Sea to Summit Airlite Towel
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Airlite Towel
Travel Towel · Microfibre · Ultralight
50% lighter than the Pocket Towel, the Airlite Towel is the most lightweight, compact and quick drying towel Sea to Summit makes. Designed for everything from everyday activities to minimalist adventures, the Airlite Towel absorbs more than three times its own weight in water. The elongated proportions make it dual-purpose — use as a bandana, neck protection, sweat towel for sport, or ultralight dishcloth on the trail.
Ultralight
1.1 oz / 31 g (Small) — the lightest towel in the Sea to Summit lineup. Half the weight of the Pocket Towel.
Absorbent
Absorbs more than 3× its own weight in water. Microfibre construction pulls moisture off skin quickly.
Tiny Pack
Small packs to 2 × 2 × 2 in — smaller than a deck of cards. Fits in any pocket or pack lid.
Quick Drying
Microfibre dries fast — wring it out and it's ready to pack in minutes. No soggy-towel-in-pack problem.
Dual-Purpose Shape
Elongated proportions work as a bandana, neck sun protection, sweat towel, or ultralight dishcloth.
Stuff Sack Included
15D Nylon stuff sack — keeps the towel contained and clean in your pack, doubles as a small storage pouch.
50% Lighter Than Pocket Towel
STS's Pocket Towel is their standard quick-dry travel towel — the Airlite is 50% lighter through thinner microfibre weave and a smaller overall construction. For backpackers, thru-hikers, and ultralight travelers, the Airlite is the lightest towel STS makes.
Microfibre Material (85% Polyester, 15% Polyamide)
The Airlite is made from a microfibre blend — 85% polyester, 15% polyamide (nylon). This blend is engineered for high absorbency (3× its weight in water), quick drying, and minimal weight. The polyamide adds strength and durability; the polyester provides the absorbency and softness.
Elongated Proportions
The Airlite's aspect ratio is more elongated than a standard bath towel — sized to double as a bandana, neck sun protection, or sweat towel for sports. The Small (31 × 16 in) is comparable to a large bandana; the Large (47 × 24 in) is closer to a beach towel in surface area, just elongated.
15D Nylon Stuff Sack
Comes with a 15D nylon stuff sack — about as light as it gets for a stuff sack. The sack keeps the towel clean and contained in your pack, and can be repurposed as a small storage pouch for other gear (first aid supplies, snacks, charging cables, etc.).
Multi-Function Use Cases
Unlike standard bath towels, the Airlite is designed for multi-function use:
- Travel: standard towel for hostel/hotel showers
- Backpacking: quick-dry camp towel that doesn't take up pack space
- Sports: sweat towel for running, climbing, gym
- Sun protection: wrap around neck for sunburn prevention
- Camp utility: dishcloth, pot wipe, emergency bandage, water filter pre-filter
- Day hikes: sweat management
Comparison to Other Sea to Summit Towels
Lightest Towel in the Lineup
Per STS: "the Airlite Towel is the most lightweight, compact and quick drying towel Sea to Summit makes." STS makes several towel lines (Pocket Towel, DryLite, Tek Towel) — the Airlite is the ultralight flagship, with the Pocket Towel being the standard quick-dry and DryLite/Tek Towel being more plush/comfortable options. For weight-conscious shoppers: Airlite wins. For comfort-conscious shoppers: DryLite or Tek Towel wins.
Small / Medium / Large
Three sizes — Small (31×16 in), Medium (39×20 in), Large (47×24 in). Small is the most packable and lightest; Large is closer to a beach towel in coverage but still ultralight. Choose based on body size and intended use (Small for sweat management, Large for full-body drying).
