What is Grip Aid?

Pole grip comes in a variety of forms. Some are liquids, others are gels, lotions, sprays, or resins.

Apply these products to your grip points, such as the hands, knee pits, and thighs and be prepared to stick to the pole better than ever before.

Pole grip is meant to help increase the tension or ‘grip’ of your skin by combatting sweatiness or balancing out dry skin.

Find the right product for your skin type and you’ll be the queen (or king) of grippiness!

Pole grip aids are especially useful when weather conditions are affecting your skin, or the pole is just extra slick that day.

Especially since lotion and pole dancing don’t mix, that means many pole dancers’ skin care routines are often disrupted for a few days before pole class… If you pole regularly, well, what skincare routine?

A lacking skin care routine can leave your skin drier than normal, making you feel slick on the pole. Don’t let outside factors stop you from dancing your heart out!

Should I Use Pole Grip Aid?

Of course, there are pole dancers out there who believe the only way to pole is grip-free, seeing grip aids as a crutch.

While everyone has their own reasons, the most common for this opinion is that you learn – especially as a beginner or intermediate pole dancer – to rely on grip aid rather than your own, natural grip strength.

There is no replacement for natural grip strength, and we recognize this concern, but firmly believe grip aids are a useful tool that you can utilize.

Too many situations arise where pole grip would help as a training aid, and we believe it should be freely used without guilt.

It is possible to learn how to use pole grip as a tool, not a crutch. One significant way that can’t be overlooked is to include grip strength conditioning into every pole workout regimen, and only using grip aid when you need it.

Using pole grip as a training aid will help you in practice, allowing you to worry more about your technique and form, and less on whether you’re sliding off the pole. This is especially important on a particularly sweaty – or dry – day for your skin, if you’re training for a showcase or pole competition.

If you are going on stage to perform, the last thing you want to do is slide down the pole, or worse, slip and fall, in the middle of your routine. Every motion counts, and that means you need to be able to count on your ability to grip.

Choosing Your Grip Aid

When you choose a pole grip, it’s important to consider any goals you have in mind.

Don’t worry, we won’t judge your grip collection, either. Go ahead, buy every pole grip you can get your hands on, try it out, and see which ones you like best. Display those bottles, towels, and sprays, proudly!

Believe it or not, dry skin can slip just as much as sweaty skin can. As far as skin type, somewhere in the middle is ideal for pole dancing… of course, we can’t always control our skin type:

Your skin type can change depending on the time of month, season, level of activity, health, how warmed up you are, and what substances you have applied to your skin in the last few days.

That’s a lot of factors to consider, and you can’t control all of them.

All that means is, when it’s time to pole and you find yourself slipping, a little pole grip aid can help balance you out.

Now, before you turn to buying every pole grip aid on the market out of frustration, it’s important to determine which skin type you have.

Is your skin dry? Is it sweaty?

If you find that patting in a little bit of watered-down glycerin a few hours before pole class helps, your skin is probably dry.

Likewise, if a classmate lets you borrow a bottle of dry hands grip and it revolutionizes the way you pole dance – or if you find that you’re always wiping your hands in class, then you might be dealing with sweaty skin!

Of course, your skin can be sweaty in some places and dry in others, so it’s important to identify the “problem areas” and choose a pole grip that helps balance out your skin the most.

Liquid chalks, drying agents, and antiperspirants are best for sweaty skin.

Gels, sprays, and resins are best for dry skin.

Lastly, before we dive into a full review, don’t be afraid to layer and use multiple grip aids! Just keep in mind that too many layers will gunk up the pole and leave you less sticky than before.

No matter how odd or specific the combination – if you want to layer dry hands grip with iTac grip over dried glycerin, and it works for you, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Let’s talk about what makes Sahara Dry different from your typical grip aid. This isn’t just another chalk or grip product – it’s actually using some pretty cool science that, until recently, was too expensive to use in sports products. Think of it as a double-action grip aid: it pushes away sweat while soaking up the oils that make your hands slippery.

Here’s the trick to using it right: put it on clean, dry hands before you start sweating, then (and this is important) wait about 20 seconds. Why? The product needs time to soak up those natural oils on your hands. Skip this step, and you’ll just be pushing around a mix of oil and powder – not what you want! Once you’ve got the timing down, though, you’ll notice it creates a barrier that keeps sweat at bay throughout your session.

