Travel towels are particularly light, very compact and dry quickly. They don’t take up much space and are easy to take with you on any journey.
A towel especially for traveling?
However, with the ever-increasing selection of travel towels, it is important to know what really matters when buying.
Avoid buying mistakes:
BeyondSurfing explains the differences between travel towels and what you should look out for when choosing the right model. Does it always have to be a microfiber towel as a travel towel?
Content
In a hurry? Our favorite travel towel:
- Hanger and corner pocket on the towel
- Set with 2 different towel sizes
- High-quality microfiber
Travel towel Checklist
- Application: Travel towels are also ideal for sports, fitness and outdoor activities and save space and weight in your luggage.
- Material: The majority of travel towels are made of highly absorbent and quick-drying microfiber.
- Odor: Antibacterial travel towels are generally less sensitive to odor.
Also interesting: The most popular swim bags 2024.
These are the top 5 travel towels in 2024
1. nirvanaShape microfiber towels
Advantages
- Hanger and corner pocket on the towel
- 2 different towel sizes in a set
- High-quality microfiber
Disadvantages
- Staining possible during the first wash
Summary
The NirvanaShape microfiber travel towel impresses with its functionality. The lightweight material dries in the air around five times faster than cotton. Thanks to the loop with press stud, it can be hung up anywhere.
One corner of the large towel has a pocket for small valuables. The zipper is covered with soft fabric so that it doesn’t get in the way when drying off. A small transport bag is also included.
A continuous hem was used at the rounded corners. This prevents fraying and increases the service life of the towel.
The different colors inspired by nature and the contrasting hem also look very elegant.
The towel absorbs eight times more water than a terry towel. It feels velvety soft on the skin. The microfiber is odor-inhibiting.
Conclusion
Thanks to its high absorbency, the travel towel is very effective at drying you off. The integrated corner pocket and the hanger prove to be particularly practical.
Product details
Number of pieces in set: 2 | Size: 70 x 140 and 40 x 60 cm | Weight: 220 g and 60 g | Material: microfiber (88% polyester, 12% polyamide)
Customer ratings
The well-made, high-quality material feels soft against the skin. The color combinations look appealing. The towel is lightweight, saves space in your luggage and has many practical features.
A full 2% are neutral about the product, while 2% rate the product as inadequate and insufficient.
The hanger can scratch the skin. The zipper can also be uncomfortable when drying. During the first few washes, the towel can become very discolored. It can heat up in the sauna or in direct sunlight.
FAQ
2. mountain brother microfiber towels
Advantages
- German brand with high quality standards
- Double stitched for greater durability
- Antibacterial and skin-friendly microfiber
Disadvantages
- Unusual skin feel when drying off
Summary
The low weight and light pack size make the towel the ideal travel companion. The high-quality microfiber fabric can absorb up to eight times more water than cotton and then dries up to four times faster.
The hard-wearing material ensures a long service life. The corners are rounded and double-stitched to prevent the seam from unraveling. A border in different colors provides a visual kick.
The German company Bergbruder produces its towels as environmentally friendly as possible. The fabrics used are antibacterial, skin-friendly and dirt-repellent.
According to the manufacturer, the colors do not stain or fade during washing. The towel feels pleasantly soft when drying off.
A practical loop with press stud for hanging up and the carry bag round off the towel.
Conclusion
The travel towel feels very high quality. The good workmanship, attractive design and practical size make the microfiber towel a good travel companion.
Product details
Number of pieces in set: 1 | Size: 120 x 60 cm | Weight: 275 g | Material: Microfiber (89% polyester, 11% polyamide)
Customer ratings
Customers rate the travel towel as well made and very high quality. They like the size and the beautiful design. The bag is large enough to easily store the towel. The hanging loop is very practical. The skin feels pleasantly soft. All in all, excellent value for money.
A full 2% are neutral about the product, while 2% rate the product as inadequate and insufficient.
The towel smells unpleasant at first, and odors can also develop during use. Sometimes it takes several washes before the odors are removed. The feeling on the skin takes some getting used to.
FAQ
3. fit-flip microfiber towels
Advantages
- Antibacterial and gentle on the skin
- 12 intense and fade-resistant colors
- With press stud loop and carrying bag
Disadvantages
- Strong staining possible
- Heavy linting possible
- Push button of the loop uncomfortable when drying off
Summary
The microfiber travel towel is extremely absorbent and quick-drying. It absorbs liquid very well and releases it again quickly afterwards. At the same time, it is up to 60% lighter than cotton towels.
After use, the hard-wearing towel can be folded up very small and stored in the bag provided.
The material is soft and skin-friendly. Dabbing with the microfiber is more gentle on the skin than rubbing with ordinary towels.
Unpleasant odors are prevented by the antibacterial fibers. In addition, the special fiber structure prevents linting.
The towel is supplied in 12 vibrant colors. These are resistant to fading. The travel towel is also dirt-repellent. This way you can enjoy the colors for a very long time.
Conclusion
The pleasant skin feel is very soft even for sensitive skin. This makes the travel towel a good alternative to the classic microfiber feel on the skin.
