The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Camping Towels
Campers, hikers and outdoors lovers are inherent gear geeks. And one thing you won't catch any self-respecting outdoors enthusiast without is a trusty camp towel — whether you’re packing it as your personal towel, using it as an outdoor bath towel, or treating it as the original camp towel that goes on all your backpacking trips.
While it may seem like an insignificant item, choosing the right camp towel can make all the difference on your next adventure.
Sure, you could use a bulky beach towel or fancy travel towel, but purpose-designed camp towels beat both of these options. Every. Damn. Day.
Whether you're setting off for an overnighter. Packing for a long-distance hike. Going camping with a few friends. Looking for traces of bigfoot in the mountains.
Quick drying, lightweight, packable camp towels are a must-have for any outdoor excursion. And when your towel dries fast, weighs less, and takes up no space, you’ll wonder why you ever tried to pack a towel designed for hotels instead of the woods.
Here's how to choose the right one for your needs.
What is a “camp” towel?
A camp towel is a specialized type of towel designed for use in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and backpacking trips.
Unlike regular towels, camping towels are specifically made to be lightweight, compact and quick drying. Many even qualify as an ultralight towel, perfect for thru-hikers who obsess over reduced weight in their packs.
They are also durable and can 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 as we all know, your camping pack or kit should contain only essential items. And a bulky, slow-drying cotton towel just doesn't make the cut when you're trying to save space and weight.
Also, while cotton towels feel nice to the touch, they definitely take longer to dry and can smell when left moist. And unlike modern microfiber towels that can be washed and dried in a flash, 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 and durable.
And because we're big fans of marrying aesthetics with function, it should also look kick a$$ too.
At Happy Faced, we collab with independent (and almost unfairly talented) artists to create camp towels with unique designs that won't go unnoticed.
Obviously, they're not great if you're trying to hide from a predator like alien. But they're perfect if you want to add some personality to your camp gear and not look like another basic pitch (our name for boring camp sites).
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 easy troubleshooting guide.
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My towel stanks: Happy Faced towels are anti-microbial, so they resist bacteria growth. But if you're using it for extended periods of time, or in humid environments, a quick hand wash under a faucet or in a freshwater stream will do the trick!
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My towel is wet: An easy one! Simply hang it somewhere it'll catch the breeze. If there's no breeze, hang it on your pack or a branch to dry (just make sure it's secured so it doesn't fall off)
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My towel is dirty: Wash cold with similar colors. No bleach. Soften it up with white vinegar (yep!). Don't iron. Tumble dry low
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My towel is staring at me: Look away. You'll never win a staring competition with a towel
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My towel is sandy: Firstly, kudos on finding time to plan a beach camping trip. We hope you scored epic weather. Now, in order to de-sand your towel, simply grip it and rip it to whip those pesky grains right off. Or… just buy a Happy Faced anti-sand quick dry towel
Happy Faced anti-sand towel
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 the right one for you, however, remains to be seen. If you're looking to simplify your outdoor adventures and make way for only the essentials, here are some factors to consider when choosing the perfect camp towel.
1. Material
The material of your camp towel will greatly affect its performance and durability. Microfiber, a synthetic material made of ultra-fine fibers, is the most popular choice due to its quick-drying and absorbent properties. It is also lightweight and compact, making it easy to pack a towel for your trips.
Some camp towels are also made with bamboo or linen blends, which offer natural antibacterial properties and softness.
2. Size
Camping towels come in a variety of sizes, from standard towel size to oversized. Consider what you will primarily be using the towel for – cleaning yourself, drying dishes or wiping down gear – and choose the appropriate size accordingly.
3. Weight
Since you'll likely be carrying your camp towel with you on your outdoor excursions, the weight of the towel is an important factor to consider. Microfiber towels are lightweight and ideal for backpacking trips or long multi-day hikes, especially when you're obsessed with reduced weight and faster moving.
Remember Confucius's wise words. He said, "A heavy towel sucks".
4. Durability
Camping towels need to withstand rugged environments and repeated use without falling apart. Look for towels that are made with strong stitching and reinforced edges... or simply shop our range of camp towels.
5. Packability
The whole point of a camping towel is its compactness and easy packability. Thin towels that can easily be folded into a small size are preferable. You can even buy two at checkout: one for your gear and one for your personal towel needs.
6. Design
While not essential, having a unique design on your camp towel can add some personality to your outdoor gear. We recommend checking out our artist-designed models. They're hard on dirt and sweaty pits but easy on the eye.
7. Anti-microbial
Getting stanky on the trail is a certainty. Don't make things worse by using a towel that holds onto bacteria and odors. Look for anti-microbial options to avoid needing to constantly get it washed and dried.
8. Quick-Drying
A quick dry towel is a must-have for any outdoor adventure, as it allows you to reuse your towel throughout the day. Microfiber towels are known for their quick-drying properties — many hikers love being able to take a dip, hang it for 10 minutes, and hike on after their towel dries.
Wrapping up
There's always room amongst your clothes, food and gear for a trusty camp towel. Trust us. We wouldn't go backpacking into the wild without one. They're packable, easy to dry, soft on skin and ideal for the many thousands of outdoors loving humans who enjoy Mother Nature. For more questions about our various camping towel models, get in touch!
FAQs: Camping Towels (For People Who Actually Go Outside)
What makes a camping towel different from a regular towel?
Camping towels are built for outdoor use — lightweight, packable, quick drying, and designed to handle repeated use without smelling. Unlike cotton towels, a good camp towel can be washed and dried quickly and won’t weigh down your pack.
Are camping towels good for backpacking trips?
Yep — they’re the unsung heroes of backpacking trips. Most qualify as ultralight towels and help reduce weight in your pack while working as your personal towel or outdoor bath towel around camp.
How fast does a camp towel dry?
A good quick dry towel dries significantly faster than cotton. In warm or breezy conditions, a microfiber towel dries in minutes. Even without airflow, it still dries much faster than a regular towel.
What size camp towel should I get?
It depends on how you’ll use it:
• Small — hands + gear
• Medium — personal towel for backpacking
• Large — outdoor bath towel for beach, river, or camp wash-ups
Most hikers go medium-to-large for all-purpose use.
Are camping towels machine washable?
Yes. Most can be washed and dried with normal laundry. Just skip the bleach and fabric softeners, as those can affect absorbency.
How do I pack a towel without it getting gross?
Let it breathe for a few minutes so the towel dries before you stuff it. If you can’t, microfiber resists stink better than cotton and can be rinsed easily on the trail.
What’s the best material for a camp towel?
Microfiber is the most popular because it dries fast, absorbs well, and packs small. Bamboo and linen blends exist for those who like natural fibers with antimicrobial properties.
Can a camp towel replace my regular towel?
For camping, hiking, and backpacking — absolutely. For hosting Thanksgiving dinner — probably not. But for outdoors use, a camp towel does everything you need without taking up half your bag.
Do Happy Faced towels qualify as ultralight?
They do — they’re lightweight, packable, and designed for reduced weight and fast drying during real outdoor use, not just “vanlife vibes” on Instagram.