Who doesn’t know this situation from traveling – you want to wrap up your towel when it’s time for your check-out, but it is still wet from the last shower. In addition, the towel is big, heavy and just takes up too much space in your backpack or suitcase. You just wish I could find better and more compact towels for traveling.
That’s how I felt on all of my first trips. But always relying on the property to provide a towel is not always a great option either. And sometimes even if they do provide a towel, you really don’t want to use it. So what do you do? The best solution is to buy a travel towel. They are available in different colors, shapes, and variations, but our clear favorites are microfiber towels. If you are looking for thin towels for traveling, this is the one to go with.
Since I first brought such a quick-dry travel towel with me on a trip, I can’t travel without it anymore.
In this post, you can read about what exactly defines this magical microfiber lightweight travel towel and why it is the ideal companion for your trip. Of course, we also present the most popular models with their advantages and disadvantages, so that you can find the best travel towel for your next trip.
What exactly is a microfiber travel towel?
Microfibres or microfibers are basically just very fine fibers. (If you want to know more about the composition, Wikipedia might be able to help you better with that)
What matters to you as a traveler is that these types of lightweight towels weigh much less than traditional towels. But not only the weight makes a huge difference, but also the size and foldability differ between microfiber fast drying towels for travel and other towels. It only takes up very little space in your luggage and is, therefore, a great travel gadget.
But not only the size and weight of these travel towels are very different from your normal towel at home: this towel is also super-fast drying. While your bath towel will probably soak up water at home when you use it after your shower and stays wet for hours, the microfiber towel simply dries much faster.
Let’s summarize the pros and cons of this microfiber travel quick dry towels.
The best travel towels – Overview
| Travel Towel | Size | Material | Review | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fit-Flip Sporth Towel  | Available in all standard sizes | Polyester, Polyamide | 4,9 / 5 | Check Price |
Rainleaf Travel Towel  | 24" x 48"; 30" x 50"; 34" x 60" | Polyester, Polyamide | 4,7 / 5 | Check Price |
Wolfyok Microfiber Towel  | XL: 58" x 30"; 24" x 16" | Microfiber | 4,5 / 5 | Check Price |
Active Roots Travel Microfiber Towel  | Medium, XL and Combo (not further specified) | Microfiber | 4,5 / 5 | Check Price |
Cocoon Ultra Light  | XS: 7.5" x 7,5"; 12" x 12"; S: 24" x 12"; M: 35" x 20"; L: 47" x 24"; XL: 59" x 31" | Polyester, Nylon | 4,0 / 5 | Check Price |
Nabaiji Travel Towel | Several sizes available | Polyester, Polyamid | 4,5 / 5 | Check Price |
Benefits Microfiber towel
- Small foldable
- Fast drying
- Low weight
- antibacterial
- Easy to care for
- doesn’t lint
- Less dirt (such as dust or sand) gets stuck in it
Cons microfiber towel
- Less absorbent than terry towels
- Touch is not as soft
- Can’t be washed too hot
- Can’t be dried in a dryer
Microfiber towels are everywhere
While microfibre towels used to be known mostly from cleaning rags, today they are popular in many fields.
The biggest area of use is arguably for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts, such as campers, as the towel takes up little space and weighs less than traditional towels.
But also in the world of sport, the versatile towel has already arrived. It takes up little space in your sports bag and dries quickly. Many also use it for yoga.
Also for a beach visit: the microfiber towel probably the best travel beach towel. Due to its fine texture, the sand does not stick to the towel, leaving the sand where it belongs and not in your bag.
Another great advantage of this towel is super useful for all ladies with natural curls, as it is gentle on the hair and curls don’t get messed up when drying.
The best towels for traveling
Nabaiji Travel towel – Our personal choice
The Nabaiji brand, which is known by the French sports chain Decathlon, also has various Nabaiji microfiber towels on the market. In addition to the normal towels, they are available in extra soft and with print.
We use this towel ourselves and are still satisfied with it after several years. Even after two long trips and dozens of washes, our towels are still soft and absorbent.
Pros of Nabaiji
- Various prints, colors, and sizes available
- also available in extra soft
Cons of Nabaiji
- Colors may be a little bit different than shown in the photo
- Ultrasoft towels can lose fluffiness when washed several times.
Available Colors: Different colors and prints
Size: Several sizes available
Material: Polyester, Polyamide
Weight: Depending on the size
Check further information and prices of this towel
Fit-Flip Sport Towel – The bestseller
Paraboo’s Fit-Flip sports towel is one of the most popular microfiber and travel towels on the market today. It comes in a variety of colors and shapes so that everyone definitely can find the size and color they’ve been looking for.
This hand towel, which has so many cool colors to choose from, is particularly popular for its absorbent material. It is not only suitable for sports but with its feather-light weight, it is the perfect companion for every journey.
Pros of Fit-Flip
- The towel is very gentle to the skin
- comes with a push-button loop for easy hanging
Cons of Fit-Flip
- The red towel can stain strongly during the first wash
Available Colors: 12
Size: All standard sizes available
Material: Polyester, Polyamide
Weight: 35 – 405 g
Check further information and prices of this towel
Rainleaf Travel and Sport Towel
The Rainleaf towel is considered to be extra soft and comfortable on the skin. Despite the higher softness factor, the super lightweight and the absorbency of this towel stay the same. The towel is available in different sizes and therefore perfect for every situation (usable for hands, hair, face, or body).
Due to its fast-drying material, the towel great for camping trips and similar. Moreover, it comes with a handy carrier bag with a zipper.
