Item: Lava Linens
Rating: 5
Author: Julie H

Lava Linens sells a range of durable travel towels made with hemp and flax fibers. 

At Lava Linens, our mother-daugther x 2 team crafts premium adventure towels as a higher performing, more durable and more eco-friendly alternative to standard travel towels. Made with hemp and flax, two of Earth's favorite fibers, they're designed to be by your side for every adventure for years to come. 

It all started in 2016 when Mary, our CEO and co-founder, sought an ultra-durable, plant fiber towel for a year of backpacking abroad. She had grown tired of using microfiber towels due to their less-than-stellar-performance and their contribution to microplastic pollution. 

Because nothing on the market met her needs, she turned to her mom, a textile expert, to help her research and develop the perfect travel towel. Made of flax fibers, instead of microfiber, the towel they created quickly became a favorite, must-have travel item. 

“We knew we had created something special that so many others, like us, would love. We’re so thrilled to be able to share our Lava Linens creations with you!” Mary Swanson, CEO + co-founder

Founded in 2018, the trio continues to craft their towels in the USA while responsibly sourcing and designing flax and hemp textiles alongside artisans in both France and Ireland. 

Mary Swanson

Caitlin Dickman

Sheila Bannigan

Lava Linens

Activities & Outdoor

Bedding & Bath

Kitchen & Dining

Fitness & Sports

Outdoor

Home

In the future, I’d love to see a collection with brighter, playful colors. 

A lifetime warranty, a women-owned business, and a product that actually stands up to the hype—that’s pretty hard to find these days.

A towel doesn’t seem like something to get excited about, but as a full-time traveler, I needed something that would stand up to the elements AND add value to my setup.

The biggest benefits with these linen towels are that they dry quickly (no mildew smell), are super absorbent, and take up very little space, especially considering how much a cotton towel would take up. As a bonus, I feel good about using them because they don’t shed microplastics into the environment. They only get better and softer with use. 



Have not found or thought of anyway to improve with the times I’ve used my towel. It’s very compact and lightweight for backpacking or portaging plus I take it with me when I travel so I don’t have to use others towels. Love the companies mission and dedication to be Eco friendly. Thank you !

I used my Lava Linen towel in the Boundary Waters and it was perfect being lightweight and taking minimal space plus quick drying 

Lava Linens reviews