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A regular bath towel is a poor traveling companion. It is bulky, slow to dry and takes up half a backpack. The best travel towels solve those three problems at once: they fold small, weigh little and dry fast enough to be packed again the same day. Whether you are heading to a campsite, a hostel or a long trail, a good one earns its place in the bag.
This guide is for campers, backpackers, hikers, runners, parents packing for sleepaway camp and anyone who travels light. We compare five well-known towels, from a pocket-size option to a larger body towel, and we explain how to pick the right size for your trip.
You will also find advice on fabric, drying time, pack size and washing, plus answers to common questions about quick dry towels for camping and travel.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Main point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matador NanoDry Shower Towel | Ultralight backpacking | Compact, quick-drying and packs small | Check on Amazon |
| Nomadix Original Towel | Travel and camp multi-use | Large towel that also serves as a mat or wrap | Check on Amazon |
| Lifeventure SoftFibre Trek Towel | Hiking and camp trips | Soft microfiber in several sizes | Check on Amazon |
| PackTowl Personal Body Towel | Soft, cotton-like feel | Lightweight towel with a gentle hand | Check on Amazon |
| Youphoria Quick Dry Travel Towel | Families and gym bags | Light microfiber with a carry bag | Check on Amazon |
How These Options Were Chosen
We selected these towels from manufacturer listings and published product details, focusing on brands that outdoor and travel shoppers commonly mention. We have not used them ourselves, so we make no claims from personal experience. Fabric blends, sizes and carry pouches can change between releases, which is why we suggest checking the listing for the exact size and color you want.
We aimed for variety. The five choices cover a very small towel, a large multi-use one, a soft cotton-like one, a mid-range microfiber option and a family-friendly model.
The 5 Best Travel Towels for Camping and Hiking
Matador NanoDry Shower Towel
Matador is known for compact outdoor gear, and the NanoDry towel follows the same idea. It is designed to be light, to dry quickly and to fold into a small pouch that fits in a jacket pocket or the corner of a pack.
That is why it comes up when people search for the best travel towels from Matador. It suits backpackers and thru-hikers who count every ounce and who want a towel that will be dry by the next stop.
The trade-off is feel. Ultralight fabrics are thinner than a typical bath towel and do not have the same plush softness, so you may need a second pass to dry off completely after a swim. Check the listing for size options and the exact fabric description.
Nomadix Original Towel
Nomadix describes its Original towel as a multi-use piece. It can work as a towel, a beach or picnic blanket, a yoga mat, a wrap or a seat cover, which is helpful if you are traveling with limited space.
The fabric is a quick-drying, lightweight cloth, and the towel is larger than many pack towels, so it covers more of you after a shower or swim. That makes it a favorite for long-term travel, where one item may need to do several jobs.
It is larger than the ultralight option, so it takes more space and has a little more weight. It is a better fit for a trunk, a daypack or a campsite than for a minimalist pack. Look at the listing for size, colors and material notes.
Lifeventure SoftFibre Trek Towel
Lifeventure is a British outdoor brand, and the SoftFibre Trek towel is one of its best-known pieces. It comes in several sizes, so you can choose a small one for hiking or a larger one for a camp shower. The soft microfiber is meant to feel pleasant against the skin while still drying quickly.
It suits families, scout groups and anyone who wants an outdoor towel without a premium label. A sewn-in loop, if present on your version, helps you hang it from a tent line to dry. Confirm that on the listing.
The weak point is that, like most microfiber, it does not feel like cotton, and it may hold odors if it is stored damp. Dry it fully before you pack it away.
PackTowl Personal Body Towel
PackTowl makes a towel that is meant to feel different from the usual rough microfiber. It has a soft, light hand, closer to a thin cloth than a technical wipe, which helps if you are looking for a lightweight travel towel that feels like cotton.
The Personal line comes in sizes from a face towel to a body towel. The body size works for a shower, and the smaller ones are good for hands and faces.
It is a pleasing choice for road trips, hostels and camp showers, and it dries quicker than a bath towel. It is not as tiny as the ultralight option, and it may cost more attention at washing time, so follow the label. Check the listing for the sizes and carry details.
Youphoria Quick Dry Travel Towel
Youphoria sells lightweight microfiber towels with a carry bag, and this one is aimed at everyday travelers. It folds small enough for a gym bag, a hand-carry or a weekend trip.
It is a simple choice for a family that wants several towels for a camp or a vacation without spending a lot of effort researching. The microfiber dries quickly, and the carry bag keeps it separate from clean clothing.
Because the fabric is a basic microfiber, it may feel thin or slightly clingy, and it may not match the finish of higher-end brands. Look at the listing for size options and what is included in the pack.
Best for Backpacking and Thru-Hiking
The Matador NanoDry Shower Towel is the one to pack when weight is the priority. It is small, quick to dry and easy to clip to the outside of a pack so it can air out as you walk.
