The Best Beach Towels of 2024
- Jackie Connor
- Jun 25, 2024
- 27 min read
Updated: Jul 26, 2024
When it comes to spending time at the beach, there may not be a single item more important than the beach towel. We tested 8 of the best options on the market to help you find the right beach towel to suit your needs and budget.
No trip to the beach is complete without the perfect beach towel. Whether your favorite beach spot is by the ocean, lake, or river, the best beach towel provides a space to kick back, relax, and, of course, help you dry off.
These days, beach towels come in a variety of different materials that provide varying levels of absorbency, sand resistance, warmth, packability, and comfort. We also have options for different sizes and designs for personal use, groups, or the ever-important clothing change. The best beach towel is one that is both functional during all your outdoor adventures and can also be a statement piece that shows off your personality — be it whimsical, rugged, or anything in between.
With so many options to choose from, finding the ideal beach towel for your needs can be a challenge. To help, we gathered a diverse selection of 8 beach towels for testing and comparison. Writer and beach gear expert Jackie Connor has spent the past 20 years using beach towels of all kinds during her surf and outdoor adventures. From serving as that extra layer of surfboard padding for travel to her first line of defense against post-surf chills and towel changes, she knows a quality beach towel is an essential part of anyone’s beach adventures.
From chilly surf sessions in the Pacific Ocean to sunnier, warmer days on southern California beaches, these towels have been tested for absorption, warmth, sand resistance, and durability. Whether you’re seeking a comfortable and warm cotton towel, a packable and lightweight microfiber option, or something to lounge on with your sweetheart or family, we’ve got recommendations for you.
Our favorite beach towels are listed below. To see all the models we tested at a glance, take a look at our comparison chart. If you’d like to learn more about beach towels, our buying advice has all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision, and we have answers to common questions in our FAQ section.
The Best Beach Towels of 2024
Best Overall Beach Towel: Patagonia Organic Cotton Towel
Best Budget Beach Towel: Dakine Terry Beach Towel
Best Turkish Beach Towel: Sand Cloud Turkish Beach Towel
Best Portable Beach Towel: Rumpl Everywhere Towel
Best Sand-Resistant Microfiber Beach Towel: Eccosophy Eco-Friendly Microfiber Beach Towel
Best Oversized Beach Towel: Sand Cloud Party Blanket
Best Multi-Purpose Beach Towel: Nomadix Poncho Beach Towel
Best Overall Beach Towel
Specs
Material Organic cotton
Dimensions 36" x 64"
Weight 1.6 lbs.
Pros
Fits in most surf backpacks or beach bags
Repels sand relatively well
The dual-sided feature keeps you warm and dry
Large size
Cons
Color-tested blends in with the sand making it harder to see from far away
Is a little heavier when wet
Takes several shakes and swipes to dislodge sand
The best of both worlds, Patagonia’s Organic Cotton Towel ($50) is high-quality and repels sand while remaining plush and warm. The perfect companion for any surfer, yogi, or water sports enthusiast, this towel is made from 100% organic cotton and handles the sun and salt as long as you place the velour side on the sand, helping to keep sand out of your backpack, car, and home.
The Organic Cotton Towel is dual-sided, with a softer velour side that repels sand relatively well and keeps you warm along with a looped terry material on the other side that is more absorbent. At 36 x 64 inches, it provides a nice wide spot to lay down on the beach and loads of coverage to wrap yourself up post-surf or swim. After squeezing out of a wetsuit in chilly spring air, the looped terry side of the towel successfully dried off the cold ocean water, and the velour side of the towel provided a welcome relief of warmth as the sun set below the horizon after another evening surf session.
Tested at Trestles, a well-known Southern California surf break with a one-mile walk to the beach, the Organic Cotton Towel fits in a typical beach backpack alongside a 4/3 millimeter wetsuit, but there’s not much room for anything else. The cotton material is a little thicker, but it’s not so large that it takes up too much space — it’s still practical to pack along with you on hike-in missions to your favorite spots.
While the velour side does resist picking up sand pretty well, it’s still a cotton towel. Sand can find places to hide on the looped side, but a few brushes and shakes can get most of it out. Cotton also dries a bit slower, and it gains a bit of weight when wet. Regardless, we feel the Patagonia Organic Cotton Towel perfectly blends comfort, absorbency, and sand resistance, making it our favorite among the models we tested.
Best Budget Beach Towel
Specs
Material 100% Cotton
Dimensions 34" x 63"
Weight 1.2 lbs.
