Whether you are jumping in a mountain lake, chasing waves, wading in a stream, or cleaning in a campsite, you will need to wipe it dry at some point. When you are shivering in the woods or on the beach, it is better to have a towel than nothing. But the most suitable for outdoor activities are camping towels. They dry quickly, are easy to clean, have almost no weight, and are odor-resistant.
We have collected some of the best-performing towels that can help you stay dry, but will not make you feel heavy (or start to smell after only one use). These are the top choices to know.
The perfect high-tech towel is soft and fits the skin, absorbs water and is firm, this towel can meet all conditions. Even after three years of use, PackTowl is still the first choice for a tester's car camping and travel kit. Its polyester and nylon microfibers are very soft and comfortable even on the most sensitive parts such as the face. The "body" size can be reduced to the size of a shoe box, weighing only 10 ounces. It is completely dry within an hour after soaking, and polyethylene odor control can prevent it from smelling like lake water (or worse). In addition to the body, it has three other sizes: face, hand and beach.
After washing, synthetic clothing will shed tiny microfibers, polluting our water resources. More and more brands, including Lava Linens, are beginning to pay attention to this issue: The company uses French linen that does not fall off to make towels. This material is not as soft as microfiber at first, but will wear out over time. This towel is also heavier than the other options (17 ounces), but it dries quickly (especially when you hang it on the attached organic hemp ring). It also earns more environmental points because of its hypoallergenic and biodegradable properties.
For ultra-lightweight options, consider Sea to Summit's Airlite towels. As one of the smallest and lightest models on the market, it comes in four sizes-small, medium, large and extra-large-for drying your face, hands or whole body. The absorption capacity of polyester microfiber in water is more than three times its weight, but the largest option weighs less than three ounces, which is very suitable for backpacking, bicycle backpacking or other human adventures where every pound is important.
This matador towel is made by a small and practical accessory master. It is so small that you may lose it in your backpack. It can be put into a mesh storage bag with a carabiner, and can be clipped to the key like a keychain. However, it provides great performance when decompressing. When wet, it can absorb up to 2.3 times its own weight in water. Choose from two sizes: the large towel weighs 2.9 ounces, and the small towel weighs 0.88 ounces.
[Large 36 dollars; matadorup.com]
Solid color towels can be boring, but Nomadix collaborates with talented designers to add personality to its product line. The company’s Original Towel has more than 80 designs, some of which are inspired by American national parks such as Grand Teton, Glacier and Joshua Tree. Each piece is made of MicroTerry fabric recycled after consumption, which is non-slip when wet; this fabric can also resist sand, odor and pet hair.
Outdoor blanket manufacturer Rumpl and Hawaiian-style footwear brand OluKai have teamed up to create this tropical-colored Everywhere Towels limited edition series. Each size is 26.5 x 72 inches (approximately the size of an ordinary beach towel), made of polyester micro suede, soft to the touch, and can be rolled into a yoga mat size. From the beach to yoga to the swimming pool. Bonus: Free shipping.
Looking for a bigger option where you can surround yourself? This towel from Wise Owl Outfitters is 30% larger than standard towels and measures 4 feet x 7 feet. Lie down when the sun is shining, or lie in it after dunking under the waves. Polyester microfiber feels a bit like soft flannel, which is very suitable to absorb sweat after strenuous exercise or dry in water for a day.
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