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The best hiking towels weigh under 300g, dry in under an hour in outdoor conditions, compress to the size of a water bottle and work as well at a creek crossing as at a campsite swim. Will and Wind travel towels weigh 270g and meet all of these requirements. |
When you are planning a hiking kit, a towel is usually an afterthought. Either it gets left behind to save weight or you end up carrying something heavy that makes no sense for a long day out.
A good hiking towel is neither of those things. Here is what to look for.
Why Hikers Need a Hiking Towel at All
The occasions add up more than you think.
River crossings and creek swims. Wet feet and socks on a long day out are the fastest way to make yourself miserable. A hiking towel that dries your feet properly before you put your socks back on is worth carrying.
Sweat management on longer climbs. After a tough ascent, a quick dry is the difference between a comfortable rest stop and sitting in cold damp layers.
Camping stops. If you are hiking to a campsite, having a towel for a swim, a wash or drying off after rain makes the camp experience significantly better.
Unexpected rain. A quick dry towel that dries fast is useful for keeping yourself and your gear manageable in a downpour.
What Makes a Hiking Towel Different From a Regular One
Weight and pack size. A cotton towel is ruled out immediately. Too heavy, too bulky and takes far too long to dry. You would need two just to have a dry one available at any point.
A microfibre hiking towel solves all of this. Lightweight, compresses to almost nothing and dries in under an hour in normal outdoor conditions. Will and Wind travel towels weigh 270g and roll to about the size of a drink bottle. That earns pack space even on a weight-conscious day walk.
For longer trips, our blog on packing light for travel has practical tips that apply equally well to hiking kits.
What to Look for in Hiking Towels
Weight. Under 300g for a full-size hiking towel is the target.
Pack size. It should compress into something that fits in a side pocket or the top of your pack without forcing a reshuffle.
Dry time. A hiking towel that stays wet for hours is a liability in your pack. Microfibre dries in an hour or less in most outdoor conditions.
Durability. Hiking gear gets used hard. Quality rPET microfibre holds up through repeated use and packing better than budget alternatives.
Sand and grit free. If you are using it near water, a towel that sheds grit and sand easily is much more pleasant to use.
Hiking Towels Also Work as Camping Towels
If you are hiking to a campsite, the hiking towel doubles as your camping towel, no need to carry both. The same qualities that make a great hiking towel make a great camping towel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Towels
How big should a hiking towel be?
Large enough to wrap around yourself and properly dry off with. A minimum of 120cm x 60cm is recommended. Will and Wind travel towels are 160cm x 80cm, which is a full beach towel size in a hiking-friendly weight and pack size.
Can I use a beach towel for hiking?
Yes, if it is a microfibre beach towel. A cotton beach towel is far too heavy and slow drying for hiking use. Will and Wind beach towels work brilliantly as hiking towels because they are already made from lightweight microfibre.
How do you dry a microfibre hiking towel on the trail?
Hang it over your pack or a branch for an hour. In most Australian outdoor conditions, a microfibre hiking towel will be completely dry within 60 to 90 minutes.
The Sustainable Option
Will and Wind hiking towels are made from rPET microfibre recycled from plastic bottles. For people who spend a lot of time in nature, choosing gear made from recycled materials feels like the right call.
Read more about the eco-friendly case for microfibre and have a look at our customer reviews to see how people use theirs in the field.