When it comes to packing light, every traveler knows the struggle of fitting everything into their bag. One item that can quickly take up a lot of space is a towel. We all love the plush, absorbent comfort of regular towels, but let’s be honest—they’re huge, heavy, and far from practical when you’re trying to minimize weight and bulk. That’s where the magic of travel towels comes in.
But here’s the kicker: most travel towels, while designed to save space, often come with their own set of drawbacks. Typically made from synthetic fabrics like polyester, these towels dry quickly and pack small, but they come with one major downside: they stink. Yes, that unpleasant smell comes from bacteria growing on the towel. And if you’ve ever had a damp, smelly towel tucked into your bag, you know the misery of dealing with that odor.
So, what’s the secret to the perfect travel towel? The answer might surprise you: linen.
Linen is the unsung hero of the towel world. Despite being an age-old fabric that fell out of fashion once cotton took over, linen offers a host of benefits that make it an ideal choice for travelers. It’s a bit pricier than your standard synthetic travel towel, but the extra cost is more than worth it.
First of all, linen is highly absorbent. Unlike polyester, which repels water, linen soaks it right up. This means you won’t find yourself struggling to dry off after a shower or swim. Surprisingly, linen also dries quite quickly—almost as fast as polyester, which is a huge win for any traveler who needs a towel that won’t stay damp for days.
But perhaps the most compelling reason to make the switch to linen is its natural odor resistance. Linen is inherently antimicrobial, so bacteria have a hard time thriving on its surface. This means no more foul smells after a few uses or after stuffing it into a damp bag. I’ve personally used linen towels for weeks without detecting any unpleasant odor, which is something that’s never happened with synthetic alternatives.
Once you try linen, there’s no going back. It may take a little time to find the right one for you, but once you do, you’ll realize that it’s the best travel towel you can have. Linen towels come in various weaves, from the softer, bulkier waffle weave to the more compact regular weave. Both are effective, so the choice comes down to personal preference and size. Typically, linen towels are similar in size and weight to your typical travel towel, although they might be slightly heavier—but just by a few ounces. Once rolled up, they’re about the size of a t-shirt, making them easy to pack and carry.
So, where can you find one? While some brands, like Outlier, have offered linen towels in the past, the good news is that you can find them pretty easily online. Websites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy offer a wide selection of linen towels. Just be careful with search terms—”linen” is often used as a catch-all for various types of fabric, so you may need to use specific terms like “100% linen towel” or “linen bath sheet” to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Linen towels aren’t just for travel. They make excellent kitchen towels too. Since linen dries faster and resists odors better than cotton, they’re less likely to become soaked and stinky as you cook. Plus, they tend to last longer, so you get more value for your money.
Of course, linen isn’t perfect for every situation. It may not be the absolute lightest towel on the market (that title likely goes to the MSR Packtowl Ultralite), but its durability and performance make it a top contender for any traveler’s bag. You can also try alternatives like rayon sarongs, which are thin, absorbent, and quick-drying—but they often aren’t designed to be towel-sized, so they may not be as convenient.
In the end, linen towels are the perfect blend of absorbency, quick-drying, and odor resistance. Whether you’re headed on a backpacking trip, to the gym, or just to the beach, linen towels will make your life so much easier. They’re compact, efficient, and—once you make the switch—you’ll never want to use anything else.
Leave a Comment