Yoga is a popular form of exercise that has been practiced for thousands of years. It is a holistic practice that benefits the body, mind, and spirit. One of the essential tools for practicing yoga is buying the best yoga mat. A good yoga mat provides cushioning and traction, making it easier to hold poses and maintain balance. With so many on the market, finding the best one can be challenging, especially for beginners who may not know what to look for.

In this article, we will discuss the factors to consider when buying a yoga mat to best suit your needs. We will explore the different types of materials, thickness, size, and texture to help you make an informed decision.

Beyond a color and pattern that make your heart go pitter-patter, it needs to keep you stable in your poses; and it needs to be storable and portable, yet comfy and cushy. You may also want your mat to be environmentally friendly. These aspects of your mat’s personality are all affected by how the mat is made: how thick it is, what it’s made of, and its surface texture.

1. Thickness

Why it’s important: The thickness of your yoga mat has a lot to do with how comfortable it is – too thin, and your knee may get banged up during crescent lunge. The tradeoff is that thick mats (some as thick as 1/4 inch) can make it harder for you to feel a strong connection to the floor, making you more wobbly in Tree Pose, for example.

Options: A standard yoga mat is about 1/8 inch thick, while the thickest swell up to 1/4 inch. There are also wafer-thin ones, often billed as “travel yoga mats” that are a mere 1/16 inch thick. They fold easily and don’t weigh much, making them a cinch to fit in a suitcase.

Basic buying guide: Consider how much room you have to stow your yoga mat, how important portability is, and where your sweet spot is on comfort versus being able to feel a direct connection to the floor. If you’re short on storage space, have a long shlep to the studio, and like the fel of just a little padding, opt for a standard-depth mat, in the 1/8 inch range.

If you don’t mind carrying and storing a little more heft for the sake of more cushioning, consider a premium yoga mat that’s about 1/4 inch thick. And if you absolutely must be able to pack it in a suitcase or carry-on, get yourself a foldable travel yoga mat in the 1/16 inch range.

2. Material

Why it’s important: The material is made of dictates its texture, stickiness, eco-friendliness and sponginess (how much it yields to pressure), and how it wears over time.

Options: Most standard yoga mats are made of PVC, otherwise known as vinyl. Newer, more earth-friendly options include natural and recycled rubber, jute, and organic cotton or natural cotton (which means the fabric is not treated with synthetic finishes during manufacturing).

Basic buying guidelines: If you’re allergic to latex, avoid options made of natural rubber. If you want to stick with the tried and true sticky mat, choose one made out of PVC, which can endure your use and abuse for more than a decade. Sponginess can vary widely with different blends of materials, but in general, PVC has the most “give” of any yoga mat material; jute and cotton have the least.

Beyond these fundamentals, read on and let your other priorities (texture, stickiness and eco-friendiness) be your guide.

3. Texture

Why it’s important: The texture of your yoga mat dictates how much traction it provides. Like stickiness, texture affects how much slipping and sliding you do. It provides physical barriers to sliding (whereas stickiness relies on suction). And because texture affects the way it feels, it’s also a component of overall comfort.

If you’re a Princess and the Pea type, any bumpy texture will likely aggravate you in savasana. Texture can be either manmade (a pattern of raised bumps, for example) or dictated by the materials – jute yoga mats have an organic roughness to them, while PVC options, though slightly textured, have a softer feel.

Options: There’s a yoga mat texture to suit every whim – from completely smooth to downright rough.

Basic buying guidelines: If you’re looking for one that prevents slipping and you’d like to avoid PVC mats (the traditional sticky yoga mats), look for a rubber, jute or cotton option that has a raised, tactile pattern. The added grip the raised texture provides can help you stay put no matter how sweaty or vigorous your practice gets.

If smoothness is of prime importance to you, a PVC yoga mat is the way to go. And if you relish stickiness but are curious about the newer, more earth-friendly options, test drive a few before you buy. Some eco-friendly options may surprise you with how much traction they provide even though they don’t have the traditional “sticky” feel.

