The Story Behind the Mileage Mate Poncho Towel
After a run, I’m usually sweaty, muddy, or dripping from a post-run ocean dip. That glorious endorphin-filled swim can fade pretty quickly the moment I have to get back into my car. There’s nothing that kills the vibe faster than knowing I’m about to soak my car seat with saltwater, dirt, or sweat — and imagining the build-up over a whole training block (or over years!) makes it worse.
For a long time, my old surf towel was my go-to solution. I’d hook the hood over the headrest and sit on it, keeping the seat mostly clean and dry. It worked… kind of. Plus, I could hang it outside to dry when I got home or just throw it into the laundry. And as every runner knows, a hooded towel is a great little changing room when you need to swap into swimmers or out of sweaty gear before heading to the café for a well-earned chocolate milkshake.
But over time, two problems became impossible to ignore.
1. The towel slid down and exposed the seat
The corners behind my shoulders constantly slipped down, leaving the seat exposed. Most days I shrugged it off, but on hot Australian afternoons — or after a hard session when my body kept sweating long after I'd stopped — it became frustrating.
This is a common issue with using a regular surf towel or hooded towel as a post run towel or makeshift car seat cover for runners — they simply aren’t designed to stay put.
2. The hood eventually tore
Every time I sat down, the towel pulled at the hood seam. One day it tore slightly. Over time, that tear widened no matter how careful I tried to be. Hooded towels aren’t built to handle the repeated stress of being used as a car seat cover.
Eventually I started thinking:
Why isn’t there a poncho towel made specifically for runners who drive to their workouts?
That question became the spark for the Mileage Mate poncho towel.
Designed to Solve What Regular Towels Can’t
The Mileage Mate signature poncho towel fixes the two big problems that every runner faces:
A specially designed over-the-seat panel
In addition to the hood, the Mileage Mate towel uses a uniquely designed stretchable panel that hooks securely over the “shoulder” of the car seat. It stays in place, doesn’t slide down, and avoids the tearing issues that happen with standard hooded towels.
Built for real runners
You still get the benefits of a quick-dry towel for runners you can hang out or throw in the wash — but now with the durability and practicality needed to protect your car consistently.
It’s a simple, smart solution for runners who deal with sweat, mud, saltwater, and post-run mess.
No More Post-Run Apprehension
The dread of getting back into the car after a sweaty, muddy, or ocean-soaked session?
Gone.
Just get in, sit down, and cool off.
Run further, train harder, keep stacking those kilometers — and leave the mess to the towel, not your car.
If you’re looking for a reliable post run towel, a practical car seat cover for runners, or a premium poncho towel designed specifically for everyday athletes, the Mileage Mate poncho towel was made for you.
Get out there more.