Bamboo Blend or Egyptian Cotton?  Supima or Pima?  The bath towel choices now available in stores and online are enough to make your head spin!  Towels represent a significant investment to most people and there is nothing worse that using your new towels after their first wash only to find they feel rough to the skin or push the water around and around on your body without soaking up much at all. 

Choosing the right bath towel set for your needs is much easier once you understand how they are made and what fibers are used to make them.  There is no one "best" towel, only the best towel fit for your needs!  There are quality towels at many price points if you know what to look for!

Fibers used in Bath Towels

Towels today are made from cotton or cotton blends,  Even if the towels is 100% cotton the type of cotton fiber used has a huge impact on the towel's durability, feel and color-fastness. Heres a quick rundown of some of the best towel fibers and what they bring to the towel bar:

Bamboo
Made from Bamboo grass, Bamboo fiber has a cashmere-like soft texture and a lustrous appearance that dyes well. Usually blended with cotton, bamboo towels are naturally anti-bacterial and mildew-resistant. Because the bamboo plant is highly sustainable, fast-growing and doesn't require pesticides, this fiber is also an environmentally friendly choice.

Egyptian Cotton
The "king" of cottons. Favored in luxury bath towels, Egyptian cotton is grown in Egypt's warm climate and prized for its extra-long, fibrous threads. The fiber density produces a highly absorbent cotton that is strong yet breathable. Exceptionally durable, Egyptian cotton towels can last for years with proper care.

MicroCotton®
A trademark for a high-quality, long-staple cotton fiber developed in India. Its soft and plush fibers create a fluffy towel with a suede-like texture and excellent absorbency.

Organic Cotton
Certified organic cotton is grown under highly controlled conditions without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and specially harvested to ensure sustainability and little environmental impact. Eco-friendly dyes are often used in conjunction with organic cotton to create a truly environmentally friendly towel.

Pima (or trademarked Supima) Cotton
Often grown in the warm, dry climate of the southwestern United States, Pima cotton is made from the same plant as Egyptian cotton. Known for producing rich, extra-long staple fibers prized for their strength and absorbency, Pima is considered to be a superior blend of cotton.

Turkish Cotton 
Grown exclusively in Turkey, Turkish cotton is a premium cotton featuring an extra-long staple. This long staple creates a towel with a high level of comfort, absorbency and durability.

Bath Towel Fiber Processing

As important as the fiber origin is the processing that the fiber undergoes prior to being used in towel manufacturing. The three most popular fiber processing techniques produce diverse yarns each with unique properties.

Combed
As the name implies, combed cotton has literally been "combed" to remove short, uneven fibers and debris resulting in longer, stronger and more lustrous cotton perfect for weaving.

Ringspun
Unlike low-twist cotton, ringspun cotton is constructed from a combination of long and short staple yarn. Ringspun fibers are tightly twisted together to create a stronger, smoother and finer yarn. This method produces a more refined feel than that of a basic combed cotton yarn.

Twist
Twist refers to the number of twists per inch of yarn. The lower the amount of twist in a yarn, the more plush the towel will be. A higher twist adds strength and uniformity to a yarn, resulting in a more durable, substantial feeling towel. Low- or zero-twist fabric can only be constructed from longer staple cotton yarn. 

Bath Towel Construction

In addition to the fiber type and processing, the actual construction of a bath towel can effect both the feel and quality of bath towels.  Different manufacturing techniques produce a variety of bath towel characteristics.  In order to find the best towel for your wants and needs it is important to understand how manufacturing can impact the softness, absorbency and durability.

Grams Per Square Meter (GSM)
All towels have a fabric weight, measured with a GSM (grams per square meter) number. This refers to the density of the fabric used to make that particular towel. Lower GSM towels are lighter and thinner, making them a great choice for a gym bag or trips to the beach. They dry quickly between uses and after laundering.  The heavier, thicker, higher GSM towels will feel more plush and luxurious, absorb more water but will also take longer to dry between use and in the dryer.  The higher GM towels are ideal for use in the master or guest bathroom.

Edge
Inexpensive towels may have woven edges but better towels will be made with double-turned edges with double stitching. This reinforcement reduces fraying, which will give your towels a long, thirsty life.

Finishes
You can't always judge a towel by its in-store softness. Many manufacturers add softeners to the finish so towels will feel nice and velvety in the store. After a few washings, you may end up with a rougher towel than you had bargained for.  If you want lasting softness in your towels, choose towels with the best fiber sources you can afford.

Typical Bath Towel Sizes

Most bath towel collections offer a variety of sizes to fit your space, budget and personal preference. We recommend having two or three of each primary towel size – bath, hand and wash – per person in your household (and don't forget guests!). The towel names are fairly standard but the actual sizes may vary from collection to collection. Check out the list below to see the average towel sizes: