Travel Towels: Dry Ideas

Rare is the towel that can fold up small and tight like a dinner napkin. However, in certain situations in which towels aren't provided, such as at campgrounds and beach houses, you may need to bring along your own towel or two (better than drip-drying). To the rescue: thin, mega-absorbent towels that take up little luggage space and have the sopping power of a sponge. Here's how seven travel towels stack up.

-- Elissa Leibowitz Poma

1. Micronet Travel Towel (425-771-8303, Ext. 220,http://www.ricksteves.com; from $19.95)

Best for: Stays in European hostels or other towel-free lodging.

Pro: The microfiber towel comes in a pouch ideal for toting toiletries to the shared bathroom down the hall. A sturdy loop with a snap allows you to hang the bag on a towel rack.

Con: Though compact, the super-size towel (62 by 35 inches) weighs almost 10 ounces dry -- and even more wet.

2. REI MultiTowel Lite (800-426-4840,http://www.rei.com; $10-$22)

Best for: Hiking trips on which your backpack is crammed to the max.

Pro: The antimicrobial nylon and polyester towel comes in a variety of sizes (medium, large, extra large) and colors (curry, beige) and easily re-folds into a mesh nylon case.

Con: The small plastic clip on the corner of the towel, used for hooking it to a bathroom rack or backpack, did not stay fastened well; a snap would have been better.

3. Packtowl (888-226-7667,http://www.campmor.com; from $7.95)

Best for: Campgrounds where you don't have to impress with a pretty towel.