A clean towel is essential whether traveling by backpack anywhere in the world or when remaining at home. It is both a pleasure and a right. You may believe that towels are often available in hotels for free or to rent, but can you truly rely on how clean these towels are?
Keeping a few face and bath towels in your bag always is a great travel (and hygiene) tip. Sharing most things may be fun, but sharing a towel isn’t one of them. This guide will help you choose the best microfiber towels for your next trip.
What is Microfiber Material?
Microfiber is an artificial fiber usually made of polyamide, polyester, or a mixture. The microfiber’s rough texture makes the towel more absorbent, perfect for swimming, traveling, working out, or anything else that makes you wet.
Microfiber Travel Towel Reviews
Learn more about the best, most popular, and fastest-drying microfiber travel towels in the in-depth reviews below.
1. Sea to Summit DryLite Towel
Specs
- Variable sizing available
- Extremely lightweight
- It’s a little more costly
Since the company producing this towel is known for making lightweight camping and hiking gear, they would also make a light version of their famous Sea to Summit DryLite towel. The soft towel dries quickly and is small.
The Sea to Summit DryLite Towels is available in three sizes. The small towel is 32 inches long and 16 inches wide, the big towel is 48 inches long and 24 inches wide, and the extra large towel is 60 inches long and 30 inches wide. Each size of towel weighs less than 7 ounces. This is a good choice for the hiker who is always on the go and needs to save every ounce.
The XL is more expensive for a microfiber towel than the other towels we looked at.
2. Matador Ultralight
Specs
- Very compact and lightweight!
- Ecological
- Superb craftsmanship
Check out Matador’s small Ultralight travel towel if you need more room in your bag for much else. It’s only 15 inches by 15 inches, which is 39 centimeters by 39 centimeters, so it’s small enough to fit in your pocket.
This towel is naturally more petite than the other towels on the list, so it will take longer to dry off your whole body. But because it can hold up to 2.3 times its weight, you’ll need patience if you want to cover your entire body.
To maximize storage, you can connect the towel to your backpack or jacket using the buckle attachments on both the towel and its bag. It is machine washable and virtually never fades since it is made from an incredibly light (25g) Nano Fibre material.
3. Rainleaf Microfiber
Specs
- It soaks up water and dries quickly.
- Very easy to carry and light.
- It’s excellent for hiking, swimming, trekking, and other outdoor activities.
This towel is ideal for home, the gym, or traveling. Rainleaf Microfiber towel is meant to be small and space-saving, and it is available in six sizes and seven colors.
There’s no need to share bulky bath towels with your traveling companions or rent towels from the hostels. You should have enough room on your backpacks to include a few of these towels without adding extra weight or bulk. Army green, blue, grey, green, orange, purple, and rose are just a few of the seven hues available, so you can always find a travel towel to suit your style.
Each of these towels should keep you dry regardless of size or color. These towels are gentle on the skin yet harsh on germs. They dry quickly and effectively absorb water. This microfiber Rainleaf towels keep you dry and fresh without removing too much moisture from your skin and face, leaving a suede-like feeling on your skin after each usage.
Each towel includes a lightweight, breathable mesh carrying pouch, making it perfect for travel. With these towels, you can do everything while being as clean and dry as possible, including camping, working out at the gym, swimming in pools, hot tubs, or the beach.
Each Rainleaf towel comes with a tote bag and snaps hooks to make it easy to carry and hang dry. The hanging loop keeps you from having to chase after your towel when the wind blows. Each Rainleaf towel also has a 40×70 in-corner zip pocket for storage.
4. Youphoria Sport
Specs
- It’s a good moisture insulator
- Softer and cozier than comparable alternatives
- Milder than most, but not quite as light as some
- The three sizes are easily accessible.
The Youphoria towel is the perfect companion on any trip. You could even throw it in your bag and take it with you on your next camping trip, workout at the gym, or outdoor excursion.
You may take your pick from eleven stylish options when selecting the color of this handy towel.
