HomeTravel PhotographyThe 7 Greatest Fast-dry Towels of 2024

The 7 Greatest Fast-dry Towels of 2024


Whether or not packing for a tenting journey or trip abroad, the practicality and perks of a light-weight, packable towel are simple to miss. I take a quick-dry towel on nearly each journey to be ready for swimming, impromptu adventures, or disappointingly meager resort towels. These towels use finely weaved microfiber or artificial/cotton blends to be tremendous absorbent, sturdy, and mild on the pores and skin.

We’ve put quite a lot of quick-dry towels to the check at swimming pools, seashores, and campsites to seek out the most effective choices for various trip vacation spot and packing kinds. All of our picks have been evaluated for absorbency, sturdiness, portability, texture, and general worth. They vary from plush towels to packable, light-weight fashions that may match neatly in pockets. No matter your journey model, these quick-dry towels have you ever coated.

Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel

PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It
  • It’s mushy, absorbent, packable, and huge sufficient to comfortably lie out on.

Preserving dry and cozy is a breeze with the Decomen Microfiber Seashore Towel. We discovered it to be very mushy and absorbent when drying off, although the mud fabric texture can take some getting used to for first-time quick-dry towel customers. After months of testing, we’re assured that the towel can be almost, if not utterly, dry between getting out of the water and packing as much as go. The microfiber materials has remained mushy after lively use and several other wash cycles. Spanning over six ft in size, it’s spacious sufficient for most individuals to suit on completely whereas lounging.

We’re followers of the intense and daring patterns, and the way they make it simple to identify at a crowded pool or seashore. We had no bother shaking off sand earlier than stashing the towel within the included carry case, which has ample room for becoming the towel with out folding it completely. Whereas the carry case provides portability, the towel’s weight makes it extra suited to day journeys and seashore holidays than tenting or climbing excursions.

The Particulars: 73 x 32 inches | 2.8 kilos | Microfiber

Rumpl Everywhere Quick Dry Towel

PHOTO: Amazon

To avoid wasting area and weight in my backpack or suitcase, I flip to the Rumpl In every single place Towel. Although it’s technically not the lightest towel on the checklist at 0.8 kilos, it has minimal heft for its six-foot size, sturdiness, and absorbency. Light-weight design apart, the towel’s resistance to sand, stains, and pet hair has made it my go-to for going nearly in every single place. I’ve primarily used it tenting and any filth or particles simply rinses off.

The In every single place Towel is sufficiently absorbent to dry me off utterly after a swim — a noteworthy feat being that I’m 6 ft 5 inches tall. I’ve machine washed the towel a number of instances and it’s retained its softness. The antimicrobial materials has additionally stored odors at bay after use in a wide range of freshwater our bodies.

The Particulars:  72 x 29.5 inches | 0.8 kilos | Microsuede

Sea to Summit Airlite Towel

PHOTO: Amazon

Whether or not automotive tenting or backpacking, we predict the Sea to Summit Airlite Towel is a worthwhile addition to any tenting journey. The 0.1-pound towel hardly registers in a climbing backpack, making it an excellent possibility for thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers. We discovered the tiny stuff sack to be an absolute game-changer. Not solely is it simple to make use of, but it surely makes the towel compact sufficient to hold within the pocket of a pack and even pants. We love how the stuff sack additionally doubles as a dangling loop for the towel — merely snap it on. Although the towel’s dimensions aren’t sufficient to make use of as a lounging towel (it is actually supposed to identify dry whereas on the go), the recycled microfiber development excels at wicking away moisture and drying rapidly. It’s mechanically cleanable, so there’s no concern about getting it soiled whereas tenting.

The Particulars: 32 x 16 inches | 0.1 pound | Recycled polyester and nylon

Ocoopa Diveblues Microfiber Beach Towel

PHOTO: Amazon

The Ocoopa Seashore Towel extends 80 x 57 inches, permitting it to comfortably accommodate {couples} or function a play space on the seashore for teenagers. Regardless of its beneficiant dimensions, the towel clocks in at simply over half a pound. Even so, we discovered it to be extremely absorbent throughout testing. We have been particularly impressed by how rapidly it dried after drying ourselves off after swimming.

