Which Overgrip Stops Your Racquet From Slipping on a Sweaty Day?

It is the third game of the second set. You are up a break. The ball is in play, a neutral rally, your forehand wing, nothing special. Then you feel it — the handle rotating a few degrees in your palm at the moment of contact. Not a full spin, just enough that the racquet face arrives late, tilted. The ball lands three metres long. You look at your hand. It is wet.

You change your grip on the changeover, fumbling with the tape, impatient. You have done this before. The question that follows you from the bag to the baseline is simple and stubborn: Which overgrip actually works when your hands sweat?

I have been trying to answer that question for about fifteen years — on public courts in Accra where the air is heavy enough to drink, in indoor clubs in Europe during winter when the heating dries everything except your palms, and on red clay in the heat of the afternoon. I have bought grips I hated after one set and grips I stuck with for years. I have been wrong about what I needed.

Here is what I have learned: there is no single best overgrip for sweaty hands. But there are two completely different technologies, and most players buy the wrong one because they do not know which camp they belong to. Once you know which kind of sweater you are, the choice narrows to two or three options. The rest is preference.

This piece is about how to tell which camp you are in, and which grip from that camp is worth your money. I will name specific grips — five of them, plus a few others worth knowing — but the real answer is the framework, not the brand.

Two kinds of wet

Pick up your racquet. Hold it in your hitting hand. Now go to the kitchen sink and run your hand under the tap. Shake off the excess. Pick the racquet up again.

If you are like me, the wet handle now feels like it has more grip, not less. The moisture softens the cotton and the rubber, increases friction, and your hand plants more securely. You feel in control.

If you are like a friend of mine who plays on the same courts and has the opposite problem, the wet handle feels like it is greased. The grip gets slicker as it gets wetter. His hand slides the moment he swings hard.

These are not the same problem. They are not even on the same spectrum. They are two different physical mechanisms, and they require two different solutions.

The first category — the "tacky when wet" group — works by having a surface that becomes more adhesive as moisture is introduced. Think of a tyre on a wet road: certain rubber compounds grip better in the rain. These overgrips use a polyurethane coating that gets tackier with moisture. They do not absorb sweat; they stick to it.

The second category — the "absorbent" group — works by pulling moisture into the material, away from your skin, keeping the surface dry. These overgrips are made of materials that act like a towel. They feel papery or cloth-like when dry. They get softer when wet, but the surface stays grippy because the water is inside the grip, not between your hand and the grip.

The first group is best for players whose sweat makes tacky grips slick. The second group is best for players whose sweat pools on the grip and turns it into a wet rag.

Most players do not know which one they are until they try both. I did not know for years, because I had only tried absorbent grips. I bought Tourna Grip because everyone said it was the best for sweaty hands, and I assumed my hands were the problem. They were. But Tourna was not the solution for me. It took a friend handing me a used racquet with a worn Super Grap on it for me to feel the difference. I hit four balls, looked at the handle, and said: "What is this?" That was the moment I understood I had been buying the wrong category for a decade.

So before you read another word, stop and ask yourself: when your hand sweats, does the grip feel more secure or less? If more, you probably want a tacky grip that stays tacky when wet. If less, you probably want a dry, absorbent grip that keeps the surface from getting slick.

That is the question. Not which brand. Not which colour. Which kind.

The five grips I have actually used in matches

I am going to walk through five overgrips I have personally played with for at least three matches each, in conditions that made me sweat enough to need a towel between points. I will tell you what each one does well, what it does poorly, and who should buy it. I have included price estimates in USD, checked at the time of writing — these change, so use them as a relative guide, not a fixed number.

Yonex Super Grap

This is the grip that converted me. I had used Tourna Grip for years, convinced it was the only option for sweaty hands. Then I tried Super Grap and understood I had been wrong about my own game.

Super Grap is a tacky polyurethane grip. It is thin — about 0.6mm — and it does not absorb much moisture. That sounds like a fatal flaw if you have sweaty hands. But here is the counter-intuitive truth: the tackiness increases when your hand gets damp. The grip becomes sticker, not slipperier. Your hand locks in.

The first time I played with it, I served for an entire set without adjusting my grip once. That had never happened to me before. I kept looking at my palm between points, expecting to see the usual pool of moisture. It was there. The grip was not absorbing it. It just did not care.

What it does well: Consistency. Super Grap lasts about two to three full matches (four to six hours of playtime) before it starts to lose its tack. That is above average for a tacky grip. It is also elastic enough to wrap cleanly without bunching, which matters when you are putting it on in a hurry between matches. The feel is direct — thin, firm, no mushiness. If you like to feel the bevels through the grip, this is your option.

What it does poorly: If you are in the "sweat makes everything slick" camp, Super Grap will betray you. It needs moisture to activate its tack, but too much moisture — the kind where your hand is literally dripping — can turn it into a slippery rubber surface. There is a ceiling. Also, it wears down gradually rather than suddenly, which means you might not notice it has gone dead until you miss a forehand you normally make.

