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I’ve never been a big believer of purchasing items specifically for travel. One use items are not a smart way to invest your money in my mind. But recently, I’ve acquired travel gear that after a couple months of thorough usage, I can’t live without.
Consider my opinions change and me a convert. There are some items that are made specifically for travel that are definitely worth it. Enter the Chawel.
Hello! Nice to meet you!
Multi-use 5-in-1 Travel Towel
Their slogan reads “more than just a towel” which I can fully get behind (hurray for satisfying my multi-use requirements). Used normally, it’s a towel. Rolled up the right way, it becomes a travel pillow. Thrown inside a sleeping bag, it becomes a liner. Out at night and it gets chilly? It’s a blanket. And the coolest one of all? Loop it over your head and it becomes a personal mobile change room. Seriously! How COOL is that?!
Yes, my pants are down in public. No one would have known if there wasn’t a camera pointed at me which made it even more awkward.
It’s this feature where the name comes from: Chawel = CHange toWEL and is my favourite aspect of the towel. No more trying to awkwardly change in hostel rooms or at public beaches.
Don’t mind me as I change in public…
And these are just the basic uses that they advertise. Other people have converted the Chawel into laundry bags, seat covers, and emergency blankets among other uses.
The Chawel as a towel. Someone needed to rinse his feet so I used the opportunity to snap a photo.
I’ve taken the Chawel with me swimming at the public pool, to the beach, and on trips to both Kelowna and Seattle. I love how well it dries me off and is really quick to dry itself. It’s also really soft on the skin. It comes with a carrying bag making it easy to keep it all together in your bag or to carry on its own.
Using it as a blanket
There are a variety of Chawels depending on your needs. I have the most basic one without pockets, armholes or a zipper, but you can get versions with that included those options as well. There is also a version that is slightly thicker and warmer, but with it comes a larger size.
Other Considerations
If I have one criticism, it’s that may be a little too big when rolled up. Typically I like to travel carry-on only, with everything inside one backpack and the Chawel takes up a lot of real estate inside the bag. Also, don’t expect it to be super warm when used as a blanket. Think of it as an extra layer just in case (however if you do want something warmer and thicker, there’s a Chawel for that).
Final Thoughts
I never knew I needed a travel towel until I had one and now that I have one, I take it with me everywhere. For awhile it sat in the back of my boyfriend’s car in case of emergencies and I’ve found a number of miscellaneous uses for it when traveling and at home.
Where can you get one?
You can order a Chawel online direct from their website or on Amazon
However, for one lucky Pack Me To reader, I have a Chawel to giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is complete the following entry form.
Note: the giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada. The giveaway is open from September 19, 2015 9:00 PT to Friday October 2, 2015 23:59 PT. A winner will be drawn at random and notified by October 5, 2015.
[Contest Closed]
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This post is written in partnership with Chawel. As always, all awkward photos and opinions are my own.
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I love multipurpose travel items like this. I’d definitely use the chawel as a towel, and I love the idea of using it as a laundry bag too.
I have always wanted to try one of these amazing towels!! So many times I think would it be nice to have a Chawel when I am trying to change after a race or after a run. How many times would this towel come in handy?? At least 3 times a week for sure!!
I’m pretty sure I inadvertently flashed some people at Lynn Canyon this summer. A chawel would’ve prevented it :p
That’s so cool! I love the portable changing room aspect of it!
Also, If we’ve only just signed up for the newsletter, how will we be able to get the keyword since the letter has already been sent?
thanks for the giveaway – do you fancy sending me a postcard from japan?
Long time no see, Adeline! So glad you linked up to The Weekly Postcard. That looks like a very cool towel. It has multiple uses from all I see, but it’s a little bulky for the beach, don’t you think so? I would probably buy one for my survival kit though. Keep it in the car.
This looks interesting, and something I haven’t heard of. The thing that really caught my attention is that you can use it as a dressing room haha! I can’t think of anything to describe what I saw in your demonstration, but I like the idea of it.
There are times that you would really need a private space to change clothes, or say.. to pee? without getting noticed! 😀
There, I gave you one more idea on how to use it. I’ll check this one in Amazon! 😉
interesting piece of equipment. Not sure it’s for me…. thanks for the review!
For airplane/other blankets we go to the fabric store and buy a yard of flannel – it’s about $6 and compresses well in our vacuum pack bags. However, I can see that the Chawel would serve multiple purposes and seems to squash up quite nicely.
Couldnt be happier if I win!
And yes, the #Chawel is the #Jewel!
#Pickme! #Pickme!
I reeeeeallly want one of these!