When you find yourself slipping out of downward dog or feeling nervous in a crow pose, non-slip yoga gloves could be the secret to staying steady and zen. There’s no shame in sweaty palms, slippery hands, or uncomfortable wrists on the mat. In fact, it’s a lot more common than you think. If weightlifters, boxers, and cyclists wear gloves to protect their hands, why can’t yogis?
Whether you do yoga outdoors or in a studio, sometimes your hands just shouldn’t be bare. Grippy yoga gloves are the best remedy for even the sweatiest hot yoga sessions. They can protect your hands and keep them clean when doing yoga in public places. They also add some extra wrist support for those of us who experience wrist pain during certain poses.
But not just any gloves will work for yoga, and many yoga gloves don’t actually deliver on the mat. Here’s our quick and complete guide to everything you need to know about buying and using yoga gloves to improve your practice.
Contents
- 1 What are Yoga Gloves?
- 2 Benefits of Yoga Gloves
- 3 Quick Picks
- 4 Top 9 Best Yoga Gloves
- 4.1 Gaiam Grippy Yoga Gloves, Black/Grey
- 4.2 YogaPaws Elite Padded Non Slip Yoga Gloves and Yoga Socks for Women and Men for Yoga, Hot Power...
- 4.3 YogaPaws SkinThin Non Slip Grip Gloves for Women and Men, Hand Support for Yoga, Power Yoga,...
- 4.4 SISYAMA Padded Grip Wrist Support Workout Gloves Yoga Pilates Weight Lifting Fitness WOD Cross...
- 4.5 Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves - Black/Scuba Blue
- 4.6 FJZLIFE Workout| Fitness Gloves for Cross Training, Weightlifting, Biking, Bodybuilding, Yoga,...
- 4.7 ProsourceFit Grippy Yoga Gloves improve your yoga or Pilates practice by creating a non-slip grip to...
- 4.8 Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves | Fingerless Arthritis Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Gloves For Men...
- 4.9 HaveDream Non Slip Yoga gloves for Women, Toeless Anti-skid Pilates, Barre, Ballet, Bikram Workout...
- 5 FAQs
- 6 Closing Thoughts
What are Yoga Gloves?
Yoga gloves are lightweight, flexible gloves with grippy palms designed specifically for gripping a yoga mat or whatever surface you’re practicing on. They are typically fingerless and made of flexible, breathable materials. Some yoga gloves wrap around your wrists to support your joints and prevent wrist pain while still moving with your body.
Yoga gloves are especially helpful in hot yoga and Bikram classes where the sweat really dumps on the mat and makes it extra slippery. The palm surface basically acts like a gecko’s feet allowing you to grip and move essentially anywhere.
For traveling or nomadic yogis, yoga gloves also let you take your practice essentially anywhere without having to worry about touching nasty public floors or accidentally scraping your hands-on concrete. They even help improve the comfort of practicing yoga on grass, carpet, sand, and tile.
Benefits of Yoga Gloves
If you struggle with flowing between poses because your hands keep slipping or your wrists get super sore, then yoga gloves could be just what you need.
