Best Yoga Mats: Everything You Need to Know

Yoga mats are an essential accessory for anyone who practices yoga, whether at home, in a studio, or outdoors. They provide cushioning, support, stability, and grip for your poses and personal space for your practice. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best yoga mat for your needs? In this post, we will cover:

– What yoga mats can be used for

– How to use yoga mats

– The best yoga mats of 2024

– Detailed reviews of each of the best yoga mats

What Yoga Mats Can Be Used For

Yoga mats can be used for various purposes, such as:

Practicing yoga

Yoga mats are designed to help you perform different types of yoga, such as hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, Bikram, or restorative. They can also be used for other forms of exercise that involve stretching, balancing, or floor work, such as Pilates, barre, or meditation.

Protecting your body

Yoga mats can protect your joints, muscles, and bones from hard or uneven surfaces, such as wood, concrete, or grass. They can also prevent injuries from slipping or sliding during your practice.

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Enhancing your experience

Yoga mats can improve your comfort, alignment, focus, and mood during your practice. They can also reflect your personality and style with different colors, patterns, and designs.

How to Use Yoga Mats

To use a yoga mat effectively, you should:

Choose the right size

Yoga mats come in different lengths and widths, depending on your height and preference. The standard size is 68 inches long and 24 inches wide, but you can find longer or wider options if you need more space. You should also consider the thickness of the mat, which ranges from 1.5 mm to 6 mm. A thicker mat may provide more cushioning and comfort, but a thinner mat may offer more stability and portability.

Choose the right material

Yoga mats are made from different materials, such as rubber, PVC, cotton, jute, or cork. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of durability, eco-friendliness, texture, weight, and odor. You should choose a material that suits your needs and preferences.

Choose the right surface

Yoga mats have different surfaces on both sides, which affect the grip and traction of the mat. Some mats have a smooth and sticky surface that adheres to your skin and prevents slipping. Others have a textured and grippy surface that provides traction and resistance for your movements. Some mats are reversible and have both types of surfaces on each side. You should choose a surface that matches your level of sweatiness and intensity of practice.

Clean and store your mat properly

Yoga mats can get dirty and smelly from sweat, dust, oil, or bacteria. You should clean your mat regularly with a mild soap and water solution or a specialized mat cleaner. You should also dry your mat completely before rolling it up and storing it in a cool and dry place. Avoid exposing your mat to direct sunlight or heat sources.

The Best Yoga Mats of 2024

Name	Material	Thickness
Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm	Natural rubber and polyurethane	5 mm
JadeYoga Harmony Mat	Natural rubber	4.7 mm
Manduka PROlite 4.7mm	PVC	4.7 mm
Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat	PVC	6 mm
BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat	Foam	10 mm
Alo Warrior Mat	Natural rubber	4.2 mm
Liforme Original Yoga Mat	Natural rubber and eco-polyurethane	4 mm

Some of the best yoga mats of 2024 are:

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm

This mat is one of the most popular and versatile options on the market. It has two sides: a smooth and sticky polyurethane side that makes your hands and feet adhere to the mat and a spongy natural rubber side that provides traction via a textured surface. This lets you dial in how much grip you need, whether you are doing hot yoga or restorative yoga, or are just someone who might sweat a lot. The 5-millimeter-thick natural rubber is supportive, so sensitive knees and elbows won’t sink through to the floor. It’s slightly oversized—3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than a standard mat—which gives you some breathing room but doesn’t take up tons of space in a cramped class or smaller room. If you need even more real estate, the Reversible (Big) Mat is literally the size of a door. These mats are on the heavy side, and the surface tends to show dust, dirt, and smudges that are hard to clean.

Pros

– Dual-textured sides for different levels of grip

– Supportive and comfortable natural rubber

– Ample size and thickness

– Available in various colors and patterns

Cons

– Heavy and bulky

– Prone to stains and marks

– Expensive

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JadeYoga Harmony Mat

This mat is made from 100% natural rubber, which offers some advantages because it absorbs a lot of moisture and helps maintain traction in sweaty situations—possibly too much for some people, as it can be hard to pivot your feet or slide your hands when flowing from one pose to another. It also has a pleasant, subtle, earthy smell (as opposed to the chemical odor that some mats have). The Harmony mat is 4.7 millimeters thick, which provides a nice balance of cushioning and stability. It’s also relatively lightweight and easy to roll up and carry. The mat comes in two lengths (68 and 74 inches) and a variety of colors. One downside of this mat is that it wears down over time and may show signs of flaking or fading.

Pros

– Natural rubber material that is eco-friendly and absorbent

– Good balance of cushioning and stability

– Lightweight and portable

– Available in different lengths and colors

Cons

– Too grippy for some people

– Wears down over time

– Rubber smell may bother some people

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Manduka PROlite 4.7mm

This mat is a lighter and thinner version of the Manduka PRO, which is known for its durability and lifetime guarantee. The PROlite is made from PVC, which is a synthetic material that is dense, firm, and resistant to abrasion, tears, and peeling. It has a smooth surface that is slightly sticky when dry and more grippy when wet. The mat is 4.7 millimeters thick, which provides enough padding for most people without compromising stability. It’s also relatively lightweight (4 pounds) and easy to roll up and carry. The mat comes in two lengths (71 and 79 inches) and several colors. One downside of this mat is that it requires a break-in period to achieve optimal performance. You can either use it regularly for a few weeks or months or speed up the process by scrubbing it with salt water.

