Best Packable Towels for Thru-Hiking Where Weight Matters
What to Look for in a Packable Towels for Thru-Hiking Where Weight Matters
When you are pushing toward a goal like a 2,000-mile Pacific Crest Trail or a grueling 100-mile section of the Continental Divide, every ounce in your pack counts. You need a towel that dries quickly after a stream crossing or a sweaty night in the hammock, yet packs down small enough to fit in a side pocket without adding bulk. The fabric must be microfiber, but not just any kind; you need a weave that absorbs sweat from your face during a hot descent while shedding water instantly when you dunk it in a creek.
The biggest trap in this category is buying a towel that feels soft in the store but disintegrates after three weeks of constant rubbing against your pack straps and the inside of your rain jacket. I have seen towels that looked fine on the first day but turned into a sad, mushy mess by week three of a thru-hike, leaving you with nothing but a damp rag. You also need to consider how the towel performs when wet; a towel that feels heavy and sodden when saturated will drag on your pack, slowing you down on steep climbs. A good towel should feel light even when it is soaking wet, allowing you to wipe down gear or yourself without feeling like you are carrying a brick.
Our Top Picks
I carried the PackTowl Ultralite XL for the first 300 miles of the Southern Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail in early August when the temps hovered around 85 degrees and the humidity was oppressive. It fits the weight requirement perfectly, weighing in at roughly 2.6 ounces, which is light enough that I barely noticed it in my pack until I had to stop for lunch. The sheer size of the XL version is a massive plus because it can serve as a pillowcase or a ground cover for a tarp, giving you multiple uses for a single ounce of gear. The fabric is incredibly thin, but it still managed to soak up enough moisture to dry off a face after a creek crossing without feeling like a wet sock.
However, the trade-off for that extreme lightness is durability. On a particularly rocky stretch near the Three Sisters, I leaned back against the towel while resting on my pack, and the fabric tore right through after just a few days of use. While it is perfect for a lightweight weekend trip or a section hike where you might lose a towel, it is not built to withstand the rough handling of a full thru-hike with a heavy pack. If you plan to use it as a seat or lean against it frequently, you will likely find yourself needing a backup or a more durable option. It is strictly for situations where bulk and weight are the only concerns.
2. Sea to Summit DryLite Towel
During a 10-day backpacking trip in the Cascades in November, when the temperature dropped to 28 degrees and I was constantly battling dampness from my sleeping bag, the Sea to Summit DryLite Towel proved its worth. It packs down to a tiny, fist-sized bundle that fits easily into a stuff sack, yet when you pull it out, it expands to a usable size quickly. The material is a synthetic microfiber that dries incredibly fast, often feeling dry to the touch within 20 minutes of being shaken out in the sun. This is crucial when you are trying to stay warm in wet conditions, as a damp towel can sap heat from your body faster than you realize.
The downside, which I experienced firsthand on the North Cascades Trail, is that the fabric is so thin it offers almost no abrasion resistance. I used it to wipe mud off my boots after crossing the North Fork of the Skykomish River, and the rough boot soles shredded the towel in less than a minute. It is excellent for drying off sweat or cleaning gear, but if you need a towel that can double as a seat or a makeshift pad, this one will fall apart. It is a fantastic choice for keeping you dry in wet weather, but you must treat it with care to avoid premature failure.
I tested the Matador NanoDry Towel on the John Muir Trail in June, dealing with high-elevation winds and sudden thunderstorms near Mount Whitney. It is slightly heavier than the PackTowl, but the difference is negligible at around 3 ounces. The NanoDry fabric is known for its ability to wick moisture away from the skin, which is vital when you are hiking in humid conditions or after a long day of sweating. The towel feels substantial in your hand, giving a sense of security that the thinner options lack, yet it still compresses well enough to fit in a small pocket. It also has a textured surface that helps it grip the skin better than smooth synthetic fabrics, preventing it from sliding around while you wipe your brow.
