The perfect yoga mats ought to maintain eager yogis journeying to yoga nirvana for years to return, however discovering your excellent match isn’t all the time a straightforward process.
We put a few of the greatest yoga (opens in new tab) mat manufacturers to the check; our mission was to seek out yoga mats to swimsuit all budgets, life, and yoga kinds, figuring out what does and doesn’t work for various variations of apply and train.
Whether or not you’re a sophisticated practitioner or simply discovering your downward canine for the primary time, a mat isn’t simply a mat. Qualities like thickness, materials, measurement, and grip all spell the distinction between being actually current throughout class or just slip-sliding and wobbling your technique to warrior one.
There are a lot of advantages of yoga (opens in new tab), and sizzling yoga advantages (opens in new tab) are additionally up for grabs when you favor to show up the warmth throughout class. A overview revealed within the Worldwide Journal of Yoga (opens in new tab) discovered yoga has been proven to enhance bodily, psychological, and non secular well being, together with managing signs of stress, nervousness, and mood-related issues. In flip, these enhancements can decrease stress in your immune system.
And in accordance with Harvard Well being (opens in new tab), yoga improves your cardiovascular well being and health, additionally serving to to decrease blood stress and even enhance points with shallowness and physique picture.
When you’re nonetheless determining what you need from a mat, we suggest holding again on spending a whole bunch of {dollars} and experimenting with differing types first. Our knowledgeable information contains main manufacturers from throughout the market and we’ve additionally summarized what every mat is greatest at.
We additionally cowl the perfect eco-conscious buys, travel-friendly finds, and tremendous sticky, grippy reversible mats which can be certain to have you ever in a headstand for longer.
From the reasonably priced to the posh, it’s all right here. Get gut-happy with yoga for digestion (opens in new tab) or learn on for our greatest yoga mats information.
Greatest yoga mats
For as soon as you may imagine the hype: the Lululemon Reversible 5mm Yoga Mat is value each cent.
Properly made, sturdy and with glorious traction in each moist and dry situations, it’s the yoga mat that retains on giving.
It’s springy sufficient to maneuver round on with nice cushioning to assist bones and joints. Its skinny polyurethane layer and ‘sweat-wicking’ pure rubber base, does an excellent job at absorbing moisture and the antimicrobial additive within the mat prevents micro organism from increase.
It’s a bit smelly once you first open it, and tends to scratch simply. It’s additionally slightly on the heavy facet at 2.38kg however that doesn’t matter when you’re driving to class otherwise you normally exercise from dwelling. Plus, the 5mm thickness means you get the assist the place you want it most.
The Yogi Naked model is about their ‘all people, each physique’ ethos and bringing glorious high quality along with an eco-sensitive design.
As a health trainer and yoga scholar, we had been eager to check this mat underneath varied situations to see if it may maintain its personal, and we had been positively impressed.
It’s not all about appears to be like with this mat – though we love the stripped-back attraction– it’s additionally grippy, sturdy, and presents sensible stability.
The Yogi Naked Wild Paws yoga mat is without doubt one of the dearer manufacturers we examined and sits simply above the $100 mark. Nevertheless, we extremely doubt you’ll want to interchange this mat for years.
4mm of springy thickness offers sufficient padding for courses like Yin however nonetheless permits you to really feel grounded and effectively linked with the ground and mat. Nevertheless, we suggest journey yogis search for different manufacturers in our round-up as a result of this mat weighs 2.5kg and feels heavy-duty underneath your arm. The excellent news is that the burden prevents the mat from sliding round or furling on the sides, so it is dependent upon the way you apply and what you worth extra.
When you’re after sustainable design, this mat additionally ticks the packing containers. It’s product of pure rubber and PU (polyurethane artificial leather-based), making it each non-slip and totally recyclable. We love that Yogi Naked encourage patrons to ship of their previous mats to be repurposed as a part of their recycling marketing campaign, bagging you a reduction on a future buy.
We observed scuff marks and paw prints (sure, our canine additionally enjoys downward canine) after the primary use, however the mat is simple to scrub (heat water and diluted lemon juice on the prepared), and we did check the black design – a notoriously robust colour for hiding put on and tear.
