Some of our clients -- especially gentlemen -- prefer a lighter weight towel for drying off. There’s no need to sacrifice luxury or performance when choosing a midweight towel. This article offers seven suggestions for high -- performance luxury towels all under 550 GSM.
Inside this Article:
Here at Fine Linen and Bath, we specialize in helping our clients find their perfect luxury bath linen. This is a highly individual process that entails a bit of education. We discuss our curated selection of luxury towel brands; explain essential towel terminology; and clarify the many size options available, all with an eye toward helping clients identify their personal preferences.
One of the most important variables we discuss is towel weight, which is measured in GSM (grams per square meter). In general, heavyweight towels are 700 GSM and above (think of a plush towel in a lofty, thick, terry weave that is highly absorbent). However, there are many wonderful options for luxury towels in the mid weight range, roughly 300 to 600 GSM. Towel weight is truly a matter of personal preference and there is no need to sacrifice luxury, style, and absorbency if you prefer a thinner towel. In fact, many of our most discerning clients -- including a good number of gentlemen -- prefer midweight towels.
Why Choose Midweight Luxury Towels?
We talk a lot about the superior absorbency and feel of heavyweight, thirsty towels. However, these bulkier styles are not for everyone. There are several reasons to gravitate toward a lighter weight towel:
- Faster Drying: Lighter weight towels dry more quickly after use than their heavier counterparts.
- Convenience: A midweight towel is easier to store, transport, and wash (you can fit more in your machine. Learn about washing luxury towels here).
- Better for hot weather. In a warm climate or season, a midweight towel will be more comfortable to use.
Of course, towel weight is entirely up to the individual user. In our opinion, midweight towels are most appealing to anyone that doesn’t require a heavier, absorbent hair towel to dry long hair.
Many Style Options in Luxury Towels
Fortunately, the growing popularity of mid-GSM weight towels means that clients have a wide variety of brands, weights, and styles to choose among. Moreover, many midweight towels feature unique textures and patterns for an invigorating feel. The following are several of our midweight towel styles that don’t sacrifice quality, performance, or comfort.
Abyss Pousada Towel
Abyss Pousada towels are wonderfully lightweight (300 GSM) and are textured with a fine basket-weave waffle design. This towel is perfect for those who want a modern spa-like towel. Thoroughly tested as being superior in absorption and durability. All Abyss towels are pre-washed, pre-shrunk, and guaranteed to hold up wash after wash.
Made in Portugal of 100% Giza Egyptian Extra Long Staple Cotton. Available in 30 colors and sizes including wash cloth, hand towel, large hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, and coordinating Robe.
Abyss Pousada Towel Details
Material |
100% Egyptian Giza Extra Long Staple Cotton |
GSM |
300 GSM |
Design |
Solid with waffle weave |
Colors |
30 colors |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, hand towel, large hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, robe (in 9 colors) |
Country of Origin |
Portugal |
Matouk Kiran Waffle Towel
Matouk Kiran is a unique waffle towel that is light, supple, and thirsty. Woven in Turkey, Kiran is a blend of
75% cotton / 25% viscose from bamboo. Kiran features a delicate barred border with fringe for a special finishing touch.
Kiran delivers an invigorating and luxurious feel. It is absorbent while being quick to dry. Like all Matouk fabrics, Kiran towels are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified for safety.
Matouk Kiran Waffle Towel Details
Material |
75% Cotton / 25% Viscose (from bamboo) |
GSM |
n/a |
Design |
Waffle weave with barred border and fringe. |
Colors |
Blush, Carbon, Dune, Hydrangea, Sea, Silver, White |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, hand towel, bath towel |
Country of Origin |
Turkey |
Abyss Twill Towel
One of our personal favorites, Abyss Twill boasts a stylish textured twill design that delivers a gentle exfoliating feel without sacrificing absorbency or luxury. The unique woven texture of this twill bath towel stimulates the senses and pleases the eye. At 500 GSM, Abyss Twill is also a very absorbent towel. Prewashed and pre-shrunk and piece dyed for color consistency. Abyss Twill towels feature signature bias trim finished with durable curved corners.
Abyss Twill towels are made from 100% Egyptian Giza Extra Long Staple Cotton (learn more about this special cotton here). Abyss Twill towels are available in 60 designer shades and sizes including wash cloth, fingertip towel, three sizes of hand towel, bath towel, two sizes of bath sheet. Abyss Twill coordinates with Habidecor Double Bath Tub Mats; and Habidecor Must and Reversible bath rug collections.
