A travel towel does one thing a regular bath towel can't: dry in minutes rather than hours. On a multi-day trip where you're moving between accommodation, a towel that's still damp from this morning is a problem. A fast-drying microfibre travel towel is dry in 20–30 minutes, weighs under 200g, and packs to the size of a water bottle. Travel Gear is an authorised Australian stockist for Sea to Summit, shipping from our Charlestown NSW warehouse with fast delivery across Australia.
Types of Travel Towels
Microfibre Travel Towels
The most popular travel towel material. Microfibre absorbs water quickly, dries 5–10x faster than cotton, and packs significantly smaller. Sea to Summit's DryLite Towel dries 10x faster than cotton, weighs as little as 55g in the small size, and packs into its own stuff sack. Available in XS through XXL.
Tek Towels
Sea to Summit's Tek Towel uses a slightly heavier microfibre construction that feels closer to a cotton towel while retaining the fast-drying and packable properties of microfibre. The most popular choice for travellers who find standard microfibre too thin or scratchy. Available in S through XXL.
Silk Travel Towels
Ultralight and extremely packable — a silk travel towel weighs under 100g and packs to the size of a fist. Less absorbent than microfibre but dries almost instantly. Best for warm climates and minimalist travellers where weight is the priority.
Travel Towel Size Guide
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XS (30 x 60cm): Face cloth, gym, and minimalist carry
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S (40 x 80cm): Gym, beach, and short trips
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M (50 x 100cm): The most versatile size — suits most travel use cases
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L (60 x 120cm): Full body coverage, beach, and camping
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XL (75 x 150cm): Beach and pool use where a full-size towel is preferred
What to Look for in a Travel Towel
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Dry time: Look for towels rated to dry in under 30 minutes in normal conditions
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Pack size: Should compress into its own stuff sack and fit in a side pocket of your daypack
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Weight: Under 200g for a medium-size towel — Sea to Summit's DryLite M weighs 90g
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Absorbency: Microfibre absorbs 4–5x its weight in water — adequate for most travel use
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Odour resistance: Look for antimicrobial treatment to prevent musty smells on longer trips
Frequently Asked Questions
Are travel towels worth it?
Yes — for any trip where you're moving between accommodation, a fast-drying travel towel is significantly more practical than a cotton towel. It dries between uses, packs small enough to fit in a daypack, and weighs under 200g. Many hostels and guesthouses don't provide towels, making a travel towel essential for budget travel.
How do I wash a travel towel?
Machine wash on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Avoid fabric softener — it coats the microfibre and reduces absorbency over time. Tumble dry on low or air dry. Most travel towels are fully dry within 20 minutes of air drying.
What size travel towel do I need?
For most travel use, a medium (50 x 100cm) is the right size — large enough for a full body dry, small enough to pack easily. For beach and pool use, go up to large or XL. For gym and minimalist carry, a small (40 x 80cm) is sufficient.
What is the best travel towel brand in Australia?
Sea to Summit is the benchmark for travel towels in Australia — their DryLite and Tek Towel ranges are used by travellers and adventurers worldwide. As an authorised Australian stockist, Travel Gear carries the full Sea to Summit towel range with warranty support. For a full packing system, see our ultimate Australian packing checklist.
