Why your grip slips, and the fixes that work
Notes from the counter at Mason's Tennis in New York, NY.
Sweat is not the only cause
Grips also slip because they are old and polished, because sunscreen has transferred onto them, or because the overgrip was wrapped with uneven tension.
Replacing a grip that slipped for one of those reasons with the same type will not fix it.
Towels beat wristbands for hands
A wristband keeps sweat off the forearm and out of the racket hand indirectly. A towel dries the palm directly, which is what actually matters at the change of ends.
A towel with a carabiner clip stays on the bag and gets used; one in the bag does not.
Absorbent overgrips exist for this
Dry-feel overgrips use a perforated or felt-like surface to wick moisture rather than resist it. For heavy sweaters they work far better than adding a second tacky grip.
They wear faster, which is the trade.
Sunscreen is the hidden culprit
Sunscreen on the palms transfers straight to the grip and destroys tack immediately. Applying it to the hands last, or wiping palms afterwards, solves a problem people usually blame on the grip.
This is worth checking before buying anything.
Rosin and grip enhancers
Powdered rosin bags dry the hand and add friction and are legal in most competition. They suit players who prefer not to change grips mid-match.
Liquid enhancers work but shorten grip life noticeably.
Storage between sessions
A racket left in a hot car boot ages grips and strings quickly. Storing the racket in a cover at room temperature keeps a grip usable considerably longer.
This costs nothing and is the most commonly ignored piece of racket care.
Where this sits in the shop
Mason's Tennis groups its stock into 4 categories, so most of what is discussed above lives in one or two of them:
- Court and Garage Accessories — 3 items
- Grips and Overgrips — 10 items
- Hair Accessories and Gifts — 11 items
- Towels and Sweatbands — 3 items
Browsing by category is usually quicker than searching, because the groups follow how the goods are actually used rather than how a supplier lists them.
The largest group at the moment is Court and Garage Accessories with 3 items, and the smallest is Towels and Sweatbands with 3. Those counts move as stock comes in and goes out, so they are worth checking rather than assuming.
From our shelves
A few items currently in stock that relate to this article:
- VitalCozy 4 Pcs Tennis Towel with Clip Funny Embroidered | 16 x 24 Inch, Hand Sweat Towels with Carabiner Clip, Tennis Gift for Women Men Team Sports Players Gym Court Accessories
- AUHOKY 18/12/6Pcs Mini Tennis Racket Keychain Key Ring, Fashionable Alloy Tennis Ball Split Ring for Sport Team(6 Colors)
- Evoonlyn Tennis Hair Clip Stainless Tennis Hair Barrettes for Women 4-PACK Sports Hairclips Tennis Gifts for Girls Players, Matches, Training & Daily Wear (Green)
- 5 Pack Colorful Elastic Bands with Mini Racquet Charms – Cute Tennis Hair Ties & Accessories for Women, Tennis Players
Across the whole catalogue prices currently run from $1.11 to $27.44, with most of the range clustered around the middle of that span. Stock and prices on the product pages are live, so they are the figures to trust rather than anything quoted in an article.
Ordering, delivery and returns
Free US shipping on orders over $59; a flat $5.50 below that. Orders are picked and packed at the New York store on business days, and a tracking number follows by email once the carrier scans the parcel.
If something is not right, there are 30 days from delivery to send it back unused and in its packaging. The full detail is on the Shipping Policy and Returns and Refunds pages, and the FAQ covers the questions that come up most.
How we decide what to stock
Mason's Tennis carries tennis grips, towels and court accessories, and the range is deliberately narrower than a warehouse catalogue. A line earns its place by being asked for repeatedly at the counter in New York and by coming back without complaints — not by having the widest margin.
When something stops meeting that bar it comes off the shelf rather than being discounted until it moves. That is why the catalogue on this site changes slowly and why the specification tables on the product pages quote the maker rather than our own marketing.
Quick answers
What is the difference between tacky and dry grips?
Tacky grips stick to the hand and suit dry conditions. Dry-feel grips wick moisture and suit sweaty hands. We stock both, and each listing states which finish it is.
Do you stock pickleball and padel grips too?
Yes. Several of the overgrips on the shelf are sold for tennis, pickleball, padel and squash — the listing names every racquet sport it fits.
Related reading
Other notes from the same shelf that pick up where this one stops:
- Overgrip versus replacement grip: which one you actually need
- Vibration dampeners: what they do and do not do
- Choosing a tennis towel that survives the season
Coming to the store
Mason's Tennis is at 56 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022. Opening hours are Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00 | Sat 11:00-18:00 | Sun 12:00-18:00, and it is worth calling ahead on +1 212-755-5805 if you are travelling specifically for one item, because stock on the shop floor and stock listed online are the same pool.
Anything discussed in this article can be looked at in person before buying. If you would rather order online, the same stock ships from this address — nothing is drop-shipped from a third party warehouse, which is why the despatch address on your parcel matches the shop.
Ask us directly
If this has not answered your question, the counter is open Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00 | Sat 11:00-18:00 | Sun 12:00-18:00. Call +1 212-755-5805 or use the contact page — a person reads it, and you will get an answer within a business day.