Abyss Twill Towel Details
Material |
100% Egyptian Giza Extra Long Staple Cotton |
GSM |
500 GSM |
Design |
Solid, twill pattern, bias trim with curved corners |
Colors |
60 colors |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, fingertip towel, hand towel, large hand towel, extra-large hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, Euro bath sheet |
Country of Origin |
Portugal |
Graccioza Bee Waffle Towel
The Graccioza Bee Waffle towel collection features an eye-catching waffle weave design that delivers a pleasing, exfoliating feel. These towels strike a balance between form and function with a 550 GSM weight that is soft and absorbent while still drying quickly. Bee Waffle towels feature a double-sewn bias binding for a sophisticated silhouette and extra durability and a sewn-in loop for easy hanging.
Bee Waffle towels are made in Portugal from 100% Superior Combed Cotton for softness. They come in 20 colors and a variety of sizes, including wash cloth, guest towel, hand towel, large hand towel, bath towel, and bath sheet. Matching woven waffle weave bath mats and waffle weave bath robes are also available.
Graccioza Bee Waffle Towel Details
Material |
100% Superior Combed Cotton |
GSM |
550 GSM |
Design |
Solid, waffle weave pattern, double-sewn bias binding, sewn-in loop for hanging |
Colors |
20 colors |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, guest towel, hand towel, large hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, bath mat, robe |
Country of Origin |
Portugal |
Graccioza Melody Towel
The Graccioza Melody towel is the textured towel that does it all. Melody is a 490 GSM towel with a micro twill weave that delivers superior feel and absorbency and a quick drying time. Rounded corners and double stitching for extra durability. Pre-washed and pre-shrunk for greater absorbency and softness.
Melody Towels are made in Portugal from 100% zero-twist cotton. They come in three colors and sizes including wash cloth, guest towel, hand towel, XL hand towel, bath towel, and bath sheet. The Melody collection also includes a spa-style Melody bath mat with a non-slip silicone backing and robes in sizes S-to-XL.
Graccioza Melody Towel Details
Material |
100% Zero-Twist Cotton |
GSM |
490 GSM |
Design |
Solid micro twill pattern |
Colors |
Sea mist, Fog, White |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, guest towel, hand towel, XL hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, bath mat, robe |
Country of Origin |
Portugal |
Peacock Alley Spa Towel
Treat yourself to a modern looking towel that is both stylish and functional. Peacock Alley Spa bath towels are double faced, constructed with a flat weave on the front and reversing to a zero-twist, short loop terry in a 430 GSM.
Peacock Alley Spa towels are made in Portugal from 100 percent cotton. They are available in White and in sizes including wash cloth, hand towel, bath towel and bath sheet.
Peacock Alley Spa Details
Material |
100% Cotton |
GSM |
430 GSM |
Design |
Solid flat weave reverses to zero-twist, short loop terry |
Colors |
White |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet |
Country of Origin |
Portugal |
SDH Legna Terry Towel
The SDH Legna Terry bath towel collection delivers sustainable beauty for your bath in a medium weight. These luxurious, ultra-absorbent terry towels are made from a cotton blend of 70% wood fiber (Modal) and 30% cotton, with the Loop being 100% wood fiber. They feature a banded edge for durability.
SDH Legna Terry towels are made in Italy from cotton and wood fiber that is sustainably raised. The fabric is also OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified as safe from chemicals. SDH Legna Terry comes in White and Ecru, and sizes include wash cloth, guest towel, hand towel, bath towel, and bath sheet. The Legna collection also includes a bath mat.
SDH Legna Towel Details
Material |
70% modal wood fiber/30% cotton, loop 100% wood fiber |
GSM |
500 GSM |
Design |
Solid terry |
Colors |
White, Ecru |
Sizes |
Wash cloth, guest towel, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, bath mat. |
Country of Origin |
Italy |
Of course, the Fine Linen and Bath Design Team is always here to answer questions and offer personalized recommendations. If you’re not sure which bath towel is best for you, we’ll even send you complimentary swatch samples to review at home before you buy. Also, be sure to check out the Resources page on our website, where you’ll find Buyer’s Guides, Design Courses, and Blogs on helpful topics like how to care for your luxury bath towels.