Trail Rag

The Trail Rag is a 10 × 10 in merino wool towel for hiking, backpacking, bikepacking, camping and travel. It’s made from soft 18.5-micron Australian merino with reinforced edging, rounded corners and an integrated hanging loop, and weighs about 0.7 oz.

Featured in BIKEPACKING.com’s spring/summer 2026 Editor’s Dozen: Neil Beltchenko uses his for cook-kit cleanup and as a small face towel on bikepacking trips. Watch Neil’s Trail Rag review on YouTube →

What it’s for

• Wiping sweat on climbs
• Drying your face and hands
• Drying cookware and utensils
• Cleaning sunglasses and gear
• Handling hot cookware
• Freshening up at camp

Why merino

Merino naturally resists odor, so the Trail Rag stays useful on multi-day trips when washing isn’t an option. It handles moisture well and stays soft against your skin. Merino has been at the heart of Glacial Gear from the very beginning.

Micron measures fiber thickness: the lower the number, the finer the fiber. The Trail Rag uses 18.5-micron merino; our blanket uses even finer 15.5-micron fibers.

Which Trail Rag?

• Trail Rag: about 10 × 10 in, 0.7 oz (20 g). Our pick for most hikers. 100% Australian merino; designed in South Carolina, imported.
• Trail Rag Classic Medium, 14.5 × 10.5 in: 0.9 oz (26 g). More surface area and our original square-corner construction, sewn in small batches in South Carolina from New Zealand ZQ merino.
• Trail Rag Classic Large, 16.5 × 12.5 in: 1.0 oz (28 g). Our largest Classic.

Compare sizes, materials and weights in the gear guide →

Specifications

Material: 100% Australian merino wool
Micron: 18.5
Fabric weight: 190 GSM
Size: about 10 × 10 in
Weight: about 0.7 oz (20 g)

Care

Hand wash and lay flat to dry. For a deeper clean, machine wash on a delicate cycle and tumble dry low.

Origin

Designed by Glacial Gear in South Carolina. Imported.

Questions

Is it a full-size camp towel?

No. It’s a compact towel for sweat, face and hands, and small cleanup jobs. For full-body drying, bring a larger towel.

Why merino instead of microfiber?

We chose merino for its natural odor resistance over days of use and its comfort against skin. Microfiber towels are synthetic and vary from product to product, so compare size, weight and care when you choose.

How do I carry it?

Clip the hanging loop to a backpack strap, hip belt or gear loop. Let it air-dry before you pack it away.

Grab it. Use it. Keep moving.

SHEEPishly Superior.