Pros

– Durable and resistant PVC material

– Smooth surface that adapts to moisture levels

– Enough padding for most people without compromising stability

– Lightweight and portable

– Available in different lengths and colors

Cons

– Requires a break-in period

– PVC material may not be eco-friendly or odor-free

– Expensive

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Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat

This mat is one of the most affordable and accessible options on the market. It’s made from PVC, which is a synthetic material that is durable, lightweight, and easy to clean. It has a textured surface that provides some grip and traction for your poses. The mat is 6 millimeters thick, which is thicker than most mats and provides extra cushioning and comfort for your joints. It’s also standard size (68 by 24 inches) and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. One downside of this mat is that it may not be very stable or supportive for some people, especially those who practice more advanced or dynamic styles of yoga. It may also emit a strong chemical smell when new.

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Pros

– Affordable and accessible

– Durable, lightweight, and easy-to-clean PVC material

– Textured surface that provides some grip and traction

– Extra cushioning and comfort for your joints

– Available in various colors and patterns

Cons

– May not be very stable or supportive for some people

– May emit a strong chemical smell when new

– PVC material may not be eco-friendly or odor-free

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BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat

This mat is another budget-friendly option that offers more thickness than most mats. It’s made from foam, which is a soft and flexible material that conforms to your body shape and provides ample cushioning for your joints. It has a double-sided non-slip surface that prevents sliding or skidding during your practice. The mat is 10 millimeters thick, which is much thicker than most mats and provides extra comfort and protection for your joints. It’s also standard size (71 by 24 inches) and comes in seven colors. The mat also comes with a carrying strap for easy transport. One downside of this mat is that it may not be very durable or resistant to tears, cuts, or abrasions. It may also lose its shape or firmness over time.

Pros

– Budget-friendly

– Soft and flexible foam material that conforms to your body shape

– Double-sided non-slip surface that prevents sliding or skidding

– Extra comfort and protection for your joints

– Comes with a carrying strap

Cons

– May not be very durable or resistant to tears, cuts, or abrasions

– May lose its shape or firmness over time

– May be too thick or soft for some people

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Alo Warrior Mat

This mat is a premium option that is designed for hot yoga and sweaty practices. It’s made from natural rubber, which is an eco-friendly and biodegradable material that absorbs moisture and provides traction. It has a smooth and matte surface that is slightly sticky when dry and more grippy when wet. The mat is 4.2 millimeters thick, which provides a good balance of cushioning and stability. It’s also slightly longer and wider than a standard mat (71 by 26 inches) and comes in 10 colors. The mat also has antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. One downside of this mat is that it is heavy (6.2 pounds) and bulky, which makes it hard to roll up and carry. It may also have a strong rubber smell when new.

Pros

– Premium quality

– Eco-friendly and biodegradable natural rubber material that absorbs moisture and provides traction

– Smooth and matte surface that adapts to moisture levels

– Good balance of cushioning and stability

– Slightly longer and wider than a standard mat

– Antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and mold

Cons

– Heavy and bulky

– Strong rubber smell when new

– Expensive

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Liforme Original Yoga Mat

This mat is a unique option that features an alignment system that helps you position your body correctly and symmetrically during your practice. It’s made from natural rubber and eco-polyurethane, eco-friendly and biodegradable materials that provide cushioning, support, stability, and grip. It has a smooth and grippy surface that prevents slipping or sliding, even in hot or humid conditions. The mat is 4 millimeters thick, which provides enough padding for most people without compromising stability. It’s also longer and wider than a standard mat (72.8 by 26.8 inches) and comes in six colors. The mat also comes with a carrying bag for easy transport. One downside of this mat is that it is very expensive compared to other mats. It may also wear out faster than other mats if not cared for properly.

Pros

– Unique alignment system that helps you position your body correctly and symmetrically

– Eco-friendly and biodegradable natural rubber and eco-polyurethane materials that provide cushioning, support, stability, and grip

– Smooth and grippy surface that prevents slipping or sliding, even in hot or humid conditions

– Enough padding for most people without compromising stability

– Longer and wider than a standard mat

– Comes with a carrying bag

Cons

– Very expensive

– May wear out faster than other mats if not cared for properly

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Conclusion

Yoga mats are an essential accessory for anyone who practices yoga, whether at home, in a studio, or outdoors. They can enhance your experience, protect your body, and improve your performance. However, choosing the best yoga mat for your needs can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider, such as size, material, thickness, surface, price, and portability. We hope this post has helped you learn more about yoga mats and the best options available in 2023. Feel free to ask us any questions and share your experiences down below, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends who love yoga.