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So you've just gotten into yoga, or you want to take your commitment to the next level by trading in the studio mat for your own. Rental mats are fine temporarily, but they're not always the highest quality. For the ultimate yogic experience you can't beat having your own personal mat that meets the needs of your preferred type of practice.
As yoga is part of a wider wellness and environmentally-conscious culture, you'll have a range of eco-friendly materials to choose from such as linen, cork, and rubber, as well as non-slip designs and those ideal for travel. Thankfully, we've compiled our 10 best buys from Amazon, eBay and John Lewis from top brands like Gaiam and Liforme.
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There's plenty to consider when choosing a yoga mat, which will mostly be based on how often you intend to practice, how much you want to spend, and whether there are any special features you'd like your mat to include.
Check the main materials out whilst thinking about your preferences in terms of usage, durability, and texture, as well as their eco-credentials – some are biodegradable and recyclable, while some are neither.
Mats made from natural rubber or man-made TPE rubber both share the same qualities, and are both perfect for yoga because they have excellent grip and cushioning. The traction given by rubber also means yogis can be more daring with their postures.
They both also rank very highly on the eco-scale – they're biodegradable, recyclable, free of chemicals such as phthalates, PVC and other plastics, and they're kind to skin and the wider environment. And if that wasn't enough, rubber also makes for a very hard-wearing and long-lasting mat.
NBR foam is non-toxic and free from PVC, phthalates, and latex, making it an excellent choice for a safe and conscious yoga mat. Its closed-cell structure also locks out moisture, dirt and germs for hygienic reassurance, and its high density provides a firm base to stabilise balance.
Despite all these appealing qualities, NBR mats are very accessible and reasonably-priced, plus they're lightweight which makes them easy to store, carry, and travel with. Known for being heat and water-resistant, they're also ideal for Bikram and other dynamic forms of yoga.
Using cork as a material for a yoga mat can seem a tad strange. However, it might just be the key to the inner peace you are looking for, for a whole host of reasons. Firstly, cork is warm underfoot, (which will be most welcome during your 6am winter practice!), but come summer will regulate heat to keep you nice and cool.
Cork mats also have a very long life and can be repaired if they do damage, plus they naturally tend to repel dust, hair and other unhygienic surface particles. And to top it off, cork actually becomes more grippy the sweatier you get!
PVC is a very popular mat material, as it is known to create a stickier surface which can make a big difference when it comes to grip. PVC mats are also cheap to purchase, and do make good starter mats.
Sadly, PVC, otherwise known as polyvinyl chloride, isn't the best choice for the environment because it is a form of plastic, which releases chemicals at each point of the production cycle. It will also have to be thrown away instead of recycled at the end of its life, so overall, may not align with many yogis' values.
There are also several fabric-based mats to consider, some of which will be stitched atop another material as an upper layer, and others that are more of a yoga towel, to be used either alone or as a cover for your mat.
The thickness of your mat is well worth considering, for comfort, of course, but also for warmth and stability. A super-thick mat can be great if you practice in a cold environment, or if you want a multi-purpose mat to use for other activities such as Pilates or fitness.
However, a thick mat can make it more difficult to feel a connection to the floor which can set you off balance. But choose a mat that's too thin, and you could end up feeling uncomfortable in postures where you are close to the floor, especially if you have sensitive joints. For reference, a thickness of 3 to 4 mm is considered average.
It's also helpful to note the dimensions of the mat, especially if you're tall or like to have a lot of space to move and stretch. Tailor this to your practice needs as you see fit, taking into account that a standard mat is usually around 180 cm long, with a width of 61 cm.
In need of a yoga outfit? Check out our favourite yoga pants for women and for men!
As one of the key aspects of yoga is maintaining and improving your alignment, it's crucial that your mat provides good grip against the surface you place it on. Studio floors are often slippery so you'll want to do all you can to prevent discomfort or injury.
Look for mats with textured dots that are turned upwards to stop your towel slipping (if you use a mat and a towel), or downwards to grip to the floor. You can also keep an eye out for mats which are described as having a grippy, non-slip, or sticky side.
If you're serious about improving your yoga, why not invest in some yoga blocks too!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | M Life Eco Luxury 6mm Yoga Mat | £48.00 High Mid | The Ultimate Yoga Mat Made With Eco-Friendly Materials | ||
2 | Gaiam Performance Mandala Cork 5mm Yoga Mat | £70.00 High Mid | A Sustainable and Natural Cork/TPE Mat for an Optimal Practice | ||
3 | M Life Linen 5mm Yoga Mat | £42.00 Mid | A Beautiful Top of the Range 2-in-1 Mat for Yoga Devotees | ||
4 | Fitness-Mad Grip Dot Yoga Towel | £22.49 Low Mid | An Excellent Anti-Slip Yoga Mat and Towel in One | ||
5 | Liforme Yoga Mat | £104.95 High | A World Renowned Eco-Mat With Patented Alignment System Marks | ||
6 | Yoga-Mad Evolution 4mm Yoga Mat | £34.99 Mid | A PVC and Latex Free Double Sided Mat With Supreme Grip | ||
7 | Gaiam Be Free Reversible Yoga Mat | £39.49 Mid | A Reversible Mat With a Choice of Beautiful Patterns | ||
8 | Gaiam Stay-Put Yoga Mat | £24.49 Low Mid | A Grippy Towel Mat Made From Hypoallergenic Microfibre | ||
9 | UMI Essentials Pilates Mat Non Slip Yoga Mat | £26.39 Low Mid | Extra Thick Versatile Mat With Carry Straps | ||
10 | Proworks Yoga Mat | £20.00 Low | A Great Value All-Purpose Mat |
The second highly-rated M Life product on our list, the Eco-Luxury is the cream of the crop when it comes to environmentally sound yoga mats. Free from ozone-depleting materials and with a beautiful design and custom made tie, it gives you even more reason to feel good about your practice!