There are several benefits to covering your bare hands during yoga:
- Wrist support for people with joint pain or weak wrists
- Help keep your grip on the mat or floor
- Keep hands in place, even with sweaty palms
- Prevent injury from slipping
- Aid in stability during inversions
- Protect hands when practicing without a yoga mat
- Help avoid hand calluses
The best part is that quality yoga gloves feel almost like bare hands, but with added traction.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Gaiam Performance Yoga Gloves
- Best Yoga Glove and Yoga Socks Set: YogaPaws Elite Padded Non Slip Yoga Gloves and Yoga Socks
- Best Bare Hand Feel: YogaPaws SkinThin Non Slip Grip Gloves
- Best for Wrist Pain: SISYAMA Padded Grip Gloves Wrist Support
- Best Sweat Wicking Gloves: Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves
- Best for Full Mobility: FJZLIFE Workout Fitness Yoga Gloves without Hand Rips
- Best Ultra Grippy Gloves: ProsourceFit Grippy Yoga Gloves
- Best for Arthritis: Copper Compression Arthritis Yoga Gloves for Carpal Tunnel
- Best Budget Yoga Gloves: HaveDream Non-Slip Yoga Gloves
Top 9 Best Yoga Gloves
Product's Name | Material | Great for | Grip | More Info | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Gaiam Grippy Yoga Gloves, Black/Grey | Polyester Spandex Blend | Sweaty palms | Spiralized ultra grippy dots | See latest price | |
Best Yoga Glove and Yoga Socks Set YogaPaws Elite Padded Non Slip Yoga Gloves and Yoga Socks for Women and Men... | Non-toxic rubber with terry lining | Travel and practicing outdoors | Natural rubber yoga-mat padding | See latest price | |
Best Bare Hand Feel YogaPaws SkinThin Non Slip Grip Gloves for Women and Men, Hand Support for... | Non-toxic rubber with terry lining | Extra thin, barely there feeling | Natural rubber yoga-mat padding | See latest price | |
Best for Wrist Pain SISYAMA Padded Grip Wrist Support Workout Gloves Yoga Pilates Weight... | Breathable neoprene | Velcro-closure wrist support | 2.5mm thick non-slip padding | See latest price | |
Best Sweat Wicking Gloves Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves - Black/Scuba Blue | Cotton, polyester and spandex blend | Extra sweaty hands | Tacky gripping palms | See latest price | |
Best for Full Mobility FJZLIFE Workout| Fitness Gloves for Cross Training, Weightlifting, Biking,... | Polyester and leather outer, microfiber inner | Full range of motion | Silicone palms | See latest price | |
Best Overall ProsourceFit Grippy Yoga Gloves improve your yoga or Pilates practice by... | Cotton, nylon, and spandex blend | Extreme traction | Sticky rubber dot grip | See latest price | |
Best for Arthritis Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves | Fingerless Arthritis Carpal Tunnel... | Copper-infused antimicrobial material | Compression for carpal tunnel or weak wrists and tendons | Lined silicone grips | See latest price | |
Best Budget Yoga Gloves HaveDream Non Slip Yoga gloves for Women, Toeless Anti-skid Pilates, Barre,... | Combed cotton and spandex | Pull-on fit | 100% silicone grippy dots | See latest price |
Gaiam is one of the most respected and well-tested brands in the yoga world, and these gloves deliver on both functionality and affordability. With an ultra tight grip, they can hold onto even the most worn-down mats or outdoor surfaces. If you’re sick of losing your focus due to slipping during sun salutations, Gaiam’s yoga gloves are the best value for aiding sweaty palms.
They are made of a 95% polyester and 5% spandex blend with grippy spiralized silicone dots on the palms. Users have found that they hold up well in washes and are pleasantly ambidextrous so you don’t have to worry about finding the right or left.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Ambidextrous
- Polyester and spandex blend
- Spiralized ultra grippy dots
- Helpful for arthritis
- Sweat absorbent for sweaty palms
Cons
- May be uncomfortable for larger hands
- Sometimes webbing rubs between fingers
Best Padded Yoga Gloves and Socks Set:
YogaPaws Elite Padded Non Slip Yoga Gloves and Yoga Socks for Women and Men for Yoga, Hot Power...
See latest priceIf you wish you had a traveling yoga mat that could fit in your pocket or purse at all times, then this is the set for you. The natural rubber-lined padding on these gloves and socks is just like a yoga mat. The grip is superb and completely non-slip.
The best thing about YogaPaws is that they thought through all the details. From exterior seams to sweat-wicking terry lining to fingerless full-range-of-motion design, these gloves and socks actually feel good in every asana.
Pros
- Excellent travel size
- Quality wrist support
- Double natural rubber padding
- Feels like a yoga mat
- Versatile uses
- Ergonomic design (won’t dig into hands or rub on skin)
- Moisture wicking for sweaty hands and feet
- Unisex fit
- Extraordinary customer service
Cons
- Gloves may not provide proper alignment for all body types
- Fabric doesn’t fold easily for clenching the hand or flexing the wrist
Best Bare Hand Feel:
YogaPaws SkinThin Non Slip Grip Gloves for Women and Men, Hand Support for Yoga, Power Yoga,...
