What to Bring to a Hot Yoga Class: The Complete Checklist

Stepping into a hot yoga class can be intense, sweaty, and completely rewarding, but only if you come prepared. 

Bringing the right gear keeps you safe, comfortable, and focused, so you can enjoy every pose without slipping, overheating, or feeling distracted. Here’s a complete checklist of what to pack for your best hot yoga experience.

• Bring a Non-Slip Mat: It keeps you stable and prevents slipping in sweaty conditions.
  
  

• Choose Sweat-Wicking Clothes: Lightweight, quick-drying fabrics keep you cool and comfortable.
  
  

• Pack a Towel: It improves grip, protects your mat, and keeps you fresh during class.
  
  

• Stay Hydrated: Always bring water to replace fluids lost in the heat.
  
  

• Freshen Up After Class: Carry wipes or light skincare to prevent irritation and feel your best.

When practicing hot yoga, one of the most important items to bring is a non-slip yoga mat. While there aren’t exact statistics on how many injuries come from slipping on mats, falls and sprains are among the most common yoga-related issues, and sweaty mats make the risk even higher. 

Traditional mats often become slippery in heated, humid conditions, making it difficult to hold poses safely. 

A high-quality non-slip mat is designed to give you extra grip, even when wet, so you can stay grounded and avoid dangerous slips. 

Experts, instructors, and organizations like the American Council on Exercise all recommend non-slip mats for injury prevention, stability, and better alignment. 

Beyond safety, these mats also allow you to focus more on your breath and flow, rather than constantly adjusting your footing. 

Look for mats made of natural rubber or textured materials, as they provide the best traction and moisture management. 

With the right mat, you can practice with confidence, knowing you’re supported through every sweaty pose.

When preparing for a hot yoga class, wearing the right clothes can make all the difference in your comfort and focus. 

Lightweight, sweat-wicking fabrics are essential because they help keep your body dry as the heat and intensity rise. 

Research in the Journal of Textiles highlights that quick-drying performance is one of the most important factors in activewear comfort, as it allows sweat to move away from the skin and evaporate efficiently. 

Synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex consistently outperform cotton since they don’t trap moisture within their fibers, meaning they dry faster and help regulate body temperature better. 

Athletes often report feeling more comfortable, less weighed down, and able to sustain activity longer when wearing moisture-wicking clothing, particularly in hot or high-sweat environments. 

Fabrics like polyester and Tencel have been noted to reduce friction, limit chafing, and enhance overall performance compared to cotton. 

So, when packing for your next hot yoga session, opt for breathable, quick-drying blends that work with your body, not against it.

In hot yoga, a towel isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Most studios strongly recommend bringing a yoga-specific towel, often made of microfiber, because it absorbs sweat quickly, dries fast, and provides a stable, slip-free surface. 

Placing a towel over your mat improves grip and prevents dangerous slipping when sweat builds up, while also creating a hygienic barrier that protects both your skin and your mat. 

Without one, sweat can linger on your skin, clogging pores and potentially causing breakouts or irritation. 

A soft, absorbent towel keeps you comfortable, fresh, and safe throughout class. While a regular bath towel might work in a pinch, yoga towels are designed with features like non-slip textures or silicone nubs to stay in place during movement. 

For extra stability, some practitioners even mist their towel lightly with water before class begins. 

Whether it’s a full mat towel or a smaller hand towel for your face, bringing the right one ensures better hygiene, grip, and comfort in every session.

When stepping into a hot yoga studio heated to 95–105°F, staying hydrated isn’t optional, it’s essential. 

Research published in Physiological Reports found that during a 90-minute Bikram session, participants lost an average of 1.5 liters of sweat, yet replaced only about a quarter of that with water. 

This kind of fluid loss not only drains your body of water but also important electrolytes like sodium. 

Even mild dehydration, as shown by Cheuvront et al. (2003), can reduce aerobic performance by up to 10%, making poses feel harder and endurance drop more quickly. 

What’s more, dehydration can begin within just 30 minutes of exercising in heated conditions, with some people losing up to two liters of water in only an hour. 

To prepare, experts recommend building a hydration base: men should aim for at least 3.7 liters of fluids daily, and women for 2.7 liters. 

So, bring a full water bottle, sip regularly before and during class, and let hydration be your best yoga accessory.

Hot yoga is no joke when it comes to sweating, research on Bikram yoga shows that in just 90 minutes at 105°F and 40% humidity, participants can lose an average of 1.5 liters of sweat, which is nearly 2% of their body weight. 

That much sweating not only drains fluids and electrolytes but also leaves skin vulnerable to irritation if you don’t freshen up afterward. 

While no surveys report how many yogis carry toiletries to class, it’s clear that packing a few essentials can make a big difference. 

Experts from the Dermatology Group of the Carolina emphasize that cleansing immediately after class helps prevent breakouts caused by trapped sweat and bacteria. 

Simple items like facial wipes or micellar water, a light oil-free moisturizer, or even dry shampoo can keep you feeling fresh and confident post-practice. 

Tossing these into your yoga bag ensures you leave class not only recharged in mind and body but also comfortable and skin-healthy.

In hot yoga, the right accessories improve comfort and safety. A headband keeps sweat out of your eyes, while grip socks provide stability and reduce slipping on a damp mat. 

Towels and wristbands also help manage sweat. These simple add-ons make practice smoother and more secure.

Hot yoga, practiced in heated rooms, boosts flexibility, circulation, calorie burn, and stress relief while promoting detoxification through sweat. 

However, it carries risks like dehydration, overstretching, and heat-related issues. Beginners should start slowly, stay hydrated, and consult a doctor if they have pre-existing health conditions.

• Breathable Fabrics: Go for lightweight, sweat-wicking materials. Skip cotton since it traps sweat and feels heavy.
  
  

• Keep It Minimal: Wear as little as you’re comfortable with to stay cool and let your skin breathe.
  
  

• Barefoot or Non-Slip Socks: Hot yoga floors can get slippery. Practice barefoot or use grip socks for stability.
  
  

• Comfortable Fit: Choose clothes that move with you and allow a full range of motion.