Although all of our towels are durable and sand resistant, tighter weave will definitely be much more sand resistant. If you will be using your towel primarily as a beach towel, we would recommend going with a tighter weave to avoid having sand get through (Stonewashed, Striped).  That being said, we have many customers who buy looser weaves for the beach and find that the minimal amount of sand that goes through is not bothersome.  It really just comes down to a matter of preference. Customers who are buying their towel to be used primarily as a throw, by the pool, as a shawl or scarf tend to gravitate more towards the looser weaves due to the softer feeling and the beautifully complex patterns (Traditional, Tye Dye).