Just saw your post...there are a lot of companies selling microfiber towels and, you are right, it is hard to figure out what's good and what's bad. I wanted to reply to the forum directly with an answer to your question but sometimes when one recommends a product that is not sold on autogeek it is not well received. Try www.dftowel.com. This company sells very good microfiber towels and, as you will see on their site, Sal Zaino endorses them. You can use the Polyfiber2 for almost everything...I wouldn't use it for drying, however. A nice microfiber waffle weave towel will work best for drying...Meguiar's drying towels are very nice. As far as pads...foam pads are highly recommended...even over cotton and/or microfiber.