Yoga towels: how mat towels grip, which size to get, and how to wash them
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- Full-length yoga mat towel with silicone grip nubs. Best for: Hot yoga and anyone whose towel slides on the mat. See options on Amazon
- Microfiber yoga mat towel. Best for: Vinyasa and other sweaty classes. See options on Amazon
- Long yoga mat towel. Best for: Tall people and long mats. See options on Amazon
- Yoga hand towel. Best for: Wiping face and hands, or placing under hands only. See options on Amazon
What a yoga towel does
Many yoga mats get slick once sweat pools on the surface. Even grippy mats can: Manduka says its thin natural rubber travel mat may feel slick if you sweat a lot and suggests pairing it with a grip towel. A yoga mat towel sits on top of the mat, soaks up sweat and gives your hands and feet a surface that grips better as it gets damp.
A towel is also a barrier. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests placing a towel between your skin and shared surfaces at the gym, and never sharing towels. If you use a studio's mats, a towel of your own on top adds a clean layer.
Mat towel vs hand towel
| Type | Size | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga mat towel | About 71 x 24 inches, matching a standard mat; long sizes about 79 inches | Covering the whole mat for grip in hot or sweaty classes |
| Yoga hand towel | Small | Wiping your face and hands, or placing under hands only |
Manduka lists its Yogitoes mat towel at 71 by 24 inches and 1 lb, and its Equa mat towel in standard and long sizes, including 79 by 24 inches. Match the towel to your mat's length so your feet do not land half on towel and half on mat.
How yoga towels grip
- Moisture-activated microfiber. Manduka says its Equa towel is designed to get grippier when wet, and recommends a light spray on the top before use. Its Yogitoes towel is sweat-activated: grip builds as moisture builds.
- Silicone nubs underneath. Manduka says the silicone nubs on the underside of its Yogitoes towel anchor it to the mat. This is what people mean by a yoga mat towel with grip. It stops the towel sliding and bunching as you step forward.
- Dry start vs misted start. Manduka notes some people start with a dry towel, while others lightly mist the areas under the hands and feet for grip from the first pose.
A plain bath towel absorbs sweat but slides on a mat and bunches up, so a towel made for yoga is worth it if you sweat a lot.
Washing your yoga towel without losing grip
Manduka gives similar care advice for both of its mat towels:
- Wash the towel before first use (Manduka says this for its Yogitoes towel), then machine wash cold with like colors.
- Tumble dry low or hang to dry.
- Avoid bleach, dryer sheets, fabric softeners and detergents that contain softeners. Manduka says these can reduce grip.
Wash the towel after each sweaty class. A damp towel left in a bag will start to smell. If your mat itself needs cleaning, see our yoga mat cleaner spray guide.
Hot yoga safety
Yoga towels are most popular in heated classes. The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) warns that hot yoga carries special risks, including overheating and dehydration, and says pregnant people should avoid it. Bring water, take breaks, and leave the room if you feel dizzy, faint or sick. A towel helps you keep your footing, but it cannot make a pose safe; NCCIH says sprains and strains, mostly of the knee and lower leg, are the most common yoga injuries.
If you would rather not use a towel at all, a mat surface that grips when wet may suit you; see our cork yoga mat and non-slip yoga mat guides.
What to look for when you buy
Full-length yoga mat towel with silicone grip nubs
Best for: Hot yoga and anyone whose towel slides on the mat
Manduka says silicone nubs on the underside of its Yogitoes towel anchor it to the mat, and the textured top grips more as sweat builds.
Watch out: Can feel slippery for the first few minutes unless you mist it; fabric softener reduces grip.
See options on AmazonMicrofiber yoga mat towel
Best for: Vinyasa and other sweaty classes
Manduka says its microfiber Equa towel is designed to get grippier when wet and can be layered over any yoga mat.
Watch out: Without a grippy underside it can shift on some mats.
See options on AmazonLong yoga mat towel
Best for: Tall people and long mats
Manduka offers its Equa mat towel in a 79 by 24 inch long size to match long mats.
Watch out: A towel longer than your mat will hang off the end and bunch.
See options on AmazonYoga hand towel
Best for: Wiping face and hands, or placing under hands only
A small towel covers the spots that slip most without covering the whole mat.
Watch out: Does not stop feet slipping in standing poses.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do I need a yoga towel?
- Only if you sweat enough for your mat to get slippery, or you want a clean layer over a shared mat.
- Should I wet my yoga towel before class?
- You can. Manduka says some people lightly mist the areas under the hands and feet for grip from the start.
- How do I stop my yoga towel from bunching?
- Choose a towel with silicone nubs underneath, which Manduka says anchor it to the mat, and match the towel length to your mat.
- Can I use fabric softener on a yoga towel?
- No. Manduka says bleach, dryer sheets and fabric softeners can reduce a towel's grip.
Sources
- Yogitoes Hot Yoga Mat Towel (manduka.com), Manduka (maker)
- Equa Yoga Mat Towel (manduka.com), Manduka (maker)
- Superlite Travel Yoga Mat 1.5mm (eKO) (manduka.com), Manduka (maker)
- Yoga: What You Need To Know (nccih.nih.gov), NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- How to prevent common skin infections at the gym (aad.org), American Academy of Dermatology