Pros
Budget-friendly
Wide variety of colors and designs
Easily packs down
Great for water enthusiasts on the go
Warm and plush for the price
Cons
Wears after considerable usage
Retains sand at an average rate
Air dries slowly
With any and every type of print to fit your personality, Dakine’s Terry Beach Towel ($35) not only comes in a wide variety of designs but is also pretty soft and plush while remaining wallet-friendly. Made from 100% cotton, this beach towel is 460 grams per square meter (GSM), which means that despite its average size, it is easy to pack into any surf backpack or beach bag and bring to the beach with ease. And despite packing down easily, the Terry Beach Towel is still plush enough to keep you warm post-surf or water adventure.
Like many towels before it, Dakine’s Terry Beach Towel knows its audience — surfers. Most in this group aim to keep it simple, and this towel has no frills. With dimensions of 34 x 63 inches, it’s plenty large for lying out on the sand and provides ample coverage for wrapping around yourself once you’re out of the water. The cotton terry material is nice and soft against the skin and absorbs water readily when you need to dry off.
Similar to other cotton terry towels, sand has lots of places to hide and cling to, so it picks more of it up than microfiber options. Still, a good shake helps to dislodge most of it. And, of course, cotton also dries a bit slower too. Thankfully, it has a small loop sewn onto the corner when you need to hang it out to dry.
Straight and to the point, the Dakine Terry Beach Towel may be the perfect stow-away in your bag for a while, but after considerable usage, it might be a good idea to literally throw in the towel. Regardless, the Dakine Terry Beach Towel is an affordable option that’s soft, and cozy, and comes in enough prints that you’re sure to find a perfect match for your beach style.
Best Turkish Beach Towel
Specs
Material 100% Organic Turkish cotton
Dimensions 37" x 67"
Weight 0.8 lbs.
Pros
Lightweight
Small packed size
Quick-drying
Soft
So many designs to choose from
Cons
Hard to choose a design
Thin – doesn't provide much cushion or warmth
Jackie Connor
Sand Cloud helped popularize Turkish cotton starting in 2015 by making towels featuring fun, chic boho designs. The brand has since exploded onto the beach scene with hundreds of prints, designs, and sizes to meet every need and style preference. No stranger to the Turkish cotton scene, this San Diego-based company has brought this material to the forefront via sand resistance as their key selling point and, now, towel designs of the decade.
Sand Cloud’s Turkish Towel ($48) captured the best Turkish towel recognition because it is slightly more plush than Slowtide’s Turkish beach towel. At 240-250 GSM, these towels are made from 100% Organic Turkish cotton and absorb water well but are also very quick-drying and highly sand-resistant. While testing at the popular southern California beach of Trestles on a hot summer day, its small packed size and lightweight made it easy to transport on a one-mile walk to and from the beach. A quick shake dislodged virtually all of the sand, helping to leave it at the beach where it belongs. It also lived in the trunk of a car for multiple days without accumulating a stench despite withstanding soaked wetsuits, salt water, and sweaty bodies.
While Sand Cloud’s Turkish Towels are impressively lightweight and pack down nice and small for travel, they are also quite thin. As such, they don’t provide as much warmth as a Terry cotton towel, nor do they offer much in the way of cushioning. It’s great on soft, sandy beaches, but you’ll notice pebbles and shells underneath much more than a thicker, plusher towel.
Sand Cloud is big on collaborations, bringing so many different towel designs to market that you might be overwhelmed by the number of options. From Discovery Channel’s Shark Week to Disney and Looney Toons, many brands have gotten on board to ride the Turkish beach towel wave while contributing to marine conservation. If collecting designs is your thing, be warned: you can quickly become addicted to collecting their towels if style and Turkish cotton are your ideal beach towel combination. It is truly hard to resist a towel with a whale shark, manta ray, or sea turtle to claim a sandy spot by the shore.
And if feel-good vibes are your bag, every time you purchase a Sand Cloud towel or any Sand Cloud product, 10% of all profits are donated toward marine conservation organizations.
Best Portable Beach Towel
Specs
Material Polyester microsuede (95% polyester, 5% spandex)
Dimensions 29.5" x 72"
Weight 0.8 lbs.
Pros
Repels sand very well when dry
Lightweight when dry and wet
Highly absorbent
Cool colors and designs
Cons
Sand sticks when wet
Takes a while to try if it's super wet
Lightweight and great for packing and storing, Rumpl’s Everywhere Beach Towel ($50) is soft and easy to carry along with your other gear. Perfect for a day hike or hanging out by the lake, river, or beach, the Everywhere Towel is made for taking any and everywhere.
