Best Towel for the Camino de Santiago is Microfiber

Microfiber backpacking towels are not the most exciting subject to talk about, but they are nevertheless vital. If you are heading out on long-distance hike like the Camino or just backpacking in general, you’re going to need a genuinely practical towel.

Towels such as these make life on the trail much easier. These little pieces of fabric are quick-drying, very small, and usually quite affordable too. They are made to be used outdoors, and they’re made for people who take their hiking seriously.

However, not every camping towel is the same, which is why I wrote this guide in the first place. Some models are cheap and some are not – the latter usually sport some truly convenient features.

If you’re shopping for a long-lasting travel towel you’ll enjoy using, read on.

My Top Pick: PackTowl Ultralite Microfiber Towel.

Specs and features:

  • 5.1 oz (largest size)
  • Soaks up 4 times its weight in water
  • Zippered storage pouch included

Reviews of the Best Backpacking Towels for Camping and Hiking

Youphoria Outdoors Microfiber Quick-Dry Travel Towel

Youphoria Outdoors Microfiber Quick-Dry Travel Towel

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 5
  • Colors Available: 19

The Youphoria Outdoors Microfiber Quick-Dry Travel Towel comes in a very nice carry bag that I was able to hang on the back of my backpack. The towel itself is available in 19 different colors and comes with a large label in one corner, allowing easy hooking to pretty much anything.

Quick-drying and with the ability to hold five times its weight in water, this towel was a pleasure to use. Manufactured so that it does not go moldy or begin to smell, the towel is soft and is ideal if you want to dry off or cool down.

The model is available in 5 different sizes and it’s also machine washable. I consider this lint-free towel ideal for use on the trail, at the gym, or even on the beach. It’s one of bestsellers for a good reason.

PROS:

  • One of the market’s best towels for backpacking
  • Works great as a beach towel/bath towel too
  • Dries quickly

CONS:

  • Not really lightweight

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Sea to Summit Pocket Towel

Sea to Summit Pocket Towel

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 5
  • Colors Available: 4

While I wasn’t able to fit it into my pocket, the Sea to Summit Pocket Towel undoubtedly deserves some praise for its compactness.

This camping/hiking/beach towel is available in five sizes (from small size to extra-large size) and has a weight of only 3.8 ounces. Besides the low weight, another thing I liked about this towel is that it comes accompanied by a zipper EVA storage pouch.

More importantly, the model is made out of fine-knit microfiber material. As such, it is one of those travel towels that provide their users with a genuinely super-soft, silky feel. The model is also highly absorbent – during the testing period, I realized it is capable of absorbing three times its weight in water.

The medium-size Sea to Summit Pocket Towel measures 20 inches by 40 inches and is a great choice for camping enthusiasts that are concerned with portability.

PROS:

  • Highly absorbent fabric
  • Lightweight & easy to pack
  • Accompanied by a storage pouch

CONS:

  • Not the highest absorption rate


Wise Owl Outfitters Microfiber Camping Towel

Wise Owl Outfitters Microfiber Camping Towel

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 5
  • Colors Available: 10

The Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Towel is a smart-looking towel that comes complete with a snap loop and a carry case.

Available in 10 colors, the towel can be used for a wide range of activities. Working out, hiking, camping, backpacking, swimming will welcome this item with open arms.

Quick to dry, unlike regular towels, the Wise Owl Camping Towel is super soft and will soak up just about anything. This is useful to know if you’re headed out on the trail and are expecting to get wet at some point.

With its ability to pack down to less than half its size, the carry case of this microfiber towel has a convenient hook.

This means it can be hung anywhere you please – I was able to hang it both on my backpack and my tent. The mesh cover ensured that any leftover moisture dried away faster than I could notice.

PROS:

  • Designed in the USA
  • Incredibly soft and absorbent
  • Carry pack & snap loop included

CONS:

  • Not antibacterial or antimicrobial

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PackTowl Ultralite Microfiber Towel

PackTowl Ultralite Microfiber Towel

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 4
  • Colors Available: 3

The PackTowl company is well-known for making some of the market’s best backpacking and travel towels. Available in three different colors, this camp towel has weight and compressibility as its strongest points.

However, the model can also easily handle a fair amount of water, certainly more so than most cotton towels I’ve had a chance to use.

Just like all other camping towels on this list, the PackTowl Ultralite Microfiber Towel is available in a few different sizes, including face towel, hand towel, and beach towel.

The largest size available (beach towel) has a weight of only 5.1 ounces and measures 36 inches by 59 inches. As such, this is one of the most lightweight camping towels in the industry – hence the name.

The only thing I didn’t like about this towel is its durability – it is thin and delicate, as it was designed with portability in mind.

