Nabaiji Microfibre Towel Review

Overview

The Nabaiji Microfibre Towel in size L is Decathlon’s house-brand answer to the pricey backpacking towel. It measures 80 x 130 cm, weighs 188 g, and rolls to roughly the size of a large fist. It was designed for swimmers, and hikers have adopted it for the same reasons: it costs about $14 and wrings out nearly dry. The trade-off is a smooth fabric that dries fast but doesn’t soak up water as aggressively as a textured travel towel.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	188 g
Dimensions	80 x 130 cm (31.5 x 51 in)
Packed size	18 x 12 x 4 cm
Fabric	Smooth microfibre, roughly 87–88% polyester and 12–13% polyamide
Construction	Two-tone, double-sided; sewn-in elastic band for rolling
Care	Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, no fabric softener
Price	Around $14 at Decathlon (sale price $13.99 in the US)

Performance

Drying. This is what the towel is built for, and what reviewers keep coming back to. Testers at Live For The Outdoors put the larger XL version of the same Nabaiji range through a drying trial. They found it one of the quickest they had assessed, with the towel almost back to its starting mass after two hours. Owners describe the same behavior in the field. UK backpackers and bikepackers who use Decathlon’s microfibre towels say wringing one out leaves it close to dry and ready for another use. Hung from a pack in the sun, the L size should be bone dry by the time camp is set up.

Absorbency. Here the towel is merely adequate. The fabric is a smooth weave, not the pile or terry-style surface found on Sea to Summit’s Tek or Lifeventure’s microfibre towels. The same Live For The Outdoors test scored the Nabaiji range 3.5 out of 5 for absorption and noted it isn’t the most absorbent option. Decathlon’s own guidance is to pat the skin rather than rub, and that advice matters. Dragging the towel across wet skin pushes water around. Pressing and wringing between passes works much better. A verified buyer on Decathlon’s site described the fabric as good, with medium absorbency but quick drying, which fits the pattern.

Size and coverage. At 80 x 130 cm, the L is big enough to dry a whole body and, in practice, to wrap around the waist for a changing-room moment. Hikers who want a post-hike wash-down or a dip in an alpine lake rarely need more. A small towel is lighter, but it leaves a tall person drying in sections. The bigger XL (110 x 175 cm) is overkill on a trail and weighs 336 g, nearly double.

Packability. The sewn-in elastic band lets the towel roll tight and stay that way, a feature owners single out on Decathlon’s site as handy for camping. The roll takes up less room than a water bottle. There is no stuff sack and no hang loop, so a mesh bag or a pack carabiner will have to do the job those accessories do on pricier towels.

Feel and durability. The fabric is soft against the skin for a synthetic, though one buyer on the Decathlon page wished the material were softer still. The towel is machine-washable and rated for repeated washing, and the polyester-dominant weave shrugs off sand and abrasion better than cotton. The one care rule is to skip fabric softener, which clogs microfibre and kills its wicking. Decathlon lists the dual-tone version at 4.74 out of 5 across 650 reviews. The broader Nabaiji L range holds 4.7 to 4.8 across tens of thousands of ratings.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 188 g for a full-body-sized towel
• Dries quickly and wrings out almost dry
• Packs to 18 x 12 x 4 cm and stays rolled with the elastic band
• Costs about $14, a fraction of branded outdoor towels
• Machine washable and durable under repeated laundering

Cons

• Smooth weave absorbs only moderately; rubbing is less effective than patting
• No hang loop or stuff sack
• Heavier than small “face towel” and hand-towel-size alternatives
• Some buyers find the fabric a little rough

Who Should Buy This

This towel suits hikers, bikepackers, and travelers who want a full-size towel for hostel showers, lake swims, or trailhead clean-ups without paying outdoor-brand prices. It also works as a spare for gym and pool bags. Gram counters who only need to wipe their face and hands, or who count every ounce on a thru-hike, should look at a small towel or a bandana instead. Anyone who wants maximum absorbency from a single pass should pick a textured pile towel and accept the higher price.

Verdict

The Nabaiji L is a sound, cheap, quick-drying towel that does the job without fuss. It gives up some absorbency and a few accessories in exchange for low weight and a price that makes replacement painless. For most backpackers who want a body-size towel, it’s an easy call.