GEAR AID Quick Dry Microfiber Towel for Travel, Camping and Sports, Coyote, M, 20 x 40 in Review (2026)

What it is

The GEAR AID Quick Dry Microfiber Towel is a single travel towel sold in several sizes and colors, with this listing covering the medium size at 20 by 40 inches in coyote, a tan-brown shade meant to hide dirt on outdoor trips. GEAR AID is an established outdoor gear accessories brand, which sets this apart from generic unbranded microfiber towel listings. The towel ships with a mesh storage bag that compresses it down for packing, and manufacturer specifications list the medium towel at 5.6 ounces, making it light enough to add to a carry-on without meaningfully affecting weight. It is aimed at campers, backpackers, and travelers who want one compact towel rather than a multi-piece set.

Features and specs

According to GEAR AID's own product listing, the towel absorbs roughly five times its weight in water and is treated with an antimicrobial silver-ion finish, marketed under the name SILVADUR, intended to reduce odor buildup between washes. The fabric is described as a micro-suede weave that feels dense and soft while still wringing out easily. Sewn grommets along the edges let the towel double as a small tarp, sunshade, or blanket corner point when camping, a feature not common on basic drugstore microfiber towels. The mesh carry bag is separate from the towel itself, sized at roughly 8 by 3 by 4 inches and adding about 2 ounces, and it has a hanging snap loop so the towel can dry clipped to a pack or line.

Build and materials

The towel is made from microfiber polyester, the same base fabric used across most quick-dry travel towels, chosen for how fast it releases absorbed water compared with cotton terry cloth. GEAR AID's use of a silver-ion antimicrobial treatment is a build detail worth noting since not every competing towel includes an odor-resistant finish, and it can extend the number of uses between washes on a multi-week trip. The 20 by 40 inch medium size sits in the middle of GEAR AID's range, which also includes smaller and larger sizes, so build quality should be consistent across the line since it comes from a single accessories brand rather than a marketplace-only seller.

Value

Paying a bit more for a known outdoor brand with an antimicrobial treatment and a mesh bag is the trade a buyer makes here compared with cheaper unbranded microfiber towels. For one-bag travelers, the medium size strikes a reasonable middle ground between a too-small hand towel and a bulkier extra-large towel, keeping both weight and packed volume low. The coyote colorway is a practical choice for camping and outdoor trips where a white or light towel would show dirt quickly. Travelers who only need a towel for occasional gym or beach use may find a cheaper generic microfiber towel does nearly the same job for less money.

Who should buy it

This towel suits campers, backpackers, and one-bag travelers who want a single reliable towel from a recognizable outdoor brand rather than an unbranded multi-pack. The medium 20 by 40 inch size works well as a shower or beach towel for most adults, though anyone who prefers full wraparound coverage should look at GEAR AID's larger sizes instead. The antimicrobial treatment makes it a good fit for longer trips where laundry access is limited and a towel needs to go several uses between washes. Travelers focused purely on minimizing every gram may prefer a smaller, lighter towel, but for most this size balances coverage and pack size well.

Frequently asked questions