as a skirt during my walking this go around. So many options with a sarong. :)
 
Mar 1, 2017
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Northern Illinois, USA
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Recent:Norte/Muxia- Spring '23
MadridWay- Fall '23
I dislike microfiber towels, too. Instead I use a flannel baby towel and love it as it folds up small and takes up little room in my pack. It's very absorbent and is always dry by morning draped over the foot of my bunk. I have several purchased at resale for only $1 US each.
 
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Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

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