How To Pick The Perfect Beach Towel
Find your perfect match for fun in the sun with our ultimate beach towel guide
Whether planning a vacay, staycay or sunny day out, a beach towel is essential. From color-pop brights to classic cabana stripes and trending leopard, we have a style for every summer mood board. Wondering which kind's best for you? First up: which will look the best with your new swimwear? Then for the more practical aspects, this complete guide is here to help you pick. Let's dive in...
What are beach towels?
So, what is a beach towel? While grabbing your everyday bath towel might be easy, having a specific towel for beach days is best. First hitting the shelves in the early 20th century with the popularity of sunbathing and foreign travel, beach towels are longer, thinner and more absorbent than your bath towels. They're quicker to dry while being soft on the skin (perfect for drying and lounging on the sand) and easy to shake off when packing up. When picking yours, there are a few things to think about to get the best beach towel for you.
What's a good size beach towel?Â
The perfect beach towel size depends on your needs. Traveling with tots? You might want a larger towel to lounge on, but you'll only need a small (150 x 70cm) or medium towel (100cm x 150cm) to dry them after a dip. Want to sprawl out in the sand and wrap yourself up after a swim? A large or XL towel (180cm x 100cm) is the right pick. You'll also need to think about towel thickness. A thicker towel is comfier to lie on but might take longer to dry, while thinner towels are less cushioning. Thinner towels are also a great hack when it's hot: they air dry more quickly.
Beach towel sizesÂ
When it comes to beach towel sizes, you have a variety of options depending on personal preferences and needs. A standard beach towel measures 80cm x 160cm. But you can get beach towels up to 180cm x 100cm to have extra room for lounging. We have lots of beach towels for all your vacay needs, from drying off after a dip to stretching out in your own chill zone. Our beach towels come in these useful sizes:
150cm x 75cm
Perfect for kids, a small beach towel's just the thing for quick trips to the beach or pool. They're the lightest you can get, so much easier for packing.Â
100cm x 150cm
Need a place to lounge and put your book? A medium beach towel is a ready-made way to sprawl on the sand, and just right for drying off after a quick paddle.Â
180cm x 100cm plus
A large beach towel is made for lounging. Whether chilling on the beach or calling dibs on a lounge chair (we won't tell...), these towels are the ones you want when drying off to people watch.
Beach Towel Thickness
The thickness of a beach towel will affect its comfort and drying time. Towel thickness is measured in GSM (grams per square meter). The higher the GSM, the thicker and more absorbent the towel. Good quality beach towels are between 300 and 900 GSM.
300-400 GSM
These thin beach towels are a lightweight pick that's perfect for drying off after a dip or paddle.
400-600 GSM
The most common thickness for a beach towel, this medium weight, slightly more absorbent towel is a great choice for lounging on or drying off after a swim.
The thickness you pick comes down to personal preference and how you'll use the towel. You should also think about how much space you have in your luggage.
Look and Style
The beach towel is the bath towel's bright, fun cousin. It's specially designed to easily spot at a busy beach or crowded pool: a great way to bring a splash of personality to your adventures. While beach towels are traditionally striped, there are plenty of picks to go for, from tropical florals to Disney designs.
Striped Beach Towels
Striped beach towels have been a classic since the turn of the last century. From nautical blue and white to bright pink and orange, there’s something for everyone. Â
Printed Beach Towels
A printed beach towel is a perfect pick to add personality to your sandy fun. From classic animal prints to abstract designs and florals, the beach towel has come a long way from its humble origins.
Character Beach Towels
Perfect for little ones, a character beach towel is a fun and practical add to their vacay gear, from Disney friends to MARVEL, anime and gaming faves.
What's the best beach towel fabric?Â
When picking the perfect beach towel fabric, there are a few options: Cotton is the most popular pick for its softness, absorbency and durability, plus ease of washing. An innovative fabric, microfiber (AKA travel) towels are quick drying, highly absorbent and super lightweight, an excellent choice for when you want to pack light. Each blend has a slightly different feel against the skin, so the best material for a beach towel depends on personal preference and intended use.
Kids’ Beach Towels
Don't forget the little ones: they deserve a colorful towel, too! Sized just right for them to lie down on or dry off with, these towels come in bright, fun designs and feature Disney, MARVEL or cartoons for little fans.
Benefits of beach towels
Beach towels are specifically designed for use at the beach or pool, with lots more benefits than regular towels. They're usually larger, great for lying out on the sand or grass with plenty of room to relax and soak up the sun. More absorbent than regular towels, they're perfect for drying off after a dip or wiping away sand and salt water. And don't forget a lightweight beach towel for travel — an great vacay pick for impromptu dips or weekend getaways.
Caring for your beach towels
Keep your towels in prime condition for years by giving them a little TLC. Here are some handy hacks for beach towel care:
Shake the sand off after every use
Sandy towels not only age faster, but they can damage your washing machine.
Wash on a cold setting
Lower temperatures help reduce shrinkage and damage to the fibers. Hot washes can also cause the sand to harden and stick to the towel.
Skip the fabric softener
Fabric softener can leave a waxy residue that's absorbed by your towel, making it less absorbent and rougher over time. When washing, stick to water and your fave laundry detergent.
Hang to dry
Tumble dryers can damage the delicate fibers in some towels, making them less soft and leaving them looking more threadbare. When you can, hang your towels up to dry. If you have to use a tumble dryer, use the lowest setting.
Don't wash after every use
Washing machines can be hard on your towels. You should only need to wash your beach towel after every third use — but only if it hasn't been wet for a long time, which can lead to bacteria growing. Prolong freshness between washes by making sure you dry it thoroughly after each outing.
FAQs:Â
How are bath and beach towels different?
Beach towels are longer, more absorbent and usually more colorful than bath towels. They're designed to keep you comfy and dry poolside or on the beach.
Are microfiber beach towels better than cotton?Â
That's totally up to you: Microfiber beach towels are lightweight and absorbent, but might not be as soft or comfy as cotton.
What type of towel is best for the beach?Â
A beach towel has been specially designed for sandy days out. Soft, comfy and great to look at, they're the perfect pick for sunbathing or drying off after a dip.
Should beach towels be thick or thin?Â
It depends on what you're looking for: Thicker towels are comfier to lie on and more absorbent, but they dry slower and take up more space.
What color's best for beach towels?
It's up to you: Beach towels come in all kinds of colors and prints, so pick one to match your personality and style.
What's the difference between a beach towel and a pool towel?
While beach towels and pool towels may seem similar, there are some key differences to think about: Usually bigger and more absorbent than pool towels, beach towels are designed for use in sand and saltwater, and are often made from heavier, more durable fabric. Pool towels on the other hand are thinner and more lightweight, so they're easier to carry and pack. They're also designed to dry quickly, essential when reusing multiple times per day.