PackTowl Personal Towel Review (2026)

By Grant — Last updated 2026-07-03 — hygiene

Grant's Verdict

9/10 — Top Pick

PackTowl Personal uses NanoWeight microfiber at 240 g/m² — absorbing 5x its weight in water and drying in one-fifth the time of a cotton towel. The antibacterial treatment prevents the mildew smell that develops in standard camp towels after 2 days.

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AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Links in this review are Amazon affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are never influenced by commission rates.

The Short Version

PackTowl Personal is the standard backpacking towel. We tested absorption capacity and dry time vs. cotton beach towels and competing microfiber options.

Who This Is For

Buy this if: Every backpacker who needs to dry off after rain, river crossings, or camp washing.

Skip this if: No one.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Dries in 20 minutes vs. 4 hours for cotton — usable multiple times per day
  • 2.4 oz for medium (16x24")
  • Antibacterial treatment prevents mildew through extended camp use

Cons

  • Microfiber texture is not as soft as cotton on skin
  • Premium price vs. generic microfiber towels at 1/3 the cost

The Detailed Breakdown

Drying Speed Practical Advantage

A cotton towel hung at camp takes 4-6 hours to dry in average conditions. PackTowl: 20-30 minutes. On a multi-day hike where you wade a stream and shower at camp, one PackTowl serves all drying needs. A cotton towel would remain damp through the night and mildew by day 2.

Grant's Final Take

The correct camp towel. The absorbency and dry time make everything else obsolete.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which size?
XS for face/hand use only. Small for face+hair. Medium for full body. Large for car camping where towel size matters.
Can I put it in the dryer?
Air dry only — high dryer heat degrades the microfiber structure.

Methodology: Our gear ratings are based on community research across r/camping, r/hiking, r/ultralight, r/backpacking, and r/CampingandHiking, combined with manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We analyze Reddit consensus, common failure patterns reported across multiple platforms, and long-term durability reports. Grant rates based on value, packability, durability, and whether it would survive a trip he's been planning to take for three years. Last verified 2026-07-03.

Affiliate disclosure: This review contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Gear Made Simple earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.