Most beginners bring the bath towel from home. It works until halfway through the workout, when the towel is soaked, weighs twice as much and takes up the whole bag. Or until it starts to smell bad even after washing, because it was left damp and sealed inside the bag for several hours. The wrong choice costs you in comfort, organisation and hygiene; the right choice disappears into the background, which is exactly the point.
In Portugal, gyms are the second most common place for physical activity, behind commutes between home, work and school (). People who train 3 or more times a week build up contact with shared equipment: independent studies show that gym machines can carry (). The towel is not an aesthetic detail, it is the barrier between your skin and all of that.
This guide covers the 4 technical criteria (material, size, GSM, antibacterial), follows with 7 real picks for the PT market in 2026, maps the main shops in Portugal with prices, and closes with a quick table by type of use. At the end, the 4 most common buying mistakes.
The 4 technical criteria (in order of importance)
1. Material (microfibre, cotton or bamboo)
The material decides how the towel behaves during and after the workout. Three valid options:
Microfibre (polyester + polyamide): the modern standard for the gym. Ultra-fine synthetic fibres that absorb up to 7 times their weight and dry about 3 times faster than equivalent cotton. Compact and light, it folds almost like a paper tissue. The initial feel is different from cotton (more "scratchy", less fluffy); most people get used to it within 1 to 2 uses.
Cotton: the classic material. Softer on the skin, familiar feel, hypoallergenic. But it dries slowly, gets heavy when wet and takes up twice the space in the bag. A good choice for home use or a relaxed post-training shower, but poor for the daily gym.
Bamboo: sustainable natural fibre, naturally antibacterial, very soft. Dries reasonably well (between microfibre and cotton). More expensive and less available in PT. A good eco-friendly option for those willing to pay more.
Cotton + microfibre blends exist, but they are rarely "the best of both worlds": they end up almost as heavy as pure cotton and lose part of the quick drying of microfibre. For the gym, pure microfibre wins in almost every case.
2. Size (coverage by use)
Size defines the real use and what fits in the bag. Three tiers cover most cases:
40 by 80 cm: the pure "training towel". Covers the weights bench, the treadmill or your face. Fits in a side pocket of the bag. Carried over the shoulder during circuit training. Use: drying sweat between sets, separating skin from shared equipment.
50 by 100 cm: multi-use. For those who want a single towel that handles training and a proper wipe-down after exertion. Fits in a medium compartment of the bag. Use: gym without showering or with a quick face-and-arms shower only.
70 by 140 cm or more: full shower towel at the gym. Fits in bags from 30 L upwards. Use: people who train before or after work and use the gym changing rooms to head out properly dressed.
Room to manoeuvre: having 2 towels (one 40 by 80 for training, a larger one for the shower) is the best solution for anyone using changing rooms regularly. A single 50 by 100 is the practical compromise for 3 sessions a week without a full shower at the gym.
3. GSM (density, choose by use)
GSM (grams per square metre) measures fabric density. An indicator forgotten by most people that makes all the difference to the feel and durability of the towel:
200 to 300 GSM: light, ultra-fast drying, thinner. For surface sweat (yoga, pilates, stretching, walking on the treadmill at a low pace).
300 to 400 GSM: balanced, recommended for daily gym use. Good absorption, fast drying, good durability. The sweet spot for 80% of cases. Most Decathlon Domyos and adidas Performance models sit here.
400 GSM or more: thicker, more absorbent, softer. For CrossFit, HIIT, intense training with heavy sweat, or a full shower. Takes longer to dry (a downside if you keep a damp towel in your bag for several hours).
Most brands state the GSM in the product description, especially in the technical segment. If it is not stated, it is usually between 200 and 300 (the cheapest option). This difference explains why "two similar-looking microfibres" behave very differently: GSM is not visible to the naked eye, but it decides everything.
4. Antibacterial and care (smell is problem number one)
A gym towel that smells bad even after being washed is the most common problem. The cause is almost always the same: it was left damp and sealed inside the bag for several hours after the workout, before reaching the washing machine. Bacteria grow in a warm, humid environment within hours; a normal wash does not always eliminate them completely.
Antibacterial features to look for in products:
Silver ion treatment: added to some premium microfibres (adidas Performance, Under Armour). Reduces bacterial growth between washes by 50 to 90% after 24 hours, according to industry studies.
