Pole Grip Guide: How to Choose Grip Aid for Your Skin Type, Pole & Season

Short answer: if your hands get sweaty, you need a drying grip — a liquid chalk or antiperspirant. If your skin runs dry and slippery, you need a tacky grip that adds friction. Most polers end up owning one of each and swapping depending on the season, the pole and the day.

That's the whole thing in one paragraph. Everything below is how to work out which camp you're in, and which bottle to actually buy.

Choosing a pole grip can be seriously overwhelming. There are dozens of bottles out there, all with confident promises and a $15–$37 price tag, and finding the one that works for your skin on your pole can feel like an expensive guessing game.

We've sold every grip on this list. We've tested them. And we've helped thousands of polers — from beginners to comp-level — find their match.

Here's the no-fluff guide.

Short on time? Take our 60-second Pole Grip Quiz and we'll match you to the right grip for your skin and pole.

Why your grip needs change (and it's not just you)

Before you spend another dollar on a bottle that turned out to be wrong — here's the truth nobody tells beginners. Your grip needs are not fixed. They shift constantly depending on:

• What type of pole you're on — chrome, brass, stainless steel and powder-coated all behave differently
• The season and weather — humidity, heat, cold air and dry air all change how your skin grips
• Where you're at in your monthly cycle — hormones affect sweat and skin moisture more than most brands will admit
• What you ate or drank yesterday — alcohol, caffeine and salty food mean drier skin or different sweat
• Whether you've used moisturiser, fake tan or sunscreen — almost all of them sabotage grip
• How long you've been training that session — sweat builds, skin warms

If your grip suddenly stopped working, you're probably not "losing your strength." One of these variables changed.

My personal grip routine, by season

Here's how I (Rachel) approach my own grip across the year:

• Winter and summer — my skin runs dry or clammy, and a hand grip alone is usually enough.
• Autumn and spring — my skin is a wild mix, so I need a strong hand grip and something for thighs and knees.

That's not a rule. That's just my body. The point is: most polers need two or three grip aids in their kit and rotate based on the day. One bottle that does everything in every season for every body doesn't exist. Anyone selling that is selling.

The two main types of pole grip aid

All pole grip aids fall into two camps. Knowing which camp your skin sits in is half the battle.

And then a few products work for both — usually labelled "all skin types" or "dual purpose."

Best pole grips for sweaty hands

If your hands or contact points get clammy on the pole, these are the ones to try.

No Sweat Dry Pole Grip — 100ml, $24

• For: Sweaty hands and skin
• Type: Liquid chalk
• How to use: Apply to hands or body contact points. Let dry for 15 seconds.
• Grip strength: Medium
• Best poles: Stainless steel, powder-coated
• Good to know: Vegan, not tested on animals. Works for climbing and aerials too.

GRIPTINITE™ — 50ml, $20

• For: Sweaty hands and skin
• Grip strength: Medium
• Best poles: Brass, chrome, stainless steel
• Good to know: Our best-stocked grip and a solid, affordable first bottle.

Enviro Grip — 60ml, $25

• For: Sweaty hands and skin
• Type: Liquid chalk
• Grip strength: Medium
• Best poles: Stainless steel, chrome
• Good to know: Comes in a biodegradable bottle, and 50 cents from every bottle goes to Conservation International.

Dancing Dust Make Me Dusty — 80ml, $32.99

• For: Normal to sweaty skin — great for hand grip
• Grip strength: Medium
• Best poles: Brass, stainless steel
• Good to know: Genuine antiperspirant action, handmade, vegan, with biodegradable glitter. Handy for high-sweat days.

Monkey Hands Classic — 100ml, $35

• For: Sweaty hands and skin
• Grip strength: Medium — dries your hands, adds slight extra grip
• Best poles: All poles, plus aerials
• Good to know: Leaves no residue on equipment or clothes. Antibacterial, vegan, recycled packaging. Also comes in a 50ml travel size.

Monkey Hands DRY Booster — 50ml, $20

• For: Very sweaty hands
• Grip strength: Chalk-like feel without the chalk mess
• Good to know: Can be used on its own or as a base layer under another grip. If you've tried everything and still slip, start here.

Monkey Hands Sticky — 100ml, $35

• For: Sweaty skin
• Grip strength: Strong
• Best for: High-friction areas like thighs
• Good to know: No residue, despite the name. Still clean your pole properly after use.

Monkey Hands Gluey — 100ml, $35

• For: Very sweaty skin
• Grip strength: Very strong
• Apply to: Hands or body contact points
• Heads up: This one contains rosin and will leave residue. Clean the pole right after your session while it's still fresh — don't let it sit.

Best pole grips for dry skin

If your skin runs dry, slick, or just slides without warning, these are your people.

Dancing Dust Make Me Dewy — 100ml, $36.99

• For: Normal to extra dry skin — this is a body grip, brilliant for legs
• How to use: Apply directly to skin
• Grip strength: Medium, alcohol-based with tacky ingredients
• Best poles: Chrome, stainless steel, brass and titanium
• Good to know: Moisturising and safe on sensitive skin. Pineapple, coconut and vanilla, if you were wondering.

Dew Point Pole — 74ml, $32

Dew Point is a separate brand to Make Me Dewy, and it comes in two strengths. Pick by your climate, not just your skin:

• Classic ULTRA — for dry to normal climates, and very dry to normal skin. The stronger of the two.
• Classic MEDIUM — for average to humid climates, and dry to normal skin.

A favourite of students and instructors worldwide, and a proper super-strong body grip.

