Looking for a way to dry off fast between swim sets or after water workouts? The Flow Swim Gear chamois towel has become a favorite for swimmers and triathletes who want something more efficient than a typical towel.
It’s compact, super absorbent, and made for water sports folks who don’t have time to mess around with soggy, bulky towels.
The chamois measures 13 by 17 inches when wet. It’s made from PVA material that soaks up water surprisingly well.
After trying it poolside, the quick-dry feature really pops—just wring it out and it’s good to go again in minutes.
One thing that makes this chamois genuinely practical is the included storage tube. That tube keeps the towel from drying out completely between uses, so it stays soft and pliable.
Without it, PVA towels can stiffen up and get annoyingly hard to rehydrate.
It’s lightweight—just over two ounces—so tossing it in a gym bag is a no-brainer. People say it stands up well to repeated use and can even be machine washed when needed.
There’s a little learning curve if you’re used to fluffy towels. The texture’s different, and it works best if you keep it slightly damp in its tube.
Overview of the Flow Swim Chamois – Quick Dry Towel
This towel is 13 by 17 inches and made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which gives it that signature water-absorbing magic. It comes in a storage tube to keep it moist and prevent it from turning into a stiff board.
When you first pull it out, the material feels thin and a bit rubbery. Once you wet it, though, it gets soft and flexible, grabbing water off your skin with a quick press.
Just wring it out and it’s ready to go again.
Available Colors: Blue, Pink, Purple, Yellow, and Aquamarine
At a little over 2 ounces, it barely takes up space in a gym bag or backpack. It’s great for drying off at pools, beaches, or after a shower, but don’t expect the plushness of terry cloth.
Some folks need time to get used to the feel, but others love how easy it is to travel with compared to big, fluffy towels.
Super Absorbent Performance
The PVA material is seriously good at wicking away moisture. It outperforms standard microfiber towels, at least in my experience.
Step out of the pool, and the chamois pulls water from your skin fast, leaving you pretty much dry in seconds.
You can wring it out and reuse it right away. That’s a huge plus if you’ve got multiple swim sets or practices back-to-back.
Key Performance Points:
- Soaks up a surprising amount of water for its size
- Wring it out and it’s ready for more
- Works well after swimming, showering, or even sweaty gym sessions
It’s thin and feels odd compared to a regular towel, but it still dries you off fast. You probably won’t use it as a full-body wrap, but for quick-dry needs, it’s solid.
Quick Drying Material
The synthetic PVA here is what sets this towel apart. After a quick wring, it’s ready to absorb again—super handy during swim meets or training sessions when you don’t want to carry a stack of towels.
It feels smooth and a bit rubbery when damp. Some people think it’s odd at first, but it softens up as it gets wetter.
The quick-dry claim isn’t hype. The Flow chamois air-dries in minutes, not hours.
It does arrive stiff in the tube and needs a good soak before first use. But once it’s hydrated and stored right, it stays flexible.
Lightweight and Compact Design
This thing barely weighs anything—just 2.08 ounces. It won’t weigh down your swim bag, so it’s perfect for athletes trying to keep gear minimal.
The 13″ x 17″ size is enough for a quick dry-off, but without the bulk. In its tube, it’s about the size of a water bottle.
That tube keeps the chamois damp and doesn’t hog bag space. It does add a bit of weight, but honestly, it’s negligible.
Vibrant Color Selection
You’ve got five color options to pick from: Aquamarine, Blue, Pink, Purple, and Yellow.
The colors are bright and easy to spot, which is great if you’re on a crowded pool deck or sharing space with teammates.
The pigmentation holds up well, even after a lot of use and wringing. On the flip side, if you want more muted or neutral colors, you might be out of luck.
Convenient Storage Tube
The storage tube is a simple fix for the usual chamois problem—keeping the material at the right dampness. In the tube, the Flow chamois stays ready for action and doesn’t get brittle.
It’s easy to toss in your bag and keeps the damp towel from soaking anything else. Just don’t forget to put it back in the tube, or it’ll dry out and need re-wetting.
The tube is basic plastic—nothing fancy—but it works.
Versatility for Multiple Activities
You don’t need separate towels for every water activity. Swimmers use it between sets, triathletes love the size for transitions, and divers can easily stash it by the pool.
It’s also handy for travel since it barely takes up room. The quick-dry factor means you can use it several times a day if needed.
Just keep in mind, it’s not big enough for a full-body wrap after a shower. It’s really meant for spot drying and quick moisture removal.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Absorbency is impressive for such a small towel. At 13″ x 17″, it soaks up water fast and dries skin efficiently after a swim or shower.
You can wring it out and use it again right away, which is a lifesaver at meets or during busy days.
The storage tube is a smart touch, keeping the chamois damp but not soggy. That way, it’s always ready when you need it.
Portability is a huge win. It’s light, compact, and fits in any bag without being a hassle. Perfect for travel or anyone with limited space.
Maintenance is easy—just rinse it to get rid of chlorine or debris and pop it back in the tube.
Cons
The thin material might be a turnoff if you’re used to plush towels. It’s not cozy, and some people find the texture weird at first.
It softens up with use, but don’t expect the comfort of cotton or microfiber.
