The Best Yoga Gloves For A Steady Practice

Whether you're a pro or just starting out, the best yoga gloves can provide grip and support to keep you flowing through your practice. Though they should have either rubber or silicone on the palm for traction, some will offer additional wrist relief and padding, so choose your style based on your personal needs.

If you're a beginner and just need a little extra grip to keep you steady in down dog, a simple pair of stretchy, cotton gloves with grip dots is a great and economical choice. If, however, you experience pain in your wrists, have arthritis, or are finding inversion poses uncomfortable, you'll want to consider a glove that does a little more. Gloves with cushioning or gel pads along the heel of the palm take the strain off your wrists and makes contact with the mat more comfortable all around. In addition, options with a secure wrist strap will help you stick to proper alignment, and possibly avoid potential wrist injuries as a result.

In addition to supportive features, you'll want your workout accessory to have a snug, minimalist fit that feels like a second skin. Though all yoga gloves are made to stretch, those made from cotton will be breathable, while a polyester blend material (think bandage dresses) have the additional benefit of keeping your hands from slipping and sliding around inside. Some are also available in multiple sizes for an even more customized fit.

Like yoga shoes, towels, and other mat-side accessories, the best yoga gloves can make your practice smoother, pain-free, and enjoyable. Best of all? Many fans shared a similar sense of excitement (and relief) that wearing gloves allowed them to return to doing tricky arm balances and plank poses.

Find your perfect pair, below!

1. This Pair Of Gloves That Are Extra Secure

This pair of Gaiam performance yoga gloves have smart design details that make it an all-around reliable option for yogis of all skill levels. They're made from synthetic leather and a soft, stretchy polyester blend that conforms nicely to your digits while remaining quite breathable. The adjustable hook-and-loop closure on the wrists will keep hands from sliding back and forth during transitions, making them extra secure. Plus, the palms are covered with anti-slip dots that provide traction. They're machine-washable, but take note that they are available in one size only.

One yogi's take: "These are a very nice upgrade from my old basic Gaiam yoga gloves. That lasted for years, and years, and years of use. So far, the fit is good and the performance is excellent. I have less slippage with these thanks to the added upgraded features of these yoga gloves. Well worth the extra money for them."

2. These Padded Gloves That Are Made Of Yoga Mat Material

Thanks to a layer of cushioning on the palms, these Yoga Paws gloves are one of the best options to reach for if you won't always be utilizing a mat or just want to ensure you don't slip off yours. They're cleverly crafted from actual yoga mats and you'll get additional support from a textured natural (latex-free) rubber grip and an adjustable wrist strap. To keep air circulating and sweat from distracting you during your inversions, the brand also included a clever breathable mesh material into the top as well as an absorbent microfiber lining. You can pick from four colors (jade green is pictured) and four sizes, just note that the brand does not recommend machine washing.

Note: If you want a little less cushioning but the same level of sturdiness, you may want to opt for Yoga Paws Thin Skin gloves instead.

One yogi's take: "I practice hot yoga about 4 to 6 times per week and bought these to give the palms of my hands some extra cushioning. They do help to make my palms feel less sore and in addition I like the extra grip the gloves provide me with when attempting tight binds."

3. An Affordable Set Of Colorful Gloves

Made from breathable combed cotton and spandex, this four-pack of yoga gloves offers you the best bang for your buck — and enough options for you to rotate in clean gloves if your practice spans multiple days a week. The stretchy one-size accessories are thick enough to be used even on hard surfaces and have silicone gel grips along the palms and fingers to keep you from slipping during downward dog (just note there is no adjustable wrist strap). Though the brand doesn't specify how to wash them, reviewers reported machine-washing them successfully.

One yogi's take: "I just ordered another set of these. I love the fact you get multiple for the price. I've had a hard time trying to find gloves to workout out with that had a non-skid grip that actually worked. These are amazing and my hands don't slide around on my laminate floor... Def recommend ordering a bunch."

4. These Investment-Worthy Gloves With Amazing Wrist Support

These WAGs gloves are noticeably more expensive than all of the other picks on this list, but what you're investing in is a workout accessory that, as one fan described as a "life-saver" — especially for anyone with chronic wrist pain, tendonitis, or arthritis who wants to be able to keep up their practice (just note that the brand does not recommend them for carpal tunnel syndrome). Each glove has a contoured gel cushion on the palm to relieve strain. They have an adjustable, compression wrist wrap and a longer length in order to add even more stability. You can pick from four sizes, just be sure to follow the brand's size guide to ensure the right fit. Like all great yoga gloves, you'll also find anti-slip support via a silicone texture on the underside. This pair is constructed from stretchy nylon and poly blend and is machine-washable.

One yogi's take: "If you have painful arthritis and have trouble doing yoga or lifting weights, you need these gloves. My thumbs and wrists were on fire when in plank or gripping a dumbbell, but with these gloves the pain is reduced significantly. Highly recommend!!"