5 Best Microfiber Travel Towels to Buy Online (Compact & Dry Fast!)

 

5 Best Microfiber Travel Towels to Buy Online that are Compact and Dry Fast! 

When backpacking, one of your biggest pain points is going to be space. Damp smelly clothes will be another…

There’s nothing worse than travelling between destinations with a damp travel towel in your bag (because it didn’t dry in time), leaving you with a bag full of musty odour at your arrival. 

Gross…

Given the larger size and weight of traditional bath towels, they do not make the best travel towels. They take up too much space in your backpack, are heavy when wet and take ages to dry.

They can also be a thriving home for bacteria if damp for an extended period of time or you’re unable to wash them after multiple uses.

Trust me, that really sucks when you are moving between destinations every few days.

In this article, I will be explaining:

• The benefits of microfibre (or microfiber) travel towels compared to normal bath towels
• Important considerations before you buy and
• The best travel towel (best microfiber towel for travel)

After hours of research and reviewing many travel towel brands, I have narrowed the contenders down to these five. I believe these are the best microfibre travel towels, especially for Australian backpackers.

Skip to Best Travel Towel Winners >

 

 

The Benefits of Microfibre Towels vs. Standard Towels

Compared to standard bath towels, microfibre (or microfiber) travel towels:

• Have antibacterial/antimicrobial properties which help to prevent the build up of bacteria, germs and other bad odours
• Are a lot smaller and thinner and therefore take up less space and prime real estate in your backpack
• Are more absorbent, with some able to absorb around 4-5 times their weight in water
• Are quick-drying, drying 5-10 times faster than a standard towel
• Can be used multiple times before washing (which is good when camping or backpacking)
• Are made from material is that is soft on sensitive skin 
• Usually come with a small convenient carry back which makes packing easy
• Can be used as both a bath towel and a beach towel

This is why they have become such an important necessity for travellers, and are often considered one of the best travel towels in terms of the added benefits they provide. 

I have been using microfibre towels for travel and other water adventures, and can confidently admit that I’ll never go back. They save you SO MUCH pain when moving between destinations and have little time to dry your towel.

 

3 Things to Know Before Buying a Microfibre/ Microfiber Travel Towel 

Before you go ahead and buy a microfiber towel, it is really important to consider the following:

• Material
• Size
• Washing requirements

Doing so will help you find the best-suited microfiber towel for your travel and backpacking adventures.

 

1. Material

From my research, I have discovered that most microfibre (or microfiber) travel towels contain a combination of the following synthetic materials:

• Polyester (a kind of plastic – who knew?)
• Polyamide / Nylon
• Polygiene

I’m definitely no chemist or dressmaker, but some sources have mentioned that Polyamide and Nylon can be used interchangeably (Ie. they’re a similar kind of material, if not the same thing).

The term “microfibre” simply means that the fibres within the towel have been split into very fine strands making the towel more porous and fast-drying. 

Polyester helps to give the towel some structure while Polyamide adds density and absorption. 

My microfibre travel towel is made out of Polyester Polyamide, however it doesn’t tell me the exact percentage of each. I have however come across various travel towel brands that contain around 85% polyester and 15% polyamide.

When looking for the best microfiber towel for travel, the general rule of thumb is to look for a 80/20 or 70/30 ratio of polyester to polyamide. 

But this is definitely easier said than done, given many travel towel brands don’t list the material makeup. Instead, they often just call it “microfibre”.

The problem with this general statement is that not all “microfibre” travel towels are the same. The best way to tell whether your microfibre travel towel is high quality is by feel. 

 

The best microfibre travel towels:

• Absorb liquid rather than pushing it around
• Feel soft but grippy on your skin
• Last numerous washes without losing its shape/feel
• Pickup and hold dirt and dust (except I’m not sure that you’d really want to try this out!)

There are some microfibre towels that appear to be more “sticky” than others. This can be an advantage for drying, but a disadvantage in that they often attract more grass fibres, burs, leaves etc.

Especially if you’re clumsy like me and accidentally drop it or drag it along the ground….I can vouch from experience that this is an easy way to destroy your previously pleasant post-shower drying experience! 

 

2. Size

Alongside material makeup, I feel that the size of your travel towel is an important consideration. 

Similar to standard towels, microfibre towels come in all shapes and sizes. However, there are some sizes that are better suited for backpackers than others. 

