Find out more about Hooded Towels NZ
When you’re hauling your gear out of the surf, nothing beats having a good hooded towel. It’s one of those small upgrades that pays off every time — warmth, privacy, comfort, and style all wrapped up in one. At Blitz Surf Shop, we reckon every beachgoer, surfer, pool-lover, or parent should have one. Here’s a full guide: how to choose, what matters, what to look for — and why our Gizzy Hard & Wai-Tai premium towels are the ones you’ll actually love using.
What Makes a Great Hooded Towel
When you’re shopping for a hooded towel, consider these features. The better they are, the more you’ll actually use and love your towel — which means real value.
| Feature | Why It Matters | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric & GSM (weight) | Determines softness, absorbency, warmth, drying time. Heavy velour/cotton feels luxurious, dries slower but keeps you warmer; lighter fabrics dry quicker but may be less cozy. | For premium, look for ~350gsm cotton velour, or comparable high-quality terry. Smooth finish, dense loops. |
| Size + Cut | It should cover enough to wrap, change under, move easily without being awkward. | Most adult hooded towels are 1 size fits most. Quite large |
| Hood Shape | Helps with head warmth/drying and keeps towel from blowing off in wind. | |
| Pockets | Kangaroo pockets or kanga pockets are useful for carrying things (wax, phone, snacks) or warming hands. | |
| Durability / brand quality | Good stitching, reinforced seams, reliable colours. Local brands often deliver extra because they know the local surf weather and needs. | Wai-Tai and Gizzy Hard are premium hooded towels |
| Design / Comfort / Style | Colours, graphics, cultural or local designs, soft velour finish etc. Let your towel reflect your personality and heritage. | Check out Wai-Tai hooded towels for amazingly detailed embroidery |
What NZ Conditions Demand in a Hooded Towel
Here in New Zealand, especially on the East Coast / Gisborne / surf towns, you’ll want a towel that:
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Deals well with wind & cold after surf sessions (so decent weight, decent hood, coverage).
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Survives repeated wash + sun exposure (so fabric and stitching matter).
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Gives privacy for changing outdoors.
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Dries reasonably well (but sometimes you trade off fast-drying for comfort and warmth).
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Looks good. Locals and visitors often want “surf identity” in their gear. Wai-Tai Maori design hooded towels are an absolute unique design in the market
Spotlight: Gizzy Hard & Wai-Tai Premium 350gsm Velour Hooded Towels
Because you asked — these aren’t just marketing hype. These local/exclusive towels hit a lot of the sweet spots.
Gizzy Hard Premium Velour Hooded Towel
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Fabric: 350 gsm premium cotton velour. That’s plush, soft, and ideal for NZ surf conditions.
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Design/features: Embroidered “Gizzy Hard” logo; front kangaroo pocket; adult “one size fits most” (≈110 cm h × 82 cm w).
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Why it’s special: Local identity + quality. Reps Gisborne surf culture (“Gizzy Hard” vibe), plus built tough. If you surf often, get cold after a session, or just want something that feels premium, this is a standout.
Wai-Tai (Māori / Local Cultural) Premium Hooded Towels
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Fabric/weight: Same premium velour / heavyweight cotton, ~350gsm. Matches Gizzy Hard in physical quality. (It’s built for comfort, warmth, style).
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Design: Māori-inspired designs (ta moko, kaitiakitanga themes) by local artist ta moko artist Maia Gibbs. It’s wearable art—more than just function. Touches like authentic designs attract people wanting something meaningful and unique. Large embroidered Kaitiaki (shark) on the back
Find out more about Maori designed clothing by Wai-Tai here
And Wai-Tai Maori Boardshorts here
Other Great Brands & Options
To help you choose, here are some other brands and styles we stock (or you could consider) at Blitz Surf Shop:
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Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong, O’Neill, Roxy: more “standard” surf / beach-brand options. Often lighter or more varied designs.
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Creatures of Leisure: durable, useful extras (bigger pockets, tougher fabrics) depending on model.
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Roxy & Billabong & co often offer kids’ and women’s cuts with prints.
How to Choose Based on Your Use Case
Here are some scenarios and which towel features align best:
| Scenario | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Daily surf in cold weather | Heavy velour (350gsm+), full coverage, hood snug, big pocket, maybe darker colour (less visible staining). Gizzy Hard / Wai-Tai are excellent. |
| Family & kids | Medium weight so kids choose to wear them; fun designs; hoods big enough for kids; easy care/wash. |
| Travel / compact carry | Lighter material, maybe quicker-dry; perhaps less weight, but still decent hood; maybe more plain. Microfibre towels are good for less weight and space taking. Cotton feels better and dries you better |
| Changing/post-surf privacy | Poncho-style cut, wide body, hood that covers well, maybe split sides (if available) so easy step in/out. |
Care Tips to Make It Last
To protect your hooded towel:
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Wash inside-out in cold. Avoid hot if possible (shrinking / fading).
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Use mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners—these can coat fibres and reduce absorbency.
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Dry in shade if possible; UV fades colours. If using dryer, use low-heat to avoid damaging velour finish.
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Store dry. Damp towels breed mildew. Hang until fully dry before folding.
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Wash with like colours. Velour can pill or shed lightly at first — that’s normal; get better after a few washes.
Why Buy Local / Why Blitz’s Local Designs Rock
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You get fast shipping in NZ; local stock means fewer delays.
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Local brands (Gizzy Hard / Wai-Tai) are built with local surf + climate in mind: they survive wind, salt, frequent wash.
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Authenticity and design matter: cultural designs, local logos, Māori artist designs = unique gift & community value.
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Supporting local artisans / designers keeps surf culture alive where you live.
Where to Buy & What to Pick from Blitz Surf Shop
Here are some of the top pick options you’ll find right now:
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Gizzy Hard Premium Velour Adult Hooded Towel — 350gsm premium cotton velour, front pocket, “one size fits most” adult cut. Blitz Surf Shop
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Wai-Tai Māori Premium Hooded Towel — authentic Māori-styled artwork, heavy cotton velour, wearable cultural piece, same comfort level. Blitz Surf Shop+1
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Other branded hooded towels (Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong etc.) — for those who want a certain logo, colour, design.
Conclusion — Which Hooded Towel Should You Get?
If I were you, living on the East Coast / surfing regularly or heading to the beach a lot:
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Go for Gizzy Hard if you want something rugged, warm, local, and built for surf life.
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Go for Wai-Tai if you want similar high quality plus meaningful design (cultural, artwork).
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If you want something lighter or just fun, check the branded ones (Quiksilver / Roxy etc.), but expect trade-offs in durability or warmth.
If you’re ready, take a look at our full hooded towel collection on Blitz Surf Shop — pick your colour, style, and have it to your door fast. Once you’ve got one, you’ll wonder how you surfed without it.
