The Best Gym Towels
No gym bag is complete without a reliable towel. While it might be tempting to pack your regular bath towel to save on costs, they're often too bulky to carry in the average gym bag. Getting your hands on a dedicated gym towel can introduce you to the wonders of ultra-absorptive and quick-drying microfiber fabric. They could save you space in your bag, and help you to keep your sportswear and equipment dry when you pack away for the day. We've gathered some of our favorite gym towels, so take a look below and we're sure you'll find an option for your next workout.
What to Look For
Choosing your next gym towel can be tricky given the wealth of great options available. To help you find the best towel for your needs, we highlighted three key features during our search: size, absorption, and drying time. Our top pick overall is the super absorbent towel from 4Monster. This compact option packs neatly away inside an isolated carry pouch, protecting the contents of your bag from moisture. If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious with dimensions similar to a bath towel, take a look at the cotton towels from All Design. Read on below to discover the rest of our favorites.
4Monster Super Absorbent Camping Towels
The grab-and-go
Gym bags can become bulky at the best of times. When you’re trying to fit clothing, sports equipment, a water bottle, and myriad other items into a lightweight bag, the last thing you want to add into the mix is an oversized towel. This compact towel from 4Monster is an excellent choice for anyone who puts efficiency first. The lightweight polyester design packs away into a snug carry pouch for storage. Despite its small-scale dimensions, the microfiber fabric is highly absorbent, so you’ll be dry in no time.
Pros:
- The carry pouch will also isolate your towel, keeping the contents of your bag dry once it’s been used.
- These synthetic fabrics will dry in a flash, preventing odor or mold from developing.
- Choose between a range of bright colors to coordinate with the rest of your gym attire.
Cons:
- Although the carry pouch has vents, the towel dries super slowly when stored inside.
Bogi Microfiber Travel Sports Towel
Clip-on and carry
While large plush towels might be the drying aid of choice in a home bathroom, synthetic towels can boast improved absorption when downsizing is a priority. These space-saving towels from Bogi are an excellent addition to any gym bag thanks to the properties of their smart microfiber fabric. Once sodden, they will air dry up to six times faster than the average bathroom towel. What’s more, they weigh just over four ounces so they won’t add cumbersome weight to your bag.
Pros:
- These towels come in a mesh carrying case with a carabiner, so they can be easily attached to the outside of your bag once wet.
- A hanging loop on the towel makes them easy to hang on the fly for air drying.
Cons:
- If you’re attempting to dry thick wet hair, this thinner towel will have to be wrung out continuously.
All Design Quick-Dry Cotton Towels
The finest fabrics
If you feel like treating yourself to a luxurious toweling down, this deluxe three-piece set won’t disappoint. Made from 100 percent premium Turkish cotton, you won’t find many towels that rival their softness. The gentle terry surface is gentle to the touch and extremely absorptive, so you can be sure to catch every drop of moisture with ease. Once you’re done with a rigorous workout, you deserve to treat yourself to the simple pleasures of tactile fabric.
Pros:
- Some may avoid synthetic fabrics for allergy reasons. The cotton in these towels is especially kind to sensitive skin.
- With three different sizes in this multipack, you can choose one for your gym bag and enjoy the others in your bathroom at home.
Cons:
- These large towels will add more weight to your gym bag than compact microfiber options.
Fit-Flip Travel Towel
If you’re serious about your workout routine, you likely carry your gym gear with you wherever you roam. This compact travel towel from Fit-Flip is the ideal choice for jet-setting fitness enthusiasts. The high-quality polyester microfiber is incredibly easy to compress for packing. The fabric is extremely absorptive and can be air dried in a matter of hours, so you won’t have to go searching for a dryer when you’re away from home.
Pros:
- The fabric is designed to repel sand and dirt, meaning this towel is also a great choice for the beach.
- This towel is machine washable at up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The towel comes in a mesh carry bag for convenient storage.
Cons:
- The snug dimensions of this towel may seem too small if you usually dry yourself with average-sized bath towels.
Keafols Cooling Towel 6-Pack
Take a chill pill
Whatever your workout of choice, you’re not pushing yourself to the limit unless you finish your session covered in sweat. When it’s time to cool off, these towels from Keafols could be just what the doctor ordered. The unique fabric exploits the hyper-evaporative properties of a perforated weave to create a cooling effect once the towel becomes damp. By following the simple steps included, you can have a refreshing chill immediately to hand at any moment. It could provide the momentary respite you need to reach or exceed your fitness goals.
Pros:
- The absorbent microfiber makes this a great option for showering, and also for absorbing sweat during a workout.
- The smart material provides UPF 50 sun protection, so it can be used as a neck wrap when exercising outdoors.
- This pack of six comes in a range of bright colors, so there are plenty of options to choose from.
Cons:
- This perforated fabric isn’t as absorbent as other microfiber towels, so it might not serve the purpose of a primary gym towel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I machine wash my gym towel?
Exertive workouts can rid our bodies of all forms of toxins as we sweat away, and as a result, we need to wash our workout clothes more regularly than most. Most of the gym towels we reviewed are safe for machine washing and drying, but be sure to read the label to avoid disappointment. Machine drying for too long can reduce the absorbancy of some fabrics, so we recommend air drying whenever possible.
What should I wash my gym towel with?
Avoid fabric softeners, these often contain silicone which can prevent towels from properly absorbing water or sweat. Adding a touch of baking soda into your wash can help to eliminate odors. We recommend washing your gym towel after each use to prevent the buildup of bacteria and fungi.
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