Best Use
Activity
Travel, backpacking, thru-hiking, bikepacking, camping, gym, sports, everyday sweat management
Materials & Construction
Towel Fabric
85% Polyester, 15% Polyamide (microfibre blend)
Stuff Sack Main
100% Nylon (15D)
Stuff Sack Base
85% Polyester, 15% Polyamide (matches towel material)
Material Properties
Microfibre — high absorbency (3× weight in water), quick-drying, lightweight
Dimensions & Weight (by size)
| Measurement | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1.1 oz / 31 g | 1.7 oz / 48 g | 2.4 oz / 68 g |
| Packed Weight | 1.2 oz / 34 g | 1.8 oz / 51 g | 2.5 oz / 71 g |
| Packed Size | 2 × 2 × 2 in 5.5 × 4 × 4 cm |
3 × 3 × 2 in 8 × 7 × 5 cm |
3 × 2 × 2 in 8 × 5 × 5 cm |
| Open Dimensions | 31 × 16 in 80 × 40 cm |
39 × 20 in 100 × 50 cm |
47 × 24 in 120 × 60 cm |
Compatibility
Use Cases
Hostel/hotel showers · backpacking camp showers · gym/sports sweat towel · travel · bikepacking · thru-hiking · ultralight dishcloth
Storage
15D nylon stuff sack included — fits in any pocket, pack lid, or hang loop
Multi-Pack Compatible
Multiple Airlite sizes can be packed together (Small as sweat towel + Medium/Large as bath towel)
Profile
Brand
Sea to Summit (Australian outdoor gear, founded 1994)
Category
Travel Towel / Quick-Dry Towel / Microfibre Towel
Activity
Travel, backpacking, thru-hiking, camping, gym, sports, sweat management
Season
Year-round (all seasons)
Washing
Machine washable in cold or warm water with mild detergent. Wash with like colors. Do not use fabric softener — it coats the microfibre and reduces absorbency over time (the same problem as with microfibre pillow face fabrics). Tumble dry low or hang dry. Do not bleach — degrades the polyamide and polyester fibres and reduces absorbency.
Drying
Quick-dries on its own — wring it out, hang it on a pack strap, branch, or clothesline, and it's ready to pack in 30–60 minutes depending on humidity. Tumble dry low is fine if you need it faster. Do not expose to direct high heat (campfires, hot car interiors) — can damage the polyamide and reduce absorbency.
Absorbency Maintenance
Over time, microfibre towels can lose some absorbency due to body oils, sunscreen residue, detergent buildup, and fabric softener residue. To restore absorbency: wash the towel in hot water with a small amount of white vinegar (no detergent), then rinse thoroughly. Avoid fabric softener entirely — it's the #1 absorbency killer for microfibre.
Snag Prevention
Microfibre can snag on Velcro, zippers, and rough surfaces. When packing the towel, store it inside the included 15D nylon stuff sack to protect it from pack-internal snagging. Avoid contact with campfire tools, broken branches, and rough rock that can tear the microfibre loops.
Anti-Microbial Treatment (FAQ)
Per the FAQ, Airlite Towels are not specifically listed as having anti-microbial treatment — STS's other towel lines (DryLite, Tek Towel) sometimes have it, but the Airlite's priority is weight and quick-drying, not anti-microbial. The quick-drying microfibre does resist odor better than cotton (moisture doesn't linger as long, so bacteria don't have time to grow), but it's not the same as a treated anti-microbial towel.
Hangtag for Drying
Per the FAQ: STS includes a hangtag-style loop on the towel (visible at one corner) for quick hanging on a pack strap, branch, or hook to dry. Use this rather than draping the towel over a rock or branch — keeps the towel cleaner and speeds drying.
Stuff Sack Care
The 15D nylon stuff sack is extremely thin and can tear if over-stuffed or snagged. To extend life: don't force the towel back into the sack (just stuff it loosely), keep the sack away from sharp objects, and consider replacing the sack with a similar small mesh bag if it tears (mesh dries the towel faster while stored).
Storage
Store dry, loosely folded or in the stuff sack. For long-term storage, ensure the towel is completely dry — any retained moisture can cause mildew and odor (microfibre is less prone to this than cotton but not immune). If the towel develops a musty smell, wash with vinegar as described in the Absorbency Maintenance section above.
Repair
Small snags or tears can be repaired with fabric glue or by carefully trimming the loose thread with sharp scissors (don't pull — it makes the tear larger). Larger tears or seam failures are generally not repairable; the towel is replaceable inexpensively at $14.95.
Travel Tip
The Airlite Towel's 1.1 oz Small weight and 2×2×2 in pack size make it a great always-pack towel — keep it in your daypack or carry-on as a backup, even if you don't plan to need it. Useful for unexpected rain, spills, gym sessions, hostel bathrooms that don't provide towels, or as an emergency blanket in a pinch.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Riding Gear & Apparel:
Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
