The Camp Towel Field Guide
How to Choose the
Best Camp Towel
Campers, hikers, and outdoors lovers are inherent gear geeks. One thing you won’t catch any self-respecting outdoor enthusiast without is a trusty camp towel—whether it’s your personal towel, outdoor bath towel, dish dryer, gear cleaner, or the thing going on every backpacking trip from here until Bigfoot finally returns your calls.
Pack light. Dry fast. Don’t bring a hotel towel.
A good camp towel should be quick-drying, lightweight, compact, absorbent, soft, durable, and easy to hang from a pack or branch. Once your towel dries fast, weighs less, and takes up almost no room, you’ll wonder why you ever packed something designed for a hotel bathroom into the woods.
What is a “camp” towel?
A camp towel is a specialized towel designed for camping, hiking, backpacking, river trips, and the other outdoor activities that make normal towels quietly regret their career choices.
Unlike regular towels, camp towels are built to be lightweight, compact, durable, and quick drying. Many even qualify as ultralight towels, which is perfect for thru-hikers who obsess over reduced pack weight and have strong opinions about the emotional burden of an extra zipper.
They’re also made to withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures. In other words, if Paul Bunyan needed a towel, he’d choose a camp towel.
Why is it preferable to an ordinary cotton towel?
First up, we’re not throwing shade on cotton towels. They make excellent leak absorbers, dog-vomit moppers, and yes… beach loungers.
But your camping pack should contain only essential items, and a bulky, slow-drying cotton towel doesn’t make the cut when you’re trying to save space and weight.
Cotton feels nice, but it takes longer to dry and can smell when it’s left moist. Modern microfiber towels can be washed and dried in a flash, while cotton tends to hold onto water like it’s emotionally attached.
That’s a big no-no if you ask us.
Which features make a good camp towel?
A good camp towel should be convenient, soft, quick drying, absorbent, lightweight, durable, and—because we’re big fans of marrying aesthetics with function—it should look kick-ass too.
Quick drying
It should release moisture fast enough to reuse during the same day and avoid becoming a damp passenger inside your pack.
Lightweight
It shouldn’t make you rethink every life decision halfway up a switchback.
Packable
It should fold small enough to leave room for food, clothes, and whatever emergency snack you’ve assigned emotional importance.
Absorbent
Lightweight shouldn’t mean useless. A camp towel still has one very important towel job.
Durable
It needs to survive repeated washing, trail grime, tree branches, rocks, campgrounds, and general outdoor disrespect.
Looks good
At Happy Faced, we work with independent artists to create towels that won’t disappear into a pile of beige camping gear.
Obviously, they’re not ideal if you’re hiding from an alien predator. But they’re perfect if you want to add some personality to your gear and avoid looking like another basic pitch—our name for a boring campsite.
How do I keep a camp towel in good condition?
How do you keep your beloved camping towel clean, soft, and dry? It’s simple. Follow this extremely official field guide.
My towel stanks
Happy Faced towels resist odor buildup, but extended use and humid conditions can still test any fabric. Give it a quick hand wash under a faucet, then let it dry completely.
My towel is wet
Hang it somewhere it’ll catch the breeze. If there’s no breeze, hang it from your pack or a branch—just secure it unless you want to donate it to the forest.
My towel is dirty
Wash cold with similar colors. Skip the bleach and fabric softener. Don’t iron it. Tumble dry low or air dry.
My towel is staring at me
Look away. You’ll never win a staring competition with a towel.
My towel is sandy
Grip it and rip it. A good shake removes most loose sand. For more on how that works, read our sand-resistant towel guide .
My towel needs a reset
Use a small amount of mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and dry it completely before putting it back into storage.
How to choose the perfect camp towel for your next trip
In the world of camp towels, there can be only one. Which one is right for you remains to be seen. If you’re simplifying your outdoor setup and making room for only the essentials, consider these eight things.
Material
Microfiber is the most popular choice because it’s quick drying, absorbent, lightweight, and compact. Bamboo and linen blends also exist for people who prefer natural fibers.
Size
Think about whether you’ll use it for drying yourself, washing at camp, cleaning dishes, or wiping down gear, then choose enough coverage without overpacking.
Weight
If you’re carrying it over distance, weight matters. Microfiber is ideal for backpacking trips and multi-day hikes where every ounce gets put on trial.
Durability
Look for strong stitching and reinforced edges that can handle rugged environments and repeated use without immediately unraveling into a sad trail ribbon.
Packability
The whole point is compactness. A good camp towel should fold down small enough to disappear into your kit until it’s needed.
Design
Design isn’t essential, but neither is joylessness. Artist-designed camp towels add personality without sacrificing function.
Odor resistance
Getting stanky on the trail is a certainty. Choose a towel that dries quickly and doesn’t hold onto moisture longer than necessary.
Quick drying
A quick-dry towel can be reused throughout the day. Take a dip, hang it up, eat a snack, and move on without carrying a wet cotton hostage.
Remember Confucius’s wise words: “A heavy towel sucks.”
Camping towel FAQ
What makes a camping towel different from a regular towel?
Are camping towels good for backpacking trips?
How fast does a camp towel dry?
What size camp towel should I get?
Are camping towels machine washable?
How do I pack a towel without it getting gross?
What’s the best material for a camp towel?
Can a camp towel replace my regular towel?
Do Happy Faced towels qualify as ultralight?
Pack small. Dry fast. Go outside.
There’s always room among your clothes, food, and gear for a trusty camp towel. They’re packable, soft on skin, easy to dry, and considerably more useful than dragging a hotel towel into the wilderness.