This Is the Only Beach Towel I’ll Ever Buy

Beach season is almost upon us, which means it’s time to buy a new bottle of sunscreen, grab a UPF cover-up, and pick up a fresh beach towel or two. The kind of towel you reach for will depend on your preferences — do you prioritize absorbency over sand-shedding properties? Do you want to feel cozy or have your towels dry quickly? Here’s what I pack in my bag when I’m beach-bound.

My Favorite Beach Towel

When I go to the beach, my No. 1 priority is to leave sand there, where it belongs — there’s truly nothing worse than those tiny, irritating little grains getting into the crevices of your bag or the cracks in your floor at home. I also need the towel to be dry so I can shove it back into my bag without worrying about getting my books, camera, phone, or anything else wet. My preferred towel is of the microfiber variety (more on that later), and Nomadix is my favorite. 

It’s true that these towels aren’t as plush as cotton, which I miss on windy beach days when I want a little something more to keep me warm. And depending on where you’re getting your towels, Nomadix might be on the pricier side when compared to terry. That said, Nomadix towels are still soft, especially if you get their microsuede material — and the pros far outweigh the cons, which I think makes the price tag worth it. 

The towels come in a ton of fun patterns and themes — the national parks towels are especially fun — and in addition to repelling sand, they also repel pet fur, which is huge in my two-cat household. (I rubbed these towels all over my cats and the few strands of fur that stuck brushed right off. I need clothing made of this material.)

I also appreciate that there seems to be a size for every occasion. An original towel measures 30 inches by 72.5 inches and weighs 16 ounces, and the ultralight, with the same dimensions, weighs half that. Nomadix also makes blanket towels that measure 60 inches by 80 inches — large enough to accommodate three people — and weigh 32 ounces. There are even tiny towels and bandanas. Like all microfiber towels, they’re absorbent (they can hold four times as much liquid as they weigh) and fast-drying, which means there’s no funky, wet scent hanging around. Every towel has UPF 50 sun protection, too. 

Nomadix towels are also made with recycled materials, and the company donates 1% of its fiscal sales to environmental causes, so you can feel good about your purchases. The original towel costs $40, the ultralight is $30, and blanket towels are $65. 

I love these towels so much, I’ve given them as gifts to the frequent campers and festival-goers in my life. I’ve taken the tiny towels to the gym and the original towels to the beach, and one will be coming with me on a two-week trip to Iceland later this year so I can dry off at the many hot springs I plan to visit. (I might also pick up one of their changing ponchos for the hot springs that don’t have changing facilities.) My original towel won’t take up too much space in my suitcase because it packs down small, to just 3.5 inches by 7 inches.

Nomadix bills itself as “the only towel you’ll ever need,” and I think in terms of adventure and travel, that statement rings true. If you have a vacation planned this year where you need a towel that’s light, durable, and fast-drying, you may want to pick one up.

Beach Towel 101

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular types of beach towels — as well as some recommendations — to help you choose what’s right for you.

Terrycloth

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of a beach towel is probably one made of cotton (or a cotton blend). The classic towel usually has a terrycloth weave — they’re plush and cozy, which make them great for lounging, as well as incredibly absorbent, so they can soak up any moisture the ocean throws your way. 

Unfortunately, that plushness means they might take some time to dry. The large loops in the fabric can also hang on to sand, depositing it in your bag or your car when your day at the beach is done. So, depending on your tolerance for those things, you might be better off using a plush cotton towel at the pool rather than at the beach. 

If you do opt for cotton terry, make sure you get one that’s not too fluffy: Towel thickness is measured in grams per square meter, or GSM, and beach towels should be in the 300 to 400 GSM range. That way, they won’t be too heavy and will dry more quickly than a towel with a higher GSM. You can find some nice cotton/bamboo beach towels at Cozy Earth.

Turkish Cotton

Turkish cotton towels are thinner and more lightweight than traditional cotton towels, so it’s easy to pack a few in your bag. They’ll dry more quickly, and because they don’t have terrycloth’s plush weave, they’re less likely to hang on to sand. They also get softer the more you wash them. 

Turkish cotton towels are likely to cost more than other types of towels up front, but they can last for years with proper care. Wayfair has great options for both Turkish cotton beach towels and terrycloth towels; you can find them here.

Microfiber

Like Turkish cotton towels, microfiber towels are thin and lightweight, making them easy to stick in your beach tote or suitcase. They’re also incredibly absorbent, capable of holding several times their weight in water, and they’re quick-drying as well, making them a great option for humid environments. The tight weave of microfiber fabric keeps sand away because there are no loops to trap it — you can just shake it off. 

Microfiber towels hold up after repeated washings and can last for years, but because they’re made of synthetic material, they’re also sensitive to high heat, so make sure to care for them properly. 

Microfiber towels might not be right for you, particularly if you prefer a fluffier towel or prioritize natural fibers over synthetics. They’re best if you go to the beach frequently, hike or camp often, or participate in activities that benefit from a compact, lightweight towel that dries quickly. You can find more microfiber towels here.

Featured Image Credit: © Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels