Best Travel Towels: What Should You Actually Look For?
Packing for a trip usually starts with the obvious things.
Clothes are folded. Toiletries are tucked away. The charger has somehow disappeared into the bottom of the bag, and you’ve checked your passport more than once.
Then, just when you think you’re done, you remember the towel.
Your usual bath towel may be soft and comfortable at home, but taking it on a trip is a different matter. It can be bulky, take up more room than expected and become quite heavy once it is wet.
But choosing a travel towel doesn’t mean you have to settle for something tiny.
Sometimes, a better choice is a towel that is large enough to be genuinely useful while still being easy to carry.
That is one reason Turkish towels have become a popular option for travellers.
Start with the size you actually need
When you’re trying to save space, it can be tempting to go for the smallest towel you can find.
But think about how you’re going to use it.
If you’re spending the day at the beach, for example, you may want enough room to sit on comfortably, dry yourself after a swim or wrap it around yourself when the weather cools down.
A towel for a weekend in a city may have completely different requirements.
The same goes for camping, pool days or longer trips where you may be using the same towel repeatedly.
So don’t choose the size simply because it takes up less room.
Think about what you’ll actually need from it once you arrive.
A large towel doesn’t have to be bulky
This is where the construction of a towel makes a difference.
Thick bath towels can be lovely to use, but their fluffy construction also makes them quite bulky. Turkish towels have a flatter woven design, so they don’t have the same amount of bulk.
That means you can have a generously sized towel without feeling as though you’ve packed half your bathroom into your suitcase.
It can also be easier to fold or roll, which gives you more options when you’re trying to fit everything into your luggage.
The idea isn’t to sacrifice size just to save space.
It’s about getting the space you need without carrying more bulk than necessary.
Think about the towel after you’ve used it
A dry towel is easy to pack.
A wet one is another story.
Imagine you’re travelling from one place to another. You went swimming that morning, used your towel and now you’re getting ready to leave. There isn’t enough time for it to dry completely before it needs to go back into your bag.
That’s when the difference between towels becomes noticeable.
Because of their lighter woven construction, Turkish towels can dry relatively quickly when they are properly hung and have enough airflow.
This can be particularly useful when you’re moving between destinations or using the same towel more than once during a trip.
You don’t want your towel becoming the dampest thing in your suitcase.
Beach days are a good test
A towel can work perfectly well in a bathroom and still be inconvenient at the beach.
Then there’s the sand.
It gets everywhere, including your towel.
Thick towel fibres can hold onto quite a bit of sand, which isn’t exactly helpful when you’re packing everything up at the end of the day. A flatter woven towel can be easier to shake out before you leave.
The weight matters too.
Carrying a large towel to the beach is one thing. Carrying a heavy, wet one back afterwards is another.
A generously sized Turkish towel can give you the coverage you want without feeling unnecessarily heavy to carry.
Comfort still matters
Just because you’re travelling doesn’t mean comfort should disappear from the list.
After a long day of walking around a new city or spending hours at the beach, you’ll still want a towel that feels pleasant against your skin.
Cotton remains a popular choice because it is comfortable and absorbent. Traditional Turkish towels are generally made from cotton and have a flatter construction than the thick terry towels many people are used to.
That gives them a different texture and feel, but they can still be perfectly suitable for drying off after a shower or swim.
And with proper care, good-quality cotton towels can become softer with regular washing and use.
One towel can be useful in more than one situation
Packing becomes much easier when the things in your bag have more than one purpose.
A towel might be used after your morning shower, then come with you to the pool in the afternoon. The following day, it could go to the beach.
It can also be useful for camping, the gym or a sauna.
Depending on its size, you may even use it as a light wrap, sarong or something to sit on during a picnic.
You don’t necessarily need a separate towel for every activity.
Sometimes, one good towel is enough.
Don’t forget how you’ll pack it
A large towel isn’t automatically difficult to pack.
Because Turkish towels have a flatter construction, they can be folded or rolled quite easily. This is one reason Turkish towels in Sydney can be a practical choice for travellers and beachgoers who want something generous in size without adding unnecessary bulk to their bags.
You can tuck one between your clothes, place it along the side of a suitcase or fit it into a larger section of your travel bag.
This can be particularly useful if you’re travelling with a backpack or trying to keep your luggage organised.
You don’t want to spend ten minutes rearranging your suitcase just because you’ve added a towel.
A good travel towel should fit into your packing rather than work against it.
What should you check before buying?
Before choosing one, forget the label for a moment and look at the towel itself.
Size: Is it large enough for the way you plan to use it?
Weight: Will it be comfortable to carry along with the rest of your luggage?
Material: Does it feel good against your skin and absorb moisture well?
Drying time: Will it be practical if you need to use it again later?
Construction: Is the weave well-made and suitable for regular use?
Versatility: Can you use it at the beach, pool, bathroom, gym or campsite?
These details are much more useful than simply choosing something because it has the words “travel towel” on the packaging.
Also read: The Secret to Keeping Sand Out of Your Car After a Beach Day
So, what actually makes a good travel towel?
There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.
Someone going on a beach holiday may want a larger towel with plenty of coverage. A backpacker may be more concerned about weight and packing space. A family might want something that can be used throughout the day in several different places.
The important thing is finding a towel that suits the trip you’re actually taking.
A good travel towel should be comfortable, practical and easy enough to carry. It should also be useful once you reach your destination rather than simply being something you’ve managed to squeeze into your luggage.
Turkish towels can offer a good balance of these qualities through their cotton construction, flatter weave, generous sizing and lighter feel.
And there’s another advantage.
You can keep using one when the holiday is over.
A towel that travels well can become an everyday favourite
There is no reason for a travel towel to spend most of the year sitting inside a cupboard.
Take it on holiday, bring it home and use it after your shower. Keep it in your gym bag during the week, then take it to the beach when the weekend arrives.
That is what makes a versatile towel worth having.
It isn’t useful only because it fits into your suitcase. It is useful because it continues to fit into your life after the suitcase has been unpacked.
Loopys offers Turkish towels made from 100% organic cotton, woven in Turkey and designed in Australia, with styles and sizes suited to travel, beach days, pools, gyms, saunas and everyday use.
So when you’re looking for the best travel towels, don’t automatically choose the smallest one you can find.
Look for one that gives you enough space and comfort to be useful, while keeping the weight and bulk reasonable.
Because the best travel towel isn’t the one you barely notice in your bag.
It’s the one you are glad you packed.
