What to Wear to Hot Yoga so You Don’t Overheat or Slip All Over Your Mat

Photo: Getty Images/jacoblund
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I am a generally sweaty person. I don't know why, exactly, this is. I just know that all it takes is one inchworm and I'm leaving sweaty handprints everywhere. So, naturally, figuring out what to wear to hot yoga is often a damp affair. Even if you're not prone to sweaty theatrics like I am, being confined in a heated room and doing chaturangas is bound to make you perspire...a lot.

If you're not wearing the right attire, there are two general outcomes. One, you feel like you're on a slip 'n' slide of your own sweat, which is a terrible but accurate visual. Two, you get so overheated that you feel the urge to take off all your clothes.


Experts In This Article
  • Alex Tran, Seattle-based yoga instructor and founder of Schimiggy Reviews
  • Ava Johanna, international yoga and meditation instructor and breathwork facilitator
  • Melissa Loeffelholz, yoga instructor at CorePower Yoga
  • Sami Houston, Los Angeles-based yoga instructor at Hot 8 Yoga

Rather than slipping off your yoga mat and/or getting naked in an inappropriate setting, follow these instructor-approved tips for building a hot yoga-ready wardrobe that'll keep you comfortable (and clothed) through the duration of your class.

What to wear to hot yoga, according to credible instructors

I test leggings for a living: Here are 3 pairs I kept reaching for this month
Photo: Getty Images/PeopleImages

1. Leggings

If you only take one thing away from this article, let it be that you need moisture-wicking clothing for hot yoga. Bonus points if it's also antimicrobial. "If you're dripping in sweat, you want your workout clothes to absorb the moisture which will reduce the chance of sweat stains, dry quickly and decrease odor," says Ava Johanna, an international yoga and meditation instructor and breathwork facilitator.

Another tip: Avoid cotton at all costs. "It will absorb your sweat and become heavy and will make you hotter," says Sami Houston, an instructor at Los Angeles' Hot 8 Yoga. "I recommend full length or 7/8 length fitted leggings. No traditional yoga pants." She personally wears Alo's Airlift legging line. "They're designed for hot yoga practice and are made of a special blend of super light, sweat-wicking material to keep you cool. They come in high-waist styles which are extra flattering (bonus points)," she says.

"High-waisted leggings are a must for me," says Melissa Loeffelholz, CorePower Yoga Colorado area leader. "Some of my favorites are the Lululemon Align Pant ($98) and anything from Beyond Yoga that is their space-dye fabric."

Alex Tran, a hatha and hot yoga instructor in Seattle and founder of fitness fashion blog Schimiggy Reviews, recommends Onzie and K-Deer for hot yoga practice because they wick away sweat and are super lightweight. "When you sweat, the fabric on these brands become like fly trap paper and keep your limbs glued together in inversions" she says. "After class, the material dries quickly and I'm out the door in no time."

2. Shorts

This is tricky. Shorts are an obvious answer if you want to keep from being overheated… but have you ever tried crow pose in 100-plus degrees while wearing shorts? That is the definition of slippery. "If you choose to wear shorts, it is nice to have a small sweat towel handy to wipe away sweat," says Loeffelholz. She recommends Alo (clearly, this is the go-to hot yoga brand) shorts, like the Airlift Short ($64). You want them to be fitted—loose clothing is not your friend in hot yoga. Tran also recommends Onzie for their tight-fitting shorts. Try the High-Rise Biker Short ($58) for an on-trend look that'll also help keep you from slipping everywhere during inversions.

3. Tops

"For those who may not be comfortable with no top, I'd recommend a light, fitted tank top," Houston says. Look for sheer and mesh materials in a fitted design, as these will give you breathability and will stay in place during your practice. Also, loose tops prevent your instructor from being able to get a good look at your form, she explains.

"I love tops that have built-in bras—it makes laundry much easier," says Loeffelholz. "I prefer to practice in tops that are semi-tight-fitting, as loose tops can fall into your face during a forward fold or an inversion."

4. Sports bras

Johanna likes Alo Yoga's Delight Bralette ($53) because it's antimicrobial and dries quickly after class is over. Tran recommends bras from Niyama Sol. "Their sport bras are made with this fabric that is super stretchy and contours to the body really well," she says.

5. Essential extras

"My all-time favorite mat for practicing in a heated studio is the Alo Warrior Mat ($128). It is extra thick and provides the perfect amount of support. It absorbs sweat and has a built-in grip so you don't have to worry about slipping in downward facing dog, which was a huge selling point for me," Johanna says. It's also very important to have a towel for hot yoga so you don't slip all over the place. "I personally use the Manduka Yogitoes Towels ($60)—they absorb wild amounts of sweat and the underside has silicon nubs that grip to your mat and keep the towel in place," says Houston.

As for water bottles—because all that sweating means you need to be hydrating—both Johanna and Loeffelholz recommend the Hydroflask ($55). "It helps me keep track of my water intake throughout the day and the straw-lid makes it easy to keep sipping and stay hydrated," she says.

You'll also want to pull your hair back into a style that will keep it out of your face and off of your neck while you sweat it out on the mat. No one likes the feeling of matted, sweaty hair on their back. Roxborough relies on Teleties ($10) to keep her hair up. Loeffelholz also recommends wearing a headband to keep sweat out of your face and eyes.

"There's nothing worse than having to stop what you're doing to wipe your face with a towel in between each pose," Loeffelholz says.

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