BUYING GUIDE: Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Beach Towels

Taking a moment before selecting that beach towel sure pays off, fellow beach bums. Grabbing’ that towel from the bargain bin ‘because it’s got cute duckies on it might not do you any favors when you’re lounging on the beach side. There’s more to consider than just color and design, friends. Let’s dive into some real important factors you gotta think about.

From how big the towel is, to what it’s made of, how well it can dry you off, how long it’s gonna last, and even how darn easy it is to stuff in your beach bag—every one of these little aspects adds up to whether that towel’s gonna be a pal or a pain. Let’s get into it, shall we?

• Understanding the Importance of Size

Now, here’s the real deal, y’all – Size matters. It sure as heck does when it comes to beach towels. Just imagine, you’re all ready to soak up the sun, and there you are with your head in the sand ’cause your towel is too short! Ain’t gonna cut it, right? Uh-huh. So start by checking the size of the towel. You ain’t gotta walk around with a measuring tape, just check the label, would ya?

If you’re on the taller end of the spectrum, you might wanna consider getting yourself a larger towel, you know, for comfort. And here’s a number for ya, a standard-sized beach towel is about 63 x 31 inches. It’s all about being able to kick back comfortably on your towel, my friend. Remember — comfort first.

Alright, so bigger towels might give you more room to stretch out, but remember they’re also gonna take up more space in your bag. So find that sweet spot, where the towel’s big enough for you to chill, but not so big that it’s a pain to carry around. Whether it’s 70 x 40 or stickin’ with the standard 63 x 31, get yourself a towel that suits your beachin’ style just right.

• Considering the Material

Let’s chew the fat about beach towel materials. Two of the best are cotton or polyester, which you’ll find in microfiber towels. Cotton ain’t just for your favorite t-shirt, you know. It’s is the go-to for comfort, being soft to the touch and all. Plus, it’s a champ at soaking up water and dries faster than a speeding bullet. Well, maybe not that fast, but you get the idea. Cotton towels come in different thicknesses, with Turkish cotton towels being the lightweight champ, perfect for folks who want to travel light.

Moving on to polyester. Now, this ain’t your grandma’s polyester, friend. In beach towels, you’ll find this wonder material mostly in microfiber versions. Microfiber towels are the cool kid on the block, drying quicker than any cotton towel out there. It’s like they were built for speed. And they’re super absorbent, holding more than their weight in water. Plus, they’re thin and easy to pack, perfect for camping trips and other wild adventures.

Here’s the kicker, microfiber towels double as champions in the sand-resistant department. Ain’t nothing worse than finding grains of sand in your bag days after hitting the beach, right? These towels got that covered. But, every hero has its kryptonite, and for microfiber towels, it’s the texture. They may not feel as soft as cotton towels and aren’t the comfiest for lounging around since they’re thinner. But hey, no one’s perfect.

• The Relevance of Absorbency

Now, let’s shift to talk about a beach towel’s superpower: absorbency. Being able to soak up water is a big deal if you use your towel mainly to dry off. It’s like having a big sponge at your disposal, just waiting to help you out.

Take cotton towels, for instance, they’re the front-runners when it comes to absorbing water. If getting dry fast is your game, cotton’s your MVP. But there’s a tiny hiccup. These bad boys take a bit more time to dry after doing their job. It’s like a superhero needing a nap after saving the day. But, isn’t that what heroes deserve?

In the opposite corner, we got the underdog: the microfiber towel. Not to be outdone, these towels do their job and do it fast. They dry super quick, making them a viable contender, especially for those spontaneous water fights on the beach. Just remember, a towel is not a towel unless it can dry.

• Prioritizing Durability

When the conversation about beach towels nudges towards the durability thing, a couple of specifics to remember come into play. Be it the scratchy feeling of sand or the intense summer heat, your towels got to hold strong. I mean, hey, a day at the beach ain’t a walk in the park. Fellow beach goers know that the best beach towel must withstand every bit of the harsh elements present down there at the beach.

The game changer folks are always talking about is possibly the type of material used. Usually, we’re talking about cotton, linen, and microfiber towels as top contenders. They’re known to take the brunt of beach conditions and come out smiling. Of course, if you treat them right. Ain’t no good thing lasting forever if you don’t handle it well, right? So, after a fun day in the sun, give your towels some fresh air, play nice with your washing machine settings, and air drying them is your safest bet.

Also, you’ve gotta weigh the kind of fabric for your specific use. For instance, Turkish towels and bath towels may vary in their sturdiness, making one a better choice when facing the sun, sea, and sand. Microfiber, being a blend of polyester and polyamide, earns its stripes in both absorbency and durability. Then again, preference plays a vital role here. Some might not fancy the relatively thin nature of microfiber towels, but hey, they’re a worthy contender in the grand scheme of beach towels.

• Consider Portability

The best beach towel in the world won’t do you any good if it’s a pain to lug around. When you think of packing up for a fun day, you’d want something that’s easy on your arm and won’t be a bulky mess. Beach towels that worship at the altar of portability are those that can twist and turn into a tight, neat bundle without much effort. Let’s face it– Beach day or not, nobody’s got time for a suitcase that won’t zip, right?

Here’s where microfiber towels steal the show again. They’re like that handy-dandy toolbox you can’t do without. They aren’t just good at drying up after a splash; they’re also space savers, and cotton isn’t far behind. Be it Turkish cotton or your everyday cotton, you’ll find them easy to pack and go. Remember to bring your towel to about 30 x its size before rolling it up. That saves more space than you’d think. So the next time you pack a beach bag, think light, think compact, think happy beach day!