The phrase “travel towel” gets used very loosely these days. Almost every lightweight towel is now marketed as one. But after working in this category and using these products ourselves, I can say with confidence that not all travel towels are created equal.
A premium travel towel is not defined by price alone. It is defined by how it performs over time, how it feels to use and how well it fits into real travel and outdoor life.
So what actually makes a travel towel premium?
It starts with purpose, not packaging
A premium travel towel is designed from the ground up to be used outside the bathroom.
That sounds obvious, but many towels labelled as travel towels are simply thinner versions of regular towels. They might pack down a little smaller, but they still carry the same problems. Slow drying, lingering smells and sand that refuses to let go.
When we talk about premium, we are talking about towels that are intentionally designed for movement. Beaches, boats, road trips, flights, gyms and everything in between.
Fabric choice is the foundation
The single biggest factor in towel quality is fabric.
Most premium travel towels use some form of microfibre, but again, that term on its own does not tell you much. The differences lie in fibre quality, weave structure and finishing.
High quality travel towels use a tight, loopless weave. This is what allows sand to fall away easily and water to disperse quickly. A loose weave or looped fabric will compromise both.
At Will and Wind, we use rPET microfibre made from post consumer plastic bottles. This choice was deliberate. rPET offers durability, softness and performance while also reducing reliance on virgin materials.
Each of our travel towels repurposes the equivalent of 16 plastic bottles. That is not a marketing slogan. It is a measurable outcome.
You can see our travel towel range here.
Drying speed matters more than absorbency alone
Absorbency is often the headline feature towels are sold on. But absorbency without drying speed is not particularly useful when you are travelling.
A towel that absorbs water but stays wet for hours quickly becomes a problem. It smells, it adds weight to your bag and it is unpleasant to reuse.
Premium travel towels are designed to strike the right balance. They absorb enough water to dry you effectively, but they release that water quickly so the towel dries fast.
This is one of the key reasons premium travel towels outperform cotton in outdoor and travel environments.
Odour control is not optional
This is something many people only appreciate after switching.
When you are travelling, you do not always have the luxury of hanging a towel in full sun for hours. Towels get packed damp. They get reused before fully drying.
A premium travel towel manages this reality.
Fast drying helps, but material choice matters too. Anti microbial properties significantly reduce the chance of bacteria building up and causing odours.
This is not about gimmicks. It is about creating a towel that stays fresh enough to use day after day without becoming unpleasant.
Comfort should never be sacrificed
There is a misconception that performance towels have to feel rough or plasticky. That is simply not true with well made products.
Premium travel towels have a soft suede style finish that feels smooth and comfortable against the skin. While it is different from the plush feel of cotton, it is far more suited to warm climates and repeated use.
Comfort is not just about softness. It is about how a towel behaves when wet, how it feels on sun warmed skin and how it performs throughout the day.
Size, weight and packability need balance
Bigger is not always better. Neither is the smallest possible option.
A premium travel towel is sized thoughtfully. Large enough to lie on comfortably or wrap around yourself, but not so large that it becomes bulky or slow to dry.
Weight matters too. When you are travelling, every gram counts. Premium towels achieve durability without unnecessary bulk.
Packability is part of this equation. A towel that folds down compactly and fits easily into a bag is far more likely to be taken everywhere and used often.
Durability is what separates premium from disposable
A premium travel towel should last for years, not months.
This means:
- Fabric that does not thin quickly
- Colours and prints that hold up
- Stitching that does not fray
- Performance that does not degrade after washing
A towel that needs replacing frequently is not premium, regardless of how it is marketed.
Durability is also part of sustainability. The longer a product lasts, the lower its overall impact.
Design with intention
Design is not just about appearance. It is about how a product makes you feel using it.
For us, premium design means creating towels inspired by real Australian places and environments. Coastlines, marine life and landscapes that resonate because they are familiar and meaningful.
This approach creates a stronger connection than generic patterns. It also means our towels feel at home wherever they are used.
You can see this design philosophy reflected across our range.
Versatility defines real value
A premium travel towel rarely lives one life.
Our customers use their towels at the beach, at the pool, on boats, at the gym, while travelling, camping and even for their dogs.
A towel that performs across all of these settings offers far more value than one designed for a single purpose.
That versatility is intentional. It is why we design our towels to dry quickly, stay fresh and pack down small without sacrificing comfort.
So what makes a premium travel towel?
In our experience, a premium travel towel consistently delivers on these fundamentals:
- High quality loopless microfibre
- Fast drying in real conditions
- Effective odour management
- Comfortable suede finish
- Thoughtful sizing and weight
- Long term durability
- Clear and honest sustainability credentials
At Will and Wind, we focus on building towels that meet these standards because they are the standards we expect ourselves.
If you are choosing a travel towel, look beyond price and marketing claims. Think about how it will perform after months of use, not just the first day.
That is where premium really reveals itself.