Given that space in your bag will be your greatest limitation, I usually opt for a travel towel that is smaller compared to a standard towel, yet large enough to cover all the important bits and pieces.

If you’re a female, it’s best to find a towel that you can comfortably wrap around your body, covering your boobs and hoo-ha – but not down to your knees/shins. As a male, you have a bit more flexibility, unless you too are sensitive about your nipples. 

If planning to go to a beach-side destination, you may want to order something that is large enough to sit on.

My microfiber travel towel has the following dimensions:

• Large:  27 inches (W) x  52 inches (L) / 68cm (W) x 132cm (L)

This size is PERFECT for me – however, I am a little pocket rocket of only 160cm tall. If you’re taller than me, or have a long torso, you may want to go for the size up. 

If you’re unsure which size you should get, I’d suggest getting either a large or extra-large microfibre travel towel between the dimensions of:

• Width: 24 – 30 inches (60 – 76 cm)
• Length: 50 – 60  inches (127 – 150cm)

This will ensure that you’re getting a travel towel that is small enough to save space, but large enough to be practical. 

 

3. Washing Requirements

If you’re looking to buy a quick-drying microfibre towel for travel, it is worth buying one in advance of your trip because most suppliers recommend that you wash your microfibre travel towel before the first use.

Generally, you should only wash your travel towel on a cold and gentle machine wash cycle to prevent any damage to the fibres. Many also recommend that you don’t tumble dry, however I have one this a couple of times – whoops!

It’s also important to wash the towel on its own for the first 2-3 times, as some products have been known to bleed colour. Colours bleeding in your washing load is sure to cause devastation for any traveller. 

So yeah, definitely wash it at least once before you go, on a gentle cool cycle and not with any other items of clothing.

Skip to the Best Travel Towel Winners >

 

Where to Buy a Quality Microfiber Towel for Travel

When buying a travel towel, you have a couple of options.

The most popular places to find good quality travel towels is from a travel/outdoor adventure store or to buy from a reputable brand online. They both have corresponding pros and cons, so you just have to go for what suits you best.

The main pro of buying in-store is that you get to feel the material and get an idea of the size before you buy it. You also buy it instantly, so it can be handy if short on time. However, the con is that you usually pay a premium price (especially if buying from a premium travel brand). 

The main pro of buying online is that you can find cheaper alternatives and get good value for money. It can also be handy if you don’t live close to a store that sells microfibre towels. 

The cons of buying online are that you don’t get to feel the material and it is harder to tell whether you’re getting a quality product. You also have to wait on delivery, which is not ideal if you have left purchasing a towel to the last minute. However, this is easily overcome with most companies offering returns and refunds if not satisfied. 

My favourite online store for travel gear is Amazon.com. They have such an amazing diversity of good reputable brands to choose from, deliver quickly and have loads of customer reviews to help you buy the right travel towel.

My favourite in-person stores to check out in Australia are:

• Kathmandu 
• MacPac and
• Anaconda

This is what my microfiber towel for travel looks like:

I can’t remember where I got this towel from as it was a while ago, but here are the main features:

• Size: Large:  27 inches (W) x  52 inches (L) | 68cm (W) x 132cm (L) 
• Brand: Escape Outdoors
• Colour: Teal
• Material: Microfibre – Polyester Polyamide
• Packed size: Rolls up into a 6 x 10 inch mesh bag 

 

5 Best Microfiber Towels for Travel and to Buy Online 

To save yourself the effort of shopping in person or going to multiple stores (because you can’t find what you want)… here are some awesome quick drying towels for travel that you can check out online.

If you plan to travel for a long period of time, every penny you carry is extremely precious. Shopping online can help you save some coin.

After spending hours researching different microfibre travel towel brands and products, I have managed to narrow the options down to these top 5 products. 

I have based my scoring and recommendations on:

• The material
• The available sizes
• Perceived quality and 
• Customer reviews

Let’s take a look at some of the best online travel towel brands, starting from 5 (good) – 1 (best).