Natural bamboo: has its own antibacterial properties without chemical treatments.
Essential care (worth its weight in gold for anyone who has never paid attention):
Take the towel out of the bag as soon as you get home; hang it to air before putting it in the laundry basket.
Wash at 40 degrees, without fabric softener (softener leaves a film that reduces microfibre absorption by up to 50% after a few washes).
Air dry whenever possible; tumble dry on medium (high heat degrades microfibre).
Replace a towel that has lost absorption: "saturated" microfibre rarely recovers with a normal wash; treat with white vinegar in the rinse or replace it.
The 7 gym towel picks for 2026
The list combines what is available in Portugal today with international models worth importing. Picks 1 to 4 cover 80% of cases; the rest optimise specific cases (cooling, multi-use pool, premium yoga).
1. Decathlon Domyos Microfibre Small 90x50cm (around 5 EUR), best total budget
Microfibre 300 GSM, fast drying, packaging with its own closure to store it damp without contaminating the rest of the bag. Ideal size for pure training (covers the weights bench and dries sweat). Unbeatable on price as a starter; it is the towel many people end up buying 2 or 3 of so they can rotate.
Cons: real dimensions feel tight for heavy sweaters (HIIT, CrossFit, intense spinning). Basic colours, no specific antibacterial treatment.
2. Decathlon Domyos Microfibre Large 110x175cm (around 12 EUR), best multi-use PT
Microfibre 350 GSM, shower size, packaging with a clip to hang on the bag or in the changing room. For those who want a single towel that works for training and a full shower. Fits in a bag from 30 L upwards without taking everything.
Cons: weighs about 350 g (more than fine microfibre); takes 2 to 3 hours to air dry (not recommended to keep it damp and sealed).
3. Nike Cooling Towel (around 20 EUR), best for cooling
Microfibre with a cooling effect via dampening (wet, wring and flick to activate). Size 75 by 30 cm. For intense outdoor training, running, summer CrossFit or spinning classes without air conditioning. Stays cool for about 1 hour before needing another activation.
Cons: very specific size (no good for showers); the effect requires wetting the towel before use (it does not replace a dry towel for the end of the workout).
4. adidas Performance Towel L (around 22 EUR), European alternative
Microfibre 400 GSM with antibacterial treatment, approximate dimensions 70 by 140 cm. Quality-price sweet spot with understated sporting looks. Withstands frequent washing without losing colour (most models come in black or grey).
Cons: a predominantly black colour shows the white of detergent residue if poorly rinsed; the price climbs to 30 to 35 EUR in larger models or special collections.
Microfibre 380 GSM, approximate dimensions 75 by 150 cm, packaged in its own waterproof bag so you can store it wet without contaminating the rest of the bag. For those who combine gym with swimming pool (Speedo has been the aquatic benchmark for decades).
Cons: the Speedo design is clearly "pool-y"; some find it out of place in a pure weights setting. For weights-only training, there are options with more coherent aesthetics.
6. Under Armour Performance Towel (around 30 EUR), best mid-premium
Microfibre 450 GSM with UA Storm Tech antibacterial treatment, approximate dimensions 70 by 140 cm. Accessible premium. Withstands intensive use and frequent washing for 3 to 5 years without losing absorption (which justifies the price compared with the equivalent Decathlon).
Cons: visible UA logos (it does not go unnoticed); price climbs to 35 to 40 EUR on some models in the range.
7. Lululemon The (Big) Towel (around 45 EUR), premium import
Microfibre + polyester cotton blend, high GSM (around 500), dimensions 188 by 80 cm for yoga or shower use, with a silicone strip that helps it grip the mat without sliding. The category's premium pick. For those who combine yoga with gym and want a towel that sits on the mat without moving during practice.
Cons: 48 USD via import (around 45 EUR + shipping + VAT at customs); only justified for near-daily use in yoga on a mat or for existing Lululemon customers adding it to a larger order.