When you’re in search of grip issue and a posture increase, this mat will not fail you – even in humid sizzling yoga courses. The shortage of slippage makes it excellent for dynamic courses and sizzling yoga, however it will possibly maintain its personal throughout low-impact courses and even once you’re eager to get playful with arm balances or inversions.
JadeYoga is quick changing into one of the widespread yoga manufacturers on the earth. The Jade Concord yoga mat is the model’s hottest design and prices lower than $90, so we expect it is a steal.
Self-titled ‘nature’s greatest yoga mat’, the standout characteristic is the tough, grainy texture of the pure rubber which not solely elevates grip to the following stage however can be a nod to the model’s all-natural design course of. The pure rubber is tapped from rubber bushes – a quickly renewable useful resource – and incorporates zero nasties, however JadeYoga recommends avoiding this mat you probably have a latex allergy because the mat may include traces.
JadeYoga donates $5 to totally different charities relying on the colour of the mat bought. Additionally they plant a tree every time somebody makes a purchase order. You might have loads of hanging colours to select from, but the palette nonetheless feels minimalistic, earthy and in line with the model itself.
There was no compromise in high quality when preserving to a sustainable ethos. The fabric isn’t just like the gentle PU coating of different mats, which could not be for everybody, however it’s effectively suited to anybody who will get artistic with balances, tends to sweat extra, or simply prefers sizzling yoga courses. We discovered the feel tougher to wipe down for that reason, and the mat is delicate to daylight and chemical substances so water and a moist material will probably be your new greatest buddy. It’s additionally reversible, which ought to assist enhance sturdiness.
We suggest this mat for many potential ranges and practices, however whereas it’s 5mm thick (barely thicker than the Yogi Naked Wild Paws yoga mat (opens in new tab)), it truly felt thinner and fewer suited to restorative courses. Those that favor a artistic apply will love the design, however inexperienced persons or anybody nursing unhealthy knees will profit from attempting one other mat from this round-up.
The rougher rubber texture attracts mud and sweat staining, however that is typical of grippy mats and may be combated by merely cleansing it down after each class. We additionally suggest selecting a extra travel-friendly possibility from our lineup when you plan to take your mat away with you. All, in all, if you wish to store with a model whose coronary heart and soul are rooted in being Earth-conscious, this mat will serve you effectively, alongside a sturdy design.
The Sweaty Betty Tremendous Grip Yoga Mat lives as much as its title on the grip entrance and offers glorious assist and stability for all sorts of yoga.
Its sticky latex floor makes it sturdy sufficient to resist a sizzling yoga session, and its non-slip nature makes it nice for stability, which means you could keep in steadiness poses corresponding to downward canine for longer.
Our one grievance is that as a consequence of its stickiness, this yoga mat can be considerably of a mud and filth magnet. It additionally picks up marks simply, however that is nothing that common cleansing (and a carry bag for storage) can’t resolve.
As a result of this eco-friendly mat is produced from pure latex (keep away from you probably have a latex allergy) it’s best to count on a powerful odor at first. Nevertheless, this does put on off in time. We might observe that this mat is slightly skinny for headstands, so that you may want so as to add a towel to make it thicker.
The Jade Yoga Journey Yoga Mat is ideal for journey because it’s skinny, light-weight and compact.
It simply folds all the way down to the dimensions of a yoga block, and has a textured design that offers it nice grip. Whereas this mat will take up little or no area in your baggage or your closet at dwelling, the draw back is that its tremendous skinny profile means that there’s zero padding on this journey mat. We might additionally suggest rolling the mat out after you unpack it to attenuate creases.
This yoga mat is produced from PVC-free pure rubber so count on a rubbery odor for the primary few weeks (and keep away from this product you probably have a latex allergy). It has an open cell development and is basically sticky, which is good because it implies that you gained’t slip and slide throughout your yoga session.
