Rare is the towel that can fold up small and tight like a dinner napkin. However, in certain situations in which towels aren’t provided, such as at campgrounds and beach houses, you may need to bring along your own towel or two (better than drip-drying). To the rescue: thin, mega-absorbent towels that take up little luggage space and have the sopping power of a sponge. Here’s how six travel towels stack up.
1. Sea to Summit Pocket Towel
Best for: Those who get the willies from suede-like microfiber, the fabric most common among travel towels. Pro: Though made of microfiber, the towel glides across your skin like silk. Con: It’s hard to pack the 24-by-38-inch towel into its stretchy neoprene pouch, especially when it’s wet. If you can cram it in, the sack becomes too bulky to use the built-in belt loop. 888- 463-6367, ; $14.95- $22.95
2. Packtowl
Best for: Campgrounds where you don’t have to impress with a pretty towel. Pro: The viscose rayon towel, which softened after two spins in the washer, comes in a range of sizes, from a 10-by-30-inch kitchen rag to a 30-by-50-inch beach towel. It’s also thick enough to lay on the ground without stiff blades of grass or pointy shells poking through. Con: The towel comes in an unattractive Army green with weird graphics, such as a VW van. (It also has more appealing plain and patterned blue styles.) The printed versions emitted an inky smell that didn’t disappear until after two washings. 888-226-7667, ; from $7.95
3. Lightload Towels
Best for: Adventurers who pack more in their emergency kits than in their backpacks. Pro: The 12-by-24-inch towel comes vacuum-sealed in a package that fits in the palm of your hand. The biodegradable towels supposedly can double as coffee filters and fire starters. Con: The towel isn’t made to last long and has to be hand-washed. One delicate-cycle spin in the washer left it in shreds. 888-544-4856, ; $6 for a three-pack, $6.50 for beach towel
4. Micronet Travel Towel
Best for: Stays in European hostels or other towel-free lodging. Pro: The microfiber towel comes in a pouch ideal for toting toiletries to the shared bathroom down the hall. A sturdy loop with a snap allows you to hang the bag on a towel rack. Con: Though compact, the super-size towel (62 by 35 inches) weighs almost 10 ounces dry – and even more wet. 425-771-8303, Ext. 220, ; from $19.95
5. REI MultiTowel Lite
Best for: Hiking trips on which your backpack is crammed to the max. Pro: The antimicrobial nylon and polyester towel comes in a variety of sizes (medium, large, extra large) and colors (curry, beige) and easily re-folds into a mesh nylon case. Con: The small plastic clip on the corner of the towel, used for hooking it to a bathroom rack or backpack, did not stay fastened well; a snap would have been better. 800-426-4840, ; $10-$22
6. Veleron Three-in-One Travel Towel
Best for: Packing-light experts who bring only items with multiple purposes. Pro: The 3-by-5-foot smooth microfiber towel can be used several ways – sarong, head covering, poolside blanket. The roomy black mesh carrying case can double as a purse or a beach bag. Con: The towel doesn’t move smoothly across wet skin like a terrycloth towel, so it’s harder to get dry; use a pat-and-dab technique instead. 800-280-4775, ; $29.95
