Unless you are a WorldTour cyclist, most riders pack a towel into their kit bag for after your race. I mean really, who wants to stand around watching other races or drive home in a soggy chamois?
In one of those “why didn’t I think of it” moments, I had the pleasure to meet Haz Patel from 3i Products and learn more about the Roomel before taking one home to review. Patel and his brother Vishal, started 3i (inventing, innovating, integrating) to develop products that make every day life better. With the Roomel, they hit the nail on the head for something that just about any athlete can use.
It’s a pretty simple product, but executed very well. The outer packaging is a waterproof nylon bag, with a small pouch for your keys, phone, or wallet. The towel attached inside is made from 100% terry cotton, which is extremely soft. It’s about 12″ tall and 12″ wide, but it packs down pretty small to easily fit into your kit bag or trunk. It comes in only one size, but will fit anyone from just about the tallest players in the NBA down to a toddler. Well, it would make a nice tent for a toddler, but you get the picture.
When it is time to change, the Roomel quickly converts from a nylon bag with a towel inside to your own changing room. Once you unzip the bag, pull out the towel and turn the bag inside out. After you are done toweling off, use the heavy duty zipper to zip the two ends together and step inside. Spin it around so the draw cord is in the front, and tighten it up around your waist or above your chest and you are ready to start changing. There are two convenient slash pockets to give you access without having to lift up the towel and give everyone a show.
When you are done changing, flip the nylon bag right side out, stuff the towel in, and throw in your dirty cloths. Remember, the outside bag is waterproof, so your wet, dirty cloths won’t soak everything else around it. Once home, just pull the towel back out like you were going to use it again, and throw it into the washing machine and wash it like you would any other towel. How easy is that?
The Roomel is available in three different towel colors (black, blue, and gray), five bag colors (gray, navy, red, aqua, and pink), and at least five trim colors (yellow, orange, pink, red, blue), giving you tons of options. Overall construction is great. The seams are sewn well, and the entire product has a very durable feeling to it. Whether you are camping, cycling, surfing, running, or getting dirty, if you have to change out in the open, this is one of the best options I’ve seen. Heck, in a pinch, it could even work as a wrap to add some extra warmth like an over-sized vinyasa scarf.
Normally, the Roomel retails at $64.99, but 3i is currently running a special on their website offering a discount and free shipping, dropping it down to $49.99.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it
Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.
Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll
Beer of Choice – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged four years
Bourbon of Choice – Widow Jane 10 Year
I bought one of these at a mud run event…..this thing is a life saver. Ordered 3 more as Christmas presents and everyone LOVED them…..
Comments are closed.