What Exactly Are Basketball Towels?
Basketball Team Towels
Basketball towels are an essential part of outfitting college and high school athletic programs, from game day sidelines to practices, training facilities, and locker rooms. But what size basketball towel do players need, and what is the difference between a bench towel, a Powerade-style sideline towel, and a standard shower towel? Understanding the different types of basketball towels can help coaches, equipment managers, and athletic directors choose the right sizes, materials, and quantities for their teams. In this guide, we explain the most common basketball towel types, including popular 22″ x 44″ sideline towels, 16″ x 27″ player sweat towels, and full-size shower towels, so you can make informed decisions when purchasing basketball towels in bulk for your athletic program.
| Towel Type | Common Size | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Powerade-Style Sideline / Bench Towel | 22″ x 44″ | Bench use, sweat management, and shoulder coverage |
| Player Sweat / Hand Towel | 16″ x 27″ | Wiping hands and face during practices and games |
| Shower Towel | 27″ x 52″ | Post-practice and post-game showers |
| Bath Sheet | 32″ x 66″ | Additional coverage for players |
Sizes are representative options. Available dimensions may vary by product.
Choosing the right basketball towel depends on how your team plans to use it. Whether you need larger sideline towels, individual player sweat towels, or full-size shower towels, Texon offers bulk basketball towels for teams in a variety of sizes, colors, and quality levels.
1. Powerade-Style Sideline and Bench Towels (22″ x 44″)
Powerade-style sideline towels are larger athletic towels commonly used by basketball players during games and practices. Similar to the familiar towels associated with sports drink brands such as Powerade and Gatorade, these 22″ x 44″ towels provide ample coverage for wiping sweat from the face, hands, and arms or draping around the shoulders during breaks in play. Their larger size makes them a popular choice for college and high school basketball programs that want a versatile towel for the bench, sideline, and athletic training room. In the training room, it works well for hot pack therapy and may also be used for cold/hot tubs, but a bit small for some players to cover well.
Available in white, team colors, and center stripe designs, these towels can also help athletic departments maintain a consistent look across their programs.
Explore bulk basketball towels for teams to find options for your program.
SHOP 22×44 BASKETBALL SIDELINE TOWELS
2. Player Sweat and Hand Towels (16″ x 27″)
Player sweat towels are smaller athletic towels designed for quick, convenient use during basketball practices, games, and workouts. A common size is 16″ x 27″, which provides enough surface area for wiping the face, hands, and arms without the extra bulk of a larger sideline towel. Many teams assign individual towels to players and collect them for laundering after use, helping simplify towel management and reduce sharing. These towels are available in white, solid colors, and center stripe designs, allowing equipment managers to choose options that fit their budget and identification needs. For programs that go through a high volume of towels, durability, absorbency, and the ability to withstand frequent commercial laundering are important considerations.
SHOP 16×27 PLAYER SWEAT TOWELS
3. Basketball Shower Towels (27″ x 52″)
Basketball shower towels are full-size bath towels used by athletes after practices, games, workouts, and training sessions. A 27″ x 52″ towel provides more coverage than a standard hand towel and is a practical option for college and high school athletic programs outfitting their locker rooms. Because team towels often undergo frequent, heavy-duty laundering, athletic departments should consider towel weight, construction, absorbency, and durability when selecting products for daily use. Economy options may work well for programs managing tight budgets, while heavier towels can provide a different level of coverage and feel. Choosing an appropriate size and quality helps programs balance athlete comfort with long-term operating costs.
SHOP 27×52 BASKETBALL SHOWER TOWELS
4. Basketball Bath Sheets (32″ x 66″)
Basketball bath sheets are oversized towels that provide additional coverage for athletes after showers, practices, and games. At 32″ x 66″, they offer more surface area than a conventional bath towel, making them an option for collegiate and professional programs that prioritize larger towels for their athletes. Bath sheets can be particularly useful when a program wants to provide a more substantial towel for taller or larger players. When purchasing bath sheets in bulk, consider storage space, laundry capacity, drying time, and the weight of the towels, as larger and heavier towels may require more resources to process. Selecting the right size for your roster can help deliver a comfortable locker room experience while keeping inventory and laundry operations manageable.
SHOP 32×66 BASKETBALL BATH TOWELS
Explore bulk basketball towels for teams to find options for your program.
In closing, we hope this gives you some ideas of the right towels for your program or team. If you have any other questions about basketball team towels please feel free to give any of our towel experts a call at 800-328-3966. Thanks!