Choosing a car seat beach towel comes down to three construction features that either work or do not. A product missing any one of them creates the same problems as draping a regular beach towel over the seat. Here is what to check before buying and how Will and Wind performs against each criterion.
The three features that matter
1. A water-resistant backing. Without this, moisture from a wet swimmer soaks through whatever is on the seat and into the upholstery beneath regardless of how absorbent the front fabric is. Will and Wind car seat towels have a water-resistant non-slip polyamide backing. Moisture from wet swimmers, salt water, sweat, sunscreen and pet mess does not pass through to the seat.
2. A hood that goes over the headrest. A car seat towel that rests on the seat slides. When passengers get in and out or shift around, a resting towel moves. Will and Wind car seat towels have a hood at the top that goes over the headrest, keeping the cover in place on both the seat back and the seat cushion simultaneously without needing adjustment.
3. An absorbent front that is comfortable to sit on. The front of the Will and Wind car seat towel uses the same soft rPET microfibre suede as the travel towels. It absorbs up to four times more water than standard cotton and is comfortable directly against skin. Passengers coming from the beach or pool sit on it without discomfort.
What the elastic strap at the bottom does
The elastic strap at the bottom of the Will and Wind car seat towel is for rolling the cover up when not in use and for securing it during storage or transport, such as on a boat. It is not a fitting mechanism. The hood over the headrest handles the secure placement. The strap keeps the rolled cover tidy in the door pocket, boot or glove box between uses.
Fit: cars, boats and sun loungers
The universal fit works on most standard car and 4WD seats. The same product also works on boat seats, protecting the upholstery from wet swimmers and salt on the water. Customers use them on sun loungers for pool and resort use. For the full post-beach car protection picture, see how to protect your car after beach days and how to keep sand out of your car.
7 designs from Australian photography
Ningaloo from Above, Leopards Yin Yang, Kimberley, Heart Reef, Kalbarri, Whale Shark and Green Sea Turtle. All original Australian photography. $99.99 each. For the full collection, see Will and Wind car seat towels. For the case specific to families with kids, see why car seat towels are a must-have for beach-loving families.
Care
Cold machine wash, mild detergent, no fabric softener, line dry out of direct sunlight. No tumble drying on high heat. Full instructions at the product care page.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a car seat beach towel?
Water-resistant backing, a hood that goes over the headrest and an absorbent front that is comfortable to sit on directly from the beach or pool. Will and Wind meets all three.
How does the Will and Wind car seat towel stay in place?
The hood at the top goes over the headrest, keeping the cover positioned on both the seat back and the cushion. The non-slip water-resistant backing also grips the seat surface.
Does the elastic strap attach to the headrest?
No. The elastic strap at the bottom is for rolling up the cover for storage and securing it in transit (such as on a boat). The hood at the top handles the placement on the seat.
Will a car seat beach towel protect leather seats?
Yes. The non-slip backing holds the cover without marking leather. The water-resistant backing stops salt, sunscreen and moisture reaching the leather surface underneath.
Can it be used on a boat seat or sun lounger?
Yes. The same water-resistant construction works on boat seats and sun loungers. Customers use them across all three surfaces.
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