The towels are versatile due to their three different sizes. It is 20 inches by 40 inches, making it the smallest option. Compared to the massive 32 × 72 inches of enormous size, the medium is 28 x 56 inches. If you need a towel, Youphoria offers one that will suit your purposes.
Towels are packaged in mesh bags that allow air to circulate while keeping your towel neat and close at hand. Each towel has a convenient loop in one corner for easy drying.
You can choose from combinations like blue and grey, mint and grey, dark blue and grey, grey and black, grey and blue, grey and red, green and grey, blue and green, purple and pink, or grey and green. There are many vibrant colors to choose from, so you can quickly select one that complements your existing baggage set.
The premium microfiber used in every Youphoria towel ensures that each one is ultra-thin and plush. These towels won’t stink like other kinds since they are mildew resistant. Because of their light, these towels make traveling a breeze even when wet.
5. Nomadix
Specs
- Fabricated from recycled materials
- It is made up of tough fabric
- Costly
This travel towel is about as great as it gets for eco-conscious travelers. The polyester and nylon threads used to make this towel are manufactured entirely from recycled materials, namely plastic bottle fibers. These towels don’t include any microfiber made of polymers, yet they are excellent at what they do.
Towels made by Nomadix are strong, fast to dry, and portable. These towels are perfect for traveling since they weigh only 1 lb. The Nomadix towel is trendy at yoga retreats and camping because of its anti-microbial and non-slip properties. Still, you could use Nomadix travel towel anywhere: at the gym, beach, kitchen, among other places.
The Nomadix is a little more pricey and more prominent than other towels. Despite this, the higher price is more than justified since you will use this towel more often, and will last longer than others.
6. PackTowl Personal
Specs
- Easily tearing-resistant fabric
- Excellent for outdoor adventures, camping trips, and hiking holidays
- An antibacterial treatment to control odor
PackTowl is among the most long-lasting microfibre towels because of its tear-resistant material. You can take it to your favorite yoga studio, the gym, or even the beach, making it a versatile option for individuals who like spending time in the great outdoors.
It does a great job of keeping the dirt out; you can quickly shake off sand and grass. It has built-in silver ion antibacterial treatment, so it doesn’t become smelly.
It can take in water equivalent to four times its weight. Yet it weighs next to nothing and compresses down into a little bag. In addition, it dries 70% quicker than comparable cotton towels.
It’s available in four distinct shapes: hand, face, body, and beach. Colors and designs are available to complement your existing camping gear.
7. ECCOSOPHY Microfiber Towel
Specs
- Incredible, cutting-edge artwork
- Double-sided
- Huge compared to standard beach blankets
- Safe and convenient storage
- Quick-drying and very absorbent
- The set comes with a matching travel pouch that’s quite adorable.
ECCOSOPHY designs its microfiber towels to use at the beach, as seen by their vibrant and unique patterns. They are, despite this, excellent choices for outdoor activities like camping and hiking, as well as for ordinary travel. Because of the stunning appearance of this towel, every one of your friends will be curious about where you purchased it.
It does not retain odors, is not heavy, and is quite comfortable. The material is ultra-absorbent while being thin and lightweight, and it is meant to dry three times quicker than traditional towels.
The only size available for this towel made of microfiber is a big one. On the other hand, it is possible to fold it up, so it is the size of a purse. Because of this, it should easily fit into your baggage sets.
8. Waves Gear Quick Drying Towel
Specs
- It’s better than a regular cotton beach towel.
- Very easy to carry
- The size is just right.
- Very absorbent and quickly dries.
- High-quality fabric that takes up less room
- It can be used in many ways and is good in any field.
This towel is an innovative alternative to conventional microfiber towels. A high thread count gives this beach towel strength and durability without sacrificing softness. This microfiber beach towel is designed to be lightweight, highly absorbent, and quick-drying, just as one would expect from a travel towel. Just suitable for playing any sport or going on any adventure.
You can fold down this full-size microfiber towel to be 78% smaller than a terry cloth or cotton towel, making it an attractive option for backpackers. Incorporating this towel into your packing list will unquestionably free up more room for other necessities. Ensure enough space for your friends and you to bring a towel along on any trip.
