Buying guide for Best yoga mats
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If you're like me, you've heard nothing but how wonderful yoga is for both the body and mind. Whether you're trying to increase your flexibility, build strength or just manage stress, yoga practice can do the trick. Most traditional forms are low-impact, too, so it's even friendly for achy joints.
But even with all that, I have to confess that I nearly walked out of my first yoga class. That's because, even in simple poses like Tabletop and Cat-Cow, my wrists, knees, ankles and elbows hurt. I couldn't seem to hold the poses for very long without slipping, either. So to say that I didn't understand yoga's appeal after those first 60 minutes is an understatement.
At the time, I didn't realize that the cheap, flimsy yoga mat I was using was the real problem. It didn't provide enough cushioning for my joints, and its surface didn't provide enough grip as I moved through the poses. To experience the full benefits of yoga, I needed a high-quality mat that made my practice both more comfortable and effective.
While you can find yoga mats in a rainbow of colors and patterns, style shouldn't be your primary concern when choosing one. You need one that is textured and slightly sticky, so you can hold some of the more difficult positions without slipping. You also want a mat that is comfortably thick to protect your joints, but not so heavy that it's hard to carry to class. If you're taller, you need a mat that accommodates your size, too.
At BestReviews, we've researched and evaluated numerous yoga mats to find the best ones. The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat is our top pick because it provides high-density cushioning for the joints and a textured surface to keep you stable through even advanced poses. It's made of durable, latex-free PVC, too.
Yoga mat materials
PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
PVC is one of the most popular materials for yoga mats. PVC mats tend to be inexpensive, and mats of this material are often a great choice for beginners because they’re reasonably durable, comfortable, and provide good grip.
However, PVC yoga mats do contain phthalates and dangerous toxins, and they aren’t recyclable, so this isn’t an eco-friendly option.
Rubber
Rubber is another popular yoga mat material, and it’s considered an eco-friendly alternative to PVC. Rubber mats are as durable and supportive as PVC styles, but they’re a better option for environmentally minded practitioners.
If you have allergies, however, the latex could be an issue.
Foam
Like rubber, foam yoga mats are an environmentally friendly alternative to PVC mats. They provide the same performance but are recyclable and toxin-free. Foam mats can also contain latex, however, so they don’t work for practitioners with allergies.
PER (polymer environmental resin)
PER yoga mats are actually made from PVC. However, PER doesn’t have phthalates or toxins and can be recycled, so it’s a relatively eco-friendly option.
Cotton
Cotton yoga mats are a very eco-friendly option because they’re made from a renewable, natural material and are biodegradable. They tend to be thinner than other mats, however, so they don’t offer as much support. But cotton mats absorb sweat effectively and provide a good grip, even when wet.
Jute
Jute yoga mats are similar to cotton mats in that they are made from a natural, renewable, and biodegradable material. They also provide effective traction. However, jute mats don’t absorb moisture as well as cotton and aren’t as supportive as other options.
Yoga mat stickiness and texture
Yoga mat stickiness
In order to help you hold your pose and maintain proper alignment, you may wish to seek a yoga mat that has some stickiness to it.PVC, foam, and PER yoga mats have a good amount of stickiness to them, while rubber mats have a moderate amount. Cotton and jute yoga mats don’t provide much in the way of stickiness at all.
Yoga mat texture
Pay attention to the texture of the yoga mats you’re considering for purchase.
A yoga mat with the right texture can help you stay in position more easily, preventing your hands and feet from slipping and sliding during poses.
Rubber, cotton, and jute yoga mats tend to have the most textured surfaces for effective traction. PVC, foam, and PER yoga mats usually have smooth surfaces that don’t provide much traction.
Yoga mat thickness
The most important feature of a yoga mat is its thickness, which provides cushioning as you practice your poses.
Our expert consultant Samantha advises against choosing a mat that’s too thick. “There are some yoga mats that are actually workout mats,” she says of thicker styles. “The very squishy, thick yoga mats tend to stretch, making it hard to find stability in lunges and poses like Downward-Facing Dog.”
¼-inch (6.35 mm) thickness
Yoga mats with a ¼-inch thickness are common. They provide a great deal of cushioning and are very durable. However, they can be fairly heavy.
⅛-inch (3.2 mm) thickness
Yoga mats with an ⅛-inch thickness provide a good deal of support and cushioning. They’re fairly durable and lightweight enough for easy carrying. They do tend to wear out sooner than thicker mats, however.
1/16-inch (1.6 mm) thickness
Yoga mats with a 1/16-inch thickness are usually the thinnest available. They are extremely lightweight, which makes for easy transport. However, they don’t offer much in the way of support or cushioning, so they’re a poor option if you suffer from joint issues.
Yoga mat length
Yoga mats come in a variety of sizes, but the standard size is 24 x 68 inches.
A yoga mat’s length is the measurement that varies the most. Taller individuals may prefer mats that are 72 to 74 inches long, but you can even find styles that are as long as 84 inches.
In general, you should choose a yoga mat that’s at least six inches longer than you are tall.
Yoga mat style
You can find yoga mats in every color of the rainbow and a wide variety of patterns. Which should you choose? That’s a matter of personal preference.
Opt for a yoga mat style that will make you excited to practice yoga each day.
But remember that, as our expert Samantha explains, “A pretty design doesn’t mean it’s a better mat. Find a material and thickness that feels good for you, and worry about the design later.”
Yoga mat prices
Yoga mats vary in price based on their thickness, material, and length, but you can typically expect to pay between $15 and $125.
Inexpensive
For a thinner yoga mat that doesn’t offer much in the way of cushioning, you’ll usually pay between $15 and $25.
Mid-range
For a mat with medium thickness that provides moderate cushioning, you’ll usually pay between $30 to $50.
Expensive
For a thicker mat that offers a great deal of cushioning, you’ll usually pay between $55 and $100.
Yoga mat tips
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To avoid a smelly mat, wipe it down with a mat-cleaning spray (a mix of water and vinegar) or just plain water after each yoga workout.
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If your yoga mat is particularly dirty, soak it in the bathtub and scrub it down with a sponge to remove the grime. Roll it up in a towel to squeeze out the excess moisture, then lay it out flat to dry.
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Avoid wearing out your yoga mat by using both sides. Flip it over from time to time to make sure one side doesn’t bear the brunt of all your sessions.
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It’s best to store your yoga mat flat under a bed or sofa or gently rolled up in a closet or on a shelf. If you roll the mat too tightly, the material can stretch and bacteria may grow.
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If you find pieces of mat on your yoga pants after a session, that means the mat is breaking down – and it’s time for a new one.
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Recycle an old yoga mat by using it under your welcome mat or bath mat. The yoga mat can provide some extra traction to keep it from sliding around.
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Don’t share your yoga mat with friends or family members. It’s a good way to spread germs that can lead to colds, coughs, fevers, and skin diseases.
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Cotton or jute mats work well for layering over other yoga mats to provide added traction.
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Foam and rubber yoga mats usually contain latex, so they’re not good mat material choices if you have a latex allergy.
