Backpacker’s Guide: Must-Have Lightweight Travel Towels for Every Adventure

When you're backpacking, every item in your pack needs to earn its place. You want gear that’s functional, light, compact, and ideally multi-use. That’s why a good travel towel isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s an absolute must.

Whether you're hopping between hostels in Europe, chasing waterfalls in Southeast Asia, or road-tripping through Australia, a high-quality travel towel will make your days easier, cleaner, and way less soggy. The best part? Modern travel towels are stylish, sand-free, and designed to dry in no time – so you can roll, rinse, and keep moving.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to look for in a towel, how to choose the right one for your adventures, and why every backpacker should have at least one beach towel with zip pocket in their pack.

Why a Travel Towel Beats a Regular Towel

If you’ve ever lugged a heavy cotton towel around for days on end, you already know – it’s not worth it. They’re bulky, take ages to dry, and once they’re wet, they stay that way. Not ideal when you’ve got a train to catch or a hike to finish.

A good travel towel is different. It’s designed to fit into the rhythm of backpacking life – fast, flexible, and often wet.

Here’s why it matters:

They dry up to 3x faster than traditional towels
They fold or roll down to the size of a water bottle
They’re super absorbent and soft
They resist mildew and weird smells
They don’t trap sand or dirt
And if you find the right one – they also look great in your travel pics

What Makes a Great Travel Towel?

Not all travel towels are created equal. Here’s what to look for when choosing one that can handle everything from beach days to hostel showers:

Material

The best travel towels are made from recycled polyester blends or high-quality microfiber. These materials are soft, quick-drying, and compact. At Nomadique, we use fabric made from post-consumer recycled bottles – which means you’re not just packing light, you’re packing sustainably too.

Size

Choose a towel that’s big enough to lie on, but still small enough to roll tight. Around 160cm x 80cm is a great all-rounder size. Bigger is fine if you don’t mind the extra bulk – smaller works best if you want it strictly for drying off.

Drying Time

Look for towels that air-dry in under an hour. It makes a huge difference when you’re on the move or need to reuse the towel later that day.

Weight

The best travel towels are featherlight – think under 500g. You’ll thank yourself every time you repack.

Sand Free Beach Towel

If you’re planning any beach stops, this is a must. A towel that doesn’t hold sand saves your clothes, your gear, and your sanity.

Durability

Backpacking gear takes a beating. Make sure your towel is made to last. Double stitching and quality fabric make all the difference.

Design

You don’t have to sacrifice style to travel smart. Look for a towel that makes you feel good when you roll it out – whether it’s on a hostel bed, a mountain lookout, or a beach in Croatia.

Bonus Features That Are Totally Worth It

Built-in zip pocket

This is one of the smartest travel towel upgrades you can get. A beach towel with zip pocket lets you store your phone, key, or cash securely while you swim, shower or sunbathe. It’s perfect for solo travellers or beach days when you don’t want to lug a bag.

Hanging loop

A simple loop makes drying or hanging your towel way easier. Clip it to your bag, a tree, or a bunk rail.

Corner pegs or anchor loops

If your towel comes with these – even better. They help keep it in place on windy days or uneven ground.

Our Top Picks for Travel Towels

At Nomadique, we’ve designed towels that tick all the backpacker boxes. Here are our favourites for adventure travel:

The Amalfi Travel Towel with Zip Pocket

• Made from recycled bottles

• Super soft, ultra-lightweight

• Quick-dry and sand-free

• Built-in zip pocket for valuables

• Comes in travel pouch
  → Shop the Amalfi Towel

Nomadique Classic Travel Towel

• Minimal, compact and designed for speed

• Perfect for hostel stays and daily use

• Available in earthy, versatile colours
  → Explore the full collection

Where You’ll Use It

A travel towel will end up being one of your most-used items on the road. Here’s how it fits into real travel life:

Hostels – showers, drying clothes, laying on the bed when the sheets look a little... tired
Beaches – lie on it, dry off with it, shake the sand off and keep going
Train stations – picnic while you wait, sit on it, wrap it around you if it’s cold
Mountains – use it as a yoga mat or to wipe off post-hike sweat
Lakes & Waterfalls – dip, dry, repeat
Camping – use it as a pillow, a wrap, or a shade cloth
Boats – need we say more?
When a towel is this versatile, you’ll wonder how you ever travelled without it.

How Many Travel Towels Do You Need?

At a minimum, one. But if you’re on the road for a while, two is ideal.

Use one as your go-to for drying off, and the other as a backup – for laying out, swapping between wash days, or using for workouts or beach mats. And if you’re planning on using one for yoga, it’s great to have a clean one on standby.

How to Pack a Travel Towel

Roll it instead of folding – it saves space
Keep it in a mesh pouch or dry bag
Clip it to the outside of your pack if it’s damp
Don’t stuff it in wet unless you really have to
Nomadique towels come with a breathable pouch that’s perfect for storing them between uses.

Cleaning and Care

Rinse it in fresh water after salty swims
Hang it to dry fully before packing away
Machine wash cold with mild detergent
Avoid fabric softeners – they reduce absorbency
These steps will keep your towel fresher, longer. And unlike cotton towels, ours are mildew-resistant and dry so fast you’ll rarely get that dreaded musty smell.

What Not to Pack

Bulky bath towels – they take up half your bag
Cheap microfiber towels that feel like plastic
Towels that trap sand or hold moisture
If you’re going to carry it for months, it better be worth its weight. A great travel towel doesn’t add weight or stress to your travels – it makes everything easier.

Why a Beach Towel with Zip Pocket Is a Game Changer

This one’s worth repeating. A beach towel with zip pocket isn’t just for beach days. It’s the travel upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Stash your valuables while you shower
Keep your cash or passport hidden at the beach
Use it as a mini bag when ducking out for a swim
It’s a small feature that makes a huge difference when you’re travelling solo or just don’t want to carry a lot.

Real Reviews from Backpackers

“I took my Nomadique towel through Europe for 3 months – it dried so fast and never smelled. Total game changer.” – Tom, Brisbane

“The zip pocket is genius. I use it every beach day and even at the hostel pool. It’s so light, I don’t even notice it in my bag.” – Naomi, Perth

“I’ve had mine for 2 years now. It still looks good, feels soft, and works way better than any other towel I’ve used.” – Jack, Melbourne

Final Thoughts

When you’re living out of a backpack, every gram matters. But a great towel isn’t just about saving space – it’s about convenience, hygiene, comfort, and sometimes peace of mind. The best travel towels are the ones that do more, weigh less, and dry in half the time.

Whether you’re on a quick getaway or a full-blown gap year, make sure a quality travel towel is at the top of your packing list. And if it comes with a zip pocket too? Even better.

Shop the Nomadique collection and upgrade your travel gear today. You won’t regret it.