Durability can be hit or miss. Some folks have had theirs start to break down after just a few uses, so quality might not be totally consistent.
It won’t match a regular towel for sheer absorption, especially if you’ve got long hair or need to dry off a lot of surface area. You might have to wring it out more than once.
User Experiences
Swimmers and athletes rave about the chamois’ absorption. Lots of people mention how quickly it pulls water from skin and hair, and how easy it is to wring out and use again.
The compact size is a big hit for travel, gym bags, or backpacking trips where space is tight.
The thin material divides opinion. Some love how lightweight and portable it is, while others wish it felt more like a traditional towel.
People use it for more than just swimming—think camping, beach trips, even cleaning around the house. Durability seems decent as long as you care for it properly.
Most agree it nails the quick-dry, high-absorbency promise.
Customer Reviews
Buyers keep coming back to the chamois’ impressive absorption. Folks love how it soaks up water and how easy it is to wring out for repeat use.
The compact size gets a lot of love from swimmers, travelers, and gym-goers who don’t want to lug around big towels.
Some say the material feels softer than other chamois towels they’ve tried. Parents especially like it for kids’ swimming lessons since it dries so quickly.
A few people mention the material is thinner than expected and takes some getting used to. Not everyone’s a fan of the feel compared to regular towels.
There are some creative uses too—like cleaning tables or wiping down surfaces. Durability seems solid overall, though there’s the occasional report of the towel breaking down after just one use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a Flow Swim Chamois Towel over regular towels for swimmers?
The chamois offers several practical advantages for anyone who spends time at the pool. Its compact size makes it significantly easier to pack in a swim bag compared to bulky cotton towels that take up most of the space.
The absorbency is really the standout feature. After wringing out the chamois, it’s ready to soak up more water, so swimmers can dry off multiple times without grabbing a fresh towel.
Weight is another factor worth considering. Regular towels get heavy when wet, adding unnecessary bulk to a gym bag or backpack.
This chamois stays lightweight throughout use, which is great for athletes who are constantly on the move between events or locations.
How long does it typically take for a Quick Dry Towel to fully dry after use?
Drying time depends a lot on how you store the towel and what the humidity is like. If you wring it out properly after each use, the chamois releases most of its moisture and is basically ready for another round almost right away.
For a full air dry between swimming sessions, most folks say it takes just a few hours if you leave it out in open air. The storage tube actually keeps the chamois a bit damp on purpose, which helps it stay flexible and not go stiff.
In humid environments or when left in the tube, it won’t dry all the way—and that’s intentional. The material actually works better when it holds onto a little moisture rather than drying out completely.
What maintenance is required to keep a Flow Swim Chamois in optimal condition?
Maintenance is pretty minimal compared to regular towels. You don’t have to toss it in the washing machine after every use, which is a relief for anyone who swims a lot.
Rinsing with clean water after pool time helps get rid of chlorine and other chemicals that could wear down the material. Just run it under the tap and squeeze it out a few times.
The storage tube matters here too—it keeps the chamois from drying out and getting stiff. If it does dry out, it can get a bit less effective, so keeping it in the tube between swims helps it last.
Some people like to hand wash it with mild soap now and then, especially after heavy use. Machine washing isn’t the best idea since it can mess with the delicate synthetic material.
Are Quick Dry Towels such as the Flow Swim Chamois suitable for sensitive skin?
The material feels smooth—definitely different from traditional cotton towels. It’s not plush, but the synthetic chamois is soft and doesn’t have that scratchy feel you might remember from old-school chamois.
For sensitive skin, it’s worth knowing that the towel works by wiping water off, not by wrapping you up in a fluffy cocoon. The thin material glides across skin without much friction or irritation for most people.
That said, the chamois doesn’t really offer much warmth after you hop out of cold water. Folks who are sensitive to temperature changes might find it less comforting than a thick, cozy towel.
What distinguishes the absorbency rate of a Flow Swim Chamois from other swim towels?
The chamois pulls water off skin instantly, often with just a couple of passes. This quick absorption happens faster than with most microfiber towels, which usually need more rubbing to get the job done.
The real difference is how reusable it is during one session. After you wring it out, the chamois bounces back and can keep absorbing, unlike traditional towels that get saturated and just stop working until they’re dry again.
The 13″ x 17″ size when wet is enough for most people to dry off, though taller swimmers might need to wring it out partway through. Even with its compact size, the absorption is impressive—it can rival much bigger towels because it releases water so easily when squeezed.
Can a Flow Swim Chamois Quick Dry Towel be used for purposes other than swimming?
The chamois has turned out to be surprisingly helpful outside the pool. Some folks have tried it for wiping down surfaces in art studios and classrooms.
It tends to grab moisture and stray bits better than your run-of-the-mill sponge. Not bad for something designed for swimmers.
Travel and camping? That’s where it really shines. The small size and how fast it dries make it a favorite for backpackers who count every ounce.
After a quick shower at a campsite or in a hostel, the chamois handles drying off without fuss. Then it just slips right back into your bag, no big deal.
Beach days and gym showers are easier too, since it fits into even the most overstuffed daypack. You can toss it in your carry-on without a second thought.
That said, if you’re hoping to wrap up and get cozy after a shower, well, this isn’t the towel for that. It’s practical, not plush.