It is made from polyester antimicrobial microsuede that repels sand, pet hair, and stains. Even if the towel is wet, it remains relatively lightweight and easy to carry. When its completely soaked through, it dries much faster than cotton. It also has a convenient hang loop for easy and faster drying.
After a surf session, the Everywhere Towel is great for absorbing water and drying off. However, sand tends to stick to the material once it is wet, making it difficult to enjoy your activity. If you are chilly after a surf session, consider bringing another layer or one of Rumpl’s puffy blankets to wear after toweling off. The Everywhere Towel absorbs water really well, but the thin material will not be a good source of warmth if you need it post-surf.
The Rumpl Everywhere towel features colorful designs, with a few featuring iconic scenery from Yosemite National Park and Zion National Park. If you are surfing past the breakers, it is easy to spot from the line-up. Cool designs aside, this towel’s lightweight and packability make it a great option for bringing with you wherever your adventures take you.
Best Sand-Resistant Beach Towel
Specs
Material Recycled microfiber
Dimensions 35" x 71"
Weight 0.5 lbs.
Pros
Packs down
Absorbent
Repels sand
Does not take on a smell
Bright colors make it easy to see from afar
Tons of pattern options
Cons
Not plush for warmth
Sand eventually sticks to towel after if it is soaked
If sheer sand resistance is the goal, try Eccosophy’s Eco-Friendly Towel ($34). Colorful and lightweight, it is incredibly easy to stow in your pack, bright enough to be seen from a distance, and repels sand and dirt better than most sand-resistant towels we’ve tried.
Tested on Southern California beaches, this towel is ideal for warmer, sunnier weather if you’re looking to keep sand out of your bag. Made from microfiber sourced from post-consumer plastic waste, it isn’t as plush as cotton, but it doesn’t provide much for sand to cling to, packs down small, and is easily portable. But if you need to stay warm, you might consider a different product because this towel works best to dry you off and repel sand to keep it out of your car and home.
Our tester used this towel to change out of a wet wetsuit, which involved very sandy, wet feet standing on top of it. The fun didn’t stop there — she dried her salty hair and then stuffed it at the bottom of her surf backpack to catch any extra water from the wetsuit while walking the half-mile trail back to the car. It then sat in the car for a few days, and miraculously, there was no gross wet towel smell! Incredible. Notorious for their cars carrying a damp towel stench, surfers’ towels, and wetsuits often perma-stink a car if not immediately removed. Not so with the Eccosophy Eco-Friendly Towel.
Additionally, the microfiber material dries very fast, whether it’s lying on the beach in the sun or hanging on a line at home. A convenient drying loop makes it easy to hang next to your outdoor shower or by the rinse station at the beach. The Eco-Friendly Towel also comes in a variety of vibrantly colored prints, including the Amalfi we tested, so you can choose the option that suits you best.
Best Oversized Beach Towel
Specs
Material 100% Turkish Organic Cotton
Dimensions 90" x 90"
Weight 1.3 lbs.
Pros
Lighter weight and stretchy
Repels sand relatively well
Very soft to the touch
Great for group activities
Lots of pattern options
Can double as a blanket in the home
Cons
Expensive
Air dry only – cannot be added to the dryer
Not ideal for drying off after a rinse
Larger size ultimately picks up more sand
If you aren’t here to party, Sand Cloud’s Party Blanket ($158) may be a real pooper because it is large and in charge, ready to take good times to the beach with its fun patterns and soft texture. The Party Blanket is the perfect complement for warm, sunny beach days with friends.
Stretchy and sand-resistant, this oversized 90 x 90-inch towel is soft and offers unique looks, so your friends will easily know where to find the beach party. Made from 100% Turkish cotton, the Party Blanket is not as plush as Terry cotton but quite stretchy and can fit three or four people. However, sand tends to hide in the crevices of the stretchy Turkish cotton fabric. Even after shaking it out, the amount of sand it retained surprised us, mainly because the blanket is so large.
One does not simply dry off on the Sand Cloud Party Blanket. Since it is so large and meant to be shared with others, you’ll likely need to air dry because using the blanket to dry yourself off can be a chore. That also includes folding the blanket. Big surprise — it’s a two-person job. Despite rolling this towel down, the Party Blanket is still quite bulky and may require its own bag to carry around. However, due to the lower 225 GSM weight of the material, it weighs a mere 1.3 pounds.
