Forget cotton beach towels.

Microfiber towels. That’s the answer.

Cotton beach towels are heavy, take forever to dry, and sand clings to them like they’re best friends. Microfiber towels are thin, pack small, dry in minutes, and sand just shakes right off—no aggressive whipping required. They’re not as plush as a good bath sheet, but on the beach that’s actually a feature, not a bug.

The specific brand doesn’t matter that much, but look for one with a tight weave and claims of sand resistance. Tesalate is the famous one, but generic versions work fine for half the price. Just don’t buy the super-cheap ones that feel like a car chamois—they work but feel weird.

Your beach bag will thank you.