Who it is for: Players who sweat moderately to heavily but whose hands still feel grippy when wet. If you have ever said "my grip feels fine when it is wet, actually," try this first.

Price: Around $6–8 for a three-pack. ~$2–3 per grip.

Tourna Grip (Original)

This is the standard. The one every experienced player has tried at some point. It is the opposite of Super Grap in almost every way: dry, absorbent, papery, thin. It feels like medical tape. It does not get tacky. It gets wet, and then it stays grippy because the moisture is inside the fibers.

Tourna works by capillary action — the same way a cotton shirt wicks sweat. The grip pulls moisture off your palm and into the material. As long as the grip is not completely saturated, the surface stays dry enough to hold. For players whose sweat makes tacky grips feel greasy, Tourna is a lifeline.

What it does well: It works when nothing else does. If you are the kind of player who wraps a towel around the handle between every point, Tourna is your emergency exit. It is also cheap — one of the most affordable grips on the market. And it comes in a wide roll or pre-cut strips, so you can wrap it exactly how you want.

What it does poorly: Durability. Tourna Grip is designed to be disposable. It starts wearing down after about one match (90 minutes to two hours). The outer layer peels, the edges fray, and once it is saturated, it becomes a wet rag that does not dry out until the next day. You will change it often. Also, the feel is soft and muted. If you want to feel the bevels through the grip, Tourna will frustrate you. It is a pillow.

Who it is for: Heavy sweaters whose hands feel slick when wet. Players who do not mind changing grips every time they play. Players on a budget who buy in bulk.

Price: Around $5–6 for a three-pack. ~$1.50–2 per grip.

Wilson Pro Overgrip

Wilson makes several grips under the Pro name, but I am talking about the standard Pro Overgrip — the one in the silver-and-black packaging. It is a middle ground between the tacky and absorbent categories. It has a slightly tacky surface, but it also absorbs a reasonable amount of moisture. It is about 0.6mm thick, similar to Super Grap, but with a softer feel.

I played this grip for about six months during a summer on hard courts. It was a hot, humid season, and I was sweating through two shirts per match. The Pro grip held up for about two matches before it started to go dead. It did not get slippery the way a pure tacky grip can, but it also did not stay as tacky as Super Grap when damp.

What it does well: Balance. If you are not sure which camp you fall into, this grip gives you a chance to test both mechanisms at once. It also lasts longer than Tourna — about twice as long — and the surface does not fray as badly. The feel is medium-firm, comfortable for most players.

What it does poorly: It does not excel at either job. For a heavy sweater in the slick-wet camp, it is not absorbent enough. For a heavy sweater in the tacky-wet camp, it is not tacky enough. It is a very good average, but if you have a clear problem, you will get better results from a grip that solves that problem directly.

Who it is for: Players whose sweat is moderate, not extreme. Players who want a grip that lasts a reasonable number of matches without being fussy. Beginners who are still figuring out what they need.

Price: Around $6–7 for a three-pack. ~$2 per grip.

Solinco Wonder Grip

This grip surprised me. I tried it because a junior player I coach kept using it, and I assumed it was a gimmick. It is not. Wonder Grip is tacky, like Super Grap, but with two differences: it is thicker (about 0.7mm) and it stays tacky longer. I have gotten five full matches out of a single Wonder Grip — about ten hours of play — before I felt the tack start to fade.

The trade-off is feel. Because it is thicker, the bevels are less pronounced. If you have a one-handed backhand and you rely on feeling the bevel rotation in your fingers, this grip might mute that feedback too much. For a two-handed backhand player or someone who does not mind a cushioned handle, it is excellent.

What it does well: Longevity. Wonder Grip lasts longer than any other tacky grip I have tested. It also stays tacky in humid conditions where other tacky grips go greasy. The surface seems to hold its chemistry longer, possibly because of a different coating process.

What it does poorly: The cushioned feel can make the handle feel larger than it is. If you have small hands or prefer a thin build, this grip will feel bulky. Also, it does not absorb sweat at all — it is pure tack. If your sweat pools and creates a slick layer between your hand and the grip, Wonder Grip will feel like holding a wet bar of soap.

Who it is for: Tacky-wet players who want a grip that does not need changing every two matches. Players who value consistency over feel. Players who play in humid but not soaking conditions.

Price: Around $8–9 for a three-pack. ~$3 per grip.

Head Prime Tour

Head's Prime Tour is another hybrid, but it leans harder toward the absorbent side than the Wilson Pro does. It has a perforated surface — small holes that help with moisture management — and a slightly rough texture that prevents slipping even when the grip is wet.

I tested this grip during a particularly sweaty period when I was dealing with an injury that made me grip the racquet too tightly. The Prime Tour felt secure even when I was death-gripping it, which is not true for most grips. The texture helped my hand stay planted.

What it does well: Texture. If you have tried multiple grips and still feel like your hand slides forward on the forehand, Prime Tour's rough surface might solve that problem. It also dries quickly between points because of the perforations. I have had matches where I used the same towel to dry my hand and the grip, and the grip was dry within thirty seconds.

