Best Yoga Mat for Sweaty Hands

by Melissa Psihoudakis December 10, 2020

Anyone who has practiced yoga can understand the struggles of slipping around a yoga mat in the middle of a downward dog. Especially when you practice faster paced yoga like vinyasa and hot yoga, because let’s face it - we all get a little sweaty sometimes! When you’re in the market for a new yoga mat, you want to make sure that it fits your needs - so we put together a list of things to consider when shopping for the best yoga mat for sweaty hands.

Non-slip mats and their benefits

Non-slip yoga mats do exactly as they’re named - they keep you from slipping around during a yoga session. When you find yourself constantly readjusting for alignment because your hands are slowly sliding up your mat, yoga can become less relaxing and more frustrating. Using a non-slip yoga mat helps you withstand your sweaty moments so you can have a safe, relaxing session without being distracted by slipping. Non-slip yoga mats have several benefits, including:

Allows you to hold your pose longer: when you’re maintaining proper alignment and not sliding around, you can focus on your breathing, allowing you to hold your pose.

Smooth transitions: transitioning from one pose to the next is easier on a stable base.

Building muscle: proper alignment allows you to target the correct muscles, letting you focus on areas that you want to build - safely.

Practice advanced poses: if there’s a chance of slipping in the middle of a handstand, we don’t even want to attempt it!

Less chance of injury: when you’re not slipping and sliding around in a pose, you’re less likely to not be in proper alignment, which can strain your muscles - or you can fall over!

Improve your confidence: just knowing you’re not going to slip on your mat gives you extra confidence to move into your next pose.

Longer lifespan of your mat: mats designed to withstand sweaty hands and feet are less likely to have significant wear and tear, so you won’t be replacing your yoga mat as often.

What to look for when buying the best yoga mat for sweaty hands

When shopping for the best yoga mat for sweaty hands, regardless of the brand, these are some factors to look out for before making a purchase:

Extra sticky: non-slip mats are often described as sticky, because they’re designed so your hands stick to them - preventing you from sliding.

Antimicrobial: if you know that you’re going to get sweaty during yoga, having an antimicrobial mat helps ward off bacteria that’s drawn to your sweat.

Dry tech: Some mats are being designed to dry quickly or become more grippy when you sweat on them.

Hypoallergenic: if you have allergies or sensitive skin, consider getting a hypoallergenic yoga mat so you’re not irritated when you’re practicing yoga.

Other things to consider

Now that you’re on your way to getting the best yoga mat for sweaty hands, there are a couple of other things to consider to amp up your yoga routines.

A hot yoga towel

Hot yoga towels are great because they can soak up a lot of sweat while still giving you non-slip grip. You’ll place them over your mat during a class, and toss it in the wash between sessions - making them a great hygienic choice.

Cleaning your yoga mat

We recommend cleaning and sanitizing your yoga mat at least once a week - even if the mat is antimicrobial. This will keep you mat smelling fresh and prevent a build up of bacteria. You can find a recipe for a homemade, all-natural yoga mat sanitizer spray here!