The blanket also soaks up water readily but does not dry as quickly as other Sand Cloud towels we’ve tried in the past. And, because the Party Blanket is a four-layered gauze jacquard weave made from 100% Turkish cotton, it is not dryer-friendly and must be air-dried to preserve the fabric best.
Though it may not be the most practical for a person heading down to the beach solo, the Sand Cloud Party Blanket is the perfect lounging or picnic blanket for a couple or a few friends. At $158, it isn’t exactly cheap, but it comes in a vast assortment of colors and patterns to match your personal aesthetic and can double as a throw blanket in the home.
Best Multi-Purpose Beach Towel
Specs
Material 90% Recycled polyester, nylon
Dimensions Flat: 60" x 80", Worn: 30" x 40"
Weight 2.8 lbs.
Pros
Multi-purpose functionality
Super absorbent
Quick drying
One poncho towel equals 66 plastic bottles
Cons
Not very plush
Limited warmth
It’s easy to see why most surfers haul changing ponchos around in the trunks of their cars. Not only does the Nomadix Beach Poncho Towel ($80) keep your body fairly warm, but it also provides great coverage for changing in the parking lot or on the beach. This is the best way to avoid any wardrobe mishaps when you want to quickly change into dry clothes while also drying off.
Serving as a perfect multi-purpose solution for surfers and outdoor folks alike, the Nomadix Poncho Towel will help you dry off, keep you decently warm, serve as a beach blanket, and protect you from unwanted wardrobe malfunctions. Unlike many changing ponchos, Nomadix made this one with versatility in mind, and it can be used in all those ways.
Made from 90% post-consumer recycled materials and Nomadix’s MicroTerry Technology, each beach poncho towel is equivalent to 66 plastic bottles. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it is highly absorbent and dries you off quickly, including soaking wet hair. It is also surprisingly odor-resistant, which we confirmed after leaving it in the trunk of our tester’s car for a few days, resulting in no smelly stench.
Tested during a post-surf session on an overcast day in Southern California, the Beach Poncho Towel provided plenty of room for our tester’s 5’3” frame to change into dry clothes while also impersonating a flying squirrel. And when you’re looking to warm up a bit after getting out of the water, it has a front kangaroo pocket and hood to cover your hands and head. The material isn’t the warmest, but it takes the edge off the wind and doesn’t pick up much sand.
When you’re ready to lounge, unsnap the sides, and it opens up into a large — 60 x 80-inch — beach towel. Fun fact: the hood doubles as a beach umbrella hole, so you can have it made in the shade, and it’s large enough for two people to lie down. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for changing, drying, and hanging at the beach, check out the versatile Nomadix Beach Poncho Towel.
Best of the Rest
Specs
Material 100% sustainably sourced cotton – Oeko-Tex 100 & Leads certified
Dimensions 38" x 73"
Weight 0.8 lbs.
Pros
Lightweight
Small packed size
Dries quickly
Resists sand very well
Lots of timeless styles – some funky ones, too
Cons
Thin – not very plush or warm
Not very absorbent when new
A towel that is both stylish and sustainable, Slowtide’s Turkish Towel ($50) is perfect for an on-the-go adventure. Great for those hot summer days, it is lightweight, easy to pack and carry with you anywhere, and can double as a sarong wrap — the prints are cute enough to give this a go.
When brand new, the material of the Slowtide Turkish towel has a unique feel. It is initially so water resistant that beads of ocean water hovered on top of the towel when tested post-surf session. Water resistance isn’t exactly a desirable trait in a product that is meant to dry you off, but our tester had fun playing with the water beads on this towel and waiting for them to succumb to the material. In Slowtide’s defense, they claim that their Turkish towels are designed to get softer and more absorbent with each wash, so absorbency should improve with time and use.
Like other Turkish towels, the Slowtide is sand-resistant. Sand barely sticks to it, and what little does cling to the towel is easily shaken off. In case you manage to soak the towel, there is a handy drawcord loop for convenient drying. An additional plus about the Slowtide Turkish beach towel is that, unlike most other Turkish beach towels, it can go in the dryer on low.
The Slowtide is a great towel for vegging out by the pool or on the sand, so long as you aren’t relying on it for warmth or a cushy barrier between you and a pebbly beach. The thin nature of this and other Turkish towels simply isn’t as plush as thicker Terry cotton options. If you do decide to hit the waves, Slowtide’s Turkish towel will help dry you off, but with less than half the cushyness of their Wonderland Woven towel. With oversized dimensions of 38 inches wide by 73 inches long, this is a big towel, and it provides ample space to lie down and great coverage when you need to wrap yourself up.
