A cotton bath towel is one of the worst things to pack for a camping trip. It’s heavy, eats up space in the 4WD or the backpack, and takes so long to dry that it ends up smelling damp. A quick-dry microfibre towel fixes all three, but they’re not all the same: some are made to be as light as possible, others to feel like a proper towel.
We’ve reviewed four camping and travel towels. Here’s how they compare and which one suits the way you camp.
Quick picks: the best camping towels compared
| Product | Score | Size | Weight | Packed | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overallKathmandu Microfibre Towel | 9.3 | 40 × 90 cm (M) | 107 g | 17 × 12 × 3 cm | Check price at Amazon |
Best valueRainleaf Microfiber Towel | 8.9 | 122 × 61 cm | 255 g | Paperback size | Check price at Amazon |
Most comfortableSea to Summit Tek Towel | 8.7 | 60 × 120 cm (L) | 285 g | 8 × 12 × 20 cm | Check price at Amazon |
LightestSea to Summit Airlite Towel | 8.6 | 120 × 60 cm (L) | 67 g | 11 × 5.5 cm | Check price at Amazon |
Best overall: Kathmandu Microfibre Towel
The Kathmandu scored highest because it gets the balance right: a 40 × 90 cm towel that’s big enough for showering, weighs only 107 g in the medium size and packs into a small zip pouch. It dried much faster than cotton, and the 88% polyester and 12% nylon fabric feels tough enough to last for years.
The catch is the feel. Like most microfibre, it can feel a bit rubbery on the skin and works best if you pat yourself dry. The dark blue colour we tested also shows lint easily. Read the full Kathmandu Microfibre Towel review.
The good
- Packs into small pouch (17x12x3 cm)
- Weighs only 107 g in medium size
- Dries significantly faster than cotton
- Generous 40 cm x 90 cm size for showering
- Durable 88% Polyester/12% Nylon blend
The not-so-good
- Absorbs water using pat-drying method
- Microfibre can feel rubbery on skin
- The Dark Blue colour shows lint easily
Bottom line: A 107 g microfibre towel in a generous 40 × 90 cm size that dries much faster than cotton and packs into a small pouch. It works by patting dry and can feel rubbery on the skin.
Best value: Rainleaf Microfiber Towel
If you want a towel big enough to dry your whole body without paying for a big brand, the Rainleaf is the one. At 122 × 61 cm it’s the largest towel here, it weighs 255 g with its pouch, and the fabric feels soft, almost like fine suede. It absorbs a lot of water quickly, and the snap loop makes it easy to hang up to dry.
The carry pouch doesn’t feel premium, and like any thin microfibre towel it won’t keep you warm on a cold night. Read the full Rainleaf Microfiber Towel review.
The good
- 122×61 cm large area
- Absorbs 5x its own weight
- Hangs easily with snap loop
- Weighs only 255 gram (with pouch)
- Machine washable and durable
The not-so-good
- Carry pouch is not premium quality
- No 'A-brand'
- Not the best for full-body warmth
Bottom line: A large 122 × 61 cm microfibre towel that weighs 255 g, absorbs well and dries fast on its snap loop. The carry pouch isn’t premium quality, and it won’t keep you warm like a thick towel.
Most comfortable: Sea to Summit Tek Towel
Most camp towels feel thin and a bit plasticky. The Tek Towel doesn’t: its 80% polyester and 20% nylon microfibre has a thick, deep pile that feels like the terrycloth towel at home. The large size (60 × 120 cm) wraps around your whole body, it absorbs water quickly and it packs into a sturdy zippered case.
It’s the heaviest towel here at 285 g, and the deep pile picks up forest debris easily. If comfort matters more than grams, for car camping and 4WD touring, it’s worth it. Read the full Sea to Summit Tek Towel review.
The good
- Great terrycloth feel (80/20 Microfibre)
- Generous 60 x 120 cm size
- Packs down to 8 x 12 x 20 cm
- Sturdy, zippered EVA case included
- Convenient snap-on hang loop
The not-so-good
- Attracts forest debris easily
- Large size weighs 285 g+
- Higher cost than basic towels
Bottom line: A soft, absorbent towel with a real terrycloth feel in a generous 60 × 120 cm size, with a sturdy zipped case. It weighs 285 g, picks up forest debris and costs more than a basic towel.
Lightest: Sea to Summit Airlite Towel
The Airlite is all about weight and pack size. The large size is a full 120 × 60 cm, yet weighs only 67 g and stuffs into a tiny 11 × 5.5 cm sack. It absorbs about three times its own weight in water and dries very quickly, and the fabric is 85% recycled polyester.
It feels very thin in the hand, and the microfibre texture takes some getting used to. For hiking, travel or a towel that lives permanently in the kit, that’s an easy trade. Read the full Sea to Summit Airlite Towel review.
The good
- Size L is only 67 g
- Packs down to 11 x 5.5 cm tiny
- Absorbs 3x its own weight in water
- Made from 85% recycled polyester
- Dries very quickly outdoors
The not-so-good
- Feels very thin in the hand
- Microfibre texture is different
- High price point for a towel
Bottom line: A large towel that weighs only 67 g, packs down to 11 × 5.5 cm and dries very quickly. It feels thin, the microfibre texture takes getting used to and the price is high for a towel.
How to choose a camping towel
- Size: for drying your whole body, a large towel of around 120 × 60 cm. A medium (40 × 90 cm) is enough for showering and saves weight and space.
- Weight and packed size: from 67 g (Airlite, large) to 285 g (Tek Towel, large). If you’re car camping or touring in a 4WD, a few hundred grams hardly matter; if you’re carrying it on your back, they do.
- Feel: thin microfibre (Airlite, Kathmandu) is lightest and dries fastest but feels different from cotton. A thick, deep pile (Tek Towel) feels like a towel from home but weighs more. The Rainleaf sits in between, with a soft, suede-like feel.
- Drying speed: all four dry much faster than cotton, so they don’t start to smell damp. Hang them up with the snap loop, which all four have.
- Care: the Tek Towel, Airlite and Rainleaf can go in the washing machine. Wash the Rainleaf separately the first few times.
Setting up a camp shower too? See our guide to showering off-grid and our camp shower reviews.
