When you're embarking on an adventure, whether it's a bustling city break, a rugged hiking trip, or a peaceful camping getaway, every item you pack needs to earn its space. And few things are more essential, yet often overlooked, than a good towel. Traditional cotton towels, while lovely and fluffy at home, are notoriously bulky, slow to dry, and can quickly become a damp, musty burden in your rucksack. This is where the quick dry towel steps in, a true game-changer for travellers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Quick dry towels, often made from advanced microfibre or innovative fabric blends, are designed for superior absorbency and rapid evaporation. They soak up moisture much faster than conventional towels and, crucially, dry out in a fraction of the time. This means less waiting around, less dampness spreading to your other gear, and a lighter, more compact pack. Beyond their practicality, many modern quick dry towels are also surprisingly soft, gentle on skin and hair, and come with features like antibacterial treatments and integrated hanging loops, making them indispensable for life on the go.
But with so many options, how do you choose the best one? We’ve put together a list of some of the best quick dry towels for travel and camping on the market, comparing their features, materials, and what makes them stand out.
1. Good Wash Day: Unrivalled Skin Comfort and Hair Health
At the top of our list, for its unique blend of comfort, effectiveness, and ethical production, is Good Wash Day's hair towels. While specifically designed as a hair towel, our larger XL size towel options and incredibly fast-drying properties make it a versatile companion for travel and camping, especially for those who prioritise hair health.
Good Wash Day is a brilliant small, independent, female-founded business based right here in the UK, even gaining more recognition after a successful appearance on Dragon's Den. Their commitment to ethical and environmental factors truly shines through their product, and they've also just won a coveted Marie Claire Hair Award in the Sustainability Leaders category, further cementing their dedication. Their towels are crafted from 95% organic jersey cotton and 5% elastane, giving it a delightful softness and a hint of stretch that feels just like your favourite t-shirt. This isn't your typical synthetic quick-dry towel, alongside its softness, is precisely its strength.
Why it stands out:
-
Gentle on Hair: For anyone with curly, fine, or sensitive hair, or those experiencing thinning or hair loss, this towel is a revelation. Unlike rough terry cloth or some microfibre towels that can cause friction, and breakage, the organic jersey cotton is incredibly gentle. It helps reduce drying time by soaking up excess water without stripping natural oils, promoting healthier, sleeker hair. It's also perfect for "plopping" curls, helping them dry with definition.
-
Versatile Sizing: Our towels come in a variety of sizes. We have our 'Regular' size (98cm x 58cm) and a more generous 'XL' size (120cm x 83cm), the larger size means it can easily double up for quick body dries after a swim or shower, particularly useful when space is at a premium.
-
Lightweight & Compact: Despite its absorbency, the organic jersey cotton is remarkably lightweight, making it a joy to pack for travel, the gym, hiking, or simply a day at the beach or pool. It won't weigh down your luggage or take up precious space.
-
Ethical Production: Made in the UK using gold-standard organic fabric, you can feel good about supporting a brand that prioritises environmental, ethical, and social factors. It's also suitable for sensitive skin.
-
Durability: Reviews praise its quality, with many users reporting how well it washes and how it maintains its softness and effectiveness over time.
The investment in your hair's health alongside the towel's overall quality, ethical credentials and versatility make it a valuable purchase. For those who need a quick drying towel and want a product that doubles up to help care for their hair, this is the ultimate quick-dry towel.
Discover Good Wash Day's collection here today!
2. Dock & Bay
Next up, we have Dock & Bay, a brand known for its different designs. While they offer a wide range of quick-dry towels, their Hair Wraps are a good option for travellers and campers.
This innovative fabric cleverly repurposed plastic bottles into stylish and functional products. They offer an accessible and effective way to manage your hair on the move. Dock & Bay's Hair Wraps provide a lightweight, and eco-conscious alternative for hair drying.
3. Sea to Summit
For the serious backpacker or minimalist traveller, Sea to Summit's Airlite Towel is another good option. This brand is known for their high-quality outdoor gear. The Airlite Towel is a fast-drying option, made from 85% recycled polyester and 15% nylon microfibre. It's designed to pack down small into its own 15D Nylon stuff sack. Its efficiency in drying and tiny packed size make it great for long treks, fast-paced travel, or any situation where minimal bulk is paramount.
4. Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Another choice is the Gram-counter Gear Ultra-Dry Towel from Ultralight Outdoor Gear. As their name suggests, this retailer specialises in lightweight equipment, and this towel is no exception.
The Ultra-Dry Towel is made from microfibre, with rapid drying capabilities. It's specifically designed for backpacking and travel, coming in three convenient sizes. The medium is akin to a hand towel, and the large to a bath towel, offering versatility depending on your needs. Its effectiveness at soaking up water and then wringing out easily makes it a highly practical and good value option for any adventure.
5. Matador Travel Equipment
Matador Travel Equipment have their NanoDry Shower Towel which is a testament to their commitment to compact and high-performance travel solutions.
The Matador NanoDry Shower Towel is a full-size towel made from a high-performance nanofibre material. It can soak up over twice its own weight in water, combined with quick-drying properties. It also comes with a compact silicone travel case, complete with a carabiner, allowing you to easily clip it to the outside of your pack. It provides enough surface area (132 x 60cm for the large) to dry off thoroughly after a shower or swim.
6. REI Co-op
Finally, for a more general-purpose, environmentally conscious option, the REI Co-op Multi Towel Mini from REI Co-op offers a practical choice. While REI is a US-based outdoor retailer, their co-op model and commitment to sustainability are globally appealing.
The Multi Towel Mini is designed to be a versatile companion for camping, backpacking, and hiking. At a compact 15.5 x 15.5 inches and weighing less than an ounce, it's perfect as a face, hand, or dish towel. It's made with 70% recycled polyester yarns and is treated with a bluesign-approved antimicrobial to help fight odours. It can absorb up to three times its weight in water and dries quickly, and comes with a small carry pouch and mini carabiner. Its convenience, compact size, and eco-friendly design make it an excellent addition to any travel kit.
No matter which you choose, upgrading to a quick dry towel for your travels and camping adventures will undoubtedly make your life on the road (or trail) a great deal more comfortable and convenient. Happy travels!