And, if you’re interested in sustainability, Slowtide is transparent about ethically sourcing its materials and allows you to donate one percent of your purchase to a charity of your choice.
Best Beach Towel Runner-Up
Specs
Material 100% sustainably sourced cotton
Dimensions 30" x 60"
Weight 1 lb.
Pros
Ultra soft and plush
Warm
Convenient drying loop
Slowtide products are sustainably and ethically sourced
Cons
Heavy when wet
Difficult to dislodge sand
Not the fastest drying
The Slowtide Wonderland Woven Towel ($50) came in a close second to Patagonia’s organic cotton towel. Very comfy and slightly more plush than a standard beach towel, Slowtide’s Wonderland Woven Towel satisfies all types of beach-going needs, including keeping you warm and dry, instead of choosing between the two.
Made from 100% sustainably sourced cotton, the Wonderland features a plush 500 GSM with a velour cotton side for comfort and a looped terry side for absorption. The unique whimsical designs are available in several patterns and feature a convenient loop for hanging the towel to dry.
Despite its plushness, the Wonderland Woven beach towel doesn’t take up an excessive amount of space in a backpack. A full wetsuit and a few other standard beach gear items, such as hats, sunscreen, water, and snacks, could easily fit alongside this towel. Still, at 30 by 60 inches, it’s a relatively standard size that should work for most users either for lying down or drying off.
When drying off, the Slowtide Wonderland Woven Towel has good absorption and offers a welcome amount of softness and warmth after a chilly springtime surf. However, like other cotton towels, it is not the fastest to dry and can get heavy once wet. Sand also tends to stick within its terry fibers and is slightly more difficult to dislodge compared to other materials.
Still, we’d recommend the Slowtide Wonderland Woven Towel to anyone seeking a quality, plush beach towel. And if you’re looking for something different, Slowtide makes a huge range of beach towels, including Turkish, quick-drying, and changing poncho models, in an array of fun prints to choose from.
Specs
Material 100% cotton
Dimensions 62" x 70"
Weight 3 lbs.
Pros
Carrying strap
Extremely soft and plush
Unique boho designs
Custom embroidery offered by Pendleton
Cons
Heaviest towel tested
Bulky
Brings home more sand
Requires extra attention when packing up
If the fun boho design doesn’t draw you in initially, this towel’s sheer size and plushness will. Great for creating a snuggly vibe or for sharing a comfortable spot in the sand with friends, Pendleton’s Towel for Two ($90) is a larger beach towel that may make it easy to nap and look good doing so. Large enough to fit two or three people, this is a great option for group activities such as bonfires and beach days or perhaps for folks looking to fully wrap themselves up in a large, comfy towel once out of the water.
Made from 100% cotton, this is one of the most comfortable and plush towels we tested, making it a favorite among our fellow beach-going friends thus far. The sheared cotton terry side is great for relaxing in the sand, while the reverse side’s looped cotton is highly absorptive for drying off. For an extra $10, you can even personalize your towel by adding a monogram or embroidery.
Like most larger towels — especially those with looped cotton— the Pendleton will trap sand easily within its fibers, helping you bring the beach home with you. A few good shakes can dislodge most of the sand. However, it tends to stick a bit more if the towel is damp, which makes it more challenging to keep your car and belongings sand-free.
Given its 62 x 70-inch dimensions and plush cotton material, it’s not surprising that the Pendleton Towel for Two is the heaviest we tested at three pounds. It’s also a little bulkier and not the easiest to stash in a backpack with your other things. Fortunately, it comes with a nylon carrying strap. When you roll and strap the towel correctly, it makes carrying this two-person towel a one-person job.
If you’re looking for a large, soft cotton beach towel for a couple or family, the Pendleton Towel for Two should be on your shortlist. It also comes in several great prints so you can spread out or wrap yourself up in style.
How We Tested Beach Towels
For our beach towel buyer’s guide, we recruited beach gear expert Jackie Connor to test and review all of the models included here. With over 20 years spent refining her surf skills, Jackie has become a self-proclaimed beach towel connoisseur. For Jackie, beach towels are an incredibly important go-to for warmth, dryness, and, like most surfers, a covert changing accessory. In her never-ending search for the perfect beach towel, she has tried everything from standard cotton terry towels, got curious about microsuede’s beach usability, and became a more refined procurer of all things Turkish cotton and fun boho designs.
