Choosing the Best Sports Towels: A Complete Guide

When you start a new fitness plan, every item you bring matters. As for your sports towel choices, it's important to know that a good fitness towel is constructed with key differences, with fast-drying fibres with high absorbency that stand up to the stress of heavy use. As expert towel crafters and the long-standing supplier of the Wimbledon Championships towels, we know a thing or two about weaving quality sports towels. In this article, we'll run through all you need to know so you can choose the best one for your needs.

Key Features to Look for in a Sports Towel

Before you start shopping, it's helpful to think about your personal fitness regime and what this demands from a towel. Excellent absorbency is one important factor to help the towel handle sweat, along with quick-dry features or even odour resistance. Size and material are important too, as the right towel made with quality fabric will stand the test of time. Let's break these points down to narrow your search.

Performance Absorbency and Quick Dry Technology

Whether you're in a hot yoga class or doing HIIT, a towel that can pull moisture from your skin effectively is key for comfort. Let's be honest, towels are all absorbent by nature, as their key function is to dry things off, but different materials and weaves make a huge difference to the level of absorbency. Some of the most absorbent fabrics and cotton types for towels include:

• Egyptian cotton: Generally regarded as the most absorbent cotton type, thanks to the individual fibres, which are long and silky and capable of soaking up water exceptionally well. These long fibres are called Extra Long Staple (ELS), and work by creating a larger surface area of 'thirsty' yarns.

• Supima cotton: This cotton is very similar in nature to Egyptian cotton, with absorbent ELS fibres, but the incredible silkiness of the yarns makes it slightly less dense and plush than the highest quality Egyptian cotton.

• Turkish cotton: Still a quality cotton type with beautifully silky long fibres, but with slightly less absorbency than Egyptian varieties. However, where this yarn wins is on balance, with superior quick-dry capabilities.

While absorbency is important, quick-dry technology is the other integral element of a great sports towel. Fast-drying towels are practical and tend to last longer without becoming worn or musty. This all helps your towel stay cleaner between washes and prevents the growth of mildew. 

As for weight, often, the thicker the towel, the more absorbent it is; conversely, thicker towels can take longer to dry, and this is where the weave comes in. There are clever, technical ways of constructing towels through different weave techniques to balance absorbency with quick dry properties. 

Explore our towel ranges.

Durability and Stitching 

In most cases, your sports towel needs to be washed with every use, and that amounts to a lot of use and washing. To withstand this stress, the fabric needs to be high-quality with solid stitching. A well-made towel will have noticeably strong edges and a quality weave to prevent fraying. 

Although the craftsmanship plays a huge role here, you also need to take proper care of your workout towel to make it last longer. Following the washing and drying steps on the manufacturer's label and checking out tips for towel maintenance will help you care for your towel long-term.

All About Weaves

As for weaves, the balance here is critical for a high-performance sports towel. The right weave will ensure that every drop of sweat is efficiently soaked up, delivering a combination of optimum weight and plushness (measured in GSM, or grams per square meter) to bring soft, skin-friendly textures that still dry fast. 

Here are just some of the best sport towel weaves, and what makes them stand out.

• Zero-Twist Weave: Considered the most absorbent weave by many, this effect is achieved by leaving the yarns open, as opposed to twisting them tightly. This airy alternative to weaving the fibres increases the towel's surface area to trap water instantly.

• Terry Weave: A Christy favourite, because this was the weave we introduced to the world after developing the first industrial terry loom in 1850. What makes this special is the way the cotton is woven into thousands of loops on the surface, for an almost shaggy appearance. These long, uncut loops draw water in and feel super soft.

• Waffle Weave: Also called a Honeycomb weave, it literally creates a waffle-like surface, which is extremely effective for drying the skin and, in turn, speeds up the towel fabric drying time, due to increased surface area and air pockets. Generally, less absorbent and certainly not fluffy, but a great on-the-go option with drying power.

• Hygro Weave: A technique originally developed by Christy, this advanced weave creates tiny air pockets within the cotton yarns, promoting breathability in towels and bed linen (minimising dampness and balancing warmth and comfort), and boosting towel plushness. In sports towels, this delivers a soft, quick-drying towelling surface.

Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties

Certain activities require a towel capable of dealing with sweat and odour, and for this, we need antibacterial and antimicrobial features. The benefit of these properties is that they stop the growth of germs and bacteria that create bad smells, especially in damp fabrics. This is all about keeping your towel fresh for longer, even after heavy workouts and after stuffing them into your kit bag for the day.

Thankfully, cotton types like Egyptian, Turkish and Supima cotton offer odour resistance due to their longer fibres. Again, cotton weave comes into play here too, and terry, zero-twist and waffle weaves all promote better airflow to dry off quicker, reducing the risk of damp and mustiness. 

But another great option comes with a cotton/bamboo blend. Bamboo has naturally long, silky fibres, a lot like the high-quality cotton types we've explored, but it also has natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which actively work against odours from germs, sweat and dampness.

Choosing the Best Sports Towels for Your Fitness Routine

Choosing the best gym towel depends on what you need and like, be it small and smooth or larger and fluffier. The way you work out, where you train, and your personal preferences matter here, and a good starting point is to consider your activity and the towel's primary use. Here are just a few of the towels in our Wimbledon Collection, crafted for sporting moments, to help guide your choices.

Shop Wimbledon sports towels.

1. Wimbledon Sports Towel

A 100% cotton construction, the classic Wimbledon Sports Towel is made with a high-quality looped weave, which brings a fluffy feel and a delicate touch for sensitive skin. Made to specific sports towel dimensions, it's perfectly sized to fit in your kit bag, super lightweight at 440 GSM, quick-dry and still large enough to dry you off. From a design perspective, this is a Championships classic in white, with Wimbledon's recognisable Green and Purple in the colour band border, and a statement-sized gold Wimbledon motif.

