Hammam towel for SUP and kayaking: dry bag, changing and sun protection
A hammam towel for SUP or kayaking is exactly what counts on the water: small, light and quick to dry. On a stand-up paddle board and in a kayak storage space is tight, and everything you take on board can get wet. A thick terry towel hardly fits into the dry bag and stays damp for hours after a splash. In this guide you will learn how to stow a hammam towel in a dry bag, how to change on the shore, how the towel protects you from the sun on the water and which model suits which trip.
Contents10
- Why a hammam towel belongs on the water
- Hammam towel, terry or microfibre for SUP?
- Packing in a dry bag: step by step
- Sun on the water: protecting shoulders and neck
- Changing on the shore
- Which hammam towel for which trip?
- Packing list: hammam towel for SUP and what else goes in the dry bag
- After the trip: salt water, fresh water and care
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Why a hammam towel belongs on the water
- Rolls up small: Flat-woven cotton can be rolled tightly and fits into a small dry bag next to your phone and keys.
- Light: Our Hammam towel SULTAN weighs only approx. 270 g at 180 × 100 cm.
- Dries quickly: In our experience at the Meri Sauna, a hammam towel dries in about 30 minutes in the sun and in about 60 minutes indoors. So after a break on the shore it is often ready to use again.
- Versatile: Drying off, seat mat on the shore, sun protection for your shoulders and privacy screen for changing.
Hammam towel, terry or microfibre for SUP?
| Criterion | Hammam towel | Terry towel | Microfibre towel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack size in the dry bag | small | large | very small |
| Drying after splashes | fast | slow | fast |
| As sun protection over the shoulders | good, airy | too warm and heavy | possible |
| As a seat mat on the shore | good | good, but sandy | rather small |
| Material | cotton | cotton | synthetic fibre |
To be honest: if you only need a towel for drying off and count every centimetre, microfibre packs even a little smaller. If you want a towel that also works as sun protection and a blanket on the shore, choose cotton.
Packing in a dry bag: step by step
A waterproof dry bag is standard on a SUP and in a kayak. This is how you get your hammam towel on board dry for SUP:
- Fold it into thirds lengthwise: Fold the towel into a strip a good 30 cm wide.
- Roll it tightly: Roll it firmly from one end so no air is trapped.
- At the bottom of the dry bag: Pack the towel first, then spare clothes, snack and water bottle on top. Phone and keys go right at the top or in a separate small pouch.
- Close it properly: Fold the roll-top closure over several times – three turns are common – and then close it.
- Secure it to the board: Fasten the dry bag under the bungee cords on the board or in the kayak hatch.
For a day trip a small dry bag is usually enough. Towel, spare shirt and a snack fit in easily. In a kayak you have more space in the hatches, but the dry bag is still worth it: water can collect even in closed hatches, and a wet towel is not much help then.
Sun on the water: protecting shoulders and neck
There is no shade on the water, and the surface also reflects sunlight. If you paddle for a long time, you will soon notice it on your shoulders, neck and thighs. A light hammam towel for SUP helps during breaks:
- Over your shoulders: When you sit on the board and drift.
- Over your legs: In a kayak your thighs are often directly in the sun.
- As a headscarf: A mini hammam towel loosely tied over head and neck.
While paddling, the towel belongs in the dry bag – it should neither hang in the water nor get in the way of your paddling. A towel does not replace sunscreen, a hat or sun-protective clothing.
Changing on the shore
Many launch spots for SUP and kayaks have no changing rooms. With a hammam towel, changing still works:
- As a wrap skirt: Tie the towel around your hips and change your swimwear underneath.
- As a curtain: In pairs, one person holds the towel while the other changes.
- As a mat: Put wet neoprene or swimwear on the towel so no sand sticks to it.
It is even more comfortable with a bathing poncho: according to the manufacturer, Wave Hawaii’s AirLite Poncho CUMBUCO is designed for water sports, weighs approx. 850 g, has a hood and is a mobile changing room under which you can change with both hands. You will find more models in our poncho collection. For the dry bag the hammam towel is the more compact solution; for changing on a cool morning, the poncho.
If you paddle with children, pack one towel per person. Children often cool down faster after swimming, and a hammam towel for the SUP break is quickly placed around their shoulders. The same goes for adults: after a jump into the water, dry off briefly before carrying on with a wet back in the wind.
Which hammam towel for which trip?
| Trip | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short round on the lake | Mini hammam towel Diamant, approx. 90 × 45 cm, approx. 120 g | for hands, face and head, fits into any dry bag |
| Day trip with a swim break | Hammam towel SULTAN, approx. 270 g | big enough for drying off and lying down, very light |
| Kayak tour with an overnight stay | Hammam towel ADRIA, approx. 290 g | towel, blanket and privacy screen in one |
| Cool morning or autumn | Hammam towel plus bathing poncho | towel in the dry bag, poncho for changing on land |
Packing list: hammam towel for SUP and what else goes in the dry bag
- 1 hammam towel, tightly rolled
- Spare shirt or light jacket for the way back
- Water bottle and a small snack
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses with a strap
- Phone and keys in an additional waterproof pouch
- Bag for wet things after the trip
Safety comes before comfort: a leash, life jacket or buoyancy aid and a look at the weather and wind are standard when paddling and more important than any towel. The hammam towel for SUP is the pleasant extra once everything important is on board.
After the trip: salt water, fresh water and care
- Rinse: After a day at the sea, briefly rinse the towel with tap water. Salt makes cotton stiff over time.
- Spread it out: Never leave it damp in the dry bag – it soon smells musty there. Hang it up as soon as you get home.
- Wash: At 30 °C, without fabric softener, air-dried.
- Choose a bright colour: A strongly coloured towel is easier to find if it does fall into the water.
You will find all models in our hammam towels collection.
Related reading: Poncho for water sports: what SUP, kiting, sailing and swimming need · Folding and rolling a hammam towel: 6 methods for bag, suitcase, wardrobe and gift · Hammam towel at the lake: lawn, changing, drying and packing list
Conclusion
A hammam towel for SUP and kayaking saves space in the dry bag, dries quickly after splashes and is towel, seat mat and changing room on the shore all in one. During breaks it protects your shoulders and legs from the sun. For short rounds a mini towel is enough, for day trips a light large towel, and on cool days a bathing poncho completes your kit. Rinse and spread it out after the trip – then the towel stays fresh for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my hammam towel on board dry for SUP?
Tightly rolled in a waterproof dry bag fastened under the board’s bungee cords. Fold the roll-top closure over several times.
Can the towel handle salt water?
Yes. After a day at the sea, rinse it briefly with tap water and wash it at 30 °C when you get the chance.
Is a mini hammam towel enough for a SUP trip?
For a short round, hands and face, yes. If you want to swim or lie on the shore, take a large 180 × 100 cm towel.
Does the towel replace sun protection?
No. It helps cover shoulders and legs during breaks but does not replace sunscreen or a hat.
Hammam towel or poncho for changing on the jetty?
The towel is more compact for the dry bag, the poncho more comfortable for changing. Many people take the towel on the water and leave the poncho in the car.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.