Skip to the Best Travel Towel Winners >

 

5. Macpac Microfibre Travel Towel

• Product:  1 x microfiber travel towel
• Sizes available:    Large (19 x 39 inches) and X-Large (29 x 59 inches)
• Material:   Microfiber – 85% Polyester, 15% Polyamide
• Colour:  Two colours – Black and blue
• Reviews:    60% 5 star reviews of  7+ reviews

View on MacPac

Pros:

• Great absorption and quick-drying
• Thin, lightweight and compact
• Contains antibacterial properties to reduce odours
• Soft on the skin
• Durable and high quality
• Fast delivery

Cons: 

• Only 60% of reviews are 5 stars, however there are only 7 reviews on their website which makes it difficult to judge.
• Some customers have complained about the towel smelling bad after use and it taking a while to dry (however this is quite subjective)
• Another customer mentioned that the towel colour ran when washed with other clothes 
• The towel material attracts and holds onto grass and small leaves like a “magnet”, making it almost impossible to clean. 
• One customer mentioned that the X-large towel size is too big for backpackers but the large size is too small. 

 

Is this microfibre travel towel good value for money?

Possibly. Macpac is a pretty reliable adventure and travel brand, however this doesn’t automatically mean that they sell the best microfibre travel towels. 

The price and downsides of their towels are similar to the other towels I have reviewed (below) – colours bleeding in the wash etc. However, I do agree with the comment on sizing.

My towel is the ideal travel size at 27 x 52 inches, yet their sizes are only larger or smaller than this. They don’t have an equivalent. This makes it harder to find something that will be both compact and practical. 

To be honest, apart from them disclosing the material makeup of their towels (a big plus) there’s nothing that really stands out to me about these microfibre towels.

 

4. Venture 4th Microfiber Travel Towel

Overview:

• Product:  1 x microfibre travel towel
• Sizes available:   Medium (21 x 40 inches) – X-Large (31.5 x 72 inches)
• Material: Microfiber
• Colour: Various   
• Reviews:  76% 5 star reviews of 1800+ reviews

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com 

Pros

• Great absorption and quick-drying – around 10 minutes in the sun and a bit longer in shade. 
• Thin, lightweight and compact
• Antibacterial properties 
• Good range of sizes available
• Towels have a high thread count and are soft / gentle on the skin 
• This towel folds down to 11 x 9 inches
• Some customers have mentioned that they love the compact and handy rip-stop nylon bag that it comes with
• Fast delivery and durable packaging 
• Offer a 12 month money back guarantee and customers have raved about the customer service

Cons:

• Less choice of sizes compared to some other brands, however the main ones you need are there
• Although they state that their carry bag is small, my current towel rolls up into a 6 inch x 10 inch bag which is much more compact
• Reports of colours looking different in person (especially the “baby blue and pink” option) and colours bleeding during washing 
• Some complaints about the towels being poorly stitched, however was fixed by customer service

 

Is this microfibre travel towel good value for money?

Yes, I believe so.

Initially, I was a bit concerned that they don’t list out what the microfibre material is made up of, however a customer has compared the texture to that of a chamois cloth, which from what I know is a good thing.

I also like that they offer a 12-month money back guarantee and actively try to resolve customer problems. This tells me that they are proud of their product and customer service is important. 

In terms of the cons, I feel that the issues relating to colour and size are not a big deal, as this seems to be common to a lot of travel towels. 

 

3. Rainleaf Microfiber Towel for Travel

Overview:

• Product:  1 x microfibre travel towel
• Sizes available: X-Small (12 x 24 inches) to XX-Large (40 x 72 inches)   
• Material: Microfiber
• Colour: Various 
• Reviews: 80% 5 star reviews of 10,400+ reviews

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com

Pros

• Rainleaf microfiber towels are highly absorbent and quick-drying
• Lightweight and compact
• Antibacterial properties
• Good range of sizes available
• Over 10,000 reviews on Amazon!
• Comes with a breathable mesh carry bag to allow for convenient and compact packing 
• Comes with a hang snap loop so you can tie it down when drying to prevent it from blowing away
• The XXL towel contains a zip pocket (I don’t understand why they don’t make this standard across the range to be honest). 
• Lots of colour choice if that is important to you 

Cons:

• Rainleaf don’t list what the material makeup is, just that it made from “microfibres” 
• There are mixed reviews about the packaging – some have said it is quite bulky, others have said it is compact. Hard to know without seeing it. 
• Reports of colours bleeding during washing
• Some reviews state that the product smells iffy – a petroleum/chemical-like smell. 
• Some have claimed that these towels aren’t as absorbent as other microfibre towels on the market
• One customer mentioned that the 3rd party vendor only refunded 80% of the price paid, even within 30 days. 

