Tuesday, July 28, 2009

POPULAR MECHANICS: Does the Wearable Towel Work? As Seen on TV Lab Test


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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    The Claim:
    Though necessity may be the mother of invention, infomercials often invent the need they intend to serve. A jarring edit up front seems to confuse the problem for which the $20 Wearable Towel is the solution: "You want to stay covered after being wet, but your towel just won't let"—the viewer hits the awkward edit then—"Robes are heavy and hot—and towels with fasteners? I think not." So the Wearable Towel fills some unnamed, unknown need for a hydrophilic textile that "keeps you totally covered, and gives you the freedom to use your hands."


    The Test:
    Measuring the tool's absorbency and fit after numerous dips in the Esopus Creek.


    The Verdict:
    Fine as a towel, converts to clothing more easily than other towels, but falls short as functional apparel when compared to traditional garments.


    The Details:
    The Wearable Towel doesn't have to be sopping wet to cause a bit of discomfort—one glimpse of a toga-clad reflection in the mirror will do the trick—but even a hint of dampness reminded us why the towel only occupies a transitional role in the process of going from wet to dry. The feel of moist fabric pressing against the skin conjured memories of sodden college football games or earning the wilderness survival merit badge in a deep-woods deluge. Those memories, and the resulting staph infections, stand out as wardrobe situations to avoid repeating. So the toga party that began with a shoulder-slung Wearable Towel soon hit a snag, but we continued slurring the lyrics to "Louie Louie" in dry clothing tailored to fit a human body.

    A careful examination of the Wearable Towel revealed it to be a standard nonwearable towel with a twist: This is engineered to include a series of holes. Now, before taking the scissors out to mod the linen closet, it must be said that those holes are very nicely stitched, and some careful research appears to have gone into their placement and design. Sourcing the towel itself, according to inventor Zoni Stein, also required rigorous quality control. Stein acquired towel samples from nine manufacturers worldwide before deciding on the towel mills of Turkey, source of "the best towels in the world," he says. It is a nice, fine towel—plush, fluffy, quick-drying and much less costly per square foot than the other infomercial rags, the Shamwow and Zorbeez. Ultimately, it's a perfectly satisfactory large bath towel, even if dressing up in it just isn't your style.

    But if you do see yourself among the models in the Wearable Towel ad—rising in a toga to retrieve the morning paper, lounging in a tunic while reading Haute Living magazine—then Zoni Stein's product is ready to meet your needs. As he says, "You could go to Bed, Bath & Beyond, buy the same towel for $40, and you couldn't even wear it."

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  2. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    RE: Does the Wearable Towel Work? As Seen on TV Lab Test
    I ordered this on an impulse and to my surprise it far exceeded my expectations. I actually do find it functional, comfortable and convenient. I Do reccomend it to friends and family and have already been asked by many of them about it and they love it and want one of their own. Over the years I have bought different robe like products that fall short of my needs. I want something that I can wear for more then just getting out of the bath or pool. I like to do my makeup after I get dressed for an evening on the town and I've found it perfect for that as well as styling my hair and actually just having something simple I can grab and just throw on to answer the door, fix the kids lunch or snaks, lounge by my pool or yes....even throw on my slippers and walk to the mailbox and check my mail. It's lightweight and doesn't make you break out into a sweat like my robes do. My neighbor laughed at how genious the thing realy is...She ordered hers this week :) I say Kudos....Great product, I own 2 and I love them!

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