There are some nice bonus features too. The alcohol in the formula kills bacteria (hello, cleaner hands!), and because they use super-fine silica particles, you won’t end up looking like you just rolled in chalk. It dries super quick, and if you accidentally spill some, it’s no big deal to clean up.

Think of Sahara Dry as the tech-savvy cousin of traditional grip aids – it might take a minute to figure out on your first try-on, but it’s worth the effort for reliable, long-lasting grip that keeps working even when you’re sweating buckets. Consider us lifelong fans, here. You can find our in-depth review here.

Sweaty days can mean sweating away other types of pole grip, leaving your hands feeling tacky and the pole covered in residue. This is where Tite Grip comes to the rescue.

Of course, Tite Grip is not technically considered a grip aid, but it is a fantastic supplement to another pole grip.

Apply this antiperspirant lotion 30 minutes before your normal pole grip and you won’t have to worry about sweating through for up to 6 hours.

When you’re done, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Tite Grip dries without leaving any tackiness or stickiness on your hands, leaving you free to apply any other pole grip you typically wear.

For pole dancers who only need a small amount of extra stick, using Tite Grip alone may be enough, but you may find you have to reapply it after an hour or so of heavy use.

Note: Tite Grip I and Tite Grip II have different ingredients, so they may act differently. We are reviewing Tite Grip II as it is typically better for pole dancing.

The product comes in a convenient 2 oz spray bottle, making application straightforward: just spray it on your hands and rub it in thoroughly. What’s interesting is its dual-use capability – you can apply it directly to your hands for pole and aerials, or use it to refresh equipment like tennis racket grips and pickleball paddles that might be losing their tackiness.

While it’s marketed as a jack-of-all-trades grip solution, pole dancers might appreciate its claimed ability to balance grip enhancement with natural hand function. The spray format suggests it might be less messy than powder or chalk-based alternatives, though you’ll want to test how it works with your specific grip needs and pole surface.

Carpe Lotion is not a true pole grip aid, but an antiperspirant. It was originally created as a treatment for hyperhidrosis, which makes it perfect for incredibly sweaty days.

The lotion absorbs quickly as you rub it in, wicking away moisture and drying on your skin with little to no residue.

Carpe Lotion is meant to be a continued treatment option, but if you don’t have hyperhidrosis, excessive use can leave your hands feeling very dry and flaky, even after washing them. This lotion is an antiperspirant, which means the natural oils in your skin can’t get through.

Many pole dancers with hyperhidrosis are rightfully wary of treatments, especially if they have sensitive skin. Carpe Lotion side effects are rare, designed with organic compounds in hopes of becoming a side effect free solution.

Girlie Grip is a relatively new pole grip that took the pole dance world by storm when it first hit the market, spurring a new era of pole grip manufacturing.

This pole grip is potentially misleading, being marketed as a true pole grip. Girlie Grip is an antiperspirant lotion that helps block sweat and other moisture, not a standalone grip aid.

While many pole dancers may find that just using this antiperspirant lotion helps them achieve the grip they need, those who need a stronger, tacky grip solution may be disappointed.

A little goes a long way with this antiperspirant lotion when using it on your hands, but because of the 2 oz (60 ml) size of the bottle, it can get expensive to regularly apply this grip to other areas of the body.

Dry hands grip is by far one of the most popular pole grip aids in the industry, found displayed on many pole studio counters across the world. Dry hands grip is a liquid chalk, previously marketed towards rock climbers, gymnasts, and other athletes. There’s no wonder why it quickly found its way into the pole dance world as the dance became more popular.

This pole grip works well on all types of poles, giving your skin the backup it needs on sweaty days. No matter what type of skin you have, dry hands grip is an essential item to keep in your pole bag.

For extra slippery days, you can lather it right onto the pole to increase the level of grip.

Dew Point Pole grip was created for pole dancers with dry, sensitive skin, as the balance for pole-perfect skin goes in both directions. A vegetable glycerin base helps this pole grip last a long time without any residue.

There are three product strengths: Light, Medium, and Ultra.

The Light formula is best for dancers in humid climates or who have skin that is not too dry but needs a little boost every now and then.

The Medium formula is an ideal choice for testing the waters with this grip. Best for those who have an average skin type that can fluctuate in its needs.

The Ultra formula is best for those in very dry climates, or if your skin is consistently dry.

No matter how dry your skin gets, you can count on Dew Point Pole for a strength that helps you balance your skin type. They also offer a dew point pole dry formula.