2. Wimbledon Gym Towel

The ideal workout companion, the Wimbledon Gym Towel is made with a mid-weight 500 GSM 60% cotton/40% bamboo blend, with naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, not to mention the innate anti-static properties of the fabric (handy if you're working hard enough to build up some static electricity and want to avoid a shock). Sized to drape perfectly over workout equipment (think: longer and narrower than the norm), the most wonderful bonus of this towel is the hidden, integrated zipper at one end, creating a secure pocket for your smaller items, be it your phone, keys or locker wristband.

3. Wimbledon Championships Towel

Since 1987, we've designed and crafted the Wimbledon Championships towels. This makes them iconic keepsakes and a document of changing design trends over the decades, but at their heart, these towels are designed for sport. We always use premium cotton with a Hygro weave, in a classic sport-friendly short looped construction. This brings a smooth, velvety soft feel (great for drying off without skin irritation, whether you're on the court, at the pool or in the gym) with a mid-weight 500 GSM that dries fast after use.

4. Wimbledon Tennis Court Towel

We take it back to the most classic of sports towel designs for our Tennis Court Towel. Smooth, short loops in absorbent 100% cotton, with a perfectly balanced 500 GSM, the tried and tested weight for plush yet practical sports towels. Absorbent, soft and sized to standard bath towel dimensions, it's a multi-purpose choice that works either during active moments or as a towel post-shower, post-workout. As for style, this one is inspired by the lines on court for a classic, timeless look.

Which Size Sports Towel Is Right for You?

We've talked a little about the sizes of sports towels, but what does this mean to your workout routine? Do you need something to wipe down during your most active moments, or a lightweight, quick-dry option that you can either use during your workout or after your shower? Just like your bathroom towels, there are different sizes available, from face cloths to specially sized towels for sports bags.

Explore towel sizes.

Face Cloths for On-the-Go Wiping

If you haven't considered a face cloth, here's why you should. This is the often-forgotten yet perfect companion for any sports where you need to quickly wipe your face, neck or even your hands. Small enough to pop into a kit bag or a pocket, it's a space-saving, skin-friendly way to wipe down and move on when you're at a pace. A mini addition with plenty of power, this is an essential anytime you're working up a sweat.

Shop face cloths.

Gym Towels for Kit Bags and Classes

There are various-sized specific gym towels, but most are generally narrower than your average bath towel. This allows them to be used on workout benches, mats, and to drape comfortably around the shoulders when moving from one station to the next. They also tend to offer a fair amount of coverage, giving you plenty of surface area to use for grip, coverage and cushioning on mats or equipment, without being too bulky or heavy to carry in your bag.

Lightweight Bath Towels for Post-Workout Showers

Chances are, you don't want to use the same towel in the gym and for your shower afterwards. To keep things lightweight yet deliver a level of comfort, the best kinds of towels will have similar sports-ready benefits. Soft for the skin, quick drying compositions, and absorbency are all relevant here too, along with the right dimensions to wrap you up. Our Wimbledon Collection is a good example of the kinds of towels you can use for either purpose, giving you soft comfort without the heavy mustiness of some conventional bath towels.

The Role of Towels in Major Sporting Events & Championships

It would be remiss of us to close without a word on design. Functionality is key with a sports towel, but if you have an eye for style, the perfect towel will look good while it works hard. As heritage British towel makers, the Wimbledon Championships selected Christy to design the iconic tournament towels in 1987. 

Since then, the Championships towels have stood as a symbolic memento for each year, documenting changing fashions and craft techniques, with a strong heritage feel in Wimbledon’s well-known colours. They often make the headlines too, from players admitting to stealing towels to featuring front and centre in key match moments. Available in the latest tournament's designs and our Heirloom Collection (a sustainable re-imagining of leftover towel stock into a range of accessories), Wimbledon towels mark history in the making.

Explore the Wimbledon Heirloom Collection.

Final Word on Sports Towels

Picking the right sports towel can be game-changing for workouts. Comfort and practicality are key, along with choosing the right-sized and type of towel for your needs and activity. Whether you're looking for a cotton/bamboo blend that targets sweat and odour, a towel that gives you a zipped pocket for your valuables, or a larger, lightweight and quick-dry post-shower companion, we have towels for every sporting moment. For help finding your new sports towel, contact us today or start a chat with one of our advisors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of sports towels?

Sports towels are made with practical features like superior absorbency to soak up sweat and water, but they should also dry quickly to avoid mustiness. Cotton is a classic choice to offer all these benefits, but many sports towels also blend materials that fight germs. We choose bamboo as a natural option, with innate properties that help stop the build-up of smells and bacteria. 

What are the main differences between a regular towel and a sports towel?

The main difference between a regular towel and a sports towel is in how they're made and the benefits they offer. A sports towel is made from breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-dry fabrics, compared to a regular towel, which can be plusher, weightier and bigger in dimensions. Ultimately, a sports towel is usually light and smaller, so you can put it in your gym bag or even in your pocket in the case of gym-ready face cloths.

How do I properly clean and care for a sports towel?

To clean your sports towel well, wash it in warm water with a mild soap, always following the manufacturer's guidelines on the label. To ensure the towel stays soft and stays absorbent, avoid fabric softener, as these are designed to 'coat' the fibres and this reduces absorbency. After washing, let the towel air dry or use the dryer on low heat. As an extra tip, to eliminate any mustiness, occasionally add a little white vinegar to the wash.