Product details
Number of pieces in set: 1 | Size: 60 x 120 cm | Weight: 145 g | Material: Microfiber (80% polyester, 20% polyamide)
Customer ratings
The towel dries quickly and can be folded up to save space. The beautiful color does not fade, and it feels great on the skin when drying, even on sensitive skin. The loop is practical and does not interfere with drying.
A full 2% are neutral about the product, while 3% rate the product as inadequate and insufficient.
Discoloration during the first wash is normal and is also indicated by the manufacturer; however, some customers did not notice any improvement even after several washes. For some customers, the towel was very fluffy. The loop’s press stud can scratch the skin unpleasantly when drying off.
FAQ
4. pandoo bamboo travel towel
Advantages
- More environmentally friendly as partly made from sustainable bamboo fiber
- Extremely absorbent and quick-drying
- Push-button loop and carrying bag with hanger
Disadvantages
- High nylon content, therefore limited sustainability
- Less compact than microfiber
- May rub off
Summary
The use of bamboo activated carbon fiber in the towel makes it more environmentally friendly and gentler on the skin than pure synthetic microfiber. Bamboo grows back quickly and can be grown with little water.
Bamboo fibers are antibacterial, skin-friendly and hypoallergenic. It feels very soft on the skin and is also very hard-wearing.
Thanks to the practical loop with press stud, the towel can easily be hung up to dry. According to the manufacturer, bamboo is even more absorbent than microfiber and releases moisture just as quickly.
Thanks to its low weight and small pack size, the towel is easy to transport. The bag supplied has a loop so that you can hang it on your rucksack, for example.
There are 5 different towel colors available.
Product details
Number of pieces in set: 1 | Size: 80 x 130 cm | Weight: N/A | Material: 40% bamboo activated carbon fiber, 60% nylon
Customer ratings
The towel feels more pleasant than microfiber and is also more sustainable. It dries effectively and then dries quickly, even in high humidity. The loop on the long side is very practical, as the towel hangs higher than with loops attached to the corner.
A full 7% are neutral about the product, while 12% rate the product as inadequate and insufficient.
Many customers criticize the high nylon content, as the towel is therefore less sustainable than the manufacturer’s specifications suggest. It is bulkier than microfiber. Nevertheless, it is too thin to use as a beach towel. Initially there may be a lot of staining when washing.
FAQ
5. summit sports microfiber towel set
Advantages
- Ultralight and quick-drying microfiber
- Air-permeable carrying bag and rubber loop on the towel
- Antibacterial fiber prevents odor build-up
Disadvantages
- No press stud on loop, therefore less flexible to hang up
- Staining during washing is possible at first
- Linting is possible
Summary
The durable travel towel comes from a Paderborn-based family business and is made from soft and ultra-light microfiber. The antibacterial fiber counteracts unpleasant odors.
After drying, most of the liquid absorbed by the towel can simply be wrung out. It dries quickly and does not transfer moisture to clothing or other objects when packed.
The towel is small and easy to store in the bag supplied. One side of the bag is made of air-permeable mesh so that the towel can continue to dry inside.
The bag has a name field and a carrying strap. The towel itself is also equipped with an elastic rubber loop.
Product details
Number of pieces in set: 2 | Size: 40 x 80 and 70 x 140 cm | Weight: N/A | Material: Microfiber
Customer ratings
The travel towel is well made and feels pleasant to the touch. Moisture and perspiration are absorbed immediately. Even when wet, the towel is still light. Its compactness makes it a space saver, especially in combination with the bag. The design and colors also impress customers.
A full 3% are neutral about the product, while 3% rate the product as inadequate and insufficient.
The rubber loop does not have a press stud, as is the case with comparable towels. Therefore, it cannot be attached everywhere. Some customers experienced linting or discoloration during washing, even after several washes.
FAQ
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Bestsellers: The most popular travel towels
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy a travel towel:
How to make the right decision
Traveling and camping is all about keeping your luggage as small as possible. Especially for necessary utensils such as towels, not too much space should be wasted.
This means:
Above all, travel towels must be light and compact. This makes size an important criterion. However, you should also pay attention to a few other points.
What you need to consider when buying a travel towel
You should always consider the following criteria when buying travel towels:
- Material
- Size
- Transportability
- Durability
- Price
The best material for travel towels?
Most travel towels are made of microfiber. Why? The blend of polyester and nylon has many advantages that make it the best performing material for travel towels:
- ultralight
- highly absorbent
- dirt-repellent
- quick-drying
- Compact folding
- durable
- antibacterial
By the way: microfiber towels can absorb around three to four times their own weight in water.
Disadvantages of microfiber:
Microfiber can take some getting used to on the skin. It is not as fluffy as cotton. Microfiber towels also get cold when they are wet.
Why is this important?
They are therefore not suitable for snuggling up in after bathing. Their use is purely utilitarian, for drying off quickly after showering.
Microfiber travel towels are highly absorbent, but only with the right use. Unlike with normal cotton towels, you don’t rub yourself, but pat your skin dry.