Still, it’s a excellent option for those who need a genuinely lightweight model and don’t really care about durability.

PROS:

  • Absorbent fabric
  • The weight of just 3.4 ounces
  • Dries 80% quicker than cotton towels

CONS:

  • Not the best towel if you want durability

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Epauto Microfiber Fast Drying Towels (2-Pack)

Epauto Microfiber Fast Drying Towels

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 2-size set
  • Colors Available: 5

The Epauto Microfiber Fast Drying Towels are available in 5 colors, with the larger towel measuring 60 x 30 inches ad the smaller one 14 x 13.7 inches.

Complete with a mesh carry case, you can be sure that any moisture will be dried even if you’ve rolled them up and left them there.

Due to the antimicrobial properties and excellent hygroscopicity of these towels, I experienced no bad smells or long-lasting damp patches.

Moreover, with its ability to dry up to 5 times faster than regular towels, the Epauto Microfiber Fast Drying Towel is a particularly excellent option for trail runners.

Compact and with the ability to be folded down so they’re very small, the towels never got in the way while I was hiking. During the testing period, I used the larger towel to dry my body and the smaller one to dry my face and hands.

I should also point out that there’s a hanging loop located on each of the towels and they both come accompanied by a (somewhat flimsy) carry case.

PROS:

  • Epauto’s best travel towel so far
  • Antimicrobial properties
  • Excellent hygroscopicity

CONS:

  • May bleed color when wet

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PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel

PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 3
  • Colors Available: 6

The goal of PackTowl’s well-known Personal line of towels is to mimic the look and feel of regular cotton towels as much as possible.

The model I’m talking about here is undoubtedly one of the best camping towels available on today’s market and stands as an especially great choice for those looking for a good all-around hiking towel.

The most important feature of the PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel is its ability to absorb four times its weight in water.

Another thing that turns this model into one of the best travel towels is its Polygiene odor control layer, as well as the fact that it dries a lot faster (up to 70% faster, to be more precise) than most cotton-made models.

In terms of towel size, you can obtain this model in three different sizes. The extra-large variant (“beach towel”) measures 59” x 36” while the smallest one (“hand”) has the dimensions of 36” x 16.5”.

Finally, this is one of those camping towels that are available in a variety of shades – you can obtain it in six different color combinations.

PROS:

  • One of the best all-around camping towels
  • Lightweight & absorbent construction
  • Three sizes & six colors

CONS:

  • The dye tends to bleed

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Rainleaf Microfiber Towel

Rainleaf Microfiber Towel

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 7
  • Colors Available: 16

The Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is available in 16 different colors and 7 different sizes. As a fast-drying towel, it come come in particularly handy during backpacking trips in the wild.

The handle that is attached to the carry case allowed me to hang the towel on my backpack, inside my tent, and anywhere else I wanted.

The carry case is partially made from mesh, which allowed the towel to dry as I was walking.

The towel itself features a suede-like feel – it’s very soft and it didn’t irritate my skin like some cheaper models did.

While it can be folded or rolled down, this towel is still somewhat bulky. Still, it’s pretty good for use on the trail, at the gym, or anywhere that you’re likely to get wet. It can be used multiple times a day.

Made from 200 grams of microfiber, the towel stayed fresh and dry throughout every day of the testing.

I should also point out that it can absorb 3 times its weight in water and that it can be machine-washed in cold water.

Pros:

  • High-quality, fast-drying microfiber
  • Dries much faster than cotton models
  • Zippered storage pouch included

Cons:

  • Somewhat bulky

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OlimpiaFit 3-size Towels

OlimpiaFit 3-size Towels

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 3-size pack
  • Colors Available: 8

The OlimpiaFit 3-size Towels measure 50 x 30 inches, 30 x 15 inches, and 15 x 15 inches, ensuring you always have the right-sized towel to hand.

Quick-drying and very absorbent, these are ideal if you’re going backpacking, hiking, or participating in a wide range of activities.

This is a quick-drying towel – it can dry much faster than regular towels.

It is also capable of holding up to four times its weight in water, making it ideal for outdoor adventurers.

Complete with an elastic band that helps each of the towels stay folded, these can be transported in the included mesh bag, which is well-designed and allows for good ventilation.

The towels felt very soft on my skin – no complaints in that regard. They are also slip-resistant and available in 8 vibrant colors.

PROS:

  • Can hold up to four times its weight in water
  • Quick-drying & soft on the skin
  • Mesh bag & elastic band included

CONS:

  • No snap loop

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ScorchedEarth Microfiber Travel & Sports Towel Set

ScorchedEarth Microfiber Travel & Sports Towel Set

Specifications:

  • Material: Microfiber
  • Sizes Available: 3
  • Colors Available: 6

The ScorchedEarth Microfiber Travel & Sports Towel Set comes complete with 2 different-sized towels and is available in 6 colors.

