When it comes to choosing a yoga mat, there’s more to it than meets your third eye chakra. Sourcing a stylish design might look good in a yoga class, but a mat that feels easy to move on and offers essential grip is key to perfecting your poses. From dynamic moves such as dolphin plank or crow pose to a restorative savasana at the end of your practice, using a supportive and comfortable yoga mat can make all the difference.
“Grip is important to me when deciding which mat to use so that I won’t slip when the yoga session gets sweaty,” says celebrity personal trainer Peter Maciver of PMac Fitness. “Material that feels good underhand is also crucial as I want to be able to lie down and feel relaxed and balanced. Choosing a mat with durable materials that don’t easily damage after frequent use and can be easily wiped clean will also help prolong the life of the mat.”
Flexibility is also something to bear in mind when deciding which yoga mat to buy. A mat that travels well and isn’t too heavy to carry to class might be an important factor in your decisionmaking. Or perhaps you’re after a design that you can use for Pilates, body balance, and a body pump class too? If so, look out for a versatile mat that is built to cater to all forms of exercise, not just pigeon pose.
Be sure to read our other health and fitness guides, including the Best Climbing Gear for Beginners, Best Heart Rate Monitors, and Best Earbuds for Working Out.
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Photograph: Maite Brines von Melle
Best Yoga Mat Overall
Lululemon The Mat 5mm
For comfort and support when you’re stretching and moving, this yoga mat is an excellent option. At 5 mm, it’s a little thicker than the average mat, which makes it a little bulkier to transport. But I think if you get yourself a good yoga bag, it’s a great choice at home or the gym. It provides a plush yet balanced feel underfoot, and has good grip. I felt secure while in downward dog, but felt that the mat was equally supportive when I was doing a weights session with bare feet.
It’s made with FSC certified rubber and contains latex, which helps to provide a luxurious finish, and it comes in a selection of colorways. The mat is designed to absorb moisture so you don’t slip in high-sweat practices, which makes it a particularly good option for anyone who loves hot yoga.
I chose the Soft Denim/Pastel Blue/White/Pastel Blue option to test, and the cool blue finish made me feel calm. There’s also grounding Black, striking Dew Pink, and an invigorating Sonic Navy to choose from, too.
Health coach Maite Brines von Melle was impressed with this mat too. “This was my favorite of the bunch,” she says. “I like the design and it’s very versatile—I taught Pilates and resistance training on this mat and it worked well. It’s cushioned, which makes it comfortable to lie on for restorative yoga such as yin. It is larger in size than average but not too heavy to carry across town to class—it wipes clean easily so stays fresh too.”
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Photograph: Amazon
Best Budget Yoga Mat
Signature Fitness Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap
Having focused on mainly premium yoga mats, I was surprised by how much I liked this $20 design. Made from a basic foam, both sides of the mat are designed to be nonslip, and while its grip could be better, it did well to keep me in place while in challenging poses. It’s hard to say whether its grip would maintain over time and not get slippery, but for now, it was more than good enough.
Time will also tell as to whether the foam is durable, but I think it feels well made, and for this price I don’t think you can complain.
At half an inch thick, I really appreciated how comfortable the mat felt when carrying out poses that were hard on the knees. It felt nice to relax on once I’d finished a series of dynamic stretches too.
The mat comes in a range of bright colors including punchy purple (pictured), black, blue, green, pink, and red. It’s also moisture resistant so was easy to clean. The foam is lightweight, and while this may make it feel rather cheap, it actually makes it easy to roll up and carry. I also like the fact that, in addition to a basic, plastic-mesh carrying bag, it comes with a carrying strap. While this doesn’t sound too generous, it makes a difference when you’ve rolled up your mat and need it to stay in place.