Each towel was tested during her typical Southern California springtime surf adventures on solo missions and when hanging at the beach with friends. This involved stuffing each towel into a backpack or a beach bag alongside a wetsuit and other beach gear, walking approximately 1,000 feet to one mile to a local Southern California beach. She assessed the towels based on weight, material, sand resistance, drying time, warmth, and packability. Factors like destination distance played a role, as did air and water temperatures, with the added caveat that springtime offers some of the chilliest waters at her local surf breaks.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Beach Towel
For such a seemingly simple product, there are many factors to consider when choosing the best beach towel. One of the main things to think about is how you will use it and what performance characteristics are important to you. Is it just for personal use, or do you need something larger for two or more people to lie on? Is it simply for drying off, or do you need it to provide a little warmth at times as well? How far do you need to carry it, and how will you transport it to your beach spot? The answers to these questions should help you narrow down your search to find the perfect beach towel for your needs.
Material
One of the main differentiators of modern beach towels is the material used in their construction. Cotton is still the primary material used in most towels, but we’ve got both the more traditional looped, terry cotton and also turkish cotton to choose from. Polyester has also become popular and is used to create microfiber and microsuede towels with different performance characteristics.
Cotton
For towels of all kinds, cotton is still the primary material used. These days, however, we can choose between the more traditional looped, terry cotton, or Turkish cotton beach towels.
Looped, terry cotton — similar to what most bath towels are made of — is plush and soft against the skin, highly absorbent, and the loft of the loops provides a bit more warmth and cushion than thinner materials. The small cotton loops are more prone to capturing sand in the fibers, but many modern towels have a velour side — the loops are sheared off on one side — that is more sand resistant.
This two-sided approach gives users one side to put down on the sand and a plusher, more absorbent side to dry off with. The primary drawbacks to this type of beach towel are that they are typically a bit bulkier, they get heavy when wet, take longer to dry, and tend to trap a bit more sand than other materials.
Turkish cotton towels are very popular as well. Made from long Turkish cotton fibers, these typically feature a thinner, woven construction. They still boast great softness and absorbency, although they aren’t quite as plush or warm as looped cotton described above. That said, they usually pack down much smaller and the woven construction doesn’t provide quite as many places for sand to cling to. Given that they are a bit thinner, Turkish towels also tend to dry out slightly faster than their looped cotton counterparts.
Polyester and Microfiber
Polyester is used to make towels that are typically referred to as microfiber or microsuede. These small fibers are more densely woven and smoother compared to cotton towels, but they are highly absorbent and dry very quickly. The denser weave of the material also gives sand fewer places to cling onto, and many microfiber towels even claim to be “sand-free.” Microfiber towels are very thin and lightweight, meaning they pack down very small and are easily portable. The primary drawbacks to microfiber towels are that they don’t feel quite as soft or plush against the skin and provide little warmth, comparatively speaking.
Size
Beach towels are generally larger than standard bath towels, with most measuring in the neighborhood of approximately 30 inches wide by 60 inches long, give or take a few inches. The larger size of beach towels provides more coverage of the sand or ground where you put them down, making it possible for most adults to lie comfortably with the towel between most of their body and the beach. The size of most beach towels also makes it easier to wrap around more of your body when you get out of the water or when you need to change, too.
If you’re seeking a larger towel that’s suitable for two or more people to sit on at the beach, there are lots of options. Large towels like the Pendleton Towel for Two or the Sand Cloud Party Blanket are great examples of oversized towels that can easily fit two adults lying down or multiple people sitting on them. While their massive size makes them a little less useful for drying off and comically large for a single person, they are ideal in the right situations. Bear in mind that the larger a towel is, the heavier and bulkier it becomes.
Packability
Depending on how far your walk is to the beach or how your transport your beach gear, a towel’s packability may or may not be an important consideration. Most beach towels are easy enough to carry just about anywhere, but if you need to maximize space in your backpack or beach bag to carry everything you need for a significant distance, a smaller and lighter towel may be the best option.
The material used plays a significant role in a towel’s packability. Traditional cotton terry towels are bulkier and heavier than other options, a tradeoff for their plushness, warmth, and absorbency. Additionally, cotton terry towels get heavy when wet and dry more slowly than other materials.
Turkish cotton towels are generally a bit thinner, and, therefore, fold or roll into a smaller packed size. This makes them easier to stuff into a pack or bag alongside your other beach necessities. The reduction in bulk and weight makes them a good option for carrying long distances or packing into your luggage for travel.
