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In pregnancy and postpartum, you might find yourself...sweatier...than normal. So if you're practicing yoga, all of a sudden your hands and feet are sliding around on the mat, especially in downward dog. It's like suddenly even your at home practice turns into hot yoga sessions.

I won't name any names, but one of my favorite private prenatal yoga clients always (jokingly) complained about how much I'd make her sweat during our sessions. Prenatal yoga isn't just deep breathing and calm stretches! It's long holds in yoga poses like goddess and chair and back-to-back rounds of sun salutations--all to build up your endurance for labor and to prove to yourself that you're STRONG. All that to say, do yoga with me in pregnancy, and chances are you'll be drenched by the end of it (sorry not sorry). That's reason number 384736 for you why you need a good yoga mat!

Okay, reason number 384737--safety! Especially if you're pregnant or postpartum, slipping on your yoga mat could potentially cause injury to you or your baby. Sorry, I don't mean to scare you here--I'm just trying to be realistic. Even a small slip that leads to a fall could be a lot of impact on your body, and if you've learned anything from me over the years, it's that impact affects your pelvic floor, too! So all around, lots of good reasons to get a quality mat with exceptional grip and good traction.

I've gone to great lengths and done the hard work (so you don't have to!) of finding some of the best yoga mats for sweaty hands and feet! On this list you'll find different mats made of natural tree rubber, mats made of synthetic rubbers, some eco-friendly options (using eco-friendly materials), some thicker mats, all with some of the best grip out there. Some of these are the ones yoga teachers swear by, and others have the best (or most!) Amazon reviews. Scroll through to find the grippiest mat option for your yoga practice.

And just note that while I think all yogis (regardless of if they're hand standing or savasana-ing) need good mats, different mats serve different purposes. For example, if you're practicing Vinyasa yoga with lots of movement (and probably a good amount of sweating), you should prioritize the mat's grip. If you're practicing more yin or restorative yoga, maybe you want to go more for a yoga rug that feels a little cozier as you spend more time closer to the ground. Now, let's find the right mat for you!

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Yoga Mat

​Like I mentioned above, the type of yoga you're practicing will likely influence which type of mat you choose. Here are some other things to consider when making your choice:

• Different materials (natural rubber, PVC mats, TPE, cork, etc.)
• Cushioning (mm thickness)
• Durability
• Eco-friendliness (knowing that sometimes an eco-friendly yoga mat is not a durable yoga mat)
• Price range
• Size and portability (weight also comes into play here)
• Texture and grip
• Maintenance and cleaning (yes, you should be cleaning your mat!)

How to Improve Grip on Your Current Yoga Mat

I haven't tried this myself, but I've heard that if you sprinkle coarse sea salt over the surface of your mat, let it sit for 24 hours, and then clean off with water and dry with a towel, it can make a big difference!

18 Best Yoga Mat Options for Sweaty Hands + Feet

1. Highest Rated Yoga Mat / Top pick!: Liforme Original Yoga Mat

• PRO: alignment lines
• CON: expensive

The Liforme yoga mat is the highest rated yoga mat on Amazon with an average 4.7 star review! I have this one and love the alignment lines, especially for foot placement in poses like warrior 1, triangle, and revolved pyramid. It's a heavy mat that won't shift around, and it's pretty grippy, especially when wet. If you're looking for a mat to take on the go, I wouldn't take this one BUT it's great for at home when you don't want to slide around. And if you're not sure if this mat is worth the cost for you, the best way to find out is by purchasing one of the cheaper alternatives on this list and see how it does for you. This is definitely the most expensive mat on my list, but it's really a quality yoga mat that's going to last you a long time. (psst--you can actually save 10% if you order directly through the Liforme website with my code SARAHJOALMO!)

Liforme also sells a tiny version of their original mat, just for hand standing!