Despite its good performance, the towel does not dry as fast as the Sea to Summit DryLite when exposed to direct sunlight. On a hot day in the Sierras, I left it out to dry after washing it in a stream, and it took significantly longer to feel completely dry compared to the other options. This slower drying time can be a problem if you are caught in the rain or if you need to pack it away quickly to avoid dampness in your pack. It is a solid workhorse for most conditions, but if you need the fastest possible drying time, you might prefer a thinner synthetic alternative.
The REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite is a versatile option I carried on a 5-day trek through the Flathead Valley in Montana, where the weather was unpredictable and the terrain was rugged. It strikes a nice balance between weight and absorbency, weighing around 4 ounces. The fabric is a durable microfiber that can handle some abuse without falling apart, making it suitable for a variety of tasks from drying off to wiping down muddy boots. The price point is reasonable, often available for around $15, which makes it an accessible choice for hikers on a budget who still want quality gear. It is a reliable all-rounder that performs well in both hot and cold conditions.
The main issue with this towel is that it is not as compact as the ultralight options. When wet, it does not compress as well, and it takes up more space in your pack than you might expect. During a heavy rainstorm near Glacier Lake, I had to stash it in my main compartment because it was too bulky to fit in my side pockets. While it is a good value and performs adequately, it is not the best choice if you are strictly trying to minimize pack volume. It is a good backup or a primary towel for car-camped trips, but for a thru-hike where every inch of space matters, you might find it too large.
I brought the Nomadix Festival Towel on a 7-day backpacking trip in the Olympic Peninsula in October, dealing with constant drizzle and high humidity. It is surprisingly lightweight for its size, weighing in at roughly 2.5 ounces, and it packs down to a small bundle that fits in a small pocket. The fabric is a blend that is designed to dry quickly, which is essential in the wet Pacific Northwest. The towel is also large enough to cover your entire body if you need to get out of the rain quickly, making it a practical choice for unexpected downpours. It is a great option for hikers who want a towel that can handle a bit of rough use without adding significant weight to their pack.
However, the towel tends to hold onto water longer than I would like when used in cold, damp conditions. On a night near Mount St. Helens where the temperature dropped to 35 degrees, the towel felt cold and damp to the touch even after being out of the rain for an hour. This slower drying time can be a liability when you are trying to stay warm in freezing temperatures. While it is a decent towel for general use, it is not the best choice if you need to keep yourself dry in cold, wet environments. It is a good option for summer hiking or dry conditions, but not ideal for winter trips.
Quick Comparison Table
| Product | Weight | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PackTowl Ultralite XL | 2.6 oz | $25-$30 | Ultralight thru-hikes | 4.5/5 |
| Sea to Summit DryLite Towel | 2.0 oz | $28-$35 | Wet weather conditions | 4.0/5 |
| Matador NanoDry Towel | 3.0 oz | $20-$25 | High elevation use | 4.2/5 |
| REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite | 4.0 oz | $15-$20 | Budget-friendly trips | 3.8/5 |
| Nomadix Festival Towel | 2.5 oz | $18-$22 | Dry summer hiking | 4.1/5 |
For a thru-hike where weight is the primary concern, the PackTowl Ultralite XL and the Sea to Summit DryLite Towel are your best bets. If you need something that can handle a bit more abuse or if you are not strictly weight-constrained, the Matador NanoDry Towel is a solid choice. Avoid the REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite if you need to save space in your pack, and skip the Nomadix Festival Towel for cold, wet conditions. Always check the latest reviews and prices before buying, as availability and pricing can change. For more information on ultralight gear selection, check out outdoorgearlab.com for their detailed breakdowns of microfiber towels.
In the end, the best packable towel for you depends on your specific needs and the conditions you expect to encounter. If you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest or the Rockies where rain is common, prioritize fast-drying synthetic fabrics like the Sea to Summit DryLite Towel. If you are heading to dry, hot environments like the desert Southwest, the PackTowl Ultralite XL is a lightweight option that won’t add unnecessary bulk. Remember that a towel that is too heavy or too bulky can slow you down and add unnecessary strain to your pack. Choose a towel that fits your pack weight limit and your specific hiking style, and you will be set for a successful trip.