One of the most significant purposes of a yoga mat is to offer grip. Slipping around can be dangerous, so you need to use the best yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet. The grippiest yoga mat gets stickier as you sweat and help you attain balance while doing the most challenging poses.
Out of all the famous brands of yoga mats I tested, here are my favorites.
Quick Answer:
The IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat is the most lightweight you can find on the market today. It weighs only about 2.5 lbs, and this non-slip yoga mat works best for travel. I like this mat because it’s sticky and suitable for practicing inversions.
Liforme has always been known for the alignment system printed on their yoga mats. The Original Yoga Mat is no different, and it serves as an excellent tool for beginners. This mat uses Liforme’s revolutionary GripForMe material to remain grippy even when you sweat.
This Heathyoga ProGrip yoga mat has the same alignment lines that Liforme offers but with a different design. The front side is absorbent to keep your hands and feet dry when you start to sweat. Thanks to its tri-layer design, this mat is virtually wear-resistant.
Editor's Pick: The Best Yoga Mat For Sweaty Hands And Feet
What To Look For In A Good Non-Slip Mat
Non-slip yoga mats are the best solution when your hands and feet get sweaty during practice. They make you hold the pose longer and reduce the risk of injuries. Here are some things to consider if you want to choose the best yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet.
Material
The best non-slip yoga mats are made of natural rubber and polyurethane. Natural rubber is eco-friendly and free of harmful chemicals, like phthalates. It also offers an excellent grip and the right amount of stickiness to keep your hands dry during practice.
Meanwhile, polyurethane is known for its moisture-wicking properties; hence it’s a common material to use on the mat’s top layer. Stay away from materials that contain heavy metals, like lead.
Cell Technology
Between open cell and closed cell technologies, the former is preferred when it comes to sweat-absorbing capabilities. An open-cell yoga mat is porous so it can absorb the sweat and anything that drips on its surface. These mats are usually developed from eco-friendly materials.
Thickness
The thickness you choose may depend on your current circumstances. If you have sensitive joints and bones, look for thicker mats at least 5 mm in thickness. Thicker mats are also ideal for ample back support during inversions. For more stability and portability, opt for thinner mats.
Size
Standard yoga mats are usually about 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. If you’re tall, look for longer and wider yoga mats. To make sure that you have enough space for practice, your feet and hands should be on the mat when you do the downward dog pose.
Design
The design may depend on your personal preference. If you’re a beginner, consider looking for alignment marks to help you find the proper form. Most yoga mats are black, so look for more color options if you want something more colorful.
5 Best Yoga Mat For Sweaty Hands And Feet
1. IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat
The IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat is one of the grippiest out there with its ultimate grip design. The polyurethane topside absorbs sweat to keep you safe during your yoga practice, especially during hot yoga. Meanwhile, the textured bottom keeps the yoga mat from slipping on the floor.
Measuring around 72 inches long and 26 inches wide, this yoga mat is spacious. This mat also provides sufficient cushion for your joints and bones with its 5 mm thickness. I like to bring this mat anywhere because it only weighs around 2.5 lbs, plus it comes with a convenient carrying strap.
It’s great that this mat didn’t have a rubbery smell when I took it out from the package. However, it would have been perfect if it offers more color options. The Pro yoga mat is only available in two colors, gray and dark blue.
PROS:
- It offers excellent grip and traction.
- It gives more space to practice around.
- Thick enough to provide cushion for fragile joints.
- Easy to carry with its lightweight design and bonus strap.
- It hasn't a rubbery smell from the package.
CONS:
- It has limited color choices.
Best For:
The IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat is ideal for yogis with sensitive joints due to its 5 mm thickness.
2. Liforme Original Yoga Mat
This Liforme Original Yoga Mat features the GripForMe material that offers you a remarkable grip during practice. This mat is mainly made of natural rubber and layered with eco-polyurethane, making it eco-friendly and PVC-free. Instead of a yoga strap, the mat comes with a yoga bag for better storage.
This premium yoga mat’s unique feature is the alignment marks to help yogis find the proper form during yoga. The size is slightly larger than the IUGA Pro, providing more space for practice. Since the mat is thin, it’s easier to roll after use.
The mat does absorb sweat quickly, but the top layer seems to wear out fast. It also attracts dust and lint.
PROS:
- It uses an innovative "GripForMe" material to provide excellent grip.
- It is made of eco-friendly and PVC-free materials.
- It comes with a nice yoga bag for compact storage.
- Easy to roll with its thinness.
- It is designed with alignment marks for guidance.
- Longer and wider than most yoga mats.
CONS:
- It seems to wear out quickly.
- It attracts dust and lint.
Best For:
The Liforme Original Yoga Mat is perfect for beginners as it comes with alignment marks.