2. My Personal Fave: Ajna Organic Yoga Mat

• PRO: price point + aesthetic
• CON: not the grippiest

The thing I love about this mat is that it's PVC with jute fibers woven in. It has a really unique look and feel, and it's soooo pretty. I find it to be pretty grippy, and it looks great in my yoga basket sitting next to the couch in my living room. And you know, if your yoga mat is sitting out and easily accessible, you're a lot more likely to use it! And if it's sitting out, it better be pretty! : ) I've had this mat for over 3 years and I feel like it's just as good as the first day I got it. I also think it offers a better grip than a lot of the more expensive mats out there. Personally, between aesthetic, functionality, and price, I think this is the best mat you can buy.

3. Best Travel Mat: Yogo Ultralight Folding Travel Yoga Mat

• PRO: lightweight, great folding system
• CON: super thin, no cushioning

Sweaty palms are no match for this I've had and loved this mat for years! It's probably the best non-slip surface and stickiest mat of everything on this list. I love that it folds up into itself, and the dirty side never touches the clean side. It's suuuuper grippy, so you won't be sliding around. It has a large percentage of natural rubber (like, yes, from real rubber trees), which is what makes it so grippy. (Side note: true rubber mats are impossible to make; they need some amount of plastic in order for the mat to hold together!)

4. Best Color Options: Jade Yoga Harmony Mat

• PRO: comes in lots of fun colors
• CON: can be hard to clean

I've tried Jadeyoga Harmony Mat at different studios over the years, and I always love the way it feels. It has great grip and nice cushion without making you lose your balance. Another great option!

5. Best Budget Mat: IUGA Yoga Mat Non Slip Anti-tear Yoga Mat

• PRO: great price
• CON: not the grippiest

At only $35, this mat is the cheapest in all the categories on this list. It also has a high number of ratings and stars (2700+ ratings on Amazon and 4.5 star review!). I've never tried it myself, but people say it's a good mat that holds up well over time.

6. Best Recycled Yoga Mat: SUGA Premium 100% Recycled Yoga Mat

• PRO: eco-friendly (made of recycled materials)
• CON: not durable

This mat is made out of recycled wet suits--pretty cool IMO! The speckled look is really pretty, and people say it's got a nice grip factor.

7. Most Reviewed Yoga Mat: Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

• PRO: great price
• CON: not durable

This mat by Gaiam comes in two sizes and a few different color options. After some of the other options I've already mentioned, this mat is one of the most reviewed on Amazon (2000+ reviews), which is generally a measure of success in my book! People say they really like that it's grippy and absorbs sweat.

Manduka Mats

A Manduka mat is probably one of the best yoga mats you can find, and there are so many different Manduka options, I figured I'd give it its own category. Here are 3 of my favorites:

8. Best Budget Manduka Mat: Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Mat

• PRO: light weight
• CON: no cushioning

At only 1.5 mm thick, this mat folds or rolls easily to take on the go. It's not going to cushion your knees well, but it'll fit great in your suitcase! It's also got great grip.

9. My Favorite Manduka Mat: Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat

• PRO: durable
• CON: not super grippy

I love the look and feel of this one. It's overall pretty grippy, though I wouldn't recommend it for a hot yoga class without a towel. It has 4.7 mm thickness, so a nice cushion without being too heavy.

10. Top of the Line Manduka Mat: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat

• PRO: great cushioning
• CON: heavy

This is the most expensive of the Manduka mats, but for good reason. It's a little thicker than the PROlite (6 mm thickness), so it will offer you some extra comfort, especially if you have bony knees or sore joints.. It's got over 7600+ reviews on Amazon (4.6 stars!), great grip, durable, and comes in a lot of pretty colors.

