One of the biggest complaints about microfiber travel towels is that they're not as plush and comforting as a cotton towel. While that may be true, the dense cotton loops that make up your bath towel take forever to dry, which isn't conducive to backpacking. Microfiber is the go to for backpackers because it dries in a fraction of the time, meaning you can use it again faster (or pack it in your bag without worrying that'll get everything else damp). Having something that is quick drying also means it's much less likely to get stinky or mold.