Best Camping Towels: Which One to Buy

For most campers, a thin, quick-dry microfiber towel in a medium size is the best all-round choice, while ultralight backpackers should look at the smallest packable towels, and car campers or families can bring a larger microfiber or a lightweight cotton-blend towel. The deciding factors are pack weight, how quickly the towel dries between uses, and how much body you need to cover.

Camping Towels at a Glance

Check the maker’s page for current sizes, weights and fabric details, because camping towel lines are updated regularly and some sizes are renamed or dropped.

What Matters Most in a Camping Towel

Weight and packed size

If you carry everything on your back, grams matter. Ultralight towels are designed to fold into a pouch that can be smaller than a fist. Car campers do not need to count grams and can choose a larger towel with more coverage.

Drying speed

A towel that stays damp can get musty in a tent or bag. Makers of synthetic camping towels emphasize quick drying, and reviewers generally agree that thin microfiber dries faster than cotton terry. Hanging the towel on a pack, guy line or tree branch for a few minutes in the sun and wind speeds that up in practice.

Absorbency and feel

Microfiber is absorbent for its weight, but some people dislike the slightly grippy feel on skin. Chamois-style towels absorb by wringing out and re-using, which can feel unusual at first. Cotton feels familiar but holds water for longer.

Odor control

Some makers apply an antimicrobial finish to reduce odor on towels that stay damp. Treat that as a helpful bonus, not a replacement for drying and washing the towel regularly.

Durability and edges

Look for finished edges and a loop for hanging. A towel with a hang loop is easier to dry on the go, and a stitched border may resist fraying better than a cut edge.

Size Guide

• Small (about face-towel or hand-towel size): good for wiping hands, face, dishes and dew from a tent. Not enough for a full body dry-off.
• Medium: the best compromise for a one-person trip. Dries the body reasonably well and still packs small.
• Large: better for taller people, shared use or swimming at a lake. Takes more room and dries more slowly.

Sea to Summit lists several size options for its Airlite and DryLite lines, and PackTowl lists multiple sizes as well. Choose by comparing the dimensions on the maker’s page with a towel you already own.

Budget Tiers

• Budget: generic microfiber packs, often sold as sets of two or more sizes. They work well for occasional camping, though stitching and fabric quality vary.
• Mid-range: well-known outdoor brands such as Sea to Summit DryLite, which are sized and packed for travel and usually come with a pouch.
• Premium: the lightest fabrics from specialist outdoor brands, including Sea to Summit Airlite, which is marketed on very low weight and small packed size, and PackTowl lines.

Pick X If …

Care and Safety Notes

Follow the maker’s care label. Microfiber is usually washed in mild detergent without fabric softener and dried on low heat or air dried. Avoid washing it with items that shed lint. Do not store a damp towel in a closed pouch for long periods, because that is a common source of musty smell. At camp, rinse the towel with clean water if it picks up sunscreen, insect repellent or salt, then hang it to dry.

Keep towels away from open flames and camp stoves. Synthetic fabrics can melt or burn, and the maker will not usually rate towels for use near heat. Do not rely on a towel for warmth in cold conditions, and if you get wet in cool weather, dry off and change into dry layers.

Alternatives to Consider

• Bandana or buff: a very light option for a face wipe, though it does not replace a towel.
• Sarong or thin cotton wrap: works as a towel, shade or cover, and many people already own one.
• Standard small bath towel: fine for short car-camping trips if you can hang it to dry.

Packing and Drying Tips

1. Keep the towel in a side pocket or outside the pack so it can dry while you walk.
2. Shake it out and hang it as soon as you stop for the night.
3. Bring a second small towel for dishes or hands if you share the main one.
4. Launder it after the trip before you store it for the next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best size camping towel for one person?

A medium size is a good starting point for most solo campers because it covers the body without taking much pack space. Taller people or swimmers may prefer a large. Backpackers who mostly wipe off with a towel can choose a small.

Are microfiber camping towels better than cotton?

For camping, makers and reviewers generally favor microfiber because it is lighter and dries faster. Cotton feels softer and is fine for car camping where weight and drying time matter less.

Why does my camping towel smell?

A damp towel stored in a pouch is the usual cause. Hang it to dry fully each day, wash it after the trip, and avoid fabric softener, which can reduce absorbency and trap odor.

Can I use a camping towel for swimming?

Yes, many camping towels are designed for quick drying after a swim. A larger size is more comfortable for a full dry-off, and rinsing off salt or chlorine before storage helps the fabric last.

How do I wash a camping towel?

Follow the care label. In general, use mild detergent and no fabric softener, and then air dry or tumble on low heat. Rinse at camp with clean water when you can.

Is an ultralight towel worth it for casual camping?

Probably not. Ultralight towels are mostly about saving weight and space, so car campers can choose a larger and cheaper towel without noticing a difference in the pack.