Cork Yoga Mats

Cork yoga mats are known for being grippy when wet. They're a great natural material, and honestly I just think they're really pretty. That being said, I didn't love that the cork cracked on mine from rolling it up (I guess you're supposed to store them flat?? Or hang them?), and I found it really slippery when dry. If you're going to a hot yoga class, though, cork could be a great option, because you and I both know you're gonna be SWEATING. Here are two great cork yoga mat options:

11. Best Overall: Luxury Cork Yoga Mat

With 4.7 stars on Amazon, this is the cork mat people are raving about! Depending on which design you get, you can have alignment markings, too.

12. Best Budget: Gaiam Cork Yoga Mat

While I haven't personally found great durability with Gaiam mats, you can't beat the price point! People say this mat has good cushioning and feels like good quality.

Yoga Rugs

Have you ever considered practicing on a yoga rug instead of a traditional yoga mat? Because it's fabric instead of plastic, you're not going to be sliding around, and the material can truly absorb sweat. Hot tip: lay a yoga rug on top of a regular (plastic) yoga mat so that the bottom the rug doesn't slip around. Here are a few good options:

13. Best Reputation: Hugger Mugger Cotton Yoga Rug

Hugger Mugger is a tried+true yoga brand with a great reputation. If you're feeling brand loyal, this is the option for you!

14. Prettiest Yoga Rug: Jaipur Art & Rugs Organic Cotton Yoga Mat

I love the grips that run sideways--perfect for keeping hands and feet in place during downward facing dog. This is a mat I'd be happy to leave out all day, it's so pretty!

15. Best for the Planet: Gayo Handmade Organic Yoga Mat

This one is planet-friendly and has a good thickness to it!

Yoga Towels

If you've never tried a yoga towel, now's the time! Especially if you're practicing Bikram yoga / hot yoga, you're gonna need that towel. A yoga towel is basically the same size as a yoga mat and lays flat on top of the mat. It turns any yoga mat into a hot yoga mat.

16. Best Design: IUGA Yoga Towel for Hot Yoga

This mat towel has little pockets under every corner so it actually fits to your yoga mat! Genius!

17. Softest: Shandali GoSweat Non-Slip Hot Yoga Towel

This towel has over 6300+ ratings on Amazon and is a crowd favorite for how absorbent it is!

18. Best Budget Option: Gaiam Yoga Towel

For only $20, you can go from slipping and sliding to superior grip on a sweat-proof yoga mat with this towel!

Yoga Mat Care and Maintenance

Remember, yes you SHOULD clean your yoga mat! Honestly I'm not in a good routine of it myself, so no judgment if that's you, too! You can buy special mat sprays like any on this list. And obviously you'll have to refer to each particular mat's care instructions, but generally speaking--if it's a plastic mat, spray it down and wipe it off. If it's a rug, you might be able to put it in the washing machine. I don't recommend leaving any yoga mat or rug in direct sunlight, as that can discolor it and even cause the materials to break down over time. Make sure to only ever roll up / fold / put away a DRY yoga mat. Rolling up even a slightly damp mat can cause mold to grow (based on personal experience, I can tell you--this is not cute).

Wondering when it's time to replace your current yoga mat? One telltale sign is that the area around your feet starts ripping up. I had this happen years ago in college when I was just starting out with yoga and bought a really cute (read: cheap) mat on Amazon. I did downward dog like exactly two times and already little pieces of the plastic were coming apart. Also, if your mat starts to develop a weird smell that doesn't go away with regular cleaning, it might be time to replace it. If it starts getting sticky (like, weird sticky, not like "wow this is so grippy!" sticky)--another sign it's time for a new mat! 

Conclusion

Finding the right yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet can transform your practice, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. From high-end options like the Liforme Original to budget-friendly choices such as the IUGA Yoga Mat, there's something for every preference and budget. Consider factors like your yoga style, practice frequency, and portability needs when choosing. Don't forget alternatives like yoga rugs and towels for extra grip. Ultimately, investing in a quality, slip-resistant mat is an investment in your practice, your safety, and your overall wellbeing. With the right mat, you can focus on your poses and breath, enjoying your yoga journey with confidence and stability.