 

Is this microfibre travel towel good value for money?

For around $20 AUD and over 10,000 reviews with 80% of these rated 5 stars, I can’t say that this product isn’t value for money. On paper, it looks to be. However, popularity isn’t everything, and doesn’t necessarily mean that Rainleaf microfiber towels are automatically the best travel towels out there.

It’s hard to tell from the pictures, however it does look to have a different texture to my polyester polyamide travel towel, which makes me question what it is made of. 

I do like that this brand offers a ton of choice – whether it be the size of the towel or the colour. 

If you will be backpacking, I’d recommend getting either the large (24 x 48 inches) or X-Large (30 x 60 inches) Rainleaf travel towel. That way you can use it as a bath towel and a beach towel.

 

2. Youphoria Microfiber Travel Towel

• Product:  1 x microfibre travel towel
• Sizes available:   Medium (20-40 inches) – X-Large (32 – 72 inches)
• Material:  Microfiber
• Colour:  Various   
• Reviews:   81% 5 star reviews of 4000+ reviews

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com 

Pros:

• Great absorption and quick-drying
• These microfibre towels can hold up to five times its weight in water and dry up to ten times faster than a normal terry cloth or cotton towel
• Thin, lightweight and compact
• Antibacterial (expected) to reduce odours
• A whole spectrum of colours
• Good range of sizes available
• Comes with a waterproof mesh carry bag 
• Has a snap hang loop for easy hanging on a towel rack, branch or a piece of furniture so it doesn’t fly away in the wind when drying  
• Soft material and gentle on the skin 
• Fast delivery 
• These towels keep their shape well after washing 
• They also have an awesome customer service motto “If you experience any dissatisfaction or inconvenience with your purchase or product, the product is on us. No hassle.”. So, if you’re not happy with the product, they will replace it or refund your money. Well that’s a pretty awesome guarantee. 
• Half the weight of the “Rainleaf” branded travel towel and packs down to half the size. I have also seen mention that it dries faster than the “Rainleaf” brand as well. 

Cons: 

• Some complaints about the stitching on the edge of the towel being low quality and unravelling after washing
• Some customers have claimed that the towel has a bad smell when wet and after the first use. Although not a turn on, this did only come from one person’s comment so it’s hard to know if this is a common thing.

 

Is this microfibre travel towel good value for money?

Yes, I believe so.

Again, they don’t list the material which makes it tricky to comment on this, but I can vouch for the size options and they definitely have an amazing number of positive 5 star reviews, which you can’t overlook.

The recurring comments about the stitching unravelling isn’t great, however given their intense focus on providing good customer service, I think they’d happily replace it if you go a faulty one. 

For a price around $30, I feel like this is reasonable value for money and definitely worth checking out. 

 

1. Kathmandu Travel Towels (Microfibre)

• Product:  1 x microfibre travel towel
• Sizes available:    Large (19 x 39 inches) and X-Large (29 x 59 inches)
• Material:   Microfibre – 88% Polyester, 12% Polyamide and Polygiene (in some)
• Colour:  Two colours – Moss and dark blue
• Reviews:   95% 5 star reviews of  17+ reviews

View on Kathmandu

Pros:

• The travel towel by Kathmandu is thin, lightweight and compact. It also has great absorption and is quick-drying
• Contains Polygiene™ in the material which provides greater odour control by preventing bacterial growth on the fabric. This means that you can use it more and wash less. 
• Packs down to the dimensions of 24 cm x 18 cm x 8 cm
• They advertise it as having no smell
• No complaints or concerns relating to the colour running/bleeding during washing
• Free delivery on orders over $50 
• Kathmandu offer a 60 day returns policy. Therefore, if you’re not satisfied with the product and return it within 60 days, you should get your money back. 

Cons:

• The Kathmandu travel towel is a lot more expensive than other microfibre travel towels on the market
• Sizes are similar to the Macpac towels. They have a large (100cm long) and a X-large (150cm), but don’t offer an in-between option (around 130 cm).
• Similar to Macpac’s towels, there have been complaints that the material attracts and holds onto grass and small leaves, making it hard to clean. This makes for a very scratchy experience during the next use.

