When you’re packing for a trip, you’re one of two possible people in terms of towels. You may be conscientiously choosing what size travel towels should be when you pack, or maybe you’re thinking not to pack them at all, for you might be thinking that hotels offer towels.
While having towels provided by your hotel is admittedly a lot more convenient, you shouldn’t skip packing your own travel towel. Packing your own towel ensures that it is hygienic and safe, and you can choose the material, design, and what size your travel towel will be.
Of course, no one wants to travel around with a damp or bulky towel, so this guide will help you choose the best travel towel and for you to know.
>> Maintain a chic and neat look. Remember to pack a razor.
Why Should You Get A Travel Towel?
Are you still on the fence about whether you should get a travel towel? Well, here are five reasons why you might consider investing in it:
Avoiding Hotel Fees
If you’re staying at one of the top-rated hotels in the world, the cost of the towel is going to be included in your bill. However, some hotels will charge extra for towels, and some even add on a cleaning fee if you want to get a clean one. Instead of wasting your money to pay for hotel towels, it’s better to pack your own.
Gives You More Freedom On the Go
When you’re traveling, there are probably times when you don’t have an itinerary. You might decide to hit the beach or go hiking, and having a travel towel means you can be more spontaneous. You can easily clean up or dry off if you decide on an impromptu swimming trip!
Instant Sarong
Beach vacations are awesome, but in a rush to get to the water, you might forget to pack a change of clothes! However, if you have a travel towel along, you don’t have anything to worry about. Depending on the size of the travel towel you have, you can either use it as a normal towel or even wear it like a sarong. So consider what size travel towel should be when you are going on a beach vacation.
Travel Pillow In a Pinch
When you’re on a long flight or road trip, a travel pillow can work as a makeshift pillow. Of course, you’d want to have the fluffiest travel pillow possible, like towels made from Turkish cotton.
Sharing Isn’t Caring
If there’s one instance where you shouldn’t share, it’s with travel towels. Sharing towels is unsanitary and can be dangerous to the health. Plus, you’d have peace of mind knowing that you’re the only one who uses your towel to dry off the intimate parts of your body.
Types of Travel Towel
When choosing a travel towel, the first thing you need to consider is the material used. While there are loads of materials out there, there are some that are more common than others.
Microfiber
The most common material used for travel towels is microfiber. This material is cheap to produce, light, and thin, which is why they make for great travel towels. Most microfiber towels will wipe the water off your skin instead of absorbing it, which is why these towels are also quick-drying.
In general, microfiber towels are small, thin, and light because they are designed specifically for travel. Among the different types of travel towels, microfiber is also the easiest to clean. Most microfiber towels can be machine-washed.
Turkish Cotton
If you’re looking for something a bit more absorbent and soft against the skin, you should consider getting a Turkish cotton travel towel. Turkish cotton is surprisingly absorbent, so even thin towels are great for drying off. However, Turkish cotton dries slowly, so this is not the best travel towel for a day bag.
When cleaning Turkish cotton travel towels, check the label. If the towel is made from a blend of other fabrics, you might be able to throw it in your wash. However, pure Turkish cotton towels might need to be hand-washed.
Linen
Just like Turkish cotton, linen travel towels are highly absorbent and thin, and they are made from a natural material. However, linen does not feel plush or luxurious against the skin.
To clean linen travel towels, you need to hand wash them or use a washing machine with a “delicates” setting.
Bamboo Fiber
Travel towels made from bamboo aren’t as popular or well-known as the other types of travel towels, but if you want an eco-friendly option, this one is for you. Bamboo fiber has a similar feel to cotton, so it is softer than linen. What’s more, bamboo fiber is antibacterial. The only problem is that you might have a hard time looking for a quality bamboo fiber travel towel.
As with Turkish cotton, check the label of your travel towel to find out how to best clean it.
Picking The Right Size
After choosing the type of material you want, it’s now time to decide what size travel towels you should have. Travel towels come in a range of sizes, and unfortunately, there is no industry standard to categorize them as small, medium, or large.
The best way to choose the size of your travel towel is by thinking about where you’re going to use it. If you plan to use it as your main towel throughout your whole vacation, opt for travel towels that are around 70 inches across.
For day towels and washcloths, a 20-inch towel would be perfect. If you’re going camping, you might want to consider getting two kinds of travel towels. One towel is for taking a bath, while the other is for those quick clean-ups.
Conclusion
Even if you’re staying in a hotel that offers good towels, you should still bring your own. You never really know how clean or fresh hotel towels are! Being aware of what size travel towels you should pack in your bag will save you a headache and money, and you’ll have more options as to your travel itinerary for the day.
If possible, pack at least two different sizes of travel towel: one large and one small. The large one should be your main towel, while the smaller one should be your day-bag towel.