5 Best Quick Dry Microfiber Travel Towels for Backpackers

If you’re anything like me, there’s no greater feeling than wrapping yourself inside a warm and fluffy bath towel. However, when travelling your standard bath towel just isn’t going to cut it.

Given the larger size and weight of traditional bath towels, they don’t 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 when left damp for an extended period of time – Gross! – and require more washing compared to microfiber towels for travel applications.

When it comes to your needs as a backpacker, a quick-drying, light-weight and packable travel towel will be much more suitable.  Especially given one of your biggest pain points as a backpacker will be space.

Carrying damp smelly clothes will be another…

And trust me, there’s nothing worse than travelling between destinations with a wet and smelly towel in your backpack, leaving you with a bag full of musty odour at your arrival. 

Best Travel Towels for Australian Backpackers

If you’re planning your next backpacking trip, then it’s gong to be important to choose the best travel towel to suit your needs.  

In this article, I will be explaining: 

• The benefits of microfiber travel towels (or as often spelt “microfiber”) versus your traditional bath towel
• Important considerations to know before buying a travel towel
• The best quick dry towel for travel

After hours of research and reviewing many different travel towel brands, I’ve narrowed the contenders down to these five. In my opinion, these are the best travel towels for Australian backpackers taking into consideration:

• Material
• Size
• Budget
• Washing requirements

So, let’s get straight into it.

Our Top Recommendations:

Based on my latest research and findings, I have narrowed the best travel towels for Australian backpackers to the following two products.

To read more detail on why these two were shortlisted of all the quick dry towels for travel we reviewed, click the link below. Alternatively, keep reading to learn more about what to look for in order to buy the best travel towel for your needs as a backpacker.

#1 – Youphoria Microfiber Travel Towel – Fair Price & Practical

A durable, quick-dry towel for travel that won’t break the bank and has a wide range of colours and sizes available. 

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com 

#2 – Kathmandu Microfiber Towel for Travel – Quality, but with a price tag to match

A high-quality quick-dry towel for travel that is reliable but does come with a higher price tag.  

 View on Kathmandu

Click here to read the full product review >

What is a “Microfiber” Travel Towel?

The term “microfiber” simply means that the fibres within the towel, often of a synthetic nature, have been split into very fine strands. This makes microfiber towels more porous and quick-drying when compared to your standard cotton bath or shower towels.

Travel towels are typically smaller and lighter compared to a standard towel. They are great for backpackers because they take up less space in your luggage, allowing you can pack more of what you need for your trip,

Why Travel with a Microfiber Towel Over a Traditional Bath Towel?

Compared to standard bath towels, microfiber travel towels:

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

This is why lighter, fast-drying microfiber towels are highly recommended for backpackers.

As an Australian backpacker myself, I confidently vouch for the benefits of microfiber towels versus standard towels. They save you SO MUCH pain when moving between destinations – especially when you have little time to dry it. 

Choosing the Best Microfiber Travel Towel For Your Needs

Before you go ahead and buy a travel towel of your own, it’s important to consider the following factors:

• Material
• Size
• Budget
• Washing requirements

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

1. Material

What is the best material for a microfiber towel? From my research, I discovered that most quick-dry 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).

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

I was able to see that my first microfiber travel towel was made out of Polyester Polyamide. However, with my current Youphoria travel towel, the suppliers don’t seem to share the exact breakdown of materials.

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 “microfiber” (which isn’t helpful at all!).

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

If you’re unable to feel the product before you buy (which is the case with all online shopping these days), then keep an eye out for the below:

Material spec | The best microfiber travel towels:

• Absorb liquid rather than pushing it around
• Feel soft but grippy on your skin
• Last numerous washes without losing their shape/feel

There are some microfiber 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.

Material is an important consideration when buying a Microfiber towel for travelling

2. Size

Alongside material makeup, the size of your travel towel is also an important consideration. 

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

Given 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 – but not down to your knees/shins. As a male, you have a bit more flexibility.

If planning to go to a beach destination, it’s a good idea to order a microfiber towel that will be large enough to sit on – so it can double up as both a bath and beach towel.

You may also want to look for one that comes with a “packable pouch” and a clip, so you can clip it to the outside of your backpack if it is still we from use. This can come in very handy when moving between destinations.

Size spec | The best microfiber travel towels:

• Small enough to save space, but large enough to be practical
• Have dimensions within the following ranges:
  • Width: 24 – 30 inches (60 – 76 cm)
  • Length: 50 – 60  inches (127 – 150cm)

Personally, my microfiber travel towels have the following dimensions:

• Escape Travel Towel: Large:  27 inches (W) x  52 inches (L) / 68cm (W) x 132cm (L)
• Youphoria Travel Towel: Medium: 28 inches (W) x 56 inches (L) / 71cm (W) x 142cm (L)

These sizes are perfect for me – however, I am only 160cm tall. If you’re much taller than me, or have a long torso, you may want to go for the size up. 

My Youphoria Microfiber Travel Towel – Size: 28″ x 56″

3. Budget

The great thing about buying a microfiber towel for travel is that there’s such a large range of options available – both online and in-store. And, with a wide selection of options, you’re also spoilt with a wide selection of price tags.

In general, the price range for most microfiber travel towels is between $20 – $80 AUD.  

If you find a good-quality towel towards the mid to lower end of this price spectrum you can pat yourself on the back as you’ve done well with your purchase.

4. Washing Requirements

Should you wash microfiber travel towels before use? If you’re looking to buy a quick-dry towel for travel, it’s worth buying one in advance of your trip because most suppliers recommend that you wash your microfiber 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.

Some travel towel products have been known to bleed colour, and colours bleeding in your washing load is sure to cause devastation for any backpacker – especially when the clothes you can pack with you are already limited. 