 

Is this microfibre travel towel good value for money?

Yes. Kathmandu is one of the most renowned adventure / travel brands out there. They are known for selling premium quality products, however their products usually come with a sizeable price tag.

Their microfibre towel range is no different. Particularly, the Polygiene microfibre towel range.

Considered their “premium” microfibre towel, this range of towels features Polygiene, an odour control technology that keeps the towel fresher for longer. But the downside of these towels is that they are incredibly expensive.

The X-Large Polygiene microfibre towel, for example, is $80 AUD! 

I don’t think I’ve ever paid that much money for a towel. It’s almost 4X the cost of the other microfibre towels we looked at.

Sometimes paying more can get you a longer-wearing product that you can use for years and years. But, for a towel… ? 

Unless you’ll be using it ALL the time or travelling for a long duration, I’m not sure I’d pay this much. If you have extra money to play with though or aren’t buying other travel gear, a Kathmandu Travel Towel could be worth the money.

 

 My Verdict – The Two Winners! 

All of these towel brands present great options for Australian backpackers / travellers, appearing to be good quality and scoring favourably in the areas of: 

• The material
• The available sizes
• Perceived quality and 
• Customer reviews

Although many of the travel towels share some similarities, I have shared the ones that I feel are the best microfiber towels for travel, and ones that I would actually buy myself.

 

Best Travel Towel #1 – Quality, But for a Price 

If premium quality is important to you and you want to guarantee that you’re getting the real deal (a polyester polyamide microfibre towel), I would go for a Kathmandu Microfibre Towel. In my opinion, this is one of the best microfiber towels for travel and backpacking. 

Yes, the price tag is hefty, but this would be the best way to ensure that you won’t be disappointed. 

I also like that:

• They’re innovative in this space (adding “Polygiene” into some of the towel) so that they have very little to no smell after use, and
• They offer a 60 days return policy

The main downsides that I see are related to the lack of sizes and colours available. But, if you’re not concerned about size, space or colour, then it shouldn’t matter much. 

Kathmandu Microfiber Towel for Travel

• Product:  1 x microfibre travel towel
• Sizes available:    Large (19 x 39 inches) and X-Large (29 x 59 inches)
• Material:   Microfiber – 88% Polyester, 12% Polyamide and Polygiene (in some)
• Colour:  Two colours – Moss and dark blue
• Reviews:   95% 5 star reviews of  17+ reviews

 View on Kathmandu

 

Best Travel Towel #2 – Inexpensive and Practical

If you’re NOT wanting to create a big dent in your travel budget, then I would suggest checking out the Youphoria microfiber towel for travel.

Personally, this would be my choice as a backpacker and is definitely a top contender for the best microfiber towel for travel.

This microfiber travel towel has rave reviews and many great features including a great range of sizes and colours, exceptional customer service and reviews, a hanging loop, fast delivery, soft material and a mesh carry bag.

It is also big enough to wrap yourself in and cover all the important bits. 

There also doesn’t seem to be any negative reviews about colour running during or after washing like the other brands, however, I would still recommend that you wash these travel towels on a gentle, cool machine wash without any other clothes. 

Youphoria Microfiber Travel Towel

• Product:  1 x microfibre travel towel
• Sizes available:   Medium (20-40 inches) – X-Large (32 – 72 inches)
• Material:  Microfiber
• Colour:  Various   
• Reviews:   81% 5 star reviews of 4000+ reviews

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com 

 

 

In Summary:

As I have mentioned, there are so many different types of travel towels to choose from these days, meaning it can be overwhelming and confusing working out the best travel towel to buy. 

The key things to consider when choosing a microfiber travel towel include the material, size and washing requirements. It is also important to buy from companies that have a reputable reputation, especially if buying online.

To help save you time on researching and from buying a dud towel, here are my top 5 contenders based on hours, if not days, of my own research,

The 5 Best Quick Drying Towels for Australian Travellers

1. Kathmandu Microfibre Travel Towels
2. Youphoria Microfibre Travel Towel
3. Rainleaf Microfibre Towel
4. Venture 4th Microfibre Travel Towel
5. Macpac Microfibre Towel
   

I hope that this article has helped to provide some guidance on the best microfiber towels for travel. Particularly for Australian backpackers who require a towel that is compact, durable and quick-drying. 

Happy travelling!