Compare our merino essentials, find your liner size, and understand what changes from one design to the next.
TRAIL RAGS
Choose your towel.
All four current options are 100% merino wool and include a loop for keeping your towel close at hand. Compare size, finished weight, fabric, and construction to choose the one that suits your trip.
Trail Rag
The compact everyday choice for hiking, travel, and camp cleanup.
Proportional illustrations based on listed dimensions. The Trail Rag and Zpacks collaboration Trail Rag have rounded corners and share the 10 × 10 in size. Classic and Classic XL have square corners.
On smaller screens, swipe the table sideways to compare every option.
Trail Rag specifications at a glance
Compare
Trail Rag
Trail Rag Classic
Trail Rag Classic XL
Glacial Gear × Zpacks Trail Rag
Size
10 × 10 in
14.5 × 10.5 in
16.5 × 12.5 in
10 × 10 in
Approx. metric size
25.4 × 25.4 cm
36.8 × 26.7 cm
41.9 × 31.8 cm
25.4 × 25.4 cm
Approx. finished weight
0.6 oz / 17 g
0.9 oz / 26 g
1.0 oz / 28 g
0.6 oz / 17 g
100% merino source
Australian merino
New Zealand ZQ merino
New Zealand ZQ merino
Australian merino
Fiber & fabric weight
18.5 micron · 190 GSM
18.9 micron · 200 GSM
18.9 micron · 200 GSM
18.5 micron · 180 GSM mesh
Construction
Reinforced edging, rounded corners, hanging loop
Square corners, original sewn construction, reinforced clip loop
Square corners, original sewn construction, reinforced clip loop
Using the listed rectangular dimensions, Classic has about 52% more surface area than the 10 × 10 in Trail Rag. Classic XL has about 106% more—roughly twice the area. Actual usable area varies with edging and rounded corners.
Classic adds about 0.3 oz; Classic XL adds about 0.4 oz compared with the 0.6 oz Trail Rag.
What do micron and GSM mean?
Micron describes fiber diameter. GSM means grams per square meter of fabric; it is not the weight of the finished towel. Size and construction also affect the total weight you carry.
The regular Trail Rag and Zpacks collaboration have the same listed size and finished weight, but different fabric specifications: 190 GSM versus 180 GSM mesh.
Which one should I start with?
For most hikers and travelers, our current 10 × 10 in Trail Rag is the starting recommendation. Choose Classic for extra surface area or the original South Carolina construction; choose XL when maximum towel area is your priority.
The current Zpacks edition is available while supplies last and will be discontinued once sold out. It remains in our separate collaboration collection. Explore the collaboration →
COMING THIS WINTER
New colors. More towel.
A first look at what’s next for our Trail Rag collection.
Coming this winter
Trail Rag in Teal & Red
Two new colors for our 10 × 10 in Trail Rag: a muted blue-green Teal and a softer, vintage-toned Red. Same compact format, two new ways to make it yours.
Lookbook color mockups. Final fabric colors may vary.
More surface area in the structured mesh used for the current Zpacks Trail Rag. Planned in Black and Granite, with an approximate weight of 0.8 oz (23 g).
Lookbook product mockups; final specifications subject to sample confirmation.
The planned 165 square inches sit between Classic (152.25) and Classic XL (206.25), with 65% more nominal area than the 10 × 10 in Trail Rag. The new towel uses structured mesh; the Classics use their original solid merino fabric.
Current Trail Rag10 × 10 in · 0.6 oz
Coming this winter11 × 15 in · planned 0.8 oz
Illustrations use the same scale and nominal dimensions before rounded corners.
Our Glacial Gear liner comes in three lengths. All sizes use a mummy shape, 200 GSM New Zealand ZQ merino, and the same published shoulder circumference. These measurements apply to our standard liner; the Zpacks collaboration liner has its own specifications.
FIND YOUR STARTING SIZE
How tall are you?
Enter your standing height without shoes. This checks our published height limits; shoulder room and your preferred sleeping position still matter.
Swipe sideways on small screens to see the full size chart.
Glacial Gear merino liner size chart
Size
Fits height up to
Approx. liner length
Shoulder circumference
Approx. weight
Small
5′6″ / 167.64 cm
68 in / 172.7 cm
56 in / 142.2 cm
14.2 oz / 403 g
Medium
6′0″ / 182.88 cm
74 in / 188.0 cm
56 in / 142.2 cm
15.2 oz / 431 g
Large
6′6″ / 198.12 cm
80 in / 203.2 cm
56 in / 142.2 cm
16 oz / 454 g
1. Measure your height
Stand barefoot against a wall and measure from the floor to the top of your head. Use your body height, rather than the length of your sleeping bag, to read the chart.
The listed liner length is the length of the item, not the maximum height of the sleeper.
2. Check shoulder room
The 56 in measurement describes the liner’s circumference at the shoulder, not a recommended maximum body measurement. Allow for sleep clothing, movement, and your preferred amount of room.
The fabric stretches horizontally, but we don’t publish a maximum stretched circumference. A longer size does not add published shoulder width.
3. Consider how you sleep
If you’re close to a height limit, prefer extra toe room, or move a lot in your sleep, talk with us about fit before ordering. Height alone cannot predict comfort for every body or sleep position.
If you’re over 6′6″, the published chart does not establish a suitable fit. Ask us for guidance →
Choosing a longer size
Small to Medium adds about 6 in of length and 1 oz (28 g). Medium to Large adds another 6 in and 0.8 oz (23 g). Shoulder circumference remains 56 in across the range. Weights can vary slightly.
The liner we make for Zpacks uses a different ultrafine merino fabric. Use its own product page for current sizing, weight, care, and availability. The standard Glacial Gear liner chart above should not be used as its specification sheet.
Both gaiters use soft, stretchy, 100% New Zealand merino at 200 GSM. “Ultralight” describes the finished product; it does not mean the fabric has a lower published GSM.
Ultralight Glacial Gaiter
A lighter option for adaptable neck, ear, and hair coverage. Fold it into a headband or tuck it into your pocket.
Weight
0.5 oz (about 14 g)
Fit
One size fits most
Choose this when low weight and compact coverage are your priorities. Exact garment dimensions and a head/neck fit range are not currently published.
“One size fits most” is not a guarantee of fit. If you need a particular head or neck measurement, ask us before choosing.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
A few useful details.
Does the liner or blanket have a temperature rating?
We don’t publish a tested temperature rating or a guaranteed number of added degrees for these products. Choose your main sleeping bag or quilt for the conditions you expect. A merino layer’s comfort depends on the rest of your sleep system and how you sleep.
Do all merino products have the same care instructions?
No. Follow the instructions for the specific product. Our standard Trail Rags allow hand washing and flat drying, with delicate machine washing and low tumble drying for deeper cleaning. The gaiters specify flat drying. The standard liner allows delicate washing and flat drying or low tumble drying. The blanket specifies cold gentle washing, low tumble drying or flat drying, and no bleach or high heat. Check the Zpacks liner’s own care instructions separately.
Where do I choose Classic versus Classic XL?
Both are on the Trail Rag Classic product page. Select your color and then choose Classic or Classic XL in the Size options. Color and size combinations may have different availability.
They are the published product measurements, with weights and dimensions treated as approximate. Metric dimensions are conversions from the listed inches and are rounded for readability. Fabric, sewing, and finishing can introduce small variations. We have not inferred packed dimensions or stretch limits where those are not published.
Can I return a size that doesn’t work?
Our policy accepts returns within 30 days of delivery for unused items in their original condition. Used, worn, or washed items are non-refundable, and customers pay standard return shipping. Contact us about uncertain fit before use.