Grip

Grip is arguably the most important performance characteristic of a yoga mat. It refers to the mat's ability to prevent your hands and feet from slipping during practice, ensuring safety and allowing you to focus on alignment rather than stability.

Why Grip Matters

A mat with poor grip is not just annoying—it is dangerous. Imagine holding downward dog and having your hands slide forward unexpectedly, or attempting warrior two and feeling your back foot slip. These scenarios can lead to muscle strains, wrist injuries, or worse.

Beyond safety, grip affects your practice quality. When you trust your mat, you can deepen poses, attempt challenging transitions, and maintain proper alignment. Without that trust, you will unconsciously compensate, limiting your practice potential.

Dry Grip vs. Wet Grip

Mat grip performance varies significantly based on moisture:

Dry Grip - How the mat performs at the start of practice or in room temperature classes. Most quality mats provide adequate dry grip. Natural rubber, PVC, and TPE all perform well when dry.

Wet Grip - How the mat handles sweat, which is critical for hot yoga, vigorous vinyasa, or any practice where you sweat significantly. This is where materials diverge dramatically:

• Cork: Actually gets grippier when wet (best wet grip)
• Natural rubber: Maintains good grip when wet
• TPE: Grip degrades moderately when wet
• PVC: Can become very slippery when wet
• Microfiber: Becomes grippier with moisture (when used as top layer)

Factors Affecting Grip

Material composition - The primary determinant. Open-cell materials that absorb moisture often provide better wet grip than closed-cell alternatives.

Texture - Raised patterns, embossing, or deliberate roughness can enhance grip. However, texture is secondary to material properties.

Break-in period - Many mats improve with use. Natural rubber mats, in particular, become stickier after a few weeks as the surface oxidizes slightly.

Maintenance - Dirty mats lose grip. Soap residue, body oils, and dust all reduce traction. Regular cleaning maintains optimal grip.

Temperature - Heat generally improves grip by making materials more pliable. Cold mats (like those stored in car trunks in winter) may have temporarily reduced grip.

Testing Grip

When evaluating a new mat, perform the downward dog test:

1. Get into downward dog position
2. Walk your hands forward slightly more than comfortable
3. Hold for 30 seconds
4. If your hands slide forward, the mat lacks sufficient grip

For wet grip, lightly spray water on the mat or use it during a sweaty practice to see how performance changes.

Mat Recommendations by Grip Need

Maximum grip required (hot yoga, vigorous vinyasa):

• Cork top layer mats
• Premium natural rubber
• Microfiber towel/mat hybrids

Moderate grip sufficient (gentle vinyasa, hatha):

• Standard natural rubber
• Quality TPE
• PVC

Minimal grip acceptable (yin yoga, restorative):

• Any cushioned mat
• Focus on comfort over grip

Understanding grip helps you match your mat to your practice style, ensuring both safety and performance.