See latest priceDesigned for the ultimate minimalist but grippy feel, these gloves are close as you can get to being bare handed without the slip. The YogaPaws SkinThin gloves are less padded then their main line, which means a more ergonomic range of motion. These have extraordinary breathability for even the sweatiest hands.
The terry lined interior wicks away moisture while the exterior seams ensure no chaffing or rubbing against your joints. These fingerless gloves stand out from the rest with their anti-slip design without sticky dots. Instead, the non-slip bottom is more like a yoga mat. They move seamlessly with your hands without inhibiting any flexion or angling of the wrist.
Pros
- Full range of motion
- Naked feel
- Lined with natural rubber
- Lightly padded
- Feels like a yoga mat on your hands
- Extra thin and ergonomic
- Perfect breathability for sweaty palms
- Velcro wrist support
Cons
- Seams may not be as strong as other brands
- Rubbery smell
- Fit can be funky for larger hands
Best for Wrist Pain:
SISYAMA Padded Grip Wrist Support Workout Gloves Yoga Pilates Weight Lifting Fitness WOD Cross...
See latest priceWith velcro-closure wrist support and lightweight 2.5mm thick neoprene padding, these durable gloves are the most comfortable for yogis with weak wrists. We love that the top of the glove is open so your hands and knuckles can fully breathe and move. The hook and loop closure over the fingers is comfy and easy access.
The non-slip padding on the palms is top notch and works even on slippery wood floors. These gloves run small, so you may need to size up. However, they stay in place thanks to the individual finger wraps that don’t strain your thumb or the webbing between fingers. Best of all, the padded wrist support protects from strains, calluses, and hand pinching. These gloves work for yoga, weightlifting, pilates, and beyond.
Pros
- Velcro-closure padded wrist support
- Breathable neoprene
- Hug each finger
- No rubbing or chafing against thumb
- 2.5mm thick padding
- Extra non-slip (no towel or mat needed!)
- Versatile
Cons
- Run small, may need to size up
Best Sweat Wicking Gloves:
Mato & Hash Yoga Pilates Fingerless Exercise Grip Gloves - Black/Scuba Blue
See latest priceWith a bargain price and ultra-breathable fabric composition, these grippy exercise gloves are our favorite sweat-wicking option. The 75% cotton, 22% polyester, and 3% spandex blend is shockingly quick-dry and cooling against even the sweatiest, stickiest hands. The palm grip dots catch the floor or mat in all the right places, yet they don’t stick to it as you try to flow.
These gloves don’t twist or bunch up when you put pressure on them like some other brands, which makes them perfect for resistance against the mat. They perform excellently in the studio as well as in the gym, pilates, and beyond. They are casual and easy to toss on. You hardly notice you’re wearing them, which is great for concentration. Finally, no more sliding slippery hands in downward dog!
Pros
- Amazing for extra sweaty hands
- Moisture-wicking breathable construction
- Non-slip gripping palms (extra “tacky” against slick surfaces)
- Fingerless
- Comfortable to wear (no rubbing or chafing)
- Stay in place
- Don’t twist or bunch up
- Cooling fabric
Cons
- Need to hand wash
- Hand may move around inside the glove
Best for Full Mobility:
FJZLIFE Workout| Fitness Gloves for Cross Training, Weightlifting, Biking, Bodybuilding, Yoga,...
See latest priceIf you want extraordinary grip without anything impeding the range of motion in your wrists, the FJZLIFE gloves have a unique design that only covers the palms and fingers. The silicone-grip palms provide grip exactly where it counts without coming up onto the ball of your thumb or wrist. The result is a conveniently versatile, breathable, and flexible glove that is especially beneficial for inversions because it doesn’t impede wrist flexion.
