Even if it’s not the most exciting topic, microfiber towels should be on every tourist’s packing list when travelling. You will only see me travelling with a microfiber towel, and all travel professionals usually carry theirs as well.
Allow me to explain why specifically.
Towels made of microfiber are from every traveller’s fantasies. They are crafted with quick-drying materials, are reasonably priced, and pack incredibly small.
In short, microfiber towels are explicitly designed with travellers and backpackers in mind.
However, only some towels are made equal. As a result, I produced this comprehensive guide to help you efficiently and quickly identify the ideal microfiber towel for your specific needs.
I can assure you that you will adore your new adornment.
Here’s The Quick Answer: Which Are The Best Towels To Bring With You When Traveling?
- Number 1 Backpacking Towel: Sea-to-Summit Drylite Towel
- Best Pack Down Travel Towel: Matador Ultralight Travel Towel
- Number 1 Towel for Yogis: Youphoria Sport Microfiber Travel Towel
- Number 1 Non-Microfiber Travel Towel: Nomadix Towel
- Honorary Mention: ECCOSOPHY Travel Towel
- Waves Gear Quick Drying Towel
- Rainleaf Microfiber
- OlimpiaFit Microfiber Travel Towels
- Wolfyok 2 Pack Microfiber Travel Sports Towel
- BEARZ Travel Towels
Briefly, What Exactly Is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a chemically synthesised fibre often comprised of polyamides, polyesters, or mixes. The fabric is more absorbent because of the microfiber’s grippy texture, making it ideal for travelling, swimming, working out, and other wet activities.
Microfiber Towel Review
Below, you can read a detailed assessment of our preferred microfiber towels for quick drying when travelling.
Matador Ultralight Travel Towel
Best Pack Down Travel Towel
Specifications
- Light and compact
- Premium quality
- Ecological
If you need to save room in your bag, look at the mini Ultralight microfiber towel from Matador. It fits in a pocket because it is 15″ by 15″ (39cm by 39cm).
Naturally, it takes longer to completely dry yourself using this towel than other towels on our list. Nevertheless, it can absorb 2.3 X its weight, so with some patience, you will slowly dry your entire body.
To maximise space, connect the towel to your jacket or backpack using the buckle fasteners on the towel’s bag. It is machine washable and never fades because it is crafted from an incredibly light Nano Fibre fabric.
1. Sea to Summit Drylite Towel — The Number 1 Backpacking Towel
Specifications:
- Available in several sizes
- Extremely light
- A little costly
Sea to Summit, famous for its ultralight trekking and camping gear, would also produce an ultralight backpacking towel. This compact travel towel is quick-drying, soft and available in three different sizes.
The dimensions of the towels are as follows: small: 32″ X 16″, Large: 48″ X 24″, and extra large: 60″ X 30″. These towels are all less than 7 ounces in weight. The towel is a wise choice for those frequently on the move, and for whom every ounce counts.
The negative? The Sea to Summit Drylite Towel XL is more costly than the other travel towels in our microfiber towel review.
2. Nomadix Towel — Number 1 Non-Microfiber Travel Towel
Specifications:
- Fabricated from recyclable material
- Incredibly tough
- Very pricey
The Nomadix towel is as great as it gets for eco-conscious travellers. The polyester and nylon threads used to make this towel are manufactured entirely from recycled materials, namely plastic bottle fibres. These travel towels don’t include any kind of microfiber made of polymers, but they are excellent at their job.
Towels made by Nomadix are famous for being durable, quick-dry, and compact. These towels are perfect for travelling because they weigh just 1 pound. The Nomadix towel is trendy at camping and yoga retreats because of its non-slip and anti-microbial properties, but you could use it wherever: at the gym, beach, kitchen, etc.
The Nomadix travel towel is a little more expensive and bigger than others. Despite this, the higher price is entirely justified because you can use this towel more as it is more durable than others.
3. Youphoria Sport Microfiber Travel Towel — Number 1 Towel for Yogis
Specifications:
- Perfectly holds in the moisture
- Comfier and softer than others
- Heavier than the other microfiber towels on the list
This towel is designed specifically for yoga, but it’s perfect for camping because it can retain water up to five times its weight and is exceptionally absorbent. Yoga towels are very soft and are unlikely to collect lint.
Additionally, they typically fold up much smaller than regular hiking towels. The drawback is that the larger sizes are heavier than the other options on our list. However, this is a fantastic option for every yogi who intends to travel with their yoga mat.
