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For my first ever camping trip, I packed a big, fluffy bath towel from home. It seemed like a sensible idea at the time. It took up about a quarter of my bag, weighed a ton after my first trip to the campsite showers, and was still damp and musty two days later. It was a classic beginner mistake, and one I see people making all the time.
Switching to a proper microfibre camping towel is a small change that makes a huge difference. They are incredibly lightweight, pack down to a fraction of the size of a normal towel, absorb a surprising amount of water, and, most importantly, they dry out in no time. Here are my top picks for every type of camper.
My Top Recommendations in Brief
- ✔ Best Overall: Soft Weave Microfibre Towel
- ✔ Best Value: Two-for-One Multi-Pack
- ✔ Most Compact: Ultralight Pocket Towel
Quick Comparison Table
| Product | Material | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Weave Towel | Soft Weave | Large | Overall Comfort |
| Smooth Weave Towel | Smooth Weave | Medium | Budget & Speed |
| Multi-Pack | Microfibre | Large + Small | Value & Versatility |
| Ultralight Towel | Ultralight | Small | Backpacking |
| Sand-Free Towel | Sand-Free Weave | Extra Large | Beach Days |
Detailed Reviews
1. Soft Weave Microfibre Towel
Best Overall
Key Specs:
- Best For: Overall Comfort
- Material: Soft Weave Microfibre
- Size: Large (e.g., 70x140cm)
- Features: Carry Case, Hanging Loop
This is the perfect upgrade from a traditional cotton towel. Newer soft weave or 'suede' microfibre feels much more like a normal towel against your skin, making it more comfortable to use.
It still packs all the benefits of microfibre: it is super absorbent, lightweight, and dries much faster than a conventional towel. Most come with a handy hanging loop and their own ventilated carry case. For most car campers, this offers the best of all worlds.
Pros & Cons
- Comfortable and soft on the skin
- Dries very quickly
- Highly absorbent
- Slightly bulkier and more expensive than basic smooth-weave towels
My Verdict
For the perfect blend of home comfort and camping performance, a soft-weave microfibre towel is the top choice. It is a simple upgrade that makes a big difference.
2. Smooth Weave Microfibre Towel
The Classic & Budget Option
Key Specs:
- Best For: Budget & Speed
- Material: Smooth Weave Microfibre
- Size: Medium (e.g., 60x120cm)
- Features: Extremely fast drying
This is the original and still brilliant camping towel. The smooth texture can feel a little strange at first. You tend to pat yourself dry rather than rub. But its performance is undeniable.
These towels can absorb several times their own weight in water and then dry out astonishingly fast, often in under an hour on a breezy day. They are also typically the cheapest and most lightweight option, making them a fantastic budget-friendly choice for any camper.
Pros & Cons
- Dries incredibly quickly
- Very lightweight and compact
- Excellent value for money
- The smooth texture isn't for everyone
- Can feel a bit like a car cleaning cloth
My Verdict
If you prioritise performance and value over a traditional feel, the classic smooth microfibre towel is an unbeatable choice. It is a smart, practical bit of kit.
3. Two-for-One Multi-Pack
Best Value
Key Specs:
- Best For: Value & Versatility
- Material: Microfibre
- Size: Large + Small
- Features: Excellent value
For smart budget camping, a multi-pack is a fantastic idea. These sets typically include a large towel, perfect for the shower, and a smaller hand towel. This is incredibly useful.
You can use the small one for drying your hands after washing up, as a gym towel for a run, or for the kids to use. Buying them as a set is almost always cheaper than buying them individually, making it a very economical way to get kitted out.
Pros & Cons
- Superb value for money
- Provides two useful sizes
- Great for families
- Quality can sometimes be more basic than premium single towels
My Verdict
This is the smartest way to buy camping towels. A multi-pack gives you great flexibility and brilliant value, making it my top recommendation for budget-conscious campers.
4. Ultralight Pocket Towel
For Backpacking
Key Specs:
- Best For: Backpacking & Hiking
- Material: Ultralight Microfibre
- Size: Small (e.g., 40x80cm)
- Features: Tiny pack size, minimal weight
When you are carrying everything on your back, a standard camping towel is still too big and heavy. This is where specialist ultralight towels come in.
They are made from incredibly thin but highly absorbent material and pack down into a tiny stuff sack that can be as small as a pack of cards. They are not luxurious, but for a multi-day hike where you need to dry off after a wild swim or a rain shower, their tiny size and near-zero weight are what matters most.
Pros & Cons
- Incredibly lightweight
- Packs down to a tiny size
- Dries almost instantly
- Small and thin
- Not very comfortable to use
- Expensive for its size
My Verdict
An essential bit of specialist kit for any serious backpacker or wild camper. The weight and space saving is phenomenal.
5. Sand-Free Beach Towel
The Beach Behemoth
Key Specs:
- Best For: Beach Days
- Material: Sand-Free Weave
- Size: Extra Large (e.g., 80x160cm)
- Features: Sand shakes off easily
Many UK camping trips involve a day at the beach, and this is where these towels excel. They are huge, often big enough for two people to lie on. More importantly, they use a special, super tight weave of microfibre that sand does not stick to.
At the end of the day, you can just give it a quick shake, and all the sand falls right off, meaning you do not bring it all back to the tent with you. They still have all the usual quick-dry benefits of a microfibre towel, just in a bigger package.
Pros & Cons
- Sand does not stick to the material
- Huge size
- Still packs down small
- Large size can be bulky even when packed
- More expensive
My Verdict
If your camping trips always include the beach, a sand-free towel is a brilliant investment. The ability to leave the sand at the seaside is a genuine luxury.
Buyer's Guide: What I Look For
Here is what you need to look for when buying a camping towel.
Material & Weave
This is down to personal preference. Classic 'smooth' weave microfibre is the fastest drying. Newer 'soft' or 'suede' weaves feel much more like a traditional cotton towel, which many people find more comfortable.
Size Matters
Think about what you will use it for. A small or medium towel is fine for drying hands. For the campsite showers, you will want a Large or X-Large size that you can properly wrap around yourself.
Key Features
Look out for useful extras. An antibacterial treatment is great as it helps prevent the towel from getting smelly. A small sewn-in hanging loop is also incredibly useful for hanging it up to dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between smooth and soft microfibre towels?
It's mostly down to personal preference. Classic 'smooth' weave microfibre (which can feel like a car cleaning cloth) is the fastest drying and packs the smallest. Newer 'soft' or 'suede' weaves feel much more like a traditional cotton towel, which many people find more comfortable, but they are slightly bulkier and take a fraction longer to dry.
What size camping towel do I need?
I recommend a Large or Extra Large (e.g., 70x140cm or 80x160cm) as your main shower towel. This is big enough to comfortably wrap around yourself. A small or medium towel (e.g., 40x80cm) is perfect as a second towel for drying hands, washing up, or for taking on a hike.
Are antibacterial camping towels worth it?
Yes, I think so. The antibacterial treatment (often using silver ions) helps prevent the towel from smelling musty, especially if you have to pack it away before it's 100% dry. It's a great feature for multi-day trips or camping in damp UK weather.