4. Stickiness

Why it’s important: A sticky yoga mat keeps you from sliding all over the place and helps you maintain your alignment as you move from one pose to another, as well as when you hold poses for several seconds.

Options: PVC yoga mats have the highest sticky factor.

Basic buying guide: If you need help staying put in your poses but you bristle at the thought of practicing on it with a raised texture, a PVC one is probably your best bet. Just remember that these yoga mats are only sticky when they are clean. If you buy a PVC yoga mat, wash it before you use it and again whenever you notice your hands sliding forward in downward dog.

5. Eco-friendliness

Why it’s important: As yogis, we hold dear the tenet of ahimsa, or non-violence. That makes practicing on a yoga mat that will ultimately end up clogging a landfill for decades to come troublesome.

Options: Earth-friendly yoga mats are typically made from natural or recycled rubber. These options may also include natural materials, such as jute or organic cotton.

Basic buying guide: If eco-friendliness is important to you, avoid yoga mats made of PVC (the traditional sticky mat), which does not break down in landfills and is difficult and costly to recycle. Rubber, jute and cotton yoga mats, while available in a range of thicknesses, tend to be thicker and slicker than PVC mats. You can get one that’s eco-friendly, has a thickness that meets your needs for comfort and portability, and has a texture (such as a raised geometric pattern) that prevents slippage.

6. Price range

Typically, a basic 1/8 inch thick, plain solid-color PVC sticky yoga mat will be toward the low end of the price range. From there you may pay more for patterns, designs or logos; premium thickness; antimicrobial treatments; and cool textures, especially raised tactile patterns. Eco-friendly yoga mats tend to be toward the high end of the price range.

7. Style

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down by thickness, material, texture, stickiness, eco-friendliness and price, there’s only one factor left: style! So go ahead and pick your favorite color, pattern or print. After all, you’ll be seeing a lot of it in Downward Dog. Happy shopping!

Based on reviews and ratings, here are five yoga mats that are highly recommended by many yoga enthusiasts:

  1. Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat: This mat is known for its durability, cushioning, and non-slip surface, making it a popular choice among serious yogis. It is made from eco-friendly materials and comes in a variety of colors.
  2. Liforme Yoga Mat: This mat is known for its alignment markers, which can be helpful for beginners or those looking to improve their form. It also has a non-slip surface and is made from eco-friendly materials.
  3. Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat: This mat is made from natural rubber and has a non-slip surface that provides excellent traction, even in sweaty conditions. It also comes in a variety of colors and is eco-friendly.
  4. Manduka eKO Lite Yoga Mat: This mat is made from biodegradable, natural tree rubber and has a non-slip surface that provides excellent grip. It also comes in a variety of colors and is lightweight, making it easy to carry to and from class.
  5. Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip Yoga Mat: This mat has a textured, non-slip surface that provides excellent grip and is especially helpful during hot yoga or sweaty practices. It is made from PVC-free materials and comes in a variety of colors and designs.

Choosing the right yoga mat is essential for a comfortable and safe practice. Investing in a quality mat can enhance your overall yoga experience by providing cushioning, stability, and traction. A good mat can help prevent injuries by providing a stable surface to practice on, while a poor-quality mat can lead to slips, falls, and discomfort.

Furthermore, a good yoga mat can also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Many yoga mats on the market are made from eco-friendly materials, such as natural rubber, cork, or recycled materials, which reduce the environmental impact of your yoga practice. By investing in a high-quality mat that is designed to last, you can reduce the amount of waste generated by buying disposable or low-quality mats.

In conclusion, choosing the right yoga mat is a critical decision for anyone looking to start or improve their yoga practice. The right mat will provide the necessary support, stability, and comfort to help you achieve your goals while reducing the risk of injury. A high-quality yoga mat can also be a sustainable choice that aligns with your values and contributes to a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. Ultimately, investing in a good yoga mat is an investment in your health, well-being, and the planet.