Alternative materials to microfiber
Despite the many advantages, some people prefer towels that are not made of synthetic materials.
If you don’t like microfiber, BeyondSurfing recommends travel towels made from the following materials:
Linen
Linen is also very absorbent and quick-drying, hypoallergenic and naturally antibacterial, but rougher than microfiber and less effective at drying.
Bamboo
Bamboo is environmentally friendly, antibacterial and quick-drying, with an even better water absorption capacity than cotton; but heavier and more sensitive than microfiber.
Cotton
Cotton is soft, comfortable and durable, but very bulky and heavy, and also takes a long time to dry; only recommended as a travel towel if, for example, you are going to be traveling with a baby. are traveling by car and have plenty of space.
You should ensure that all materials have antibacterial properties. This is usually specified by the manufacturer.
Why are antibacterial properties so important?
Especially when traveling, it is not always possible to wash the towel immediately after each use. This makes it easy for bacteria or fungi to develop. Naturally antibacterial or appropriately treated materials prevent them from spreading and keep the travel towel fresh for longer. At the same time, this prevents the formation of unpleasant odors.
Size of travel towels
Travel towels are available in countless different sizes, as you can use them for a wide variety of things. For example, they can be used as beach towels, for drying off after a shower or as tea towels.
The right travel towel size depends on 2 factors:
What many people don’t know:
Unlike cotton towels, there is hardly any difference in weight between the different sizes of microfiber towels.
So unless you’re going on a long hike where every gram counts, you can easily choose a size larger.
If you are taking several travel towels with you that are intended for different purposes, choose each one in a different color. This will prevent you from accidentally drying your own face with the dog towel.
Transportability of travel towels
Travel towels are equipped with many features that make them easy to transport. In addition to size and weight, quick drying is particularly important here.
Why is quick drying important?
Packing a wet towel in your suitcase or backpack not only makes the rest of your clothes wet, it also encourages mold growth. A wet towel is also heavier than a dry one. When traveling, however, there is not always time to wait long for the towel to dry.
Microfiber towels are the better travel towels
Microfiber is not only much lighter than cotton, but also dries eight to ten times faster on average. This is because approx. 80% of the water is removed from the towel by wringing it out.
Make sure there is a hanger on the towel
The towel should also be equipped with a hanger. This means you can hang it up anywhere and shorten the drying time. When camping, you can hang it on the outside of your rucksack and leave it to dry on the go.
Hanging it up also makes it less dirty than if you lay it on the floor.
Carrying bag for compact transportation
Most of the travel towels are supplied with a small carrying bag. It can be stowed in this as compactly as possible.
These bags often have a hook or a drawstring to hang them on a rucksack, for example. If the pockets are made of mesh, the towel can continue to dry inside, as air can still reach it.
Durability of travel towels
Travel towels are manufactured to be as robust and hard-wearing as possible. To ensure that your towels last a long time, BeyondSurfing recommends paying particular attention to the following points:
- Reinforced edges: Fraying of the edges is usually the first sign of wear on travel towels. Reinforced or double-stitched edges reduce the risk of this happening.
- Hanger firmly sewn: The hanger on the towel should not come off after a short period of use.
What do good travel towels cost?
The price of travel towels is usually between 10 $ and 30 $. They are often sold in sets of 2 or 3, where the price per piece can be lower. It is therefore worth comparing prices and offers.
The price depends on:
- Size
- Properties (e.g. antibacterial)
- Quality of the material
- Manufacturer
Good quality costs:
Travel towels from renowned sports and outdoor brands are usually of higher quality than cheap brands. The latter may cost less, but they break more quickly.
The well-known brands include:
NirvanaShape, Fit-Flip, Bergbruder, BeMaxx, Mave Athletics, Rainleaf
Good to know: Consumer Reports and Öko-Test have not yet carried out any tests on travel towels.
Care of travel towels
The majority of travel towels are machine washable. However, it is recommended to wash them in a bag to protect them from rubbing or fluffing by the rest of the laundry.
The first wash should generally be done separately:
This will prevent staining on the rest of the laundry. Intense colors may require several washes before they no longer stain.
Avoid high temperatures and fabric softener:
Always wash the travel towels in cold or lukewarm water. Otherwise you risk damaging the material.
Fabric softener impairs the absorbency of towels and should therefore be avoided.
Does functional fiber detergent make sense?
If you want to treat your travel towels particularly well, wash them separately with special functional fiber detergent. This is available in sports stores.
Air-dry the material:
Many travel towels can be put in the dryer. However, hanging in the air is more gentle on the material. This will extend the life of your towel.
Note: Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about travel towels
Where can you buy travel towels?
What travel towel sizes are available?
How much does a travel towel cost?
How do you clean a travel towel?
What should you look out for when buying a travel towel?
Are there sustainable travel towels?
Conclusion: The most popular travel towels reviewed
Travel towels are an indispensable companion for anyone who doesn’t want to carry bulky cotton towels on vacation.
The best is yet to come:
They fit in any bag and make room for more important things without sacrificing drying efficiency.
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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