The wonderful world of yoga mats is as vast and colourful as it has ever been. Throwback to 20 years ago and there wasn’t all that much choice out there.
However, in recent years, leading brands have come out with a rainbow variety of yoga mat options. On the one hand, that’s excellent news. It means that you can find the best yoga mat for your fitness and workout needs. On the other hand, you might be a tad spoilt for choice.
How to Choose the Best Yoga Mat for You
So, how can you choose the best yoga mat? Luckily, there’s a handful of factors you can consider here. Before you start looking at the wide range of mats out there, here are some of the things to keep in mind:
Sustainability
The yoga mat might be good for you, but is it good for the planet? If eco-friendliness is important to you, ensuring you get a sustainable brand should be at the top of your priority list.
Here at The Sports Edit, we stock some of the best sustainable yoga mat brands you can find online. As a general guideline, you should avoid PVC mats as the synthetic material doesn’t break down easily and can contribute to landfills.
Thickness
Next up, let’s talk about thickness. Yoga mats can range in thickness from around 1.5mm to 6mm, so there’s a whole load of choice out there. You need to think about how much room you have to store your mat and whether you will be taking it from your home to the studio.
Needless to say, thicker mats can be more cumbersome but also give you a higher level of support and comfort.
What is the Best Thickness for a Yoga Mat?
The best thickness for your yoga mat depends on the type of exercise you are doing and your level. If you have been practising yoga for a long time and do it a few times a week, you may want to invest in a thicker mat that gives you an extra level of comfort.
Material
Ahead of choosing the best yoga mat for you, you should know that there are a few different material options. One of the most popular choices tends to be rubber as it’s thick and durable.
However, you should look into each individual yoga mat before you make your choice. Some of the leading brands have also created their own fabrics for their mats. Check out the style of the material and how much grip it will offer you.
Price
Price is always going to be a factor when you’re looking for a new yoga mat. The truth of the matter is that the cost of these high-end sports accessories can vary dramatically.
Keep in mind that the more you invest in a yoga mat, the better quality you are likely to get. Equally, you will find that some of the more