What are the Best Towel Materials and What Sizes Should You Buy? | Parachute Blog (2024)

FAQs

What are the Best Towel Materials and What Sizes Should You Buy? | Parachute Blog? ›

Good-quality towels are often made of long-staple Turkish cotton or organic cotton. These materials are naturally soft, durable, absorbent and quick-drying. You can also look out for the Oeko-Tex certification for chemical safety and the GOTS label if you're buying organic bath linens.

Cotton is the most popular towel material. But not all cotton towels are created equal. High-quality Turkish and Egyptian cotton produce the best, softest, and most absorbent towels. Whether you need them for yourself or your guest bathroom, cotton bath towels are multitaskers and ideal for everyday use.

In general, a cotton bath towel that weighs 400 GSM and above is considered to be good quality. The fabric in these soft towels is woven more densely, and thus is softer and more absorbent than a lower GSM fabric (for example, that found in a standard kitchen towel).

It's a matter of personal preference, but makes a big difference. If you want a super soft, ultra-absorbent towel, look for 100% cotton with dense, plush loops of yarn on the surface. If you want one that's quick-drying and more durable, consider a cotton-poly blend or a lighter fabric with a low pile (short loops).

Here are some rough guidelines: 300-400 GSM towels are: Thinner, more lightweight and a coarser texture. 400-600 GSM towels are: Softer and more absorbent with a medium-high weight. 600+ GSM towels are: 5* hotel quality, and even more absorbent with a luxurious soft texture.

In the end, the difference between Turkish and Egyptian cotton towels can be boiled down to absorbency and speed of drying. While both cottons offer long, absorbent fibers, Egyptian cotton tends to be more absorbent and slower to dry; while Turkish cottons are slightly less absorbent and are quick to dry.

If you want a super-absorbent towel, go for cotton terrycloth. “More cotton terry loops = more places for water to go and more absorbency,” says Elks. If you want a fluffy towel, go for combed or ringspun cotton. Products with a higher GSM are thicker and extremely supple.

Thicker, heavier towels are usually more absorbent than thinner, lighter towels, but take longer to dry, of course. Towels made of Egyptian or Pima cotton, premium cotton brands, are super absorbent, and towels made with rayon absorb even a bit more water than cotton.

Naturally soft and absorbent, cotton is the perfect fibre for making soft, durable, and absorbent bath towels. Our towels are made from combed cotton, which simply means that the fibres are combed to remove any shorter fibres.

Are more expensive towels worth it? ›

While luxury bath towels come with a higher price tag, they're also known for their longevity. Made of high-quality materials, they're designed to maintain softness and stand up to frequent use and washing.

Durability

That's why most hotels and resorts use cotton towels since they provide great value for money. Consider buying 100 percent cotton towels. While Cotton/polyester blend is also durable, it is less absorbent as compared to cotton.

Cotton tends to be a good general option for towels in the workplace, while microfiber is more specialized. Microfiber is useful because it is hypoallergenic and less likely to damage sensitive material like glass or electronics. Experts use both microfiber and cotton towels, depending on the job in question.

Choose the Right Material for Your Upscale Bath Towels

Turkish cotton is an excellent material for luxury bath towels and makes a great choice for anyone who wants to have good quality towels for their family and guests. Turkish cotton has the extra-long fibers that give bath towels a plush feel and extra durability.

Cotton tends to be a good general option for towels in the workplace, while microfiber is more specialized. Microfiber is useful because it is hypoallergenic and less likely to damage sensitive material like glass or electronics. Experts use both microfiber and cotton towels, depending on the job in question.

Luxury bath towels are often made with Egyptian cotton, Turkish cotton, and Pima cotton. Each of these materials has extra-long fibers that make them soft, durable, absorbent, and breathable. Some luxury bath towels are also made from bamboo.

For soft, absorbent towels that last, first consider two-ply towels made with Pima or Egyptian cotton, or towels that blend cotton with rayon, but they may not last as long.

The Micro Cotton team says the best bath towels are 100 percent cotton. That means the towel's fibers are longer, which means the bath towel is softer, more durable, and more absorbent. Materials should be listed online or on the towel's care tag, along with laundry symbols.