These ultra-absorbent towels dry twice as fast as your fabric towels and soak up much more water than regular bath towels. Because of the towel’s microfiber construction, you can wring it out to remove excess water before being packed away to ensure that your other belongings remain dry. It dries more quickly than a fluffy towel, making it ideal for preventing the discomfort of a wet backpack.
This towel is one of the best picks because it is so versatile. Its microfibers are soft and absorbent, drying you off quickly even as it shields your skin from the sun.
It’s soft on our skin and wicks away water and sweat when we work out at the gym or on the trail. After bathing your fluffy pets, you can use this towel to dry them off and wipe down delicate surfaces.
9. SUNLAND Microfiber Towel
Specs
- It’s a good moisture insulator
- Very easy to carry
- Safe and convenient storage
You won’t find a better travel towel than this, which is made of 80% polyester and 20% polyamide and is very soft and light. Plus, there are many different colors of towels to choose from, so you will keep yours. Every microfiber towel also comes with a handy bag for storing it.
Towels that dry three times faster than cotton and terry cloth let you spend more time exploring without worrying about getting wet. There are many fun things to do at your vacation spot, so having a small microfiber cloth and light is helpful.
Like the other items on this list, the Sunland microfiber towel has a loop on one corner, so you can hang it up to dry quickly and easily.
Less often will you return to your room and find that the towel you used last time is still wet. Avoid the awkwardness of pretending to dry off with a damp bath towel, renting questionable towels, or asking for an extra one.
Since Sunland fabric has a suede finish, you know it won’t dry your body out too much, even though it can absorb water quickly and help it evaporate quickly. It will save you the trouble of having to pat yourself dry over and over again. You have to try it a few times to get it right.
You can buy the product in different sizes and colors to suit different tastes, or it can be purchased in a set of two more convenient towels.
10. Wolfyok 2-Pack Microfiber Travel Sports Towel
Specs
- Quick drying and very absorbent
- Ideal for exercise, hiking, the beach, yoga, or a bath
- XL swimming towel (58″ x 30″) and hand/face towel (24″ x 16″) in microfiber.
Anyone on a trip would benefit from this package of two microfibre towels. These towels include high-quality microfiber, making them soft, absorbent, water-resistant, and easy to launder and dry after use. Because of the high-quality fabrics, these towels can absorb and dry water much more rapidly than traditional terry cloth and cotton bath towels.
Always try to acquire a deal that gives you two for the price of one. Both are towels; however, one is extra-large (48 by 72 inches) while the other is standard size (24 by 16 inches). Both towels are very versatile and can be used for a wide variety of purposes, making them ideal for usage in various settings, including the bathroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, the gym, the pool, and the shower.
A mesh bag is included with every Wolfyok towel for convenient transport and storage. You can easily fold these towels and take them wherever. The XL bath microfiber towel weighs just 8 ounces (8oz) and folds down to an 8″ by 3″ roll, taking up very little room in your bag. The towel may be hung and dried without worrying about slipping off the floor, thanks to a hanging hook with the brand’s logo.
Thanks to the microfiber towels’ plush, suede-like texture, you won’t have to worry about feeling “too dry” or scratching yourself. This set of towels is antibacterial, so you can rest sure that it will keep you safe from germs.
Why Invest in a Travel Towel?
A good towel may seem trivial to bring on a backpacking trip, but it will be one of your most used items.
Towels are an essential part of our daily lives; we use them for everything from drying dishes and hands to drying off after a shower and the car after cleaning. However, we fail to appreciate them because there are so many of them, and they are always present. Today, almost everyone has a piece of cloth or rag within easy reach, whether in a dusty drawer or hanging neatly from a hook or rack.
Backpackers only sometimes have this luxury. Since they are always on the move and live out of a backpack, there is no easy way for them to carry a lot of towels. Many travelers would be happy if their hostel provided a free towel.