3. Heathyoga ProGrip Yoga Mat
Heathyoga offers another grippy mat for the safety of your yoga practice. This ProGrip Yoga Mat is made with a polyurethane top to keep your sweaty hands and feet from slipping. The bottom is textured so the mat stays in place during practice.
Like Liforme Original Yoga Mat, this Heathyoga Progrip Yoga Mat is engraved with alignment lines to let you find the proper form. This mat is safe for your health since it contains no dangerous heavy metals like lead. Best of all, this mat boasts an anti-tear tri-layer design, making it durable to use for a long time. It also comes in multiple color options.
I love the carrying strap because it doubles as a tool for stretching. However, this mat emits a nasty smell for the first few uses. Apart from that, it seems to produce white sweat stains when it dries up.
PROS:
- Polyurethane front side absorbs sweat.
- The textured bottom helps the mat stay in place.
- It is engraved with alignment lines for proper guidance.
- It doesn't contain heavy chemicals.
- It won't tear easily.
- It comes in multiple color choices, plus a carrying strap.
CONS:
- It creates white sweat stains.
- It may smell horrible straight out of the package.
Best For:
The Heathyoga ProGrip Yoga Mat is ideal for heavy use since it doesn't wear out quickly.
4. Jade Yoga Voyager Yoga Mat
Voyager is the grippiest mat under the Jade Yoga brand. This mat uses natural rubber to offer a secure grip. I like that this mat is foldable because it fits nicely inside my bag. When folded, the mat is as tiny as a yoga block.
The mat measures 68″ x 24″ and only weighs about 1.5 lbs. The thickness is around 1.59 inches, making it the thinnest on this list. Although this mat is light, it still provides adequate support and comfort on concrete floors.
The Voyager yoga mat rolls and folds easily, making it very portable. However, this mat’s durability is subpar compared to thicker mats. The mat is so thin that it wears out quickly when used daily.
PROS:
- It is made of natural rubber to provide a good grip.
- It rolls and folds up easily for compact storage.
- Very lightweight for easy travel.
- Soft and comfortable to use on concrete floors.
CONS:
- Not as durable as thicker mats.
Best For:
The Jade Yoga Voyager Yoga Mat is perfect for travel because it's foldable and lightweight.
5. Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip Yoga Mat
The Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip Yoga Mat is extra large with its 78 inches length and 26 inches width. This phthalate-free PVC mat is 5 mm thick, making it comfortable for the joints. Thanks to its closed-cell construction, this mat prevents the proliferation of bacteria and odor.
The mat has a topcoat that absorbs moisture to offer a better grip when you sweat during hot yoga. It gets stickier when you sweat and hold on to the floor securely. I like the flower print on the center of the mat because it looks pretty and nice.
However, the topcoat tends to peel off after several uses for hot yoga. Some black soot-like material tends to stick on clothes and the skin when the mat starts to wear out.
PROS:
- Safe for people sensitive to latex.
- PVC material is free of phthalates.
- Comfortable to use with its 5 mm thickness.
- It gets stickier when you sweat.
- It has a beautiful flower print on the center.
CONS:
- It peels off easily.
- Some materials that look like black soot can stick to the skin and clothes.
Best For:
The Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip Yoga Mat is ideal for yogis who are allergic to latex because it's made of PVC.
FAQs:
Q: What can you do about sweaty hands from yoga?
The best thing you can do is to use a towel when your hands get sweaty during yoga practice. You can also use special chalk that’s used by climbers to dry your hands. If you put a moisturizer on your hands before practice, wash them to prevent your hands from getting more slippery.
Q: Do yoga mats absorb sweat?
Yes, yoga mats absorb sweat, especially the ones with open-cell technology. Some yoga mats especially have a non-slip design to address sweat problems. These mats get grippier when you sweat.
Q: Is it normal to sweat during yoga?
Yes, it’s normal to sweat during yoga, especially when you practice hot yoga, because it’s a response when your body temperature rises. Releasing sweat is a natural way of keeping your body temperature balanced during hot yoga.
Q: Why do my hands slip in downward dog?
Maybe you’re putting too much weight on your hands; that’s why your hands slip in downward dog. Your weight should be placed on your hips. Sometimes, a slippery mat can be the reason why you slip.
Conclusion
Yoga mats should provide an excellent grip even when your hands and feet get sweaty. The last thing you need is to slip around and hurt yourself during practice.
All the mats above have the best grip on the market, but I’ll choose the IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat if I have to pick the best yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet.
The IUGA Pro truly stays grippy even when you sweat, making it ideal for hot yoga. This mat also provides a large space for practice, plus a comfortable cushion for your joints. If you like to have alignment guides, the Liforme Original Yoga Mat is a good alternative.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
