Do your hands get sweaty during games, causing your mouse or controller to slip? This is a common problem for more gamers than you might imagine. Especially in high-tension games like FPS, sweaty hands directly affect operational precision.

This article will organize the causes of sweaty hands and slipping for gamers, then specifically introduce measures to prevent slipping for both controllers and mice.

Why do hands sweat during games?

Sweaty hands during games are a phenomenon called "psychogenic sweating," which occurs when the autonomic nervous system is stimulated by tension, stress, or intense concentration. The increase in hand sweat during close matches or when your HP is low is due to this psychogenic sweating.

Additionally, a constitution that causes particularly sweaty palms is called "palmar hyperhidrosis," and it is said that approximately 5% of Japanese people suffer from it. In such cases, people often struggle with sweaty palms in daily life, not just during games, which can affect the operation of gaming devices.

In either case, since it is difficult to completely control hand sweat itself, it is important to create an environment where operations remain stable even with sweaty hands.

Common sweat countermeasures and their limitations

Grip tape

The most common solution for slippery controllers and mice is urethane-based grip tape. Applying it to the surface increases friction and reduces slipping.

However, grip tape has several challenges. Because the thickness of the sheet changes the size of the device, it can feel unfamiliar until you get used to it. Sebum can get into the sheet material, changing the grip feel. And since it needs to be replaced every 3-4 weeks, there are ongoing costs and effort involved.

Antiperspirant/Baby powder

Some players use commercial antiperspirant sprays or baby powder on their hands, but many antiperspirants have limited effectiveness on palms, and baby powder carries the risk of powder getting into precision equipment. Furthermore, both have short-lasting effects, often requiring reapplication during gameplay.

Gloves/Finger sleeves

Gaming gloves and finger sleeves also have some effect, but they come at the cost of losing the direct tactile sensation of touching the device with your skin, which can compromise the subtlety of control. Especially for controller stick operation, fingertip sensation is crucial, and some players feel that gloves alter their delicate aiming perception.

Washing hands/Wiping with a towel

While this is the simplest measure, repeatedly wiping your hands during a game itself hinders gameplay. Especially in online matches where you can't pause, creating an environment where "sweat doesn't affect control" beforehand is a realistic solution.

Liquid grip as an option

"Instead of attaching something to the device, it would be better if my hands themselves had grip." This idea led to the creation of liquid grip lotion.

However, there is also a difference in quality among liquid grip products. Many products distributed domestically and internationally are based on rosin or aluminum powder, which can leave hands sticky for a long time or cause powder to appear when dry. Powdering can be fatal if it gets inside precision equipment and can adversely affect the sensor area of controllers and mice. It is certainly not suitable for gripping gaming devices.

Griffix: Liquid Grip Designed for Gamers

Griffix from A5 OnlineStore is a product developed to solve these problems with existing liquid grips. Its base is carnauba wax, derived from palms. Since it uses plant-based wax as a raw material instead of rosin or aluminum powder, there is no concern about stickiness or powdering.

After application, it dries in a few seconds to a smooth, dry feel, but it has a unique feature: grip strength activates when hands contain sweat or moisture. You might think, "Doesn't that make it useless when dry?" but when you grip a mouse or controller, your hands sweat, even if you're not aware of it. In other words, it's designed to provide grip conveniently only when you're using it or playing.

Unlike grip tape, it doesn't add thickness or require replacement. It provides grip without changing the shape or size of any device, whether a controller or a mouse. Manufactured in a cosmetic factory in Japan, it can be removed simply by washing your hands with soap after use. Currently on sale for ¥1,280.

Summary: "Creating the right environment" is key for sweaty hands

While it's difficult to completely stop hand sweat, it's entirely possible to create an environment where you can operate stably even with sweaty hands. Antiperspirants and powders have issues with duration and powdering, grip tape has drawbacks in thickness and replacement hassle, and gloves risk altering the feel of operation.

Griffix liquid grip resolves these issues by providing grip only when needed, without adding thickness, requiring replacement, or causing powdering. If you're stressed by sweaty hands, please give it a try.