Hammam towel for hiking: light, versatile, quick-drying
In a backpack every gram counts, and every item should ideally do more than one job. That is exactly why a light hammam towel is so practical for hiking: it is a towel at the mountain lake, a seat pad during a break, a scarf on the windy summit and a picnic blanket all in one. In this guide you will learn which towel suits which hike, how to pack it cleverly and what to keep in mind on the trail.
Contents10
- Why a hammam towel is so well suited to hiking
- One towel, many jobs on the hike
- Which towel for which hike?
- How to pack the towel properly
- More than a towel: what else belongs in the backpack
- Swimming in a mountain lake: briefly and with care
- Respect for nature
- After the hike: caring for the towel
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Why a hammam towel is so well suited to hiking
A classic terry towel is rather impractical on hikes. It is bulky, absorbs a lot of water and then becomes heavy and clammy. If you pack it away again after a swim in the lake, you carry the moisture around with you all day.
A hammam towel is flat-woven. This makes it thin, light and much quicker to dry. In our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel dries in about 30 minutes in the sun and in around 60 minutes indoors – so on a sunny hike it is often dry again by the next break. At the same time, it is large enough to sit on or to wrap around your shoulders.
- Light: Our lightest large towels weigh around 270 g.
- Small pack size: Rolled up, it fits in a side pocket.
- Versatile: One towel replaces a towel, a blanket and a scarf.
- Sand and grass shake out easily: Little sticks to the smooth weave.
One towel, many jobs on the hike
| Situation | The hammam towel as … | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Break on a meadow | Seat pad or picnic blanket | On damp ground, put a thin sleeping mat underneath |
| Mountain lake or stream | Towel for drying off | Then let it dry on the outside of your backpack |
| Wind on the summit | Scarf around neck and shoulders | Does not replace a jacket, but adds an extra layer |
| Blazing sun | Cloth over neck and shoulders | Do not forget sunscreen anyway |
| Overnight stay in a mountain hut | Towel for the washroom and shower | In huts you usually bring your own towel |
| Back at the car | Changing towel and seat cover | Lay it over the seat if you are sweaty |
Which towel for which hike?
Not every hike needs the same towel. What matters is the duration, your luggage and whether you want to swim or stay overnight along the way.
Half-day hike and walk: mini hammam towel
For short distances, a small towel is enough for hiking. The Diamant mini hammam towel measures approx. 90 × 45 cm and weighs only approx. 120 g. According to the product description, it is intended among other things as a sports or face towel – ideal for wiping away sweat on the climb or drying your hands after washing them at a fountain. It costs €15.90.
Day hike with a swim: large, light towel
If there is a lake along the way, you need a towel you can properly dry yourself with. The SULTAN hammam towel measures approx. 180 × 100 cm and still weighs only approx. 270 g. It is made of 100 % OEKO-TEX certified cotton and, according to the description, can be rolled up small. At €25.90 it is one of our lightest large towels.
Multi-day hike with hut stays: Towel To Go
The Towel To Go also weighs around 270 g. The flat-woven hammam towel made of 100 % cotton is approx. 180 × 100 cm, rolls up small and, according to the description, fits in hand luggage, a backpack or a sports bag. On a hut tour it serves as a towel in the washroom and as a light extra blanket in the evening.
How to pack the towel properly
- Roll instead of fold: Rolled up, the towel fits in a side pocket or under the lid of the backpack. No edges form and it is always within reach.
- Pack it at the top: What you need at every break belongs at the top – not under provisions and rain jacket.
- Separate dry from wet: A small bag for the wet towel protects your spare shirt and phone.
- Dry it on the outside: After a swim, attach the towel to the outside of your backpack with a carabiner or under the compression straps. It dries in the wind as you walk.
- Protect the fringes: Do not trap the fringes in zips, so that they do not tear.
More than a towel: what else belongs in the backpack
A hammam towel does not replace hiking equipment. A day hike usually calls for sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, enough water, provisions, sun protection, a small first-aid kit and a map or navigation app with a charged battery. On day hikes in spring or autumn, an extra warm layer is also worthwhile because it quickly gets cool at altitude.
For warm drinks on cool days, an insulated bottle is a good choice. The IZY Van Gogh Flowers insulated bottle holds 500 ml and costs €24.90. You will find more models in our IZY bottles collection.
Swimming in a mountain lake: briefly and with care
A dip in a clear mountain lake is one of the most beautiful moments of a hike for many people. However, mountain lakes are often cold even in summer. Go in slowly, stay in the water only briefly, and do not swim alone or from unfamiliar, steep banks. Look out for bathing bans, for example in nature reserves or at drinking-water reservoirs. Afterwards it helps to dry off quickly, change into dry clothes and wrap the towel around your shoulders until you are warm again. If you have health questions about swimming in cold water, seek medical advice beforehand.
Respect for nature
Anyone who rests or swims on a hike is a guest in nature. A few simple rules make sure the beautiful spot stays beautiful for those who come next:
- No soap in lakes or streams: Even mild shower gels do not belong in the water. Instead, wash your hands and face with a little water from your bottle away from the shore and dry them with the towel.
- Stay on the paths: Choose a resting place where no plants get trampled. A spread-out towel shows you automatically how much space you need.
- Take everything back with you: The towel is also handy for gathering crumbs and wrappers before you set off, before you shake it out.
- Respect quiet times: Many animals are active in the early morning and at dusk. Noisy picnics at the edge of the forest are particularly disturbing then.
That way, the towel on your hike becomes not only a practical companion but also a small reminder to travel with little luggage and leave few traces.
After the hike: caring for the towel
After the hike, unpack the towel at home straight away, shake it out and hang it up. Grass, dust or sand fall out of the smooth weave easily. According to the care instructions, our hammam towels are washed at 30 °C, without fabric softener, and air-dried. You will find detailed tips in our article Washing a hammam towel. If you also take the towel on longer trips, have a look at our article on the hammam towel for camping and van life.
Related reading: Spring by the sea: what to pack for cool weather · Caring for Hammam Towel Fringes: Washing, Detangling, Re-Knotting · Water bottle for hiking: amount, backpack and refilling
Conclusion
A light hammam towel on a hike is a towel, seat pad, scarf and picnic blanket in one. For short distances the mini hammam towel at approx. 120 g is enough; for hikes with a swim or a hut stay, a large towel of around 270 g. Rolled up in the side pocket it is always within reach, and after a swim it dries quickly on the outside of your backpack.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hammam towel better than a microfibre towel?
Both are light. The hammam towel is made of cotton and is more versatile, for example as a scarf or blanket. You can find the comparison in our article Microfibre sauna towels.
How quickly does the towel dry on the go?
In our experience in about 30 minutes in the sun and around 60 minutes indoors – depending on weather and wind.
Is a mini hammam towel enough for a day hike?
For wiping off sweat and drying your hands, yes. If you want to swim or sit down, a large towel of approx. 180 × 100 cm is more practical.
Can I use the towel as a blanket in a mountain hut?
As a light extra layer, yes. But it does not replace a hut sleeping bag, which many huts require.
How do I stop the towel from smelling musty in my backpack?
Do not leave a wet towel inside the bag; dry it on the outside and hang it up as soon as you get home.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam. As a family, we have run the Meri Sauna at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.
