The Best Ribbed Bath Towel

Buying Guide

Nothing feels quite as nice as a soft, fluffy towel after a bath or shower. The addition of ribbing makes them feel even better, especially when they are made from high quality fabrics like 100% cotton. They do not have to be overly plush or heavy to be soft and absorbent, though. In fact, some of the most lightweight towels dry you off the fastest.

Bath towels are made from a cotton or cotton-polyester material that is woven together with piles or loops in order to wick water away from skin. Make sure to look for ones that have finished, woven edges and hems along the edges, since they will unravel if they are not finished well. Although they can be flat or have ribs in them, many people prefer the ribbing because it simply feels great and can also be softer and more absorbent.

It may be hard to tell the difference, but their quality can range from dishtowel-like to top-of-the-line. And you’d better believe that once you upgrade to a higher quality towel, there is no going back to cheap, poorly made bath towels.

When you’re shopping for ribbed bath towels, look at the towel’s GSM, or grams per square meter. This shows how dense the towel is.

The GSM chart ranges from 300 to 900 and the higher this is, the heavier and softer the towel will be — and possibly more expensive. Those that are 300-600 are lightweight. Medium-weight is 400-620, and is good for everyday use. Anything above 620 is more of a luxury item, but they might be more affordable than you think.

• Bath towels generally measure from 27 by 52 inches to 30 by 58 inches, with larger sizes referred to as “bath sheets.”
• While there are polyester bath towels on the market, they are almost always of an inferior quality.
• Modern ribbed bath towels may not take as long to dry as some heavyweight bath towels, and can be surprisingly absorbent.
• Always read the product label for the proper laundering instructions.