From Sand to Paradise: Journeying into the World of Sand Cloud Beach Towels - Unraveling the Reality Behind the Hype

Introduction.

Sand Cloud is a beach lifestyle brand that has become popular for their stylish and functional Turkish cotton beach towels. Founded by two surfers in San Diego in 2014, Sand Cloud has grown a cult following around their towels that dry quickly, resist sand, and float on water.

Sand Cloud's beach towels have developed quite a bit of hype and press, with common questions surrounding whether they live up to claims of being sand-resistant, super absorbent, and worth the price. The brand and its towels gained more notoriety after appearing on Shark Tank in 2017 and securing a deal.

In this deep dive, we will take an in-depth look at Sand Cloud's beach towels - their features, quality, and how they compare with competitors. The goal is to determine if Sand Cloud towels live up to the hype and are worth purchasing.

Sand Cloud Background.

Sand Cloud was founded in 2014 by surfers Steven Ford and Brandon Leibel as a solution to the problem of sandy beach towels. After getting frustrated with their towels constantly covered in sand, they came up with the idea for a lightweight, absorbent and sand-resistant beach towel made from Turkish cotton.

In 2017, Sand Cloud pitched their business on ABC's Shark Tank and struck a deal with investor Robert Herjavec for $200,000 in exchange for 15% equity (Sand Cloud on Shark Tank). This exposure helped propel Sand Cloud's growth and expansion.

Since their appearance on Shark Tank, Sand Cloud has seen tremendous success. In just the four months after the show, the company generated $2.7 million in revenue. They've continued to release new towel designs and products, and have expanded their philanthropic mission through towel donations and partnerships.

Sand Cloud Towel Features.

Sand Cloud's beach towels are made from 100% Turkish cotton, which is known for being extremely soft, lightweight and absorbent compared to regular terry cloth. The longer cotton fibers allow the towels to dry quickly and resist sand better than other fabrics. Sand Cloud offers the towels in a variety of sizes from hand towels to oversized blankets, with their standard beach towel being 35" x 70".

The towels come in many stylish, colorful designs and patterns ranging from solid colors to artwork featuring sea turtles, palm trees and ocean theme. The designs are eye-catching while also being tasteful. The towels can be machine washed and dried making them easy to clean after a day at the beach.

Customers praise the absorbency, softness and sand resistance of Sand Cloud's Turkish cotton towels. The lightweight fabric and variety of sizes make them versatile for the beach, pool, bathroom or travel. Their stylish designs and quality construction make them stand out from basic terry cloth towels.

Sand Cloud vs Competitors.

When it comes to beach towels, Sand Cloud faces competition from other popular brands like Teena. While Sand Cloud uses 100% Turkish cotton, Teema offers both Turkish and Egyptian cotton options. According to testing by The Bali Market, Teema towels are very similar to Sand Cloud in terms of quality and performance. The main differences come down to design selection and minor details.

So how do these two cotton types compare? Turkish cotton is known for being lightweight, absorbent, and fast-drying. The long fibers make it very soft as well. Egyptian cotton has a higher thread count and is very soft and durable, though not as lightweight and quick-drying as Turkish cotton. Both have pros and cons for beach towels. Ultimately, Turkish cotton may have a slight edge for the beach.

When it comes to price, Sand Cloud towels are typically more expensive than other brands like Teena. The exact prices can vary by size, design, sales etc. But Sand Cloud's retail prices range from $48-$78 while Teema's range from $28-$60. Sand Cloud focuses heavily on branding, charitable initiatives, and sustainability as value adds. Whether the higher price is worthwhile depends on your priorities and budget.

Sand Cloud Reviews.

To evaluate whether Sand Cloud towels live up to the hype, it's important to analyze reviews from real customers who have purchased and used the towels.

In terms of quality, most reviews mention that the towels are very soft, lightweight and absorbent. As one Amazon customer wrote, "Very cute and functional. Definitely a good purchase and I would buy more of them! Best part: about 50% cheaper than the ones on the sand cloud website!".

When it comes to durability and sand resistance, reviews are a bit more mixed. Some say the towels stand up well to frequent beach use and rinse clean of sand easily. However, others note problems with sand sticking to the towels or the fabric pills/wears down over time, especially with improper washing. As this review site found, "Since it's so absorbent, it holds the moisture well when you repack it to leave, especially if you wring it out well. They are fairly easy to clean, but sand does stick to wet fibers."

The common pros mentioned are the stylish patterns, lightweight feel, quick drying ability, and absorbency. The most common cons cited are the towel's durability, tendency to attract sand when wet, and being thinner/smaller than expected.

Overall, the reviews indicate the Sand Cloud towels perform well for casual beach use. However, they may not stand up to extremely frequent use without pilling or wearing thin over time. Proper care and washing seems to help extend their lifespan.

Sand Cloud Cotton Quality.

Sand Cloud towels are made from 100% Turkish cotton, which is known for its superior quality and absorbency compared to other types of cotton. According to Parachute Home, Turkish cotton produced in the Aegean region has a longer cotton staple (individual fiber) than other regions, resulting in extra softness and durability.