This pole grip is the perfect solution to your dry skin problems. It can even be used outside of class, allowing you to moisturize on a regular basis again and resume a healthy skincare routine.

You will find that Dew Point Pole feels greasy if the natural oils in sweat mix with the moisturizing ingredients in this grip, so we don’t recommend this for sweaty areas like hands, no matter your skin type.

This pole grip was created by a pole dancer looking for a solution to sweaty skin. With sensitive skin and hyperhidrosis in mind, this unusual powder went on to become increasingly popular in the pole dance world.

The way you apply this product is a little unusual, but the instructions on the bottle are clear and concise.

Before you start, you’ll need to wash your hands, so make sure your soap does not contain any moisturizing elements!

First, wash your hands thoroughly. Don’t dry them; you’ll need the moisture

Next, pour a small, quarter-sized amount of powder into your hand.

Lastly, rub the powder around in your palms until a paste forms. Coat your hands, including the fingers, with this new paste and allow it to dry for several minutes.

Your hands will be covered in a white residue, but it works wonders for pole dancers who battle constantly with their sweat glands!

Note: Dirty Girl Poletice is no longer manufactured by the same person; it has since been rebranded by Mighty Grip.

This beeswax-infused towel is one of the few pole grip aids on the market that is suitable for dry and sweaty skin and has been approved by the International Pole Sport Federation.

Trick Tac can be used on either the hands or body and is easily layered with an antiperspirant for an extra-firm hold.

As this is a grip towel, it does need to be stored inside of the plastic bag it comes with. Each bag is study enough to keep the air out, so there’s no need for extra storage like other towels.

Control the level of grip by with the pressure you apply the towel with. Each towel is long-lasting and turns grey when it’s time to dispose of it, giving you an easy visual indicator of when you need to purchase more.

Better yet, beeswax is therapeutic to your skin and pole-safe, so you can supplement your skincare regimen and pole dance at the same time.

Gorilla Gold is a beeswax-infused towel that is useful for particularly humid or sweaty days when no other grip will help. It was originally intended for golfers and is, in fact, still marketed primarily towards golfers.

It is the “big guns” of grip aid, making it an excellent addition to your pole bag for when you just can’t stick, or if you commonly have trouble sticking to the pole and need a heavy-duty solution.

Gorilla Gold is hard to control when applying, so you can easily make your skin or the pole feel too grippy, especially if you only typically need a light or moderate amount of grip. It leaves a heavy residue afterward that can be difficult to clean off.

Gorilla Snot was originally meant for musicians. The main ingredient is tree resin, which would lead you to believe it is incredibly sticky. Fortunately, it only feels sticky when you are actively gripping something with it.

This grip aid is best for an extra boost to slick days. It is most definitely worth having in your pole bag as a backup to your regular grip aid. With such an inexpensive price tag, it’s hard to pass up options.

While it is a great choice for dry skin and can easily be used with sweaty skin, it may need to be layered over an antiperspirant to really help with extremely sweaty skin. Sweat can combine with the resin and cause it to feel tacky and leave a residue on the pole.

We believe Gorilla Snot is a fantastic back-up option for many other grip aids and could be the missing ingredient for those who like to layer their grip.

Hydro Attack is designed specifically for pole dancers and has been approved by the International Pole Sport Federation.

This unique grip is dermatologically tested and great for sensitive skin with low-allergen ingredients, answering many wishes from pole dancers who have dry skin.

It contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin B5 to help supplement your skincare in a way that doesn’t affect your grip on the pole, making it very tempting to use as a part of your regular skincare regimen.

It’s recommended to use this product right after you finish showering to help prime your skin, then once when you would typically apply grip, before a pole workout.

Hydro Attack specifically states that their product is cruelty-free and does not test on animals.

iTac grip has become commonplace in many pole studios, with dancers across the globe taking a moment to apply the beeswax-based formula to their hands and body before starting their pole workout or performance.

A little goes a long way with this grip, as it’s long-lasting and resistant to sweat thanks to the beeswax. It is available in two levels of strength – regular strength and extra strength:

Regular strength, or “Level 2” is ideal for the pole dancer who just needs a little extra grippy boost to their pole routine.

Extra strength, also called “Level 4” is best for dancers who have trouble sweating through other types of grip and need something with more power behind it.

