A mat towel is a thin, absorbent layer that sits on top of your yoga mat to improve grip and soak up sweat during hot practices.
If you’ve ever felt your hands slide mid-downward dog or finished a hot class with a puddle beneath you, you’ve already met the problem a mat towel solves. This simple accessory transforms a slippery mat into a stable, dry surface during sweaty practices like hot yoga. Manduka, which makes the well-known yogitoes® line, calls them “hot yoga towels” and instructs users to lay the towel on top of the mat to enhance grip and absorb moisture.
Below is everything you need to know before buying one — including how they work, what to look for, and the one thing most people get wrong.
How a Mat Towel Works In Practice
A mat towel does two things at once. First, it absorbs sweat so your hands, feet, and face stay dry. Second, its surface texture grips both your skin and the mat beneath it, keeping you stable during poses. It’s not a replacement for your mat — it’s an add-on layer that handles the moisture your mat can’t.
Manduka’s yogitoes® towels are made with a material called Repreve®, a recycled polyester fiber. The towel’s backing features a silicone dot pattern that grips the yoga mat, so the towel stays put while you move. The top side is designed to grip your skin even as you sweat, which is why hot yoga and Bikram classes are the primary use case for this product.
Most mat towels are loose, meaning you just lay them flat on your mat. This is the intended design from Manduka — their product guidance says to lay the towel on top of the mat with no clipping or fastening required. The weight of the towel and the silicone grip hold it in place.
Mat Towel vs. Yoga Mat: What’s the Difference?
A yoga mat is a cushioned, non-slip surface that protects your joints and provides traction. A mat towel is a thin fabric layer — usually under half a centimeter thick — that goes on top of that mat. It offers no cushioning at all. If you practice on a bare floor with only a towel, you’ll feel every hard surface right through it.
The two serve different jobs. Your mat gives you grip and support; your towel gives you a dry surface. For low-sweat practices like yin or restorative yoga, a mat towel is often unnecessary — your mat’s natural grip is enough. But for hot and sweaty practices, the towel becomes essential because sweat breaks down the mat’s grip and creates a slippery, unstable surface.
Once you understand the benefits, the next step is choosing the right one. Our tested lineup of top-rated bath mat towels for every budget covers the best options for keeping your practice area clean and dry.
What to Look For Before You Buy
Not all mat towels are the same, and a few details determine whether you’ll love yours or abandon it after two classes.
Size matters. Some towels are explicitly sized for standard yoga mats (usually 68–72 inches long), while others come in smaller versions that leave parts of your mat exposed. Check the towel’s dimensions against your mat’s measurements before purchasing. A towel that’s too short means your hands or feet will meet bare, wet mat at the worst moments.
Check the grip backing. Towels with silicone dots or a similar texture stay anchored to your mat. Plain fabric towels without any backing will slide and bunch up during practice, defeating the purpose entirely.
Consider the orientation. When a towel has a dotted or silicone grip, there’s typically a correct side up. The textured backing goes against the mat; the absorbent face goes toward your skin. Putting it on upside down ruins both the grip and the absorbency.
| Feature | What To Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Matches your mat’s length | Full coverage prevents skin contact with slippery mat |
| Backing | Silicone dots or texture | Keeps the towel from sliding during practice |
| Material | Recycled polyester (Repreve®) | Fast-drying, durable, and absorbent |
| Care | Machine washable | Hygiene matters when you sweat on it daily |
| Grip side | Textured side down | Wrong orientation kills both grip and absorption |
Do You Actually Need One? The Honest Take
If you practice hot yoga or vinyasa where you sweat heavily, a mat towel isn’t a luxury — it’s the difference between a stable practice and a frustrating, slippery one. Manduka recommends the yogitoes® towel specifically for hot yoga, where sweat makes bare mats dangerous. If your practice stays cool and dry, you can skip the towel entirely and save the money.
One thing to know before purchasing: Manduka operates regional stores for the UK, Canada, EU, and Japan. When you shop online, make sure you’re on the correct regional site so you see the right product availability, sizing, and pricing for your location.
If you’re already practicing on a mat you love, adding a towel is the cheapest upgrade to your setup — no new mat required. Just lay it flat, confirm the textured side faces down, and step on.
FAQs
Can I use a regular bath towel as a mat towel?
You can in a pinch, but it won’t perform the same way. A bath towel lacks the silicone backing that keeps a mat towel anchored, so it will slide and bunch during practice. It also absorbs water less efficiently than purpose-made fabrics like Repreve®.
How do I clean my mat towel?
Most mat towels are machine washable, which is essential since they absorb heavy sweat during hot classes. Wash on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and air dry to preserve the silicone grip backing. Avoid fabric softener, which can break down absorbency over time.
Will a mat towel fit any yoga mat?
Not automatically. Check the towel’s listed dimensions against your mat’s length. Standard mats run about 68 to 72 inches long, and many towels are sized to match. If your mat is longer or wider than standard, look for an oversized towel or confirm coverage before buying.
References & Sources
- Manduka (Canada). “Yoga Mat Towels.” Explains the yogitoes+ line, Repreve® material, and how to lay the towel on a mat.
