The idea for Hoo-Ahhs® Field Towels originated during a Minnesota Army National Guard training exercise in the summer of 2002. At one point during training, a supply sergeant noticed that many of his fellow soldiers used baby wipes for basic personal bathing since no shower facilities were available in the field environment. The sergeant realized that baby wipes were great for babies but not really manufactured or packaged with soldiers in mind. They did an adequate job of “freshening up” before hitting the sack, but definitely fell short when trying to remove real dirt and grime. And the small size of the wipes, sweet fragrance and bulky packaging were not conducive to the needs of a soldier in the field.

The sergeant envisioned a new product with the same convenience and portability of baby wipes but manufactured and packaged for soldiers and outdoor enthusiasts. He decided on a larger size wipe – one made of non-woven, cloth-like material for strength and durability instead of paper-based material. He also thought an unscented towel was preferable to all the sweet fragrances found on other wipes.

At this point, the sergeant shared his idea with a fellow soldier, and the two began brainstorming. Within a couple of days they came up with a basic package design – camouflage pattern on a soft-sided packet – easy to carry and right at home in the outdoors. Now it was time for a name. The name had to be both unique and explain the product’s function. Many days and discarded names later, the sergeant who had first come up with the idea, shouted out a common military term ‘Hooahh’! The “ahh” at the end of the name implied the refreshing feeling after using the wipes. So, HOO-AHHS® was born.

Today, HOO-AHHS® are marketed in a growing number of retail outlets, including Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) stores throughout the world. And while it's true that HOO-AHHS® originated as a military field towel, its application in the civilian sector is universal. Hunters, campers, anglers, golfers, cyclists, hikers – anyone who needs a clean up when soap and water are not readily available will appreciate the convenience of HOO-AHHS®.