Microfiber towels are the lightest and most packable of all. These towels typically fold down smaller than any cotton options. Microfiber towels are great when storage space is at a premium or you need to pack your beach gear in a long way. The tradeoff is that they aren’t quite as plush or warm.
The size of your towel also plays a significant role in its packability. For example, the larger Pendleton Towel for Two is hard to fit in a backpack and weighs 3 pounds. It’s easy enough to carry in a beach wagon and it comes with a nylon strap with a handle that makes it quite reasonable to carry for short distances.
Absorbency
Aside from providing a place to sit or lie down and wrapping yourself up in them, one of the main purposes of beach towels is drying yourself off when you get out of the water. For this reason, most beach towels, whether made from cotton or microfiber, are highly absorbent. Regardless of material, all quality beach towels will get you dry quickly and easily. The biggest differences between materials are the feel against the skin and how long it takes them to dry once wet.
Cotton is the most common material used in beach towels because it is highly absorbent. The soft loops of cotton terry not only feel comfortable against the body, but they soak up moisture readily. Given the thickness of the material, it provides more warmth and cushion, but tends to take longer to dry out. Since they stay wet for longer, this can make sand stick to them more than it already does, making subsequent dry-offs less pleasant.
Turkish towels are a bit thinner, but they still absorb water easily while providing a bit more warmth and cushion than thinner microfiber options. Turkish towels also tend to dry a bit more quickly than looped cotton options, but not quite as fast as microfiber.
Considering how thin and light microfiber towels are, they are impressively absorbent. In addition to absorbing moisture readily, microfiber is the quickest to dry by a significant margin.
Sand Resistance
While most of us go to the beach to enjoy some time in the sand, we prefer to leave as much of it as possible at the beach. Unfortunately, sand has a way of sticking to just about everything it touches, towels included, working its way into your beach bag, backpack, car, and even your home. While getting sandy at the beach is inevitable, many modern beach towels aim to be sand-resistant, with some even claiming to be sand-free or sand-proof. The material is the biggest factor at play in a towel’s sand resistance.
For those in search of the most sand-resistant towel, microfiber is the best option. The superfine weave of the polyester fibers doesn’t provide the nooks and crannies for sand to lodge itself into like cotton does. Some sand may stick to microfiber towels when wet, but a quick shake will usually dislodge it easily. And, given how quickly microfiber beach towels dry out, this issue is typically very short-lived.
Cotton, particularly the looped terry variety, is more prone to clinging to sand than microfiber. The loops in terry cotton provide lots of places for sand to get trapped and hide. Fortunately, brands like Patagonia and Slowtide make two-sided towels with a more sand-resistant velour side — the loops have been shaved down so it is smoother — and a plusher looped side. Still, cotton stays wet for longer, and sand clings to wet cotton, but you can usually shake or brush most of it off. Even then, you’ll be bringing a bit more sand home with you than with microfiber.
Turkish cotton towels fall roughly in between the microfiber and terry cotton options in terms of sand resistance. The longer, flat woven fibers don’t provide as many places for sand to stick to compared to looped cotton, but more than the smoother and thinner microfiber options.
Warmth
Warmth is another important consideration for many beach towel users, depending on the ocean and air temperatures where you go to the beach. Any towel will provide a layer of protection from the breeze, but if you’re getting out of cold water and need your towel to dry you off and provide a little warmth, then thicker, plusher towels like the Patagonia Organic Cotton Towel and Slowtide Wonderland are the best bet. The loops of cotton in terry towels provide a little loft and extra thickness that helps insulate the body a bit better than thinner Turkish or microfiber options. Additionally, that thickness will also provide a little more cushion against the ground for more comfortable lounging.
FAQ
What’s the best material for a beach towel?
The best material for a beach towel really comes down to personal preference and the specific performance characteristics you want from your towel. Cotton, and particularly looped cotton, absorbs water readily, feels great against the skin, provides warmth through loft, and is comfortable to lie down on because it is typically thicker than other options. The tradeoffs are that looped cotton holds onto more sand, dries more slowly, and is a bit bulkier when packed.
Turkish cotton towels use a long, flat weave and tend to be thinner and more packable than its looped cotton counterparts. They still have the absorbency and on-skin comfort of cotton but with a slight reduction in plushness and warmth. That said, they don’t hold onto quite as much sand, and they dry a little more quickly, too.
Microfiber is becoming more popular in the world of beach towels. This thin, finely woven polyester material results in thin, lightweight, and highly packable beach towels that take up less room in your beach bag or backpack. They are typically fairly soft to the touch, but they lack the plushness, warmth, and supreme absorbency of looped terry cotton. Still, they absorb water pretty well and dry more quickly than other options. The smooth fabric also resists sand better than cotton — you can usually just shake it right off if it sticks at all.