4. ECCOSOPHY Travel Towel — Honorary Mention
Specifications:
- Stunning designs
- Huge compared to other beach towels
- Double-sided
The ECCOSOPHY beach towel deserves praise merely for how gorgeous it is! Take note of those patterns! So vibrant and bold! Besides, whoever said microfiber towel needs to be dull and flat-coloured?
Of course, this beach towel is practical in addition to being gorgeous. Because it is constructed of microfiber, it has both rapid drying and absorbent properties. It folds rather nicely but considering its size; it will take up considerably more room in your backpack than most of the towels here.
Additionally, all sexes could use this towel. Although ECCOSOPHY advertises a women’s towel on their website, I’d wear this at any time and just about everywhere.
5. Waves Gear Quick Drying Towel — The Number 1 Microfiber Beach Towel
Specifications:
- Superior to a standard cotton beach towel
- Highly compact
- Ideal size
I appreciate that this towel is large (36″ by 60″), but it also folds up much more compactly than a typical beach towel thanks to the ultralight microfiber fabric.
This towel is perfect for relaxing by the beach. The Waves Gear has enormous proportions and remains an excellent option for a rapid-drying travel towel, making it a straightforward choice for the number 1 beach towel even if it isn’t as ultralight as the Sea to Summit or Active Roots.
6. Rainleaf Microfiber — Best for Portability
Specifications:
- Absorbent and fast drying
- Ultra Compact and Lightweight.
- Perfect for use on the beach, gym, swimming, and backpacking.
The Rainleaf microfiber travel towel is ideal for use at the gym, at home, or travelling. Every towel is meant to be space-saving and small. It is available in seven colours and six sizes.
There’s no need to share bulky towels with fellow travelling companions or rent your towel from the hostels. You should have adequate room in your bags to include a few Rainleaf towels without being too heavy or bulky.
Blue, army green, green, grey, orange, purple, and rose are the seven hues available, so you can easily find a microfiber towel to suit your style.
The towels are skin-friendly, harsh on bacteria, dry quickly, and efficiently absorb water. They keep you dry and fresh without excessively removing moisture from your face and skin, leaving a suede-like feeling on your skin after every use.
Every towel includes a lightweight, ventilated mesh pouch, making them perfect for on-the-go use. With Rainleaf microfiber towels, you can do everything while being as clean as possible, including working out in the gym, camping, swimming in pools or at the beach, and hot tubbing.
7. OlimpiaFit Microfiber Travel Towels — The Softest Option
Specifications:
- Soft
- Lightweight and packs compactly
- Can dry off pets!
Your equipment’s weight is crucial when trekking in the mountains or lugging big luggage when exploring the world. For this reason, many suggest the OlimpiaFit travel towels since they are lightweight and can be packed quite compactly, even by the parameters of travel towels.
The three microfiber towels, available in various sizes, are highly absorbent compared to their weight. That will be handy when you go swimming, work up a sweat, or get stuck in a rainstorm.
Compared to other towel kinds, these odour-resistant travel towels dry significantly faster. Also, remember that these microfiber towels are substantially softer than typical travel towels.
Are you planning to travel with your dog? You may also use these microfiber towels to help them dry off properly.
The travel towels are machine-washable, which adds to their practicality. However, be aware that in the initial washes, the colours may bleed, so wash them separately in cool water.
8. Wolfyok 2-Pack Microfiber Travel Sports Towel — Best for Yoga
Specifications:
- High-absorbency and fast drying
- Ideal for Yoga, Beach, Backpacking, Sports, and Baths
- Two microfibre towels in a set
Every traveller will love the Wolfyok travel towel set. The microfiber used in the towels is of the highest calibre; it is absorbent, soft, water-repellent, and dries and washes easily.
The premium materials absorb a lot of water, dry rapidly, and dry out faster than cotton and terry cloth bath towels.
Buy two things for the value of one whenever you can. The fact that you receive two microfiber travel towels in various sizes once you buy this Wolfyok bundle is one of the things I love best.
Both towels are designed to be used numerous times daily and are excellent for outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, swimming, camping, and working out.
9. BEARZ Travel Towels — Best Set
Specifications:
- Two microfibre towels in a set
- Fast-drying
The BEARZ bundle of two microfiber travel towels offers a practical solution for meeting your towelling necessities when travelling without occupying a lot of space in your luggage or backpack.