We might observe that the mat generally is a little slippery when sweat-soaked, however it doesn’t are inclined to mark or stain which is a giant bonus. Jade Yoga has a plant-based mat wash you need to use for cleansing, however we discovered that common sprays labored simply as effectively (though keep away from UV cleaners as these can harm the rubber). General an important worth mat with good efficiency for travelling yogis.
- This mat remains to be present process testing and we’ll replace this information when testing is full.
The Gaiam Premium 2-Colour Yoga Mat is reversible, so you may select which facet fits your yoga model or exercise.
It is available in at underneath 50 bucks so it’s a stable budget-friendly possibility for folks new to yoga.
It’s an excellent measurement for taller individuals who want a bit extra mat area, and has nice cushioning to assist joints and bones. That makes it a good selection for anybody utilizing it for circuits or HIIT exercises, too.
Our foremost complaints are that it tends to mark simply and the stickiness would not final very lengthy. It’s sweat absorbent to an extent, however not suitable with sizzling yoga. The plus facet is that it’s latex-free and comes with Gaiam’s lifetime assure.
- This mat remains to be present process testing and we’ll replace this information when testing is full.
The Lululemon Take Type 5mm yoga mat is without doubt one of the costliest on our checklist, retailing at over $100. However its stunning design and cleverly refined alignment cues permit each yogi to steer intuitively with their senses.
The objective of this mat is to create a extra sensory and naturally flowing expertise, utilizing a 3D design to assist enhance your apply and higher information and place you. It is available in a spread of soppy marbled tones and options delicate concentric circles that seem like raindrops spanning and rippling throughout your mat; each is barely ridged and helps information your hand and foot positioning, in addition to indicating the midline of the mat.
As all the time with Lululemon, supplies are fastidiously thought-about. This mannequin is crafted from pure rubber (licensed by the Forest Stewardship Council) and is plushly padded and tremendous grippy. We discovered it held its personal in heated dynamic courses and extra restorative Yin-based practices and cushioned sufficient that we may nonetheless maintain agency on our balances.
Some customers discovered the sticky grip prevented clean transitions and others felt the ridges didn’t present sufficient steering, however we cherished our time on this mat. These in search of a light-weight design ought to contemplate others in our round-up, and the Take Type appeared noticeably heftier than its Jade Concord yoga mat (opens in new tab)counterpart.
These attempting to avoid wasting money may benefit from the favored Lululemon Reversible 5mm yoga mat (opens in new tab), however we felt extraordinarily at dwelling on this mannequin, and there’s loads of area to have some enjoyable.
- Learn our full Lululemon Take Type yoga mat overview
Pores and skin-safe and OEKO-TEX licensed (free from hazardous chemical substances), the Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat is a favorite of yoga lecturers and referred to as professional for good purpose.
Its extremely thick 6mm cushioning offers glorious assist and stability, whereas it’s nonetheless agency sufficient underfoot for tree/steadiness poses. The dot sample retains the mat regular on any floor and the textured high layer means you may stream between strikes with out sticking to the mat.
Admittedly, this mat wants a little bit of breaking in and it’s really helpful to make use of a sea salt scrub to hurry up the method. Every mat is handmade and is produced from closed-cell materials, which seals out moisture and micro organism, preserving mould and mildew at bay.
We love that it is available in two sizes – commonplace and additional lengthy, so taller folks can take pleasure in not hanging off the mat for as soon as (however phrase to the clever: the larger mat could take up precious area in smaller yoga studios, which could show unpopular!).
- This mat remains to be present process testing and we’ll replace this information when testing is full.
New to yoga? The Heathyoga TPE Physique Alignment System Yoga Mat is a stable selection as a result of it comes with marks for fingers and toes placement.
That is actually useful for newcomers to yoga, as you may work on appropriate method and positioning with much less threat of harm.
It’s slip resistant, simple to scrub and stays good and flat as soon as it’s unrolled. It’s thick sufficient to do extended yin apply poses with consolation and has glorious grip, even in sizzling yoga courses. We love how sturdy it’s, with simply the correct amount of cushioning for standing poses.
Longer and wider than commonplace yoga mats, the Heathyoga TPE Physique Alignment System Yoga Mat comes with a free Velcro strap and carrying strap
- This mat remains to be present process testing and we’ll replace this information when testing is full.