It can be conducive to bringing your towel when you travel—visiting the beach? The towel will prevent sand from getting on your behind and into your portable speaker. Want to practice yoga on the spot? Towel in the air, chaturanga away. After a lengthy walk, do your hiking boots need to be dried out? Soak up any remaining moisture in those boots with that towel
As much as you might not realize it now, your towel will come in handy while traveling. This means you must have a high-quality towel; the more durable and absorbent it is, the more valuable it will be. Fortunately, choosing a good one is relatively easy; you must follow the advice below.
What to Look for in a Microfiber Travel Towel
- Lightweight – Lightweight travel towels are essential for any trip, just like the other gear in your bag.
- Compact – A lightweight, compact microfiber towel is ideal for aeroplane travel. They need to be compact enough to fold into the size of a tank top.
- Well constructed – There is such a thing as a high-quality microfiber and a low-quality microfiber.
- Quick Drying – Backpacking and travel towels should be made of a quick-drying material.
- Absorbency – If a microfiber travel towel can’t absorb liquids, it won’t be useful even if it’s lightweight and dries quickly.
- Special features – The loop allows you to easily attach the quick-drying towel to your backpack while hiking or to a clothes hanger in your hostel.
- Additional accessories – A microfiber towel storage pouch is a practical addition to any backpack.
Towel Sizes
Towels that dry quickly come in various sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. Check the measurements, as sizes can vary widely between manufacturers.
- Small or Medium: Frequently used as a hand towel, washcloth, or to bring to the gym. These are an excellent addition to your bathroom kit.
- Large: A small bath towel or a hair towel.
- XL: The best suggestion for a full bath towel is XL.
The toiletry bag should contain a large bath towel and a small washcloth.
| Product | Description |
| Sea to Summit DryLite Towel | Sea to SummitPrice > $$$Weight > 1.3 – 4 oz.Size > XS to XL |
| Waves Gear | Prize > $$$Weight > 10.4 ozSize > XL |
| Youphoria | Price > $Weight > 2.4 – 12 ozSize > 20-40″; 28-56″; 32-72″ |
Other Travel “Towel” Options
It’s a good idea to bring along a large beach towel, such as a sarong or scarf, that can double as a fashionable accessory.
If you frequently visit beach locations but don’t have a sarong to double as a towel and beach cover-up, a scarf can serve as a towel, protect your neck from the sun, keep you warm, keep the dust off your skin, and much more.
Traditional Middle Eastern scarves (keffiyehs and shemaghs) can also be used as towels and are thus highly versatile gear. They are designed primarily to keep the sand out of one’s eyes and the chill off at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to ask anything else? No problem! You’ll often find answers to people’s questions in the section below. This is the most-asked question:
Are Microfiber Towels Good for Hiking?
Yes, microfiber is ideal for backpacking and hiking. It dries quickly, allowing you to use it again quickly. You can also pack it without worrying that it will dampen the rest of the contents. Something that dries quickly reduces the likelihood of it becoming odorous or mouldy.
What Are the Best Microfiber Towels?
Over the years, experts have tested many microfibre towers and are confident in their recommendation of the Matador Nana Dry. It’s tiny, incredibly light, and dries quickly.
Are Microfiber Towels Worth It for Camping?
These microfiber towels are perfect for camping and travelling because they dry quickly, don’t weigh much, and are compact. Towels that dry soon after use reduce the risk of mildew and odour-causing bacteria by eliminating a breeding ground for these problems.
Do Microfiber Towels Make a Difference?
Yes. Towels made with microfiber are made from strands of man-made polymer that are many times more effective than human hair in absorbing liquids. This provides to a specific capacity to retain and trap water, filth, grime, and so on. When compared with a thread of cotton, microfibers are very fine.
Is Microfiber Environmentally Friendly?
Yes, microfibers are environmentally friendly. Although microfiber cannot be broken down in the environment in the same way cotton or paper towels can, it is still possible to dispose of it in an environmentally responsible manner.
Final Thought
There are many reasons microfiber towels are better than traditional bath towels. Still, you only need to be aware of these five: they are perfect travel towels because they are small, light, absorbent, durable, and quick-drying.