In travel situations where towels aren’t available, travelers need to provide their own absorbent, quick-drying towels that don’t take up much space. A variety of travel towels are available for camping and backpacking, as well as European hotels and hostels.
What Is a Travel Towel?
Compact and thin, travel towels are a practical way to take towels on vacations, camping trips and international destinations. Much less bulky than regular terrycloth or cotton towels, travel towels are made of synthetic materials that dry quickly.
Many travel towels are made of microfiber. These towels are soft but the microfiber can sometimes irritate sensitive skin. Some travel towels are made of viscose rayon, nylon or polyester. Some travel towel fabrics are infused with antibacterial fibers that prevent bacterial growth.
Travel towels are usually machine washable and sold with a small, mesh carry bag. Disposable travel towels are more compact, biodegradable and very thin. Since disposable travel towels aren’t as durable, they should be hand washed and do not last as long.
Uses of travel towels include outdoor applications (as blankets, bandannas, and a first-aid supplement or even a fire starter), household usage (window cleaners or coffee filters), as clothing (sarongs or wind scarves) and sports gear (gym towels and bicycle cleaners). Only Lightload towels should be used as fire starters, since the material in other travel towels isn't safe for starting fires. Sizes of travel towels vary from small to large.
Lightload Towels
This super compact 12-inch by 20-inch towel comes vacuum-sealed in a package that is smaller than palm size. Lightload towels are wickable and should be hand washed. Because these towels are made of viscose, they are more absorbent than microfiber or cotton.
Lightload towels can provide insulation in extreme weather, as well as being used as a fire starter or coffee filter. Backpackers use Lightload towels in place of bandannas and camp towels. Athletes use them for drying off as well as cleaning their gear.
Rick Steves Travel Towel
The super absorbent microfiber towel is soft and can be machine washed. It ranges from 6 inches by 9 inches to 62 inches by 35 inches and only weighs a few ounces. This travel towel has a mesh carry bag with a zippered side pocket and a snap loop strap. Store toiletries and personal care items in the pocket. Hang it from its snap loop.
This towel is lightweight and practical for travel as well as at the gym. It takes up very little space in a day pack. Use it as a drying towel or a blanket for picnics.
REI Multitowel Lite
This polyester and nylon towel is rectangular with rounded corners. Serged edges keep the towel from unraveling. A loop on one corner of the towel with a small sliding buckle can be used for hanging. Soft and absorbent, this towel has an antibacterial treatment to keep it odor free. The Multitowel Lite is machine washable and comes with a zippered storage case.
Backpackers appreciate the Multitowel Lite because it is available in many sizes and easily refolds into its mesh, nylon case. Since it dries quickly, the towel doesn’t add water weight to packs. The Multitowel Lite can also be used to roll up wet laundry, squeezing out most of the water.
Travel towels allow campers, backpackers, travelers and athletes to have the convenience of a towel without the added weight. When packing for yurt camping (such as destinations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho), travel towels keep the load light. Their compact size is ideal for saving space in luggage and packs. Super absorbent and quick drying, travel towels have a multitude of uses — from blankets to fire starters.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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