The With Each Atom Cork Yoga Mat is further giant so it’s an important possibility for taller folks.
It’s produced from naturally grippy rubber and moisture wicking cork, so the grip truly improves the extra you sweat. It’s an important selection for all kinds of yoga, together with Ashtanga, Hatha, sizzling yoga and different floor-based exercises.
It’s pretty light-weight and never too thick but supportive and cozy sufficient for every day apply. We love that the With Each Atom Cork Yoga Mat is vegan-friendly and produced from sustainably sourced, pure and recycled supplies.
Cork is of course antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, so it’s additionally low upkeep. It tends to mark simply, however is simple to scrub. Plus, once you purchase an Each Atom Cork Yoga Mat the model vegetation a tree. The one draw back is that this yoga mat solely is available in one colour.
- This mat remains to be present process testing and we’ll replace this information when testing is full.
Which yoga mat is greatest?
Selecting your excellent mat will depend upon a couple of issues, so we spoke to yoga trainer Eloise Skinner (opens in new tab) to seek out out extra. We additionally cowl some fundamentals beneath that it’s best to issue into your decision-making.
Eloise Skinner is a professional yoga, Pilates and mindfulness trainer. She at the moment holds courses at varied studios throughout London. She’s additionally an writer and the founding father of two academic start-ups.
Yoga model
“General, relating to in search of mats, take into consideration the kinds of mats you’ve got preferred to apply on in studios prior to now,” says Skinner. “If in case you have a favourite studio mat, test the model title (many studios use big-name manufacturers like Lululemon).
You may also contemplate the kind of apply you usually take. If in case you have a slower, Yin-based apply, go for a thicker, extra supportive mat. For fast-paced Vinyasa, search for one thing slightly lighter, with an excellent grip.”
Throughout heated vinyasa or Bikram, you’re prone to get sweaty. We suggest prioritizing grip, together with rougher textured mats that can maintain you secure throughout lengthy holds and transitions – just like the Jade Concord yoga mat (opens in new tab)or most Lululemon mats.
It’s additionally vital to think about supplies with sweat-wicking properties and an antimicrobial layer which is able to forestall micro organism from increase, preserving your mat in motion for longer (with none disagreeable smells).
Life-style
If life has you touring right here, there, and in all places then you definately’ll need a light-weight mat that’s simple to stow in a suitcase or throw underneath your arm. Something underneath 2kg is good, however it is dependent upon what you personally contemplate ‘heavy-duty.’
Skinner recommends mats with a carrying strap and protecting case and one thing gentle sufficient to throw over your shoulders. “You possibly can all the time double up your private mat on high of a studio mat if a journey mat feels too skinny,” she says.
JadeYoga Journey yoga mats (opens in new tab)and the Gaiam manufacturers are massively widespread. We additionally fee the Primasole folding yoga mat as a result of it folds like paper right into a compact and easy-to-carry parcel.
Simply because a yoga mat is thick doesn’t essentially point out that it’s heavy. Thickly padded foam mats are tougher to roll up and have a tendency to curve as they roll out, however they’ll nonetheless be light-weight and are excellent for low-impact courses, inexperienced persons, and people on the transfer. On this occasion, you’d must test the fabric and weight to see simply how light-weight it’s.
Materials
When you’re attempting to be extra sustainable together with your decisions, or undergo from allergic reactions, test the supplies within the specs before you purchase your mat. Cork and PU are sensible choices, and pure rubber is massively widespread because it’s a biodegradable and quickly renewable useful resource, though it might include latex.
Many manufacturers now mix artificial with pure supplies which can be all recyclable. Manufacturers like JadeYoga and Yogi Naked have even partnered as much as plant bushes or recycle mats in your behalf once you purchase with the model.
Totally different supplies will decide sturdiness, grip, and thickness. Pure rubbers are inclined to lead to a course mat that’s nice for grip, however PVC-based yoga mats are arguably extra sturdy.
Greatest yoga mats for decent yoga
“For decent yoga courses, my foremost suggestion could be to search for a mat with specialist moisture-wicking supplies (in different phrases, a mat designed for a sizzling studio),” Skinner advises.
