Winston Aldworth: Gruts expectations

Travel Editor Winston Aldworth sizes up a pair of (unused) disposable underpants, sent in by reader Dave Barker. Photo / Greg Bowker

It's not often I get sent a pair of undies in the post. But last week, I got a brief taste of how it must feel to be Tom Jones.

The world's greatest Welshman has a regular supply of ladies' smalls thrown at him when he's singing onstage. The ones that came to me in the post last week are men's and they're disposable (see below).

I wrote last week about the high cost of washing socks and undies in hotels. Reader Dave Barker kindly offered to send me a pair of disposables. I replied via email: "If you hand-on-heart promise they're unused, I'd love to see a pair."

And so here they are: disposable undies.

I've not yet tried them on, but I can report, dear reader, that these gruts - Watsons Extra Comfort Disposable Underwear, to give them their full name - feel soft to the touch. The instructions note there's a "protective front layer" and - crucially - they're "for single-day use only".

We'll review a pair next time one of our writers flies longhaul.

So, from now on, when asked if I ever get to feel like Tom Jones, I can say: "Not often. But it's not unusual."

Letters to the Travel Editor

Dear Sir,

I am surprised that no one has mentioned disposable underwear. When I travel to hot climates such as Singapore or Vietnam I always wear disposable underpants that are readily obtainable from pharmacies in Singapore and probably many other places. Made of cotton, cool and lightweight, they are meant to be disposed of at the end of the day but I often give them a handwash before going to bed and make one pair last for three days or more. I can send you a sample (unused!) if you wish.

Regards,
Dave Barker

Dear Sir,

On a recent group tour I was astonished that many were unaware of the roll-them-in-a-towel-and-stomp-on-them technique, ("Amazing - they were all dry this morning ...") which I thought was part of the Traveller 101 test they gave you before issuing a passport. Also, is there a male equivalent for the indispensable panty-liners? No? Gap in the travel product market, perhaps?

Josephine Ellis,
Meadowbank