The Top 6 Best Yogi Tested Yoga Mats

The Top 6 Best Yogi Tested Yoga Mats

Published on May 1, 2018

When I first started practicing yoga, there weren’t many options available it came to yoga mats—you could choose between a few colors and two thicknesses. The yoga mat industry has changed dramatically since then, and now there is a dizzying number of brands that offer mats of various materials and thicknesses to complement all yoga practices. We recently received a pile of yoga mats to test out, and while no yoga mat is perfect, we’ve found six high-quality and beautiful mats that performed well under regular asana use.

Trekk Travel Mat by Yeti Yoga Co.

Best Tested Yoga MatsA diverse range of fun, beautiful and playful artwork is digitally printed on these eco-friendly anti-tear PVC yoga mats. The moisture resistant top has a ridged texture, and the mat can be flipped over if you want a stickier surface to practice on.

Thickness: 5mm
Size: 72 x 24 inches
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Best for: The artistically minded yogi who wants visual inspiration from their yoga mat or those who want a lightweight mat with good cushioning.

SugaMat by Suga

Best Tested Yoga MatsMade entirely out of recycled neoprene wetsuits, this is the most unique looking and feeling yoga mat I’ve seen. It has the look of handmade paper and a fascinating texture—you can see little bits of the ground up wetsuits used to make these.

Thickness: 5mm
Size: 72 x 25 inches (extra large size available)
Weight: 5 lbs.
Best for: Environmentalists who prefer to spend their money on recycled products or surfers who want a strong reminder of the ocean during yoga practice.

Para Rubber Yoga Mat by Hugger Mugger 

Best Tested Yoga MatsIts streaks of marbling give this eco-friendly rubber yoga mat a natural, calming and grounded feeling. Both sides of this mat provide a different non-slip grip texture to accommodate different styles of practice.

Thickness: 1/4″
Size: 70 x 24 inches (extra large size available)
Weight: 6.6 lbs.
Best for: Vinyasa yogis who need a solid surface and excellent shock absorption or those who need a nice thick cushion for sensitive knees.

Zen colors yoga mat by Zenlife

Best Tested Yoga MatsThis unique yoga mat combines the soft and absorbent qualities of a microfiber towel with the cushion and support of eco-friendly rubber. The beautiful geometric cube pattern on this mat can also be used as a grid to help align your hands and feet in yoga poses. It comes with a simple yoga strap carrier.

Thickness: 3 mm
Size: 72 x 26 inches
Weight: 4.1 lbs.
Best for: Hot yoga practitioners whose yoga towels keep bunching up on top of their mat or those who want a yoga mat that rolls out perfectly flat every time.

LiquidBalance Yoga Mat by CleverYoga

Best Tested Yoga MatsWhile most yoga mats aim for a mix of tack and texture, this mat’s surface is liquid smooth. This mat’s tack comes from a thin, sticky layer of polyurethane material, which overlays an eco-friendly rubber base. A lovely mandala design is printed in the center of this mat, and it comes with a handy carrying bag.

Thickness: 4.5mm
Size: 72.8 x 26.8 inches (extra long size available)
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Best for: Yoga practitioners who love a mat that gives a super secure feeling under their hands and feet.

Indigena Natural Yoga Mat by Prana

Best Tested Yoga MatsThe wood grain texture on this mat gives it a beautiful, zen simplicity and excellent grip. Two layers of tree rubber provide excellent cushioning for hands and knees and a firm, grounded base for vinyasa styles of yoga practice.

Thickness: 4mm
Size: 78 x 26 inches
Weight: 6.1 lbs.
Best for: Taller yogis or those who feel a bit crowded on a regular size mat and want some extra room.

Not sure what yoga mat is best for you? Leave us a comment and we will do our best to give you a personal recommendation!

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13 responses to “The Top 6 Best Yogi Tested Yoga Mats”

  1. Jessica Diehl Avatar
    Jessica Diehl

    Liforme should be on this list too.

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      They were invited but they didn’t want to send us a mat. We only included yoga mats that we were able to test out ourselves.

  2. Ellie Teng Avatar
    Ellie Teng

    Thanks Timothy! for featuring our LiquidBalance Mat!

  3. Bryan Avatar
    Bryan

    I’m seven months in to my yoga practice. I currently use a cork mat it doesn’t slip when wet but it seems to be too cushy for balancing. It’s easy on my knees. It’s my first mat and I have grown quite attached to it. I would greatly appreciate your recommendation for a mat that will help me progress in my practice.

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      Try stepping off your mat to do your balancing poses direcly on the floor.

  4. clonko Avatar
    clonko

    Thanks for given the Information by this blog

  5. clonko Avatar
    clonko

    nice blog, thanks for giving the useful information by this blog.

  6. Kris Avatar
    Kris

    Hello – I’m new to Yoga. Afflicted with advanced osteoarthritis (have had both hips replaced) and have felt that I need extra cushioning. My wrists dont do well in say, a downward dog position. I’m in my 50’s. What might you recommend?

    With thanks,

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      Hey Kris, you really need to make sure your MD is ok with you practicing yoga and it would be best to have a PT work with you to know what poses/movements are best for you and how to modify as necessary. If you are having wrist pain in downward dog you can try to add extra padding under the wrists, move the hands forward to reduce the wrist angle, or use blocks under your hands.

  7. George Devine Avatar
    George Devine

    I know this is a couple years old but what the hey, I’ll give it a shot. I’m 5’10”, 235 lbs, 54 years old and a beginner. I have some issues with a double surgically repaired knee. Should I be looking at a mat longer than 72″ and how thick should I look for?
    Thx

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      Look for a long ( 72″ or longer) and extra padded (1/4″ or thicker) yoga mat like these: https://amzn.to/2At5gso https://amzn.to/2C3nZec https://amzn.to/3dQ3lLX

  8. Tina Benjamin Avatar
    Tina Benjamin

    I’m 59 yrs old and new to yoga. It’s hard for me to do lunges and my knees hurt. Also I’m not good at balancing poses. What mat would you recommend.

    Thank you-

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      I’d recommend the Para Rubber Yoga Mat or Indigena Natural Yoga Mat

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Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
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