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Wrap yourself in comfort and convenience with these lightweight quick-dry towels.
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All of our picks were evaluated for absorbency, durability, portability, texture, and overall value.
They range fromplush towelsto packable, lightweight models that can fit neatly in pockets.
Whatever your travel style, these quick-dry towels have you covered.
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The weight and volume make it less ideal for packing in backpacks or duffel bags.
Keeping dry and comfortable is a breeze with the Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel.
The microfiber material has remained soft after active use and several wash cycles.
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Spanning over six feet in length, its spacious enough for most people to fit on entirely while lounging.
The durable construction comes at a higher price point.
To save space and weight in my backpack or suitcase, I turn to the Rumpl Everywhere Towel.
Ive primarily used it camping and any dirt or debris easily rinses off.
Ive machine washed the towel multiple times and its retained its softness.
The antimicrobial material has also kept odors at bay after use in a variety of freshwater bodies.
It’s not large enough to wrap around your body.
The 0.1-pound towel hardly registers in ahiking backpack, making it a great option for thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers.
We found the tiny stuff sack to be an absolute game-changer.
We love how the stuff sack also doubles as a hanging loop for the towel simply snap it on.
Its machine washable, so theres no concern about getting it dirty while camping.
The thin design doesnt offer much cushion for rocky beaches.
Despite its generous dimensions, the towel clocks in at just over half a pound.
Even so, we found it to be incredibly absorbent during testing.
We were especially impressed by how quickly it dried after drying ourselves off after swimming.
Plus, the addition of the included carry bag makes this a great value.
The dimensions are less suited for tall people to use it as a beach towel.
The microfiber towel dried very quickly, and it hardly felt wet after drying off after a swim.
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Made from recycled materials, its also an eco-friendly choice for enjoying the outdoors.
Its not the most packable quick-dry towel.
I have the Retro Stripe version, which is charcoal on the reverse side.
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Ive found that the towel texture also does a solid job at keeping it in place while lounging.
Shaking off debris and sand has also been a breeze.
Though the towel packs flat, lightweight backpackers may prefer a smaller option.
Drying off with the gripper material involves patting oneself dry instead of wiping away moisture.
The suede-like microfiber feels soft on the face and skin while dabbing away sweat while exercising.
We appreciate the antibacterial coating for minimizing odor and keeping the towel feeling fresh.
Upon receiving each towel, our expert testers evaluated the materials, stuff sacks, and overall quality.
We then packed each towel in our preferred travel bags, from beach bags to hiking day packs.
I personally brought my towels to a nearby lake to use after swimming andpaddle boarding.
These materials take less time to dry compared to cotton and other plush towel materials.
Theyre also more durable and odor-resistant, but may require washing in colder water to extend their lifespan.
Many quick-dry towels weigh less than one pound, with ultra-light options weighing just a few ounces.
If you prefer plusher designs, note that this likely comes with some added weight.
Quick-dry towels are usually thinner and more packable by design, but theres still plenty of variability between models.
Yes, microfiber towels are designed to dry quickly.
Lightweight microfiber towels with thinner construction tend to dry faster.
Cotton and rayon towels are typically the most absorbent.
However, cotton towels tend to take much longer to dry.
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Kevin Brouillardis a writer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel.
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