Glacial Gear Trail Rag

For years I never saw the need to carry a small rag.  I carried a pack towel to rinse hands and wash face and dry off when we decided to take a swim, but the idea of carrying a rag never crossed my mind or ever made it to the backpacking checklist.  It was just something else I had to pack away, deal with, never use and then wonder why I took it in the first place.

Then everything changes…

Needs

The older I get the more needs I have.  I now have glasses.  I only need them to read, but I do have to look at my watch and read the maps on my phone in order to keep from walking 3 miles or more in the wrong direction.  Glasses get dusty and dirty and need to be wiped.  Shirts are not always the best option.  We often hike in colder weather.  Colder weather makes my eyes water and nose run.  These runny bodily projectiles have to end up somewhere.   Again, the shirt or outer layer is not the best option.  You count in the sweating that I do even when it is cold and you have all the reason to carry something to wipe extremities with.

Sanitary

My wife also has an issue that her eye waters constantly while outside.  It is an annoyance for her but having this issue for years, she has gotten used to it and just has learned to deal with it.  She has had to pack a rag, use her shirt or dirty hands to wipe her eye in the past, which has led to eye infections and misery on the trails.  Therefore, finding a trail rag that was absorbent yet soft enough to constantly wipe the eye area was a must.

I have seen Glacial Gear on different sights and social media outlets.  I decided to look them up and check out what they had to offer.  I am not a connoisseur of fine materials so I really didn’t know what to look for, but wanted a reputable company with quality gear.  That is the only way I can reach satisfaction.

I visited www.glacialgear.com to see what they had to say about their trail rags…

The product that started it all….

Decide which size and color of our Premium New Zealand sourced 100% Merino wool Trail Rag suits you best.

Merino Wool

Ok, so wool has been around for some time now.  Growing up it was on the inside of the warmest jean jackets you could find.  It was always white and very thick.  This is not the wool I had grown up seeing.  It is amazing how things progress and get so much better over time.  On the website, GG states…

It is unique in that it absorbs odor caused by bacteria. By trapping that smell and keeping it from building, it will hold those unappreciated scents at bay. After days on the trail, we all know how important this really is! Its superb ability to absorb moisture and dry quickly is also a critical attribute. Its soft texture and breathability along with the temperature-regulating qualities of Merino will keep you comfortable for hours. Most beneficial of all, Merino wool is renewable. One sheep can grow 4-5 lbs of wool every year! Statistics also show that with the right oxygen, warm temperature and humidity levels, Merino wool will biodegrade within a year if composted. We love this natural fabric and believe you will too!

Ok, so I am convinced.  Merino Wool is perfect for my needs.  Sanitary, trapping smell and scents that I don’t want, absorbing moisture, quick drying.  Those check all the boxes for me.  Now I have to decide on the size that is right for me.

While many hikers may choose the large as a towel to dry off after bathing or other uses that require more surface area yet still conveniently attaches to the pack, the smaller size will appeal to climbers and trail runners or anyone that just wants a more minimal Trail Rag while our medium hits the sweet spot right in between.

I wanted one I could do the most with.  It had to have multiple uses.  That is a rule of mine.  For the sake of space and weight.

Whether it is used to wipe sweat away while hiking or to grab the handle of your hot cook pot, we know you’ll find multiple uses for it along your way. Merino wool’s natural antimicrobial properties and its ability to resist retaining nasty odors make it the perfect fabric choice for your endless days on the trail.

How to Carry

Not only did I see a need for one, but then they have come up with simple, yet ingenious ways to pack/carry this rag.  All it needed was a small loop in order to attach it.  Right behind my head, hanging down beside me, out of the way, yet convenient enough to grab at any moment.

Attach the loop to your pack and away you go! We hand-cut, sew & assemble each item individually right here in northern Illinois. Happy trails!

For the price of $19.99 I had to try it.  Good quality materials that are made to last usually have a significant price attached.  For what you get out of this item, you will get your moneys worth out of it on the first trip.  We loved this trail rag.  It has made it to the Backpacking Checklist.  Not only did it make the list, we have purchased multiple ones to attach to each backpack so that it does not get accidentally left at home.  That would be catastrophic.

We have recently been on several backpacking trips carrying our trail rags.  We have used these rags constantly while walking on the trail for many different needs.  One of the main ones was the aforementioned runny eye of my wife.  I am proud to say, no chafing around the eye area after constant use and no infections.  We are sold.

I think we need to try large to use as towel now.  Haha.

 

Care

Simply hand wash/lay flat to dry. (Off trail, feel free to machine wash using a “delicates” cycle and tumble dry on low)

Materials

Fabric: 100% Merino Wool

GSM: 200

Micron: 18.9

Size and Weight Measurements

Approximate size: Large – 16 1/2” x 12 1/2” Medium – 14.5” x 10.5” Small – 10” x 10”

Weight: Large – 1 oz. Medium – .9 oz. Small – .6 oz.