Lightweight towels (?hammam)

[ARealHoliday]

So new to the whole packing lightly thing. I always see adverts for fairly expensive thin towels in my Facebook feed that say they are just as absorbent as big fluffy ones. I don’t mind paying if they are, has anyone got any recommendations for ones that are worth it?

And do they exist without tassels?

They're not hammam towels, but Dock and Bay towels are great and no tassels.

I like them. Have previously bought them in France but have also bought a couple in tk max in recent years (can’t remember exact price but think it was a tenner or less). They’re not quite as absorbent as traditional towels but they are fine for drying one person. The big advantage is the space you save packing and how quickly they dry out after use. They also feel so much nicer on your skin than those microfibre towels.

But they usually do have tassels! I think one of my French ones is tassel free but the rest all have them

We have a load of these, they do have tassels but they are great and pack up tiny!

I have 2 I bought from Netto. They aren’t as absorbent, but they dry much more quickly. Think they’d be great for camping. Mine are just hand towels, but they’re great for wrapping round my head after hair washing (I have a small head).

@maybedog thanks, maybe that’s what I’m looking for, I don’t know what I’ve got against tassels on towels! Which ones do you have? I’m wondering if I need the thicker/heavier “home” ones?

I wouldn’t take thick heavy towels. They’re a nightmare to dry out when camping.

Decathlon swimming towels

We use microfibre towels. They are absorbent and dry really quickly.

Yes get the dock and bay ones, one each for showers and another for swimming / beach. We have just been away for a week and the beach ones are looking a bit grubby but they wash really well. Lots of lovely colours to choose from.

@islandtime which sizes did you go for?

Have just checked and we have 160 x 80 for
showers which I think is L and 200 x 90 for the beach which I think is XL. They all pack down well though

Thanks @islandtime that’s really helpful, last question! Did you get the standard ones or the household slightly thicker waffly ones?

Decathlon microfibre towels. Come in loads of sizes and a few colours. My son's have the slightly fluffy ones now as easier to dry with than the thinner ones. You need to pat dry. All dry overnight.
www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-sports/c1-swimming/c3-swimming-towels/_/N-1p4xt9p

@JocastaNu

We use microfibre towels. They are absorbent and dry really quickly.

And really, really bad for the environment. Shedding thousands of microplastics every wash!!

I have 2 Turkish hammam towels and 1 microfiber. I think the microfiber is rubbish - I don't think it dries as well, but the kids like it and it folds up small.

The 2 hammam towels are amazing
They are big. So my husband will use it with out complaining its a hand towel I could use one as a sarong, as thin and big enough. They dry really well, fold up really small, and dry quickly. Couldn't reccomend enough.

( disclaimer. They are grey and look rubbish. But that's the way they are meant to look. Frivolebt me would like a nice bright pattern but on a practical note , can't fault them)

I find large baby muslin great as travel towel. I guess they aren't really cheap though, around 10 quid in Jojo Maman.

Another Haman fan here - we use them at home now as well as holidays. I got them on eBay (but all have tassels 🤫).

We use microfibre towels. They are absorbent and dry really quickly.

And really, really bad for the environment. Shedding thousands of microplastics every wash!!

Have to say I agree, Hamman towels are really lovely, they soften after each wash and are very absorbent, please consider getting some cotton ones instead of micro fibre Decathlon or Dock and Bay.

They're not cheap but I've had a few of these for 4 years and we use them as gym towels as well as holiday towels. Highly recommend them for being absorbent, lightweight and they fold / roll up small

www.tesalate.com/collections/beach-towels

Didn’t realise dock and bay were bad for the environment. Hmm, might have to suck up my hate of tassels on a towel!

We use Dock and Bay towels, they really are very good, and to be fair to them, they are all made from recycled materials with the packaging used being biodegradable.

Decathlon travel towels - our swimming stuff now all fits in one bag rather than 3 bags....

Don't use fabric softner when you wash them and they are more absorbent. They dry overnight.

Come in different sizes from a massive bath sheet to hand towel size.

Brand Alley have loads of hammam towels; I use them instead of normal towels at home - really absorbent and light... but with tassels (is also prefer without- I guess they can just be cut off?)

www.brandalley.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=hammam

I’d*