These fingerless, wrist-less yoga gloves are made of a proprietary blend of 5% microfiber, 43% synthetic leather, 42% polyester, and 10% silicone. The inner microfiber lining is super soft and comfortable against your skin. It absorbs moisture and stays closely fit to your hand so you don’t slip inside or outside the globe. The exterior material is rugged enough to withstand outdoor yoga, concrete, weight lifting, pull-ups, cross-training, and more. We also love the convenient finger-pull tabs that make the gloves easy to toss off when you’re done with your floor poses.
Pros
- Full range of motion and mobility
- Extra soft microfiber lining
- Extra grippy silicone palms
- Easy-pull finger tabs for putting on and off
- Close to skin fit
- Absolutely zero slippage
- Proprietary fabric blend
Cons
- No wrist support
- Run slightly large
Best Ultra Grippy Gloves:
ProsourceFit Grippy Yoga Gloves improve your yoga or Pilates practice by creating a non-slip grip to...
See latest priceA super affordable option with incredible non-slip rubber dot grip, these gloves provide targeted traction that doesn’t get in the way of your movement. We love how the 92% cotton, 6% nylon, and 2% elastin feels on your skin, while the exterior rubber dots feel extremely grippy and sticky against the floor or your mat. You truly feel connected to the floor instead of wobbly or unstable.
The fingerless design is effortlessly flexible and moves with your hands at any angle. The gripping dots also move up the lower knuckles of the fingers to allow for proper palm placement without risk of slipping.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Best sticky, non-slip rubber dot grip
- Extreme traction for better stability
- Flexible fingers
- Stretchy breathable material
- Ambidextrous fit
- Fold up very small
Cons
- One size fits all may not be perfect for you
- Need to hand wash
Best for Arthritis:
Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves | Fingerless Arthritis Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief Gloves For Men...
See latest priceAnyone who struggles with arthritis or carpal tunnel knows how challenging it can be to fully enjoy a yoga workout. These fingerless gloves fit seamlessly to your hand and compress against the joints to give you the full range of motion you had in your youth. They are perfect for heavy planks and downward dogs in people with tendonitis, arthritis, and weak wrists. They also ensure that you don’t have any finger pain or wrist soreness after your yoga flow, which allows you to slowly build more strength in the hand joints.
The super comfortable fabric is infused with copper for its antimicrobial and sweat-wicking properties. Copper Compression also specializes in targeted tightness that truly frees you to move in any angle. Not just for arthritis, open design coupled with a non-slip grip to help you confidently move weak hands throughout your workout without worrying about slipping or soreness.
Pros
- Perfectly targeted compression for weak or inflamed joints
- Eliminate joint and wrist pain while strengthening hands
- Incredible wrist support
- Full range of motion and flexibility
- Fingerless design
- Copper-infused antimicrobial fabric
- Perfect for yogis with arthritis, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel
- No rubbing or discomfort from seams
- 4 size options
Cons
- May not last as long as other brands
Best Budget Yoga Gloves:
HaveDream Non Slip Yoga gloves for Women, Toeless Anti-skid Pilates, Barre, Ballet, Bikram Workout...
See latest priceWith 4 gloves in one, this combo pack of yoga gloves is as cheap as it gets. But they still deliver on quality and functionality. The 100% silicone palms are shockingly effective on the mat and in the gym. The 85% combed cotton and 12% spandex outer blend is flexible enough to move with your hands yet breathable enough to keep sweat at bay. If you get sick of washing gloves repeatedly, you can easily rotate these out between yoga sessions.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Ultra grippy silicone palms
- Comfortable cotton
- Pull-on fit (no adjustment closure)
Cons
- Cheaper construction
- Less aesthetically-pleasing design
- Don’t grip the wrists (little to no wrist support)
FAQs
What are yoga gloves for?
Yoga gloves are specially designed to help yogis better grip their mat during floor poses. They have varying types of palm traction technology that prevents slipping. Some yoga gloves also offer wrist support and compression so people with weak or arthritic wrists can still enjoy the benefits of a yoga practice.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re dealing with weak wrists, arthritis, sweaty palms, or just the frustration of never being able to keep your hands in place during floor poses, yoga gloves take the edge off so you can relax without slipping.