What it does poorly: It wears unevenly. The perforated areas compress faster than the solid areas, creating a bumpy feel after about two matches. Also, the roughness can be irritating if you have sensitive skin — I developed a small callus on my index finger during heavy use. It went away when I switched back to Super Grap, but worth noting.

Who it is for: Players whose hands get sweaty but whose grip feels slick. The texture gives you a mechanical lock even when the moisture is present. Also good for players who use a lot of spin and need the handle to stay stable on heavy topspin forehands.

Price: Around $7–8 for a three-pack. ~$2.50 per grip.

Other grips worth knowing

There are two more I want to mention briefly, because they come up in every conversation about sweaty hands and you should have a reference point.

Babolat VS Original is a tacky grip, similar to Super Grap but slightly thinner and less durable. It feels great for about one match and then dies fast. If you do not mind changing grips often and you want maximum feel, it is worth trying. But for the price — usually higher than Super Grap — I do not think it is better.

Gamma Supreme is an absorbent grip, similar to Tourna but with a slightly softer feel and better durability. It lasts about one and a half to two matches. It is a viable alternative to Tourna if you want a slightly plusher surface. It does not wick moisture as quickly as Tourna, though, so if you are a heavy-enough sweater to soak through a Tourna in a single set, Gamma will not last longer.

How I would actually decide

Here is a decision tree that will get you to the right answer faster than reading any review, including this one.

Step one: Play a set with a dry grip. Any grip. Then intentionally wet your hand — dip it in a water bottle or wipe it on a damp towel — and play another few games. Does the racquet feel more secure or less? If more, go to step two (tacky). If less, go to step three (absorbent).

Step two (tacky-wet): Buy a three-pack of Yonex Super Grap and a three-pack of Solinco Wonder Grip. Play two matches with each. If you prefer the thinner feel and do not mind changing grips more often, stay with Super Grap. If you prefer the longevity and do not mind the thicker build, stay with Wonder Grip. If you find that both feel good but you wish one of them lasted longer, try the Wilson Pro as a middle ground.

Step three (slick-wet): Buy a three-pack of Tourna Grip and a three-pack of Head Prime Tour. Play two matches with each. If you value cheapness and do not mind changing grips after every match, stay with Tourna. If you want better texture and faster drying between points, stay with Prime Tour. If you wish Prime Tour lasted longer, try the Gamma Supreme.

That is it. You do not need to try all five. You do not need to read another review. You need to know which kind of wet your hands are, and then test two options from that category.

What nobody tells you about overgrip longevity

There is a pattern I have noticed over the years. Players who switch grips often — every match or two — tend to play better than players who let a dead grip sit on the handle for weeks. The difference is small, maybe a few shots per set, but it compounds. A dead grip is a grip that has lost its tack or its absorbency. It still looks fine. It still feels fine when you pick up the racquet in the bag. But on the court, in the middle of a rally, it does not perform.

Here is the rule I use: if I have to think about my grip during a point, it is time to change it. Good gear disappears. You do not notice it. You only notice it when it is not working.

That means changing a grip more often than you think you need to. For absorbent grips (Tourna, Gamma, Prime Tour), that is every one to two matches. For tacky grips (Super Grap, Wonder Grip, Wilson Pro), that is every two to three matches. If you play three times a week, that is a new grip every week or two.

Yes, it costs money. A grip every week at $2–3 each is about $8–12 a month. That is less than a can of balls. It is less than the court fees for one session in many cities. It is worth it.

A note on the installation

A poorly wrapped grip will fail faster than a good grip of the wrong type. I learned this the hard way when I spent two months blaming Super Grap for a slipping problem that was actually caused by wrapping it with too much overlap, which created a ridge under my index finger.

Here is the short version: start at the butt cap, leaving about half a centimetre of overhang that you will tuck under later. Wrap with about a quarter-inch overlap per revolution — not more, not less. Pull it taut but not stretching it. The grip should lay flat without wrinkles. When you reach the top, cut at an angle and press the finishing tape down firmly. If your grip has a finishing strip included, peel the backing slowly and press it on with your thumb, starting from the middle and working outward to avoid air bubbles.

That is it. A bad wrap will ruin a good grip. Take the three minutes to do it right.

What I use now, after all of this

I play with Yonex Super Grap. I change it every three matches, on a schedule — not when it feels dead, but before it gets there. I buy in bulk, usually a ten-pack, which brings the cost down slightly. I keep a spare in my bag at all times, because there is nothing worse than starting a match with a grip that is already gone.

But I also keep a roll of Tourna Grip in my bag, because I have friends who need it, and because there are days — rare, but real — when the humidity is so high that even Super Grap cannot keep up. On those days, I switch. It happens maybe three times a year. I am glad I have the option.

That is the honest answer. There is no single grip that works for every player in every condition. The question is not "which overgrip is best for sweaty hands?" The question is "which overgrip is best for my sweaty hands?" And you cannot answer that by reading reviews. You answer it by knowing which kind of wet you are, and then testing two options from that category.

The grip that works for you is the one that lets you stop thinking about your grip. That is the only real test. Everything else is packaging.