Do I Need a Towel Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking is an increasingly popular mode of travel, offering an affordable and exciting way to explore the world. One of the most important considerations when backpacking is what type of items are necessary for your particular trip. Towels are among the most frequently brought items by backpackers, but do you really need one?

The answer to whether a towel is necessary depends on a variety of factors. If you plan on staying in hotels or hostels, it’s likely that towels will be provided for you. In this case, it may not be necessary to bring a towel with you. However, if you plan on camping or staying in more rustic accommodations, having a towel can be incredibly useful.

If you decide that bringing a towel is necessary for your backpacking trip, there are a few different options available to you. Traditional towels can take up quite a bit of space and add significant weight to your bag, which could be problematic if you’re trying to travel light. Microfiber towels are an excellent option as they dry quickly and fold down into much smaller sizes than traditional towels do.

Additionally, some backpackers opt for multi-use items such as sarongs or scarves that can be used both as towels and as other items such as blankets or makeshift skirts or headscarves. These types of items can help save valuable space while still providing the necessary functionality of a towel.

Conclusion:

Whether or not a towel is necessary for your backpacking trip depends on what type of accommodations you plan on staying in and how much space and weight allowance your bag has available. However, there are many lightweight options available such as microfiber towels or multi-use items like sarongs and scarves if you decide to bring one along with your other belongings.