Are some beach towels actually sand-resistant?
Beach towels are made with sand in mind, and many claim to be sand-resistant or even sand-proof. Realistically, any towel will pick up a little bit of sand at the beach, especially if it is wet, but some resist holding onto sand much better than others. Towels made from polyester materials like microfiber and microsuede are the most sand-resistant in our experience. While they are generally thinner, the super finely woven material is smoother and doesn’t provide sand with as many places to cling onto. And, even if sand does stick to your microfiber towel, a quick shake or brush of the hand will dislodge most of it.
Cotton, whether looped terry cloth or Turkish, tends to pick up a bit more sand than microfiber. The cotton fibers are not woven as tightly as microfiber, and therefore, sand has more places to hide and cling onto. This is particularly true of looped terry cotton, where sand can cling to the fluffy loops of cotton. The thinner, woven nature of Turkish towels will still pick up sand, but it is generally a bit easier to dislodge from the fibers. Still, even cotton towels made specifically for beach use pick up less sand than a fluffier bath towel, for example. And many looped cotton beach towels even have a smoother, velour side that is more resistant to holding onto sand.
Can I use regular bath towels at the beach?
Yes, of course, you can use any towel you choose at the beach. Generally speaking, however, we prefer to use beach-specific towels at the beach for a number of reasons. First, beach towels are typically a bit larger than bath towels. This gives you more space to sit or lay down and provides a bit more body coverage when you want to wrap up for drying or changing out of your wet bathing suit.
Second, bath towels are typically made with loftier looped terry cotton on both sides for maximum body drying comfort and absorption. Most modern beach towels, even those made from looped terry cotton, usually have shorter loops and/or a velour side that is more resistant to sand. The larger loops of the terry cotton on bath towels will be more prone to picking up and holding onto sand, which you may end up rubbing all over yourself while drying off. Additionally, bath towels will likely take longer to dry than towels made for use at the beach.
Bath towels also tend to be thicker and, therefore, bulkier and heavier than beach towels. This makes them less packable. Bath towels also tend to be monotone and generally somewhat dull in their appearance. Beach towels often come in brighter colors and fun designs that allow you to express your style and may be easier to spot on a crowded beach.
How do you wash a beach towel?
We place our beach towels on the sand and use them to dry water (salt water, fresh water, or pool water) off of our bodies, so they tend to get dirty fairly quickly. Keeping your towels clean can help extend their lifespan, keep them feeling soft, and prevent bacterial buildup and odor. Many towel brands also recommend washing your towel before the first use.
Before washing, the first thing you want to do is remove as much sand as possible from the towel. Give it a good, hard shake to try and dislodge as much sand from the fibers. If your towel is still wet, allow it to dry completely and then shake it off again — sand sticks more to damp materials. Removing as much sand as possible before washing will be better for your machine.
If your towel has care instructions, it’s best to follow them. Many towels will have a small tag that specifies what water temperature to use and whether or not it can be dried in a machine. If it doesn’t, those instructions can often be found on the manufacturer’s website.
Check for stains. If your towel has stains from sunscreen, lotion, dirt, or anything else, it’s best to pre-treat them so they will hopefully disappear when it goes through the wash.
While the care instructions for some towels may differ, most specify that they should be washed with cold water and mild detergent with similar colors. Since towels are absorbent, they can be very heavy when they are wet. It’s best to wash them in smaller loads to prevent having too much weight in your machine during the spin cycles. It is generally advised to avoid using fabric softener as it can reduce a towel’s absorbency.
It is important to note that most microfiber towel brands recommend not washing microfiber with other other items made from different materials.
While many beach towels can be tumbled dry in a dryer on a low setting, the preferred method is usually to hang them to dry. If you prefer to use the dryer, be sure to check the towel’s care instructions to make sure it is okay. Always ensure your towel has dried completely before storing it to prevent mildew, bacteria, and odors.
Jackie Connor is a freelance writer who geeks out on all things nature, especially when it comes to the aquatic world and its critters. After growing up in the South hopping around creeks, hills and dodging clouds of mosquitoes, Jackie made her way west and now calls bustling Orange County (and the Pacific Ocean) home. She has a passion for the ocean, mountains and anything involving outdoor adventures including surfing, snowboarding and hiking. Jackie has written for several local publications since 2006, with the most recent being GearJunkie and the Los Angeles Times.
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