When the temperature rises during Bikram (a.k.a. hot) yoga, the sweat can turn your mat into a slip 'n slide. Putting a towel on top of your yoga mat before class is an easy fix. Yoga towels are designed to be more grippy the wetter they get so they can handle even the hottest classes.
If you're not already familiar with yoga towels, here are some FAQs:
Why do I need a yoga towel? It absorbs your sweat and increases in grip so you don't slide on your mat, risking injury. Yoga towels can also prevent your mat from moving because it prevents sweat from seeping within. Plus, a yoga towel can protect you from a dirty mat if you are using one from the studio.
Can't I just use a regular towel? Nope. A regular towel will not increase grip with sweat like a yoga towel does. If you don't want to commit to a full size yoga towel, try one just for your hands.
I sweat a lot. How can I make my yoga towel super grippy? If you spray your yoga towel with a little water before class, you can start your practice with increased grip instead of having to build up a sweat first. You can also look yoga towels that have no-slip backing such as silicone nubs or rubber to keep the towel in place.
The Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab and Wellness Lab found the best yoga mats by conducting lab testing as well as working with yoga instructors and everyday enthusiasts. We then surveyed our panel of testers to find their favorite yoga towels. These picks were popular among our testers, include unique features, or are from brands we love. And don't forget to check out our top yoga bags!
Some reviewers note that the colors are less vibrant in person
This yoga mat was actually recommended by yoga instructors. It has an innovative underside that's lined with silicone nubs that tightly grip to your mat, preventing the towel from bunching or sliding. Coming in 12 bold styles, you are sure to find a look you love. Plus, the brand says its towel is made from 8+ recycled plastic water bottles, making it a more sustainable pick.
If you're unsure what size you need for your practice, try this pick from TOPLUS that includes a small yoga towel for your hands and a standard one that can cover your whole mat. You can test out both styles and figure out which works best for you. If you prefer the standard size, you can use the hand towel to cool off between poses. A carrying case is also included to keep your sweaty towels separate in your gym bag. Brilliant.
Some reviewers found it lost its grip after machine washing
Shandali has thousands of 5-star reviews for its GoSweat hot yoga towel. Its new StickyFiber hot yoga towel features innovative web silicone backing to prevent bunching. This towel combines the grippy microfiber surface reviewers loved in the GoSweat towel with a non-slip backing. Shandali is also the #1 best-selling brand for yoga towels on Amazon. Clearly, this towel deserves the hype.
Most yoga towels are made from microfiber material to increase in grip when wet and still be soft. Some may not like the feel of microfiber, so a yoga rug made from cotton is an excellent alternative. It's not a towel, but it's designed for the same purpose: to maintain grip during an especially sweaty session. The brand, Bliss Peak, recommends this rug for Ashtanga practice but many reviewers use it for Vinyasa as well. It's handcrafted in India by local artisans.
Best Cushioning Yoga Towel
Non Slip Extra Thick Hot Yoga Towel + Hand Towel Set
This yoga mat towel and hand towel set from IUGA features thicker microfiber fabric to prevent bunching and provide extra cushioning. The corners have small pockets that hook to your yoga mat to keep it in place during your practice. Reviewers rave that this super absorbent yoga towel is ideal for extra sweaty yogis.
Yoga Hustle was a top pick in both the Textile Lab's yoga mat test and yoga bag round up. With 12 bold prints, its towel is not only astylish accessory but also an absorbent addition to your yoga practice. Yoga Hustle recommends that you wash the towel once before use and spray lightly with water before each practice. With such cute patterns, you could use it as a beach towel too!
This hybrid towel and mat was also one of our best yoga mats for its excellent performance during testing. It has a built-in microfiber layer on top, so there's one less thing to carry to class, keeping your yoga bag clutter-free. This mat is machine washable, though it did take a while to dry in our evaluations. If you use this mat for a yoga class where you’ll sweat less, try spraying the mat with water before to increase grip.
Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping InstituteSenior Product Analyst, Textiles, Paper and Plastics LabEmma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst at The Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates fiber-based products ranging from bedding to clothing.
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