Pole dancers who enjoy using brass poles may find that iTac grip isn’t as effective, likely because of the pole’s porous material. For best results, only use this grip aid on chrome and stainless steel poles.

iTac used to have a beeswax stick under their StickIt product line. This has not been available for some time, unfortunately. To fill this gap, many dancers have begun using Grip-iT spray, or Sport Goo.

The popular pole manufacturer Lupit has designed their own pole grip pillow. Thicker than your average grip towel, this pillow features Lupit’s iconic pink and black colors on either side, adding a little flair to your average grip routine.

The black side of the pillow is meant to be used only on the pole, while the pink side is meant to be used on your skin. While this is easy to mix up at first, instructions are very easy to find.

The pillow comes with its own Lupit Pole brand sleeve, but dancers who are used to using towels may be wary about airflow. The pillow is fine in the sleeve, but it can be stored in an additional plastic bag if necessary.

Mighty Grip has long supported athletes in all their grip needs, from pads to grip, and many things in-between, so when they came out with a pole dance grip aid made from thermoplastic powder, many people were eager to try it.

Because it’s made from thermoplastic, you need to be warmed up for the grip to work properly, and those who struggle with sweaty palms may find that they sweat right through this product unless it’s layered over an antiperspirant lotion.

Of course, if your skin is warm and dry, Mighty Grip may just be the grip aid for you, adding a little bit more tackiness to your skin than Dry Hands grip.

This grip aid enhancer is easy to apply for pole dancers who need a lot of extra tackiness to their grip. The sticky residue is easy to wash off your skin once you’re done and doesn’t transfer much onto the pole.

Stickum is one of the stickiest grips available today. You can think of this spray like extra-strength hairspray designed to be used on your hands.

This spray is perfect for helping you get used to larger pole diameters or combat sweaty hands. For particularly sweaty hands, you may want to consider layering this spray over an antiperspirant lotion.

While Stickum can be used for dry skin as well, it may have a continued drying effect once the spray is removed.

This brand new grip aid offers a truly unique quality that many other grip aids do not: lidocaine.

Lidocaine is a medication that is typically used to numb a local area of the skin. Previously, the blue bottle version of the grip aid included a light dose of lidocaine which it helps soothe sore muscles and bruising before you ever step up to the pole. This is no longer available on Amazon, but the original formula white bottle does not contain lidocaine and is still available.

Better Grip rivals other liquid chalks and tends to last longer than Dry Hands per application, making it an excellent choice for those who need a little more oomph out of their grip aid.

This grip aid is an answer to many pole dancer’s wishes, doubling as a pole-safe moisturizer that adds a glittery shine to your skin!

Using aloe vera and glycerine as two primary ingredients, Pole Poised helps replace your regular moisturizers on pole days and adds a little bit of glitter and glam to your pole routine. Of course, this grip aid is safe for non-pole days, too, so feel free to show off your glittery side!

This grip aid comes in a variety of colors and sizes letting you show off your favorite colors any time of year, including a seasonal Halloween grip! If you’re not a glitter person, you can also order Pole Poised without any added glitter as well.

Pole Mamas is an excellent grip aid that outshines many grips by its customizability alone. While this grip aid is excellent for body applications, it can become slippery with sweat, so use caution if you decide to use it on your hands or feet.

With several different fragrances available, such as Iron X, Sweet Janiero, Zen, or Signature Cupcake, you can pole dance and smell good while you do it. For those who aren’t a fan of scented grip aid, they also offer an unscented version.

For an additional fee on their website, they offer custom name labeling, making it clear whose grip aid it is.

X-Pole’s exclusive grip aid called X Dry is popular for pole dancers who just need a little boost to their grip. This grip is considered comparable to Dry Hands, making it an excellent choice in a pinch.

The tight-fitted lid ensures fewer spills than other flip-cap grip aids. X Dry can be used on any part of the body, but is most effective on sweaty hands. It can easily be layered with other grip aids or antiperspirants for added grippiness.

A sustainable solution for pole dancers who are conscious of the environment and fed up from wasting plastic grip containers.

The Enviro Grip bottle is 100% biodegradable and  the cap is recyclable. Even the shipping packaging is compostable, with straw for padding. For every bottle sold, 50 cents goes to Conservation International.

As a downside, the bottle is designed for a gel-like substance, not a liquid, so it can be easy to overuse. Overall, this grip aid is an excellent, eco-friendly choice, and a great alternative to other liquid chalks. It doesn’t take much per application, as the liquid spreads wonderfully.