Best Travel Swim Towels of 2026

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 9 Feb 2026

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Travel swim towels are a must-have for any beach or pool day. These towels are designed to be lightweight, compact, and quick-drying, making them perfect for travel. They come in a variety of sizes and colours, so you can choose one that fits your needs and style. Whether you're planning a day trip to the beach or a week-long vacation, a travel swim towel is an essential item to pack in your suitcase. With their absorbent and quick-drying properties, they are perfect for drying off after a swim or shower, and they won't take up too much space in your luggage.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Big Jim XL Microfibre Quick Dry Towel Cover #TOP 1
Big Jim XL Microfibre Quick Dry Towel
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Big Jim Extra Large Quick-Dry Microfibre Towel Cover #TOP 2
Big Jim Extra Large Quick-Dry Microfibre Towel
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Fit-Flip Quick Dry Microfibre Swimming Towel Cover #TOP 3
Fit-Flip Quick Dry Microfibre Swimming Towel
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 3 Travel Swim Towels

Big Jim XL Microfibre Quick Dry Towel

Big Jim
8K-QR5K-7Y3S
Blue
Big Jim XL Microfibre Quick Dry Towel Cover
Microfibre Towel, Quick Drying - EXTRA LARGE for Gym, Fitness, Swimming, Sports, Travel, Camping, Hiking, Beach, Yoga, Pilates, Bath, Shower | Super Absorbent, Compact, Lightweight | Extra Large | 180 x 90 cm | by Big Jim (X-Large)

The Big Jim Quick Dry Towel is an extra-large microfibre towel, measuring 180 x 90 cm, providing ample coverage for everyone. Its superior absorption capability allows it to soak up to eight times more water than a regular towel, enabling you to dry off quickly after exercise. Lightweight and compact, this towel is only 2 mm thick, making it easy to carry in your gym or swim bag. Additionally, it dries rapidly, so you can use it multiple times without the hassle of a wet towel weighing you down.

What We Like
Extra-large size for full coverage
Highly absorbent for quick drying
Lightweight and compact design
Dries faster than standard towels

Big Jim Extra Large Quick-Dry Microfibre Towel

Big Jim
Purple
Big Jim Extra Large Quick-Dry Microfibre Towel Cover
Big Jim Microfibre Towel - Extra Large XL, Quick Drying Gym, Swimming, Beach, Travel, Camping, Yoga, Pilates, Bath, Shower Towel. Super Absorbent, Compact, Thin, Lightweight

The Big Jim Microfibre Towel is an excellent choice if you need a versatile and effective towel for the gym, pool, or beach. Its extra-large size of 180 x 90 cm offers full coverage, ideal for users of all shapes and sizes. Made from tightly woven microfibre, it soaks up to eight times more water than a regular towel, helping you dry off quickly after exercise or swimming. Despite its size, it is lightweight and compact, so it won’t weigh down your bag. Plus, it dries rapidly, ensuring you won’t be left with a damp towel after use.

What We Like
Extra-large size for full coverage
Absorbs water up to 8x more
Lightweight and easy to carry
Dries quickly after use
#TOP 3

Fit-Flip Quick Dry Microfibre Swimming Towel

FF_L3_lilac-30x50
Pastel Violet
50x30cm - 1 piece
Fit-Flip Quick Dry Microfibre Swimming Towel Cover
Fit-Flip Swimming towel – quick dry microfibre beach towel - ultra absorbent thin microfiber towels for travel, beach & gym - lightweight swim essentials (50x30cm, Pastel Violet)

The Fit-Flip Microfibre Towel is an excellent choice for those needing a compact and lightweight towel that fits easily into any backpack or gym bag, making it perfect for travel, beach, or gym use. Its highly absorbent and fast-drying material ensures you stay dry quickly, ideal for swimming or fitness activities. The towel features a handy elastic band for easy hanging on branches or umbrellas, and for secure, compact storage. Made from soft, antibacterial microfibre, it prevents odours and is easy to wash, offering both convenience and hygiene.

What We Like
Compact and lightweight
Highly absorbent and quick-drying
Elastic band for hanging and packing
Soft, antibacterial material
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a travel towel?

What is a Travel Towel? Travel towels are a great alternative to standard sized towels and are extremely versatile, from drying off after a swim or shower to sunbathing on the beach, or drying yourself and your gear when you're caught in a rain shower during treks.

2. How big should a travel towel be?

Picking The Right Size If you plan to use it as your main towel throughout your whole vacation, opt for travel towels that are around 70 inches across. For day towels and washcloths, a 20-inch towel would be perfect. If you're going camping, you might want to consider getting two kinds of travel towels.

3. Do microfiber beach towels really work?

More beach towels are now being made with polyester microfiber which has a smoother surface but is a little less absorbent than cotton. However, microfiber shakes free of sand easily and dries very quickly.

Editor's Notes

During our travel swim towels research, we found 293 travel swim towels products and shortlisted 3 quality products. We collected and analyzed 286,350 customer reviews through our big data system to write the travel swim towels list. We found that most customers choose travel swim towels with an average price of £20.00.

The travel swim towels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of travel swim towels, including Big Jim, Fit-Flip.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.