EquipmentMay 2026
Best Pilates Grip Socks (2026)
The grip socks tested across reformer, mat, and barre — from ToeSox to Tavi Noir.
Read → 7 min readStudio Guide·Essentials
What to Pack in Your
Pilates Studio Bag (2026)
Updated June 2026 · 6 min read
*Some links on this page go to Amazon. We earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.
Here's exactly what goes in a well-packed Pilates studio bag — from instructors who carry one five times a week. The short answer: it's a lot less than you think. Studios provide all equipment. You need grip socks, water, a towel, your kit, and a bag to put it all in. This guide covers each item, the specific products worth buying, and what you can safely leave at home.
What the studio provides (leave these at home)
- ✓Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and all apparatus
- ✓Reformer loops, springs, and straps
- ✓Mats (though you can bring your own)
- ✓Magic circles, foam rollers, and props
- ✓Changing rooms and showers (most boutique studios)
5 Bag Essentials · Instructor-Approved
01Essential
Pilates Grip Socks
From $18Grip socks are required at virtually every reformer and mat Pilates studio — for hygiene, safety, and effective footwork. Most studios sell them at the desk at a markup. Buying your own ToeSox, Tavi Noir, or Shashi grip socks costs less per pair and gives you a better fit. The half-toe design (ToeSox) improves proprioception; full-toe designs (Tavi Noir) are more comfortable for wide feet. Pack two pairs if you practise more than twice a week.
Shop on Amazon02Practical
Insulated Water Bottle
From $30Boutique studios run warm. A quality insulated bottle keeps water genuinely cold through an entire 50-minute reformer session — something a standard plastic bottle cannot do. The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth 21oz and the Stanley IceFlow are the two most popular studio options: both fit in a reformer side-slot and neither sweats condensation onto the carriage. Avoid anything with a loose lid or straw that can spill.
Shop on Amazon03Practical
Microfibre Gym Towel
From $12A small microfibre towel serves two purposes: wiping down the reformer carriage at the end of class (most studios expect this) and wiping your hands during exercises where grip on the reformer loops matters. A 40cm x 80cm size fits easily in any bag without taking up much space. Microfibre dries significantly faster than cotton between sessions — important if you practise multiple times per week.
Shop on Amazon04Comfort
Change of Clothes
—Most practitioners shower at home after class, but a change of top and clean underwear makes a significant difference if you're going anywhere after. Pilates doesn't generate running-level sweat, but the close-contact nature of reformer work means your kit is in contact with the carriage and head rest for the full session. A lightweight tote or mesh bag keeps your clean clothes separate from your used kit inside your main bag.
Shop on Amazon05The Bag
The Bag Itself
From $35The ideal Pilates bag holds a rolled mat (if you're bringing your own), grip socks, a water bottle, a change of clothes, and a small towel — without being so large it's awkward on public transport or in a studio changing room. The Lululemon City Adventurer Backpack (22L) is the most-seen bag in boutique studios globally. For a more affordable option, the Dagne Dover Allyn Canvas Tote and the Baggu Duck Bag both fit the brief without the price tag.
Shop on AmazonThe complete checklist
□
Grip socks
Non-negotiable
□
Insulated water bottle
Stays cold all class
□
Small microfibre towel
For wiping down carriage
□
Change of top
For after class
□
Clean underwear
If showering at studio
□
The bag itself
22L max for most studios
□
Phone / earphones
Leave in locker during class
□
Card / payment
Some studios are cashless
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a mat to Pilates?
No — studios provide mats and all equipment. You only need to bring your own mat if you prefer a specific thickness or brand, or if you practise at home. Grip socks are the one item you genuinely need to supply yourself.
What should I not bring to Pilates?
Leave jewellery at home — rings and bracelets scratch the reformer carriage and can catch on straps. Avoid strong perfume in a small studio. Don't bring a large gym bag that takes up an entire changing room bench. Food is unwelcome in most boutique studios.
Do Pilates studios provide grip socks?
Most studios sell grip socks at the front desk, typically for $18–$25 per pair. Buying your own in advance is cheaper and ensures a better fit — studio socks are usually one-size and rarely the best brands.
Find the best Pilates studios near you
Our city guides cover the top reformer studios in 50+ cities worldwide.
Explore City Guides →