A beach towel spends as much time under you as around you. We make ours in microfibre because it dries faster and packs smaller than cotton, in an 80 by 130cm everyday size and a 110 by 175cm XL for when you want to lie on it rather than just dry off. Both shake clean and go back in the bag damp without soaking the rest of your kit.
The fabric affects how your beach towel feels, dries and packs away. Microfibre towels are lightweight, compact and quick to dry, making them ideal for travel, swimming and active beach days. Cotton towels offer a softer, more cushioned feel for relaxing on the sand but take longer to dry and need more space in your bag. Choose the material that best matches how you spend your time by the water.
Size
Think about whether your towel is mainly for drying off or stretching out. Standard sizes are practical for everyday swimming, while oversized towels provide more room for lounging or sharing with children. If you're packing for holidays or walking to the beach, consider how much space the towel will take up when folded.
Absorbency and Drying Time
A good beach towel should dry you comfortably without staying damp for the rest of the day. Quick-drying towels are especially useful if you're swimming several times or packing up soon afterwards, while thicker towels generally absorb more water but may take longer to dry between uses.
Sand Resistance
Some towels are easier to shake clean before heading home. Microfibre's smooth weave releases sand more easily, helping keep your beach bag and car cleaner, while traditional terry towels tend to trap more sand in the fibres. If most of your time is spent on the beach rather than by the pool, this is a feature worth considering.
Relaxation seekers. Spending long hours by the water is your beach day. A generous towel gives you real room to stretch out and stay comfortable.
Active swimmers. In and out of the water all day, so your towel needs to dry fast and be ready again after each dip. Lightweight matters when carrying it around.
Travellers and campers. You need your towel to pack small for holidays or weekend trips. Compact enough for luggage, practical enough for swimming and relaxing.
How to care for your beach towel
Shake off sand before packing your towel to help prevent grit from working into the fibres during washing. After each beach trip, wash it according to the care label to remove salt, sunscreen and body oils, which can reduce absorbency over time. Let the towel dry completely before folding or storing it to help prevent musty odours and mildew. Keeping your beach towel clean and dry between outings will help it stay soft, absorbent and ready for your next day by the water.
Beach towels by type
Type
Best for
Classic beach towels
Casual beach outings, holidays and family beach days.
Frequent swimmers, water sports and active beach days.
Quick-dry beach towels
Relaxing on the beach, drying off comfortably and extended time by the water.
Soft and absorbent beach towels
Easy carrying, travelling and packing into smaller bags
Choose a towel based on how you plan to use it. Standard sizes are suitable for drying off after a swim, while oversized towels provide more space for relaxing on the sand. If you're travelling, a compact towel may be easier to pack.
Should I choose a cotton or microfibre beach towel?
Cotton beach towels are soft, absorbent and comfortable for relaxing by the water. Microfibre towels are lighter, dry more quickly and pack down smaller, making them a practical choice for travel and frequent swimming.
What's the difference between a beach towel and a bath towel?
Are quick-drying beach towels worth it?
Can I use a beach towel for travel or camping?
Mostly the fabric rather than the size. Beach towels tend to be microfibre or a loose weave that dries fast, shakes sand off and packs down small. Bath towels are woven for absorbency at home and hold water longer. Our XL sizes overlap at 110 by 175cm, so judge on material rather than dimensions.
Quick-drying beach towels are a great choice if you swim frequently or need a towel that's ready to use again sooner. They also tend to be lighter and more compact, making them easy to pack for holidays, camping trips and other outdoor adventures.
Yes. Lightweight microfibre beach towels are ideal for travel and camping because they pack down small, dry quickly and take up less space than traditional towels. They're a practical choice for beach holidays, campsite showers and other outdoor adventures.
Ready for Every Beach Day
A good beach towel earns its place in the bag twice over, once as somewhere to lie down and again as the thing that dries you off. Whether you want a compact microfibre towel for travelling light or an XL to stretch out on, pick the size and fabric that match how you actually spend the day.
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