When you're running out the door for a beach day, you probably aren't thinking too hard about your towel. Many people mistakenly assume a bath towel and a beach towel are basically the same, but that's actually not the case. Below, we explain why you should avoid using a bath towel at the beach.
As an analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I spend plenty of time evaluating both beach and bath towels. So I can tell you that there are actually some pretty big differences between these types of towels when it comes to construction, size, and fiber content. We'll get into the details in a moment, but the important thing to understand is that beach towels are designed to be quick-drying and easy to shake out; bath towels are not. Bringing a bath towel to the beach all but guarantees you'll have a soggy, sandy mess to deal with later.
Below, we explain why you shouldn't bring a bath towel to the beach. If you're looking to stock up on beach towels for all your summer adventures, read our recommendations for the best beach towels. Plus, read up the beach gear essentials our editors love, from heavy-duty wagons to the best sunscreens.
Beach towel vs. bath towel
Construction
At their core, towels are designed to help dry you off or soak up spills. They're typically made of terrycloth fabric, which is a woven material featuring extra loops of yarn that increase the material's surface area, so they can absorb more liquid. If you look up close at your towels at home, you'll likely be able to see them.
Most bath towels are woven with larger loops to really get you dry after a shower. That also means bath towels can take a while to dry themselves. If you've ever tried a super plush bath towel, you may have noticed that it's wet for hours after you wipe off (sometimes it's even still wet the next morning), and that's because it holds onto more water.
Beach towels may also be made of terrycloth, but if they are, their loops are usually a bit smaller, or they could be shaved down, which is known as velour — a softer material that almost feels like terrycloth and velvet combined. The goal is still to help you dry off, but they need to dry out more quickly so you can use them a few times before your beach day ends.
And there's something else at play: sand. I'm sure I don't have to warn you that sand makes its way into every crack and crevice, but it does, and this includes wiggling its way inside your towel. If you use a bath towel with full loops, the sand can easily sink in and cling to the fibers, so you'll be trailing sand home with you, even after a vigorous shake in the sea breeze.
Our favorite beach towels, on the other hand, aren't as plush as your standard bath towel. Instead, beach towels are typically lighter weight, fold up to fit nicely in your bag and are made with microfiber fabric. It's a flat-woven material that has a brushed surface, so it's still pretty soft, but it won't hold onto sand like terrycloth loops will. While it's not as absorbent as terrycloth, it can still get you dry, and sand falls off of the fabric with a quick swipe or shake. It's like magic. Though I still love the plush feel of a terrycloth beach towel, a microfiber towel is way more practical for a sandy beach day.
Fiber content
Cotton is the most common fiber used for bath towels. It's a natural fiber that's highly absorbent, soft and relatively strong, making it the perfect pick for a bath towel that's intended to both get you dry and feel cozy to wrap up in after a shower.
The same can be said of beach towels: Cotton is still the most popular choice, but many brands are starting to offer beach towels made of synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon or polyamide instead. These fibers are highly durable, easy to care for in the wash without tons of shrinkage or shed. Plus, they hold onto color well, so your beach towel will keep its bold and bright pattern wash after wash.
Size
A typical bath towel is about 30" wide x 56" long, which is plenty large enough to wrap around your waist or pile on top of your head, but it's not quite as big as a beach towel. Beach towels are usually around 35" wide x 68" long, and many are even bigger. The larger dimensions mean there's more towel to cocoon yourself in while you dry off on the shore, and — my favorite part — there's plenty of space to stretch out while basking in the sun!
How we test beach towels
In the Textiles Lab, we've tested more than 100 towels in recent years, including plenty of beach towels. When we evaluate towels, we first consider properties including durability, washability and absorption. And for beach towels specifically, we also pour a set amount of sand onto the surface before wiping it off to see how easy it is to remove and take note if there's any sand left sticking to the material.
Along with checking out towels in the Lab, we share them testers who take them to the beach on their own vacations and pool days, and they give us feedback on aspects like the overall comfort, size, softness, appearance and how well the towel dried them off.
So, which beach towel should you buy?
These are our top-tested favorites, including cotton terrycloth picks (in case you're really set on something plush and cozy but don't mind a soggy towel at the end of the day) and microfiber options (for someone looking for an easy-to-care-for, quick-drying towel for a super sandy beach day).