The long staple of Turkish cotton, combined with the area's ideal growing conditions, enable the fibers to be spun into a fine, soft yarn prized for its ability to absorb water. Great Bay Home notes that Turkish cotton towels can absorb water at a rate nearly 3 times their own weight, making them far more absorbent than normal cotton towels.

Additionally, the unique properties of Turkish cotton make Sand Cloud towels become even softer and more absorbent over time. Globaltex USA states that with repeated use and washing, Turkish cotton develops a slight sheen and gets fluffier. This means Sand Cloud towels should have excellent durability and longevity.

Washing and Care.

Sand Cloud towels are designed to be easy to clean and care for. According to the Sand Cloud customer support page, the towels can be machine washed in cold water on a delicate cycle. It's recommended not to use bleach or wash them with heavy fabrics like jeans that could cause pilling. For the first few washes, Sand Cloud advises washing dark towels separately since they may bleed some excess dye.

The towels can be machine dried on low or laid flat to air dry. It's not recommended to use high heat when drying as that can damage the cotton fibers over time. To keep Sand Cloud towels soft and plush, use fabric softener in the wash. For stains, pre-treat with stain remover or wash in warm or hot water. Avoid using fabric softener sheets in the dryer as they can leave residue on the towels over time.

To get the longest life from Sand Cloud towels, the company recommends avoiding excessive sun exposure when not in use and storing in a dry, ventilated space. Heat and moisture can damage the cotton fibers. Proper washing and drying is key - always follow the care instructions and these towels can last for years of beach and pool use.

Multipurpose Uses.

While Sand Cloud towels are marketed mainly as beach towels, they can also be used for many other purposes thanks to their large size and absorbency, Sand Cloud towels "can be used as a blanket, a yoga mat a picnic blanket or to cover up at the beach."

The generous 60" x 68" size of the Sand Cloud XL towels makes them ideal for using as a blanket, whether at the beach, park, concert, or camping. The smooth cotton fabric feels good against the skin. Customers love using their Sand Cloud as a blanket at sporting events or for stargazing. The absorbency also prevents moisture from seeping through like regular blankets.

The towels can easily be used for yoga, Pilates, and other exercise routines, providing a soft surface and grip. The lightweight fabric is easier to transport than most yoga mats. Many customers praise the towel's performance during hot yoga sessions where you need maximum absorbency. They also work great as a picnic blanket thanks to the large size, ability to repel sand, and eye-catching designs.

The versatility and multi-use potential of Sand Cloud towels make them a worthwhile investment. While a bit pricier than regular beach towels, their durability and diverse functionality justify the cost for most owners.

The Verdict: Is Sand Cloud Worth the Hype?

After taking an in-depth look at Sand Cloud's beach towels, do they live up to all the hype? Let's review the key pros and cons.

On the plus side, Sand Cloud towels are made from high quality Turkish cotton that gets softer over time. The cotton is thicker and more absorbent than cheaper beach towel brands, according to customer reviews. The towels dry quickly, resist sand, and come in stylish designs. On the downside, they are more expensive than competitors. Some reviews complain they are not as soft right out of the packaging compared to towels claimed 100% Egyptian cotton.

When examining the facts versus marketing claims, Sand Cloud towels generally stand up. They are high quality, absorbent, sand resistant beach towels that should hold up well over time. However, they may not be the absolute softest towels available.

Are Sand Cloud towels worth the price? For frequent beachgoers who want a stylish, durable towel, the quality is likely worth the extra cost over cheaper brands that won't last. More occasional beachgoers may not find them worth the hype and premium price.

The Sand Cloud towels are best suited for their intended use - the beach or poolside. They can also work for general home use, but may be overkill for just shower or kitchen drying. Overall, Sand Cloud towels deliver premium quality and features focused on beach and outdoor use. They largely live up to expectations, albeit at a higher price tier.

FAQs.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Sand Cloud towels:

Q1. Are Sand Cloud towels machine washable?
Yes, Sand Cloud towels can be machine washed - just use cold water on a delicate cycle and avoid using bleach or washing them with jeans or other rough materials that could cause pilling. It's recommended to wash them before first use to maximize softness.

 Q1. How well do Sand Cloud towels resist sand?
The Turkish cotton and dense weave of Sand Cloud towels make them highly sand resistant according to customer reviews. The towels are designed to repel sand so it can be easily shaken off.

 Q1. Are Sand Cloud towels worth the price?
While they are more expensive than regular beach towels, Sand Cloud's Turkish cotton quality, stylish designs, and sand resistance make them worthwhile for many customers. They are built to last for years with proper care.

 Q1. What is Turkish cotton?
Turkish cotton is a type of long-staple cotton known for its superior softness, durability, and absorbency. It's ideal for towels and bathrobes. Sand Cloud uses premium Turkish cotton for their towels.

Sand cloud beach towel

Product Title	From Sand to Paradise: Journeying into the World of Sand Cloud Beach Towels
Brand	TwoYek
Rating	4.7 out of 5 stars (from 122 ratings)
Price	Discounted price: $14.00 (original list price: $30.00)

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