🏝️ Why Every Traveller in Southeast Asia Brings a Travel Towel

If you’re planning a trip through Southeast Asia — think Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, the Philippines — there’s one item that doesn’t get nearly enough attention on packing lists: a really good travel towel.

Trust me, after 100+ countries and multiple Southeast Asia trips (some planned, some a bit… chaotic), I can confidently say a good travel towel is one of the most underrated essentials you can pack. But not just any towel — I mean a quick dry towel, preferably a sand free beach towel that won’t stay wet for 12 hours and smell like damp backpack.

Let’s get into why travellers who’ve done this loop before never leave without one — and why I ended up designing my own version (more on that in a sec).

🌦️ The Humidity is No Joke

You’ll sweat. And then sweat some more. Even on a chill day in Chiang Mai or Ubud, it’s the kind of heat that soaks your shirt before lunchtime.

Having a travel towel you can quickly wipe down with, take to the beach, or use post-shower is honestly just part of daily life here. Whether it’s a wipe-down moment or a rinse-off-in-the-hostel-bathroom-and-run moment, you’ll thank yourself for having one.

🏖️ Beaches Are Everywhere — But Amenities Aren’t

A huge part of Southeast Asia travel is spontaneous swims. You’ll find yourself jumping into waterfalls in Laos, hopping on boats to hidden Thai islands, or lounging on a beach in the Philippines you didn’t even plan to visit.

The problem? A lot of these places don’t have loungers or beach towels for rent. And when you’re packing light (as most budget travellers are), you don’t want a big fluffy towel taking up half your backpack.

That’s where a sand free beach towel comes in. It’s light, dries fast, and you can literally shake the sand off in one go.

🏨 Not All Hostels Provide Towels

Some hostels or budget guesthouses will give you a towel, but it’s… let’s say “questionable” at best. If they don’t charge you for one, there’s a good chance it’ll smell like it’s been sitting in a cupboard since 2008.

I learned the hard way — always bring your own. A quick dry towel will dry hanging off your bunk bed rail overnight, no stress. No one wants to shove a damp, heavy towel into their pack.

🧳 Why I Made My Own (and Never Travel Without It)

After trying way too many scratchy, smelly, disappointing options, I designed the Nomadique beach towel with pocket — the travel towel I actually wanted but couldn’t find anywhere.

Here’s why I’m obsessed:

• Quick dry towel – dries in a few hours max (even in tropical humidity)
  
  

• Sand free beach towel – shakes off every grain after beach naps or boat trips
  
  

• Hidden zip pocket – game changer when you want to go for a swim but don’t want to leave your phone or money lying on the beach
  
  

• Loops + pegs – sounds minor, but when you’re on a windy island ferry or trying to hang your towel on a hostel bedframe? You’ll get it
  
  

• Packs down super small
  
  

It’s saved my butt so many times I honestly don’t travel without it anymore.

🛵 You’ll Use It More Than You Think

A few unexpected ways I’ve used my travel towels in Southeast Asia:

• As a sarong when I forgot my pants at a temple visit 😅
  
  

• Laid it down at a street market for an impromptu picnic
  
  

• As a mini blanket on freezing cold air-conditioned buses
  
  

• Rolled up as a makeshift pillow on overnight trains
  
  

• For drying my hair when every bathroom had… no hairdryer, ever
  
  

They’re just one of those items that ends up being useful in ways you never planned for.

✨ Lightweight Travel is the Goal

When you’re travelling through Southeast Asia, you want to be nimble. The easier it is to move, unpack, and pack again, the more freedom you have to say “yes” to spontaneous changes — and trust me, plans will change.

That’s why I’m a firm believer in only packing what’s essential — and why my beach towel with pocket is always one of the first things I toss into my bag.

It takes up less space than a t-shirt, but makes a massive difference day to day.

 

✅ Quick Southeast Asia Towel Packing Checklist

• ✅ Travel towel (lightweight, fast-drying)
  
  

• ✅ Backup microfibre cloth or mini towel
  
  

• ✅ Pegs or clips (especially if you’ll be hanging stuff to dry)
  
  

• ✅ Zip bag to separate wet/damp items
  
  

• ✅ And yes… maybe two towels if you're beach-hopping for weeks
  
  

Final Thoughts

If it’s your first trip to Southeast Asia, you might be tempted to skip the towel to save space — I get it. But seasoned travellers know that a quick dry, sand free beach towel is one of those non-negotiables.

And if you’re still on the hunt for the best one, mine comes with a pocket, sand free beach towel, and a design made for travel. Check it out before your next flight ✈️