Best for Long-Term Travel
The Nomadix Original Towel is the sensible pick when one towel must be a wrap, a mat and a bed cover. Its multi-use design saves room over carrying separate items.
Best for Camp and Sleepaway Trips
The Lifeventure SoftFibre Trek Towel comes in different sizes, which makes it easy to choose a larger one for a camp shower or a smaller one for a child. It is also simple to hang up to dry.
Best Feel Like Cotton
The PackTowl Personal Body Towel is the pick if you dislike the squeaky feel of some microfiber. It has a gentler hand and still dries faster than a regular bath towel.
Microfiber Towels for Camping Versus Cotton
Cotton is soft and absorbent, but it holds water and takes a long time to dry. In a damp tent or on a cold trail, a wet cotton towel can stay wet for days and begin to smell. Microfiber and similar technical fabrics release water more quickly, so they are the standard choice for camping and hiking.
The compromise is feel. Technical towels are thinner and can feel slick. They absorb by volume and then need wringing out, so you may wring one out partway through drying. That is normal, and it is part of the technique.
If you want a camping bath towel that feels more familiar, consider a larger body towel and wring it between passes. If you are counting grams, accept the thinner fabric and choose the smallest size that covers you.
For an emergency kit, a pack towel is a good fit because it stores flat, does not rot as easily as a damp cotton towel and can serve as a cloth for many tasks. Keep it dry and out of direct sun when stored.
Towels for Summer Camp, Hostels and Long Trips
Parents packing for sleepaway camp face a particular challenge: the towel will be used by a child, dropped on a floor, left on a bunk and rolled into a duffel while still damp. A fast-drying towel with a loop and a distinctive color is easier to find, hang and keep track of. Write a name on the care tag with a laundry marker, and pack a small mesh bag so the towel can breathe on the way home.
Hostel travelers need the opposite balance. You will shower in shared bathrooms, move on after a night or two and rarely get a chance to dry gear in the sun. A compact towel that is nearly dry by morning is worth more than a soft one that stays damp. Hang it from the bed frame or the outside of your pack and it will usually be ready by checkout.
On long trips abroad, think about laundry access. Technical towels wash and dry far faster than cotton, so a single towel and a spare face cloth can go a long way between wash days. Choose a color that hides marks and a size you can wring out with two hands.
How to Choose a Travel Towel
Begin with size. A small towel, around the size of a hand towel, is good for hikers, runners and day trips. A body towel covers more but weighs more. Match the size to what you need to dry. Showers need more cloth than a quick face wipe.
Next, consider weight and pack size. Travel towels range from featherweight to modest. Check the packed size and whether it comes with a pouch. A clip loop helps you hang it from a pack.
Fabric matters. Microfiber dries quickly and packs small. Softer blended fabrics feel nicer but may take a little longer to dry. Read the description for how the maker describes the hand feel.
Drying time is the key behavior of a travel towel. Hang it open, in the air, whenever you can. Do not leave a damp towel in a sealed pouch for long.
Think about your activity. Beach and camp showers suit larger sizes. Runners and hikers prefer small ones. Men and women have different needs only in terms of body size, not in terms of towel design, so choose by dimensions.
Avoid common mistakes: buying the smallest size for a shower, packing a damp towel in a bag, and washing with fabric softener, which can reduce how well a technical fabric absorbs.
Packing and Safety Notes
Follow the maker’s care instructions. When camping, keep towels away from open flames and hot stoves, as synthetic fabrics can melt. Use biodegradable soap away from water sources and follow local campground and trail rules. Avoid hanging heavy wet towels from fragile branches or shared lines without permission.
Care and Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Towel smells stale | Wash it according to the label and dry it fully |
| Fabric feels less absorbent | Skip softener and wash it on its own |
| Towel stays damp in the pack | Hang it open when you stop and clip it outside the bag |
| Fabric feels stiff | Rinse thoroughly and air dry |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best quick dry towel for backpacking?
The smallest towel that covers your needs. Ultralight pieces like the Matador are popular for this reason.
Do I need a separate camping towel?
A technical towel dries faster than a cotton one, which makes it more practical on a trip.
Are microfiber towels good for hiking?
They are a common choice because they are light and dry fast. Clip them outside the pack to air out.
Can a travel towel be used at the gym?
Yes. Many people keep one in a gym bag because it packs small and dries quickly.
How big should a travel towel be?
Pick a body size for showers and swims, a smaller size for faces and hands.
How do I keep a pack towel from smelling?
Dry it fully before packing it and wash it regularly according to the label.
Bottom Line
For the lightest pack, take the Matador NanoDry. For the most flexible kit, choose the Nomadix Original. Pick Lifeventure for family camps, PackTowl for a softer hand and Youphoria for simple, everyday use. Check each listing for size and care details before you buy.