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

Where Do You Buy a Quick-drying Microfiber Travel Towel?

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.

Both options have their corresponding pros and cons, so you just have to go for what suits you best.

Buying a travel towel in store

The main pros of buying in-store are you:

• Get to feel the material
• Get an idea of the size before you buy it  (well sometimes, assuming it’s not in a pack)
• Can buy it instantly, so it can be handy if short on time

The main cons of buying in-store are you:

• Usually pay a premium price (especially if buying from a premium travel brand)
• Need to physically go to a store to purchase
• Often need to visit multiple stores to explore

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

• Kathmandu 
• MacPac and
• Anaconda

Buying a travel towel online

The main pros of buying online are that you:

• Have access to a larger range of options and they’re right at your fingertips
• Can easily find cheaper alternatives to suit your budget
• Can easily cross-check products to ensure you’re getting the best value for money.
• Don’t have to  be in-person to buy the products 
• Convenient if you live in a remote location and aren’t close to any stores that sell travel towels

The cons of buying online are that you:

• Don’t get to feel the material
• It’s harder to tell whether you’re getting a quality product
• 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 a great diversity of reputable brands to choose from, deliver quickly and have loads of customer reviews to help you buy the right travel towel.

5 Best Microfiber Travel Towels to Buy Online 

If you plan to travel for a long period of time, saving as many pennies as you can is extremely precious.

Shopping online can help you to save money on travel gear so you can invest it elsewhere during your trip.

After spending hours researching different microfiber travel towel brands and products, I’ve managed to narrow the options down to these five. 

My scoring and recommendations are based on:

• The material of the travel towel
• The available sizes
• Perceived quality and
• Customer reviews

Let’s take a look at some of the best online travel towel brands from 1-5.

1. Youphoria Sport Microfiber Travel Towel

• Product:  1 x microfiber travel towel and face washer
• Sizes available:   Medium (20-40 inches) – X-Large (32 – 72 inches)
• Material:  Microfiber
• Colour:  Various   
• Reviews:   81% 5 star reviews of 6000+ reviews (Amazon,com)

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com 

Pros:

• These quick dry travel towels have great absorption, able to hold up to five times their 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.

Are Youphoria microfiber travel towels good value for money?

Yes, I believe so.

I personally own a Youphoria travel towel, and really like it. It feels more moisture-wicking compared to some of the other travel towels I own, and dried very quickly when I was backpacking.

The material does feel somewhat “grippy” on your skin compared to a normal bath towel, but I think this is a normal thing for most micro-fibre towels. 

Unfortunately, the suppliers don’t list out the material breakdown 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. 

2. Rainleaf Microfiber Towel for Travel

Overview:

• Product:  1 x microfiber travel towel
• Sizes available: X-Small (12 x 24 inches) to XX-Large (40 x 72 inches)   
• Material: Microfiber
• Colour: Various 
• Reviews: 79% 5 star reviews of 28,00+ reviews (Amazon.com)

View on Amazon AUS | View on Amazon.com

Pros

• Rainleaf microfiber towels for travel are highly absorbent and quick-drying
• Lightweight and compact
• Antibacterial properties
• Good range of sizes available
• Over 20,000 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 “microfibers” 
• 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 microfiber towels on the market
• One customer mentioned that the 3rd party vendor only refunded 80% of the price paid, even within 30 days. 

Are Rainleaf travel towels good value for money?

For around $20 AUD and over 20,000 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.

3. Kathmandu Travel Towel (Microfiber)

• Product:  1 x microfiber 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  30+ reviews

View on Kathmandu

Pros:

• The microfiber 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 quick-dry travel towel is a lot more expensive than other microfiber 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.

Are Kathmandu travel towels good value for money?

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

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

Considered their “premium” microfiber 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 microfiber 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 microfiber 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.

4. Venture 4th Microfiber Travel Towel

Overview:

• Product:  1 x microfiber 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

• This is a good quick-dry travel towel, known for its great absorption. It typically takes around 10 minutes to dry out 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

Are Venture 4th travel towels good value for money?

Yes, I believe so.

Initially, I was a bit concerned that they don’t list out what the microfiber 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. 

5. Macpac Microfiber 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:    75% 5 star reviews of  20+ reviews

View on MacPac

Pros:

• Also has great absorption making it a good quick-drying towel for travellers
• Thin, lightweight and compact
• Contains antibacterial properties to reduce odours
• Soft on the skin
• Durable and high quality
• Fast delivery

Cons: 

• 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. 

Are MacPac travel towels 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 microfiber 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 microfiber towels.

 The Verdict – The Two Best Travel Towel Brands! 

All of these microfiber 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 quick-dry travel towels share some similarities, I feel these are the best microfiber towels for travel, and ones that I would actually buy myself as an Australian backpacker.

Best Travel Towel #1 – 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 and the top contender for the best microfiber towel for travel.

This quicky-drying 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 microfiber travel towel and face washer
• 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 

Best Travel Towel #2 – 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 microfiber towel), I would go for a Kathmandu Microfiber Towel. In my opinion, this is one of the best microfiber towels for travel and backpacking. 

Yes, the price tag is a bit hefty compared to other quick-drying towels for travellers, 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 microfiber 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

In Summary –

The 5 Best “Quick Dry” Travel Towels for Australian Backpackers

As I’ve mentioned, there are so many different types of travel towels to choose from these days. This does mean it can be overwhelming and confusing working out which is the best travel towel to buy. 

The key things to consider when choosing a microfiber towel for travel are the material, size and washing requirements. It’s also important to buy from companies that have a reputable reputation, especially if buying online, and not just the cheapest option.

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

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

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

Happy travelling!