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.
A 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
Made 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
Its 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
This 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
While 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
The 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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