Accompanied by a carry case that lets the air in, these towels can be hung on a hook, on a backpack, inside the tent, or wherever else you need them.

The bag’s carry handle comes with a clip, which made it even easier to hang it on my backpack.

The towels are quite thin as they are made from microfiber fabric. This thinness means they don’t take up too much room, but it also means that they’re not very durable.

This set of quick-drying, comfortable towels is a great choice if you’re often on the road.

Pros:

  • A well-made, multifunctional towel set
  • Super absorbent & quick-drying
  • Convenient carry bag included

Cons:

  • The material could be thicker

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Backpacking Towel Buying Guide

Backpack on a camping towel

When it comes to buying the best backpacking towel, you need to make sure that it does everything you want it to.

Some towels come with few or no features, whereas others come with almost everything you need. But, getting one on your packing list is a must, especially if you’re going on a long-distance hike such as the Camino.

When you’re looking for a towel, you may want to consider the following features. Each of them will make your new towel much easier to use and carry around with you.

Lightweight Towels

The lighter your new camping towel is, the better. Regular wet towels can be quite heavy, so it makes sense to have something that isn’t. You’ll find that many towels are very lightweight even when they’re wet.

Compact

When you’re trying to carry as little as possible on the trail, you’ll need a travel towel that’s compact.

The good news is you can usually find compact towels quite easily. With their ability to fold up very small, even the larger travel towels do not take up much room.

Almost all of the towels I analyzed above come with stuff sacks.

Quick-Drying

Camping towel on a washing line

One of the best tools to have while you’re on the trail is a quick-drying towel.

The quicker the towel dries, the better. You don’t want a towel that will stay wet for hours – you need something that will dry quickly so you can use it again.

Absorbency

You will also need a towel that is able to absorb liquids very well.

Please note that not every towel has a good absorbency rate. Some towels may dry very quickly, but they really need to absorb a lot of liquids too.

This will make them ideal for mopping up those spillages and help you enjoy having a nice cool towel on the back of your neck – very important on long-distance hikes like the Camino.

A Loop or Hook

I found that one of the most convenient features to have on a towel is a loop or a hook.

This allows me to attach the towel to my backpack while I’m hiking or drying it out. It also lets me hang it in my tent or wherever I happen to be.

Some towels come with hooks in one corner, whereas others come with a hook on the bag. I recommend opting for a towel that comes with a hook or a loop on both the bag and the towel, as they’re much easier to use.

A Carry Case/Bag

Bag for a backpacking towel

When you’re shopping for a new towel, try to opt for one that is accompanied by a carry case or a bag.

A bag will make the towel much more convenient to use, whether you intend to use it on a long-distance walk like the Camino or on the beach, and it will also help to keep it dry.

Many of the bags that come with the towel as standard are made from mesh. Mesh bags allow air to reach the towels and dry out those leftover damp patches.

The Color

While the color of a towel may not be important to you, it can have its benefits.

Let’s imagine everything you have in your backpack is either black or green. You won’t be able to find your towel very easily if it’s of the same color.

Therefore, you’ll want to opt for a color that stands out a little.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a towel for the Camino?

Yes, a towel is highly recommended for hiking the Camino de Santiago.

You’ll want a towel to wipe off sweat and grime at the end of each day walking. A lightweight, absorbent backpacking towel is ideal so you don’t weigh down your pack.

How big of a towel should I get?

For backpacking and camping, a medium-sized towel around 16 x 32 inches is ideal.

This gives you enough size to comfortably dry off, while still packing down small in your bag.

Microfiber pack towels around this size can weigh as little as 3-4oz.

How do I care for my backpacking towel?

Caring for your pack towel properly ensures it lasts for many adventures.

Shake out excess water and air dry after each use. I usually wash my towel in mild detergent and lay flat or hang to dry.

You will also want to check for wear and retract fraying fibers by lightly singeing with flame. Consider applying a waterproofing spray treatment to boost durability over time.

Proper storage in the included stuff sack prevents mildew during periods of non-use. With the right care, a good quick-dry towel lasts for years on the trail.

The Conclusion

So, there you have it – my roundup of the market’s best microfiber towels for the Camino and for hiking and camping in general. Use the above guide to help you find a towel that will work well for you and which you’ll enjoy using on the trail.

Other lightweight hiking gear I like: backpacking quilt, poncho, and summer sleeping bags or a sleeping bag liner for summer use.

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