Polipole Shake & Grip — 50ml, $25

• For: Normal to dry skin
• Grip strength: Medium sticky
• Apply to: Hands and body
• Good to know: Residue-free, no white mess, works on all surfaces. Tested and approved by ThePole Italy. If you want more bite, Polipole Sticky Mania is the super-sticky version.

Monkey Hands HYDRO Booster — 50ml, $20

• For: Dry hands — the opposite problem to sweaty hands, same slipping result
• Good to know: Non-oily formula that helps your grip actually stick to your skin. Use it under another grip if dryness is what's letting you down.

iTac2 — the crossover

iTac2 works for dry and sweaty skin, which is rare. It's made from natural ingredients sourced from Australian forests and doesn't leave a white residue. Which strength you want depends on your pole:

• Regular Strength, 20g jar, $15 — recommended for static poles. Over 50 applications.
• Extra Strength, 20g jar, $15 — recommended for spinning poles. Over 50 applications.
• StickIT iTac2 Regular, 12g stick, $14.50 — the same formula in a twist-up stick. Over 40 applications, and the easiest one to throw in your bag.

• Grip strength: Strong
• Where we'd put it: body contact points only — inner thighs, backs of knees, arms — and not your palms. iTac2's own label says hands and body; going body-only is our recommendation, not theirs. If it gets on your hands, wash it off with soap.
• Best for: Sits, holds, leg holds, aerials and high-friction moves
• Heads up: Clean your pole after use.

Don't forget the pole cleaner

Half the "this grip stopped working" problems are actually a dirty pole. Two we stock and use ourselves:

• iTac2 Pole Cleaner — 125ml spray, $14.50. Natural lemon myrtle, over 400 applications a bottle.
• Monkey Hands Pole Cleaner — 100ml, $18. Formulated to lift gel grip off any surface without damaging the coating.

How to apply pole grip properly

Most "this grip didn't work" reviews are actually application problems. Quick checklist:

1. Start with clean, dry skin and a clean pole. Wipe both with a microfibre cloth or alcohol wipe before applying.
2. Less is more. Start with half what you think you need. You can always add more.
3. Apply, wait, test. Most grips need 10–30 seconds to activate. Don't slap it on and immediately invert.
4. Cover the contact zone, not the whole limb. Your inner thigh, palm, or back of knee — wherever's gripping. Not everywhere.
5. Re-apply between rounds, not mid-move. Halfway through a sequence is too late.

Pole grip mistakes to avoid

• Wearing moisturiser, fake tan, or oil-based sunscreen on class day. Even from yesterday — they can transfer to the pole and ruin grip for everyone.
• Mixing too many products. Layering a dry-skin grip on top of a sweaty-skin grip usually gives you the worst of both. Pick one camp and commit per session. (Boosters are the exception — they're designed to go underneath.)
• Not cleaning the pole between people. Grip residue from the person before you can completely throw off yours. Wipe the pole down before and after.
• Sticking with one grip when your body has changed. Hormones, new training intensity, new season — your grip might need to evolve with you.

Pole grip FAQs

What's the best pole grip for sweaty hands?

A drying grip, not a sticky one. Liquid chalks like No Sweat and Enviro Grip, or a drying formula like Monkey Hands Classic or the DRY Booster, absorb moisture instead of trying to stick to it. If you sweat heavily, start with Monkey Hands DRY as a base layer.

What's the best pole grip for beginners?

For most beginners, a medium-strength hand grip like Monkey Hands Classic or GRIPTINITE™ is a safe first buy. Test it for a few weeks before adding a stronger body grip.

Can I use iTac2 on my hands?

iTac2's label says hands and body, but we recommend keeping it to body contact points — inner thighs, backs of knees and arms — rather than your palms. If it does end up on your hands, wash it off with soap. For palms, a drying hand grip is usually the better tool.

Can I use too much pole grip?

Yes. Over-applied grip becomes slippery — counter-intuitive but true — and gunks up the pole. Less, more frequently, beats one big dose.

Will pole grip damage my pole?

Most won't, but the strongest ones (Monkey Hands Gluey and iTac2) need thorough cleaning after each session. Always wipe down with a pole-safe cleaner.

Which grip is best for brass poles vs chrome poles?

Brass tends to play well with most chalk-based grips. Chrome is slicker and often benefits from a tackier resin-based grip. Stainless steel is the most forgiving — most grips work on stainless.

Do I need different grips for my hands and my legs?

Many polers do. Hand grips are usually different to thigh and leg grips because the friction needs are different. It's completely normal to own one of each.

Can I bring my own grip to a studio class?

Almost always yes — but check with your studio first. Some studios have rules about which grips are allowed, especially the very sticky ones.

How long does a bottle of pole grip last?

Anywhere from 2–6 months depending on how often you train and how heavily you apply. Most regular polers training 2–3 sessions a week replace their main grip every 3 months.

Still stuck? We've got you.

Finding your perfect grip is genuinely a journey. Most polers go through 2–3 bottles before they land on their forever match. That's normal, not a failure.

• Take the 60-second Pole Grip Quiz — we'll match you to the right grip based on your skin, your pole and your season.
• Email us at hello@rarrdesigns.com.au — describe your skin and pole, we'll point you at the right bottle.
• Join the RARR Facebook community — thousands of pole babes sharing real grip reviews, swaps, and "I tried it and here's what happened" wisdom. We're all about sticking together. Literally.
• Shop the full pole grip collection — every brand mentioned in this guide.

Watch our pole grip comparison video

— Rachel and the RARR team

Australian owned, designed in Melbourne since 2013. Tested on real polers. Pole wear sized XS to 3XL across our pole wear range. Afterpay & ZipPay available.