The two towels have excellent liquid absorption capacities, have high compressibility, and typically dry up very fast.
Backpackers particularly like the high-quality set’s carrying case since they can attach it to the exterior of their backpacks without taking up any interior space.
Furthermore, this carry case contains a water-resistant compartment, so you won’t have to worry about the travel towels becoming wet while you’re being drenched. They are also quite light—together, they only weigh 7.4 oz.
Why Should You Invest in Travel Towels?
Although a travel towel might appear to be an unnecessary thing to carry, it’s going to be one of your best allies.
We use towels regularly in everyday life, whether to dry ourselves, our dishes, the house, or the car.
However, we take them for granted because they are always available and numerous. We all have a rag or cloth someplace, hidden in an old cabinet or easily placed on a rack or hook.
Sadly, this is not an option for backpackers. They cannot enjoy the luxury of having many towels with them since they continuously move from one location to another and survive with a bag (limited space). Most travellers are happy to receive a complimentary towel in their hostels!
Having your microfiber towel when travelling can be beneficial.
Are you visiting the beach? The travel towel will prevent sand from getting on your behind and into your Bluetooth speaker.
Want to practice yoga on the spot? Towel in the air, chaturanga away.
Do your boots need to be dried out after a lengthy hike? Soak away any remaining moisture in the boots using that towel!
As much as you might not realise it now, your travel towel will come in handy once you are on the road. This implies that you must have a high-quality towel; the more durable and absorbent it is, the more beneficial it will be.
Fortunately, choosing a decent one is relatively easy. You simply need to follow the advice provided below.
What to Look for in a Microfiber Travel Towel
- Lightweight – Like everything else in your trip bag, your travel towel needs to be lightweight.
- Compact – Your microfiber towel must be as small as possible. They need to fold up more compactly than tank tops.
- Well-built – Microfibers can be classified as either good or terrible.
- Quick-drying – Fast-drying fabric is a must-have when hiking.
- Absorbency – Microfiber towels are worthless if they don’t truly absorb liquids.
- Features – Specs like loops make it easy to hang the towel on a clothesline at the hostel or connect it to a bag while you trek.
- Extra accessories – Storage pouches can come in handy.
Towel Sizes
Quick-drying travel towels come in sizes XS to XL and in different shapes, too! Be cautious in verifying the specifications because various brands have varying sizes!
- Small/Medium: Frequently used as a hand towel, washcloth, or to carry to the gym. They are a great asset in your bathroom kit.
- Large: A little bath towel or a hair towel.
- XL – The best suggestion for a complete bath towel.
Get a tiny washcloth-sized microfiber towel and an XL microfiber towel.
Alternatives For A Travel Towel
A stylish sarong or oversized scarf that may also be used as a huge beach towel can be brought together with a microfibre towel.
Most travellers utilise their scarves in various ways, such as a beach towel, a blanket in the chilly weather, a dust shield, etc. I usually bring a sarong when I go anywhere with a beach to use as a cover-up and a towel.
Shemaghs or Keffiyehs, which are Middle Eastern-style scarves, are also incredibly versatile accessories that can double as towels. Though they are mainly used as beach towels, their primary usage is to keep sand away from your eyes and to shield yourself from the cold at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have more inquiries? No problem! The most frequently asked questions are presented here, along with our responses. Here are the typical questions that people have.:
Are microfiber travel towels great for hiking?
Oh, yes! Microfiber is ideal for backpacking and trekking. It dries quickly, allowing you to use it again in no time.
You can also pack it without worrying about moistening the rest of the contents. Also, something that dries quickly reduces the likelihood of it becoming odorous and mouldy.
What is the best microfiber travel towel?
Over the years, we have tested many microfibre travel towers and can reliably recommend the Sea to Summit Drylite Towel. It is incredibly light, small, and rapid drying.
Are travel towels worth it?
Oh yeah. Due to their rapid drying, portability, and small weight, they are a lifesaver for tourists and hikers. I always bring one when I travel.
Is microfiber environmentally friendly?
No. But while microfiber cannot bio-degrade like paper towels or cotton, it may nevertheless be disposed of sustainably.
Conclusion
There is a myriad of reasons why microfiber travel towels are a better option than traditional bath towels. Still, you only need to be aware of these five: they are perfect travel towels since they are small, light, absorbent, durable, and quick-drying.