Pros of Rainleaf Towel
- soft to the skin
- comes with a loop and a bag
Cons of Rainleaf Towel
- Zipper from the carrier bag breaks quite easily
Available Colors: blue, gray, and dark green
Size: 24″ x 48″; 30″ x 50″; 34″ x 60″
Material: Polyester, Polyamide
Weight: Depending on the size
Check further information and prices of this towel
Wolfyok Microfiber Towel Set – The cheapest option
The Wolfyok Microfiber Towel comes in a practical set of a small and a large towel. One is big enough to use as a shower or swimming towel, the other one is quite small and therefore best used as a towel for your face or hands, which makes this set perfect for a beach or swimming trip.
The Wolfyok Towel is especially popular due to its cute purple color and its absorbency.
Pros of Wolfyok
- Sets include a big towel and a small hand towel
- hanging loop
- comes with a bag
Cons of Wolfyok
- Can leave lint when using it, even after being washed several times
Available Colors: Blue, purple, and gray
Size: XL: 58″ x 30″; 24″ x 16″
Material: Microfiber
Weight: XL: 8oz
Check further information and prices of this towel
Active Roots Microfiber Travel Towel – Get a towel and help elephants
The Active Roots Microfiber Travel Towel is not only helping you to find a travel towel but also helps you to do something good. It convinces with good quality and a lifetime guarantee. It was designed with help of a travel blogger, so they could really adjust it to traveler’s needs.
But the best feature of this towel is that with every purchase, they donate 5 % to the Elephant Conservation Center in Laos. How cool is that?!
Pros of Active Roots
- Snap loops
- comes with a stylish bag
- donates money
Cons of Active Roots
- Only two colors available
Available Colors: Blue and Gray
Size: Medium, XL and Combo (not further specified)
Material: Microfiber
Weight: Depending on the size
Check further information and prices of this towel
Cocoon Ultralight – The most absorbant
The Cocoon Towel is considered one of the best known in terms of microfiber and travel towels. This is probably particularly due to its popular brand, which also produces sleeping bags. This towel is supplied with a hanging loop with a quick-release fastener and a practical mesh bag for storage.
The Cocoon towel attaches great importance to absorbency: It can absorb 4 times its own weight.
Pros of Cocoon
- suspension loop
- quick release
- can absorb a lot of water
Cons of Cocoon
- might take a little longer to absorb water
- takes longer to dry than others
Available Colors: 6 different colors
Size: XS: 7.5″ x 7,5″; 12″ x 12″; S: 24″ x 12″; M: 35″ x 20″; L: 47″ x 24″; XL: 59″ x 31″
Material: Polyester, Nylon
Weight: 0.3 oz – 12.7 oz
Check further information and prices of this towel
How to wash your microfiber towel properly
As you’ve probably already noticed, the way to wash your microfiber towel is a bit different from a traditional terry towel. First of all, you should, of course, pay attention to the washing information of each towel, in case there are any exceptions to the general rules of thumb.
The first wash
Many of the towels are losing color the first time you wash them. Especially for the ones with strong colors should be washed separately for the first time to avoid the color to dye the rest of your laundry (I assume here that you are not really keen on wearing all your white shirts from now on in pink). Later, you should wash the towels with similar colors, because especially at the beginning color can come out of the towels even after having washed them several times.
Can I wash a microfiber towel in the washing machine?
Yes, you can machine wash your towel without any problems.
At what temperature should I wash my microfiber towel?
While you can wash traditional towels easily at 60°C (140°F), you should definitely avoid this with microfibers. The towels should be washed at no more than 30°C – 40°C (86°F – 104°F). Again, the best is to read the washing information given with your towel.
Can I use softener?
No! Be sure to keep your microfiber towels away from fabric softener. It can destroy its thin fibers.
Can I dry it in the dryer?
You should try to avoid drying your microfiber towel in a dryer. But don’t worry, the towels are fast drying even without a dryer.
Can I wash microfiber towels together with regular towels?
Yes and no. In theory, there is nothing wrong with washing both types of textiles together. However, conventional towels should usually be washed at at least 60°C (140°F) (often washed with fabric softener), while microfiber towels should be washed below 60°C without using softener.
FAQ about Microfiber Towels
How good are microfiber towels?
The quality can, of course, differ depending on the towel. Although they are not perceived as being as fluffy as conventional towels, they are far more absorbent than you might think. Depending on the brand, they can as high-quality than regular towels.
Why a microfiber towel?
Microfiber towels have many advantages over conventional towels: They weigh less, take up less space, and dry faster.
Can I wash a microfiber towel at 60°C/140°F?
No. You shouldn’t wash your microfiber towel above 40°C (104°F). Because at 60°C, the fine fibers of the towel can break.
Can I use my microfiber for my hair?
Yes, you can use your microfiber towel on your hair, too. Due to its gentle nature, the fine fibers can even be better for the hair structure than conventional towels.
Is Microfiber Bad For Your Skin?
No. You can use the microfiber towels for all skin types.
How long do microfiber towels last?
There is no expiration date. You can use the towels as long as they seem fine and feel comfortable to use. With regular use, your towel should withstand at least 2 years or about 500 washes. If you only use the microfiber towel while you travel, it should usually last longer.
Conclusion
Such a microfiber towel is not only the ideal companion for your next trip, but also for the gym, yoga, or for camping. With its lightweight and its super small size, this fast-drying towel is simply amazing.
Although the softness and the feeling of getting dry are not comparable to a traditional towel, the microfiber towel is the perfect travel gadget. (Of course, at home, you can stick to your terry and cotton towels.)
What do you think about microfiber towels? Are there any other advantages or disadvantages? Or are you even using another kind of towel for traveling? Let us know in the comments below!
