A Pilates grip towel is a towel with a non-slip backing that stays put on your mat, so you get a soft, sweat-absorbing layer without it sliding around mid-roll-up. Here is what to look for before you buy one, what the details on a product page actually tell you, and where the Souls grip towels fit.
Quick answer: Look for a non-slip grip bottom, an absorbent top, a light weight you will actually carry to class, and clear product details before you pay. The Here for the Booty Mat Grip Towel from Souls checks the core boxes: a non-slip grip bottom, a soft and absorbent top and a lightweight build, at $68 as of November 9, 2026. Souls does not offer refunds or exchanges, so read the listing carefully first.
What is a Pilates grip towel?
A regular gym towel is fine for wiping your face, but laid on a mat it bunches and slides as soon as you move. A grip towel solves that with a textured or silicone-dotted underside that holds against the mat. You get a layer between your skin and the mat that soaks up sweat, and it stays where you put it.
Grip towels are most useful in mat Pilates, yoga and any class where you spend a lot of time lying, kneeling or planking. Some people also bring one to reformer or Lagree classes to lay over equipment, but studios set their own rules, so ask before you use your own towel on shared machines.
Grip towel vs grip socks: do you need both?
They do different jobs. Grip socks give your feet traction on the floor, the reformer footbar or the platform. A grip towel covers the surface under your body. Many studio regulars start with socks, since many reformer studios ask for them, and add a towel once they take mat classes or sweat more in class. If you are building a Pilates bag from scratch, our guide to grip sock fit and price per pair covers the sock side.
What to look for when you buy a grip towel
1. A grip bottom that actually holds
This is the whole point of the product. Look for the words “non-slip” and some description of the backing. Silicone dots or a textured underside are the common designs. A plain towel described as “for yoga” is not the same thing.
2. An absorbent top
Sweat is why most people want a towel in the first place. Look for a top surface described as absorbent. Microfiber is common in this category because it is light and dries quickly, but check the listing rather than assuming.
3. Weight and packability
A towel you leave at home does not help. A lightweight towel that rolls or folds small enough for a tote is far more likely to come to every class.
4. Size
Mat-length towels cover the whole mat, which matters for roll-downs and lying work. Smaller hand towels are easier to carry but only cover part of the mat. If a listing does not give dimensions, contact the brand before you buy.
5. Design
Function first, but a towel you like looking at is one you will use. Prints also make your towel easy to spot in a busy studio.
6. Price and return policy
Grip towels range from basic to premium. Whatever you pay, read the return policy before you check out, especially for personal-use items like towels.
The Souls grip towels
Souls is a grip sock brand built around studio classes like Pilates, Lagree, barre and yoga. Its two mat grip towels share the same core features and differ in design. Both were listed at $68 in one size on November 9, 2026.
Here for the Booty Mat Grip Towel
The Here for the Booty Mat Grip Towel is the playful pick. Souls lists these features:
- Non-slip grip bottom to help keep the towel in place
- Soft and absorbent top
- Helps protect your mat and equipment
- Made for sweaty workouts
- Lightweight and easy to bring to class
Celestial Grip Mat Towel
The Celestial Grip Mat Towel has the same non-slip grip bottom and soft, absorbent fabric, with an all-over print of evil eyes, Hamsa hands and stars. Souls positions it for mat Pilates, yoga or anything else you need a towel for.
What the listings do not say
Neither Souls towel page lists dimensions or fabric content as of November 9, 2026. If exact size matters to you, contact Souls before ordering. That matters more than usual here, because the Souls refund policy states that it does not offer refunds or exchanges on any purchase.
Who the Souls grip towel suits
- Good fit: mat Pilates and yoga regulars who sweat, want their towel to stay put, and like a towel with personality.
- Good fit: Souls sock fans putting together a matching class bag.
- Think twice: anyone who needs exact dimensions before buying, or who wants the option to return a purchase.
Souls also makes towels an easy add-on to a gift. Our Pilates gifts for her guide covers sock, accessory and gift card options at different budgets.
How to care for a grip towel
Souls does not publish care instructions on the towel pages, so follow any label that comes with yours. As a general habit, wash grip textiles after sweaty classes, skip fabric softener (it can leave a film on absorbent fabrics), and let the towel dry fully before you roll it up.
FAQ
Do I need a grip towel for mat Pilates?
No, but it helps if you sweat or share studio mats. It adds an absorbent layer that stays in place.
Can I use a grip towel on a reformer?
Some people lay one over the carriage, but studio rules vary. Ask your instructor first.
How much is the Souls grip towel?
Both Souls mat grip towels were $68 on November 9, 2026.
Can I return a Souls grip towel?
No. The Souls refund policy says it does not offer refunds or exchanges on any purchase.
What is the difference between a yoga towel and a grip towel?
A grip towel has a non-slip backing that holds against the mat. A plain yoga towel may not, so it can slide during practice.
The bottom line
The best grip towel is the one with a real non-slip bottom, an absorbent top and a weight you will carry to class. The Souls grip towels cover those basics in two distinct designs. Confirm the size you need before ordering, since all Souls sales are final.
Some of the brands mentioned in this article may have a prior working engagement with this publication.