Throughout testing on the seashore, we hardly observed any sand sticking to the towel — saving us the trouble of shaking it out earlier than packing away. It is available in a wide range of colourful, nautical- and tropical-inspired patterns, lending itself to poolside and seashore use. Plus, the addition of the included carry bag makes this an excellent worth.

The Particulars:  80 x 57 inches | 0.6 kilos | Microfiber

Journey + Leisure / Andrea Tenborg


Nomadix Original Towel

PHOTO: REI

From florals to leopard print and state flags to nationwide park scenes, the Nomadix Authentic Towel affords one thing for everybody. I’ve the Retro Stripe model, which is charcoal on the reverse aspect. I like that it’s made with 90 % post-consumer recycled plastic, or in different phrases, the equal of 30 plastic bottles. One other standout function is that the towel is slip-resistant, making it an acceptable alternative for doing outside yoga, too.

I’ve discovered that the towel texture additionally does a strong job at preserving it in place whereas lounging. Even after drying off, the towel is way from saturated, so I wouldn’t be stunned if it labored properly for 2 folks. Shaking off particles and sand has additionally been a breeze. Although the towel packs flat, light-weight backpackers might choose a smaller possibility.

The Particulars: 72 x 30 inches | 1.2 kilos | Recycled plastic polyester and nylon

Amazon Rainleaf Microfiber Towel Perfect Travel & Sports &Beach Towel. Fast Drying - Super Absorbent - Ultra Compact. Suitable for Camping, Backpacking,Gym...

PHOTO: Amazon

We love that the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is available in six sizes, with the medium and smaller sizes being well-suited for exercises. These towels can take up 5 instances their weight, whereas the skinny development and hanging loop helps them to dry out quick. The suede-like microfiber feels mushy on the face and pores and skin whereas dabbing away sweat whereas exercising. We admire the antibacterial coating for minimizing odor and preserving the towel feeling recent. Although it doesn’t provide a lot selection in the best way of patterns or prints, there are over a dozen colours to select from.

The Particulars: 40 x 20 inches (measurement medium) | 0.3 kilos | Microfiber

Ideas for Shopping for a Fast-dry Towel

Take a look at the fiber content material

Most quick-dry towels are made with artificial microfibers and fibers akin to polyester and nylon. These supplies take much less time to dry in comparison with cotton and different plush towel supplies. They’re additionally extra sturdy and odor-resistant, however might require washing in colder water to increase their lifespan.

When assessing the fiber content material, you might discover a Gram per Sq. Meter (GSM) ranking, which measures the burden and the density of the fibers. GSM charges vary from 300 to 900, with a low GSM (300-400) indicating a thinner and lighter towel.

Go for light-weight designs

The decreased heft of quick-dry towels is without doubt one of the main advantages over conventional seashore or bathtub towels. Many quick-dry towels weigh lower than one pound, with ultra-light choices weighing only a few ounces. For those who choose plusher designs, be aware that this possible comes with some added weight.

Take into consideration packability

If utilizing a quick-dry towel as a journey or tenting towel, packability is probably going as essential as how rapidly it is going to dry you and dry out afterward. Fast-dry towels are often thinner and extra packable by design, however there’s nonetheless loads of variability between fashions. Take into account whether or not a towel comes with its personal stuff sack or carry bag, and what these packed dimensions are.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

  • What makes a towel fast dry?

    A fast-dry towel is one which takes much less time to dry, often as a result of it’s created from artificial supplies with nice fibers that permit extra air to flow into, which hurries up the evaporation course of.

  • Do microfiber towels dry rapidly?

    Sure, microfiber towels are designed to dry rapidly. Light-weight microfiber towels with thinner development are inclined to dry sooner.

  • Which towels are most absorbent?

    Cotton and rayon towels are usually essentially the most absorbent. Nonetheless, cotton towels are inclined to take for much longer to dry.

Why Belief Journey + Leisure

Kevin Brouillard is a author specializing in outside gear and attire. He’s an avid camper, hiker, and paddle-boarder and used his first-hand expertise and testing insights from T+L’s outside specialists to curate this checklist of the most effective quick-dry towels.

Love an excellent deal? Join our T+L Recommends e-newsletter and we’ll ship you our favourite journey merchandise every week.