This fabulous mat is designed with your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health in mind, and that of the planet, too, so it's no wonder it takes our top spot. Made to the highest specification, this mat is a beautiful piece that you'll love to show off.
This all-natural cork and lightweight TPE yoga mat has a closed-cell design that seals out odour and bacteria. Made with eco-friendly materials, it's biodegradable, recyclable and provides excellent cushioning and grip.
If you need more convincing to try out cork for the first time, we'll also mention that as a material it's sustainable, naturally cushioned and antimicrobial to repel germs and odour. We reckon this super-lightweight yet very durable mat will be your favourite everyday yoga partner – give it a go!
This is nothing short of the ideal mat for those practising vinyasa, ashtanga, hot or in fact any type of yoga. Thoughtfully designed, it has every feature you would desire in a yoga mat – a soft cloth surface, a sticky PVC side to stop slipping, a ribbon to tie it up after use, and a gorgeous colour scheme.
It may seem pricey but is a worthy investment as it will last forever, withstand regular use, and can also be used for Pilates and other similar classes. Environmentally aware and designed in the UK, this is a brand to trust.
Don't go to class without this highly versatile and absorbent towel and mat! Particularly well-suited to hot and dynamic yoga, it can be thrown in the washing machine to keep bacteria at bay and dries quickly when wet.
Highly functional and excellent value, you can utilise the grip as you please: face the dots to grip to the floor, or have them up for better hygiene and extra grip atop a class mat. It also folds up to fit into a bag or case, and comes with its own convenient net carry bag, making it a great travel-friendly option.
Practice with the original and unique "AlignForMe" mat system designed to guide yogis to their highest potential. This mat boasts warrior-like grip and although it's a slightly pricier option, it is thought to be the most non-slip mat on the market.
Made with high quality, non-toxic ingredients, it is PVC but will degrade in landfill after 1-5 years. It's longer, wider and thicker than most, giving the space and balance needed for the perfect practice. Even with this extra space to move, it's still lightweight, easy to carry, and conveniently comes with a Liforme yoga mat bag.
The design of this mat is very much focused on grip, and how to optimise that to improve your yoga practice. It also has wonderful cushioning and is soft to the touch, with a stylish double-sided design to boot.
It's 4mm thick – the most popular mat thickness for regular practice, which means it's also very light and easy to transport. A good pick for those living consciously, it's also kinder to the environment than most yoga mats as it is PVC and latex-free, and fully recyclable and biodegradable.
Choose this mat with a choice of several gorgeous colours, all in yogic designs to get you into a blissful state of mind for your practice. Textured for non-slip performance, it also has 6 mm of cushioning which is thin enough for a connection but thick enough to protect and care for your joints.
It is PVC, but it's free from 6 of the common types of phthalates, and is also latex-free to set your mind and body at ease. This is a rare mat made for both comfort and style, and one that you won't want to go to class without!
This hypoallergenic microfibre mat is twice as absorbent as cotton, washable, and dries in half the time. It's designed to stay put during even the most challenging poses, and although ideal for all types of classes, it's particularly well suited to hot or power yoga.
With four corner pockets that slide over a standard-size mat, think of it as a mat for your mat, which will entail purchasing an additional mat if you require more padding and don't own one already.
This is another fantastic mat for those who are new to yoga, or who do lots of different activities that require a mat, such as pilates or home workouts. An added bonus is that you can also use it for camping, picnics, or anything else you can think of where padding is required!
At 1.5cm thick it's the chunkiest on our list, providing warmth, moisture-resistance and sufficient padding for sensitive joints, but this does result in a bulky mat that may be too thick for most yogis. On the plus side, its non-slip material does make it a doddle to clean, and there's a carrying strap, too.
Made from eco-friendly (in other words, non-toxic, PVC-free, although not recyclable) NBR foam, this mat can be used for yoga, gymnastics or Pilates and comes with a convenient carry strap. With its thick, cushioned base, it supports your body throughout your practice.
Easy to set up, quick to unroll with no curling at the edges, this is a good value and lightweight option. Experienced yogis will want to move on to a mat with slightly more advanced features, but this is still a good choice for those at a beginner or up to intermediate level.
It can be hard starting any kind of exercise if you don't have a routine in place or haven't worked out in a while. So here's one of our recommended yoga workout videos from a big name in athletic clothing to get you started - Lululemon!
Now you know to base your decision on grip, thickness, material and design, we hope this guide and recommendation list has helped you to find the perfect yoga mat to accompany you on your journey to wellness. Namaste!
Author: Melanie McPhail
No. 1: M Life |Eco Luxury 6mm Yoga Mat
No. 2: Gaiam |Performance Mandala Cork 5mm Yoga Mat
No. 3: M Life|Linen 5mm Yoga Mat
No. 4: Fitness-Mad|Grip Dot Yoga Towel
No. 5: Liforme|Yoga Mat
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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