Pertex towels are peculiar things to use, since they take the water up through capillary action rather than absorbing it as a normal towel does. This means that rubbing yourself with Pertex doesn't work so well, you have to sort of pat yourself dry with it.
The Lifeventure towels work more like a normal cotton towel and are basically copies of the Paktowl made by Cascade Designs (manufacturers of the Therm-a-Rest). These types are generally a viscose mix and work in a similar way to a chamois cloth. You wring them out as you go, so even if they get soaked as you dry yourself just wring it out and the towel will keep on absorbing water. Another option is the Paramo towel, which falls partway between the viscose and Pertex types.
Pertex towels are easier to wash and dry. Synthetic towels stink like you wouldn't believe if they are in damp or humid conditions for any length of time, and the very lightweight Pertex has a better chance of drying off. Cotton towels can of course be boiled clean if they start to smell, but some synthetics go the way of the old smelly polypro undies and reach the stage where no amount of washing ever seems to do the trick. After some experimentation I adopted a compromise based on the Japanese way of using a towel: take a normal flannel facecloth, soak it, wring it out and then dry yourself with it, wringing it out as you go. It might sound contrary to common sense, but it works, it's very cheap (pick up a facecloth for about a quid at a supermarket) and it's very easy to keep clean and sweet-smelling. The only downside is that it doesn't offer much preservation of modesty as you leave a public showerblock...
