Non-Slip Reformer Pilates Towel: Materials and Types (2026 Guide)

If you already have your Pilates Reformer at home, the first time the carriage slips or your hands slide off the pulleys, you realize: you need a non-slip reformer Pilates towel, and not just any will do. In Why the reformer needs its own towel, we already explained why a normal gym towel can't keep up. Here, we'll go a step further: what materials, grip systems, and types of towels are available on the Spanish market, so you can choose wisely and not just for the lowest price on Amazon.

Types of towels by coverage

Not all reformer towels offer the same coverage. There are three main formats on the market:

Carriage Towel

This is the most common type and usually comes in starter kits: it only covers the surface of the carriage, where the back and legs rest. It typically measures between 60 and 75 cm long. It's the most economical option and the easiest to wash due to its smaller size.

Full-coverage towel with shoulder rests

This adds a piece that wraps around the headrest, designed for long sessions or for those who sweat more than average. It costs between 30% and 50% more than the standard carriage towel but prevents sweat from reaching the reformer's upholstery.

Universal towel or adapted mat towel

Originally designed for yoga mats, some can adapt to the reformer carriage if they are the right size. It works as an emergency solution, but rarely fits as well as a towel specifically designed for reformers.

Materials: what a good reformer towel is made of

The material determines how it absorbs sweat, how much it weighs, and how long it lasts. These are the most common options in Spanish stores:

• Microfiber: absorbs sweat almost instantly and dries in a few hours. It's lightweight, takes up little space in a gym bag, and is the most common option for specific reformer towels.
• Cotton: more economical and softer to the touch, but it absorbs accumulated moisture less effectively and takes longer to dry between sessions, which can lead to odors if stored damp.
• Technical blends (polyester-spandex, typically 85/15): these conform to the carriage without creasing or moving, something that neither cotton nor pure microfiber can fully achieve.

Anti-slip systems: the real difference is here

The surface material matters, but what prevents the towel from moving on the carriage is the backing. There are four main systems:

• Silicone dots: the system with the best grip and most durable, even with a damp carriage. It's also the most expensive and adds the most weight to the towel.
• PVC: good initial grip and mid-range price, but loses effectiveness after 20-30 washes if washed with hot water or fabric softener.
• Resin or rubber: common in generic fitness towels. It holds reasonably well on dry surfaces, but slips more than silicone as soon as sweat is involved.
• No anti-slip backing: some "reformer" towels are actually just microfiber towels without any grip system. If the price seems too good, that's usually the reason.

For intense workouts or if you practice several times a week, silicone dots provide the fewest surprises in the long run.

What size to choose based on your reformer

Most standard reformer carriages measure between 55 and 65 cm wide by 90-130 cm long, depending on the brand. A reformer towel designed for the European market typically measures around 73 x 59 cm, enough to cover the support area without excess or deficiency. If you have a mini reformer, check the carriage measurements before buying: being more compact, a standard towel might be too wide and shift during exercise.

How to wash it without losing grip

The most common mistake is washing the towel like any other garment: with fabric softener and at a high temperature. Fabric softener leaves a film that reduces the grip of the anti-slip backing, and hot water accelerates the wear of silicone or PVC. It is recommended to machine wash on a delicate cycle, without fabric softener, and air dry instead of using a dryer. If you want a complete maintenance guide for your equipment, you can find it in How to care for and clean your Pilates Reformer.

Common mistakes when buying your towel

Three mistakes are repeated again and again:

• Choosing only by price: a towel without a real anti-slip backing is more expensive in the long run because it needs to be replaced sooner.
• Buying the wrong size: a towel that is too small leaves parts of the carriage uncovered; one that is too large wrinkles and gets in the way.
• Never washing it: in addition to hygiene, accumulated sweat salt hardens the microfiber and reduces its absorbency over time.

If you're looking to equip your Reformer with other basic accessories, you'll find the complete list in Essential accessories for your Pilates Reformer at home, from straps to non-slip socks.

Our recommendation

For regular home use, the best combination is fast-drying microfiber with a silicone-dot backing and standard carriage coverage: it covers the essentials, is lightweight in your bag, and withstands frequent washes without losing grip. Our Non-slip Pilates Reformer Towel is designed with these three criteria in mind, specifically for the reformer carriage and not as a converted yoga towel.