Quick table (towel by type of use)
For those who came here just to find the right pick by profile:
Use
Best pick
PT price
Size
Pure training, total budget
Decathlon Domyos Microfibre Small
around 5 EUR
90x50 cm
Training and shower, single option
Decathlon Domyos Microfibre Large
around 12 EUR
110x175 cm
Summer training, outdoors
Nike Cooling Towel
around 20 EUR
75x30 cm
Shower sweet spot, European look
adidas Performance Towel L
around 22 EUR
70x140 cm
Gym + pool
Speedo Sports Towel XL
around 22 EUR
75x150 cm
Accessible premium, intensive use
Under Armour Performance Towel
Where to buy in Portugal (with 2026 prices)
Decathlon (online + physical stores): the Domyos line covers 4 to 15 EUR. Unbeatable on price and availability. Good to start with and to keep 2 or 3 units rotating without stressing the budget.
Nike Portugal (nike.com/pt + stores): Cooling Towel (20 EUR) and general sportswear line. Sweet spot for intense training and specific features.
adidas Portugal (adidas.pt + stores): Performance Towel (18 to 25 EUR). European alternative to Nike, with antibacterial treatment on several models in the range.
Sport Zone: brand aggregator, good for end-of-season discounts and to compare Nike, adidas, Puma and Speedo in the same place.
Speedo Portugal: aquatic specialist, but the Sports Towel XL works perfectly for gym + pool. 18 to 25 EUR.
Under Armour Portugal: accessible premium specialist; Performance Towel from 25 EUR.
Lululemon (direct import or Equinox PT online): The (Big) Towel (45 EUR) and yoga variants.
Marketplaces (Amazon ES, Worten online): useful for packs of 2 or 3 white-label microfibre towels at a very low price per unit (5 to 8 EUR). Check real absorption reviews, not just the price tag.
If you are setting up a home gym, you need less towel than it seems (1 is enough), because you can wash it straight after the workout. If you take a gym bag out and about, you need at least 2 in rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
40 by 80 cm for pure training (covers the bench and your face, fits in the bag's side pocket); 50 by 100 cm for multi-use (training and a quick shower); 70 by 140 cm or more for a full shower. Having 2 towels (a small training one plus a larger shower one) is a better compromise than a single "do-it-all" towel.
Microfibre wins almost every time. It dries about 3 times faster, absorbs up to 7 times its weight, takes up half the space in the bag and does not get heavy when wet. Cotton works at home or for a relaxed post-training shower, but it is a poor choice for the daily gym bag.
GSM (grams per square metre) measures fabric density. 200 to 300 is light for yoga and light sweat; 300 to 400 is balanced (recommended for most cases); 400 or more is premium for CrossFit, HIIT and showering. If the brand does not state the GSM, it is probably 200 to 300.
2 for use 1 to 2 times a week; 3 for 3 to 5 times a week; 4 or more if you also use them at home. Having more than one stops you from using the same poorly dried towel twice in a row (the main cause of smell).
Wash with 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the rinse (no fabric softener), at 40 degrees. For ingrained smell, soak for 1 hour in water with bicarbonate of soda before a normal wash. Prevention: take the towel out of the bag as soon as you get home, and hang it to air before putting it in the laundry basket.
Microfibre towels are best washed separately, especially from items with loose fibres (cotton, fleece). Microfibre attracts hairs and loose fibres, which reduces absorption. Wash with other towels, or on a synthetic-only cycle.
For use 4 or more times a week, yes, especially Under Armour and Lululemon (5 to 6 years of use vs 2 years for Decathlon). For occasional use, Decathlon Domyos at 5 to 12 EUR is enough; the premium does not justify itself.
The silver ion treatment reduces bacterial growth between washes (studies show 50 to 90% fewer bacteria after 24 hours). It does not replace regular washing, but it helps people who train several times a week or keep the towel in the bag for more than 2 hours after training.
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TLDR: Key Points
Microfibre is the technical choice for the gym: it dries about 3 times faster than cotton, absorbs up to 7 times its weight and takes up half the space in your bag.
Right size by use: 40 by 80 cm for pure training, 50 by 100 cm for multi-use, 70 by 140 cm or more for a full shower.
GSM (grams per square metre): 200 to 300 light for yoga, 300 to 400 balanced for daily gym, 400 or more premium for CrossFit and showering.
In PT, Decathlon Domyos covers the total budget option (4 to 15 EUR); Nike, adidas and Speedo are the sweet spot at 18 to 25 EUR; Under Armour and Lululemon are the premium imports.
Having 2 or 3 towels in rotation solves half of the smell problems: wash at 40 degrees without fabric softener and air them outside the bag.
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