When backpacking, you want to pack as light as possible and save as much space in your bag as you can. A normal bathroom towel isn’t the best choice when traveling, as they take up a lot of room, can become heavy, and are slow to dry, yet you want to be able to travel with a towel so as not to rely on hotels or hostels. Here are five of the best Microfibre travel towels to take with you on your travels that are quick-dry, light, and compact.

Rainleaf Microfiber Towel

 

The Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is perfect for camping, backpacking, general travel, and sport. Made using 200g microfiber, the Rainleaf towel is quick to dry and can be repeatedly used in a short period of time, but can also absorb as much as five times its weight in water. With a suede-like feel, the towel is also incredibly soft and suitable for use on the skin, even for those with sensitive skin. For practicality, the Rainleaf towel features a hang snap loop so that you can hang your towel to dry anywhere and not have to worry about it getting dirty or blowing away. The towel comes in 6 size variations (between 12×24 inches and 40×72 inches) for a multitude of different uses such as a face towel, gym towel, or pool towel, and comes in seven different colors. Each towel comes folded in a mesh carrying bag with a handle, perfect for compact packing or to clip onto your backpack to save space.

Bazaar Anatolia Herringbone Turkish Towel

 

For those looking for a more eco-friendly and natural option for a travel towel, the Bazaar Anatolia Herringbone Turkish Towel is the one for you. While microfibre towels are absorbent and very quick to dry, they are made from synthetic fibres, and so aren’t great for the environment when compared to natural fibres. These towels are made in Turkey using high-quality 100% cotton and are dyed using only natural colorants without harmful substances or chemicals. Weighing 15 oz, this towel is very soft, quick to dry, and very absorbent. Each towel measures 190x90cm and can be purchased in a range of 16 colors. These towels are also incredibly versatile, as they can also be used as beach towels, shawls, or travel blankets, making them perfect for light travelers looking for a multi-purpose product. Unlike most microfibre travel towels, this Turkish towel doesn’t come with a purpose-made carry case but does come with a PVC case for easy storage in your luggage. For those wanting the option to clip the towel onto their backpack, a simple mesh laundry bag with a hanging loop can be purchased very cheaply and used to hold the towel.

4Monster Microfiber Towel

 

This ultra-compact microfibre travel towel from 4Monster is perfect for all types of travel, and is arguably the best microfiber towel for travel, especially for backpackers needing to save on space. Made from 100% polyester microfiber, this travel towel is not only super soft and lightweight but is perfect for those with sensitive skin. The 4Monster towel is highly absorbent, quick to dry, and features high-quality sewing to ensure that the quality will last. The main feature of this towel is its hard, compact carrying case, which allows for the towel to be folded up and easily packed or hung onto your backpack, and also serves to protect the towel. Alongside this, each towel comes with a hanging loop so that you can air-dry your towel without worrying about it blowing away, or to clip to your backpack to dry as you walk. The towel comes in 3 sizes and 5 different bright colors, various options perfect for hair drying, skin drying, or even for a multitude of cleaning jobs that might need doing while on your travels. All towels are colored using natural plant-based dyes, so you can rest assured that they’re safe for use on the body.

Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Towel

 

The microfiber travel towel from Wise Owl Outfitters is specially designed for fitness activities and travel. This towel is ultra-soft, fast-drying, incredibly absorbent, as well as being incredibly light, and comes in two full-sized variations and seven different colors. Even better, each full-size towel comes with a second smaller microfiber washcloth or hand towel alongside a mesh carry bag to make transportation as easy as possible. The large towel set weighs just 6.8 oz with the case included, while the extra-large size comes in at just 10.8 oz. Each towel also features an elastic snap loop that can be used to hang your towel out to dry or to keep it secured while rolled up. This brand is best known for the incredibly fast drying time of its towels, and their odor-resistant material. Wise Owl Outfitters also have a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee, to ensure that you are completely happy with your new towel.

OlimpiaFit Towel Set

 

For those not sure of what size towel to get, or those wanting to make sure they’re equipped for all occasions, this three-piece microfiber towel set from OlimpiaFit is a great-value option. These microfiber towels are incredibly soft and gentle on the skin, super absorbent, quick-drying, and can roll up to a compact size four times smaller than terry cloth towels. Each towel in the set is also hypoallergenic and treated with an antimicrobial agent, making them suitable for all skin types and perfect for family use. If you’re planning on using these towels during sports or yoga, they are also made from slip-resistant microfiber, making them perfect for a workout. The set comes with a large body towel measuring 50×30 inches, a medium-sized head towel measuring 30×15 inches, and a smaller face towel measuring 15×15 inches. This towel set comes with a mesh carry case, as well as a purpose-made elastic band to keep all of the towels tightly secured when rolled up. For convenience, each towel has a care instruction label that doubles as a loop for drying out.

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015 and has been living abroad since 2014. Originally from Canada, she has embraced a digital nomad lifestyle, working online from various destinations worldwide. Melissa is passionate about travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit. Her extensive travels have taken her across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Currently, she resides in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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