“You’re in search of traction underneath your palms, however not too thick you could’t really feel the ground. It’s vital in yoga that the mat will not be too cushioned or thick. The nearer your fingers and toes are to the ground, the extra you’ll be capable to grip, steadiness, and really feel a way of being grounded.”
Foam mats get slippery shortly, whereas rubber or PU-coated mats maintain out in hotter situations. Nevertheless, fast yoga courses like Rocket require quicker transitions, and grip may sluggish you down, so bear in mind to think about your class preferences too. When you’re utilizing yoga to repair your posture (opens in new tab), grip is sweet.
Cork mats, just like the With Each Atom Cork yoga mat, take in moisture effectively and are excellent for decent yoga courses. Lastly, look out for mat specs that point out open cell or closed cell construction; open cell refers to a capability to soak up moisture, whereas closed cell has sweat-wicking properties and can forestall sweat from absorbing into the mat.
Whatever the route you go down, make sure you’re not overspending for the sake of the model title. Many reasonably priced mats underneath $100 are nonetheless glorious and might do the job equally effectively, whereas some luxurious manufacturers may have you ever paying an additional zero only for a gimmick.
What’s the greatest thickness for yoga mats?
Yoga mats range in thickness from roughly 1.5mm to 6mm. Most individuals goal for the center mark to profit from varied yoga kinds.
Historically, yoga lecturers and superior yogis go for a thinner mat as a result of it provides them a extra secure connection to the bottom. This typically helps to enhance steadiness as effectively. Nevertheless, folks with joint-related accidents will profit from padding, as will anybody who repeatedly enjoys stretching to enhance flexibility (opens in new tab) or enjoys HIIT, restorative yoga, or Pilates.
When you favor a thick mat, we love the Lululemon Take Type yoga mat. We suggest Primasole for a thinner really feel.
The place is the perfect place to purchase a yoga mat?
Figuring out which model is greatest for yoga mats may be fairly a process. We love JadeYoga and Lululemon, however Sweaty Betty additionally pulls in rave evaluations repeatedly. When you’re nonetheless not sure, test the evaluations on an impartial web site like Amazon.
Third-party web sites like Greatest Purchase and Goal usually pack reductions on yoga mats and health attire, but when an excellent deal appears to be like too good to be true, do your due diligence to keep away from false economic system. Low-quality supplies which can be un-recyclable will solely have you ever spending once more in a couple of months and will additionally have you ever slipping over throughout class.
“As a trainer, my favourite is the Sweaty Betty Tremendous Grip yoga mat (opens in new tab),” Skinner recommends. “It’s gentle sufficient to really feel snug however designed to forestall slips. Additionally made with totally biodegradable supplies!”
Find out how to clear your yoga mat
Our information on methods to clear a yoga mat (opens in new tab)is value testing, however many manufacturers will present directions on their web site. It will range relying on the fabric of your yoga mat.
Some will suggest utilizing heat water and a moist material, whereas others could favor diluted lemon juice instead of heat water. It’s additionally value checking in case your mat is delicate to UV gentle as this may forestall outside apply or drying exterior.
Most manufacturers suggest avoiding harsh chemical substances, washing machines, or dryers if you need your mat to final.
Most significantly, your yoga journey must be enjoyable. Whichever mat you select, ensure that it really works to your way of life and wishes first.
How we check yoga mats
To make sure we solely suggest the perfect yoga mats, we put each by its paces in two kinds of yoga courses – gliding gracefully by a 60-minute restorative yin and powering by a sweaty 60-minute sizzling vinyasa.
We examined every mat for consolation, grip, versatility, and worth for cash as we lunged, flowed, and navigated inversions, additionally noting standout options like sustainable supplies or design perks like alignment cue strains and enjoyable patterns. Every mannequin was awarded a remaining rating out of 5 stars, figuring out how seemingly we’re to suggest the product to yogis in search of a brand new mat for locating their zen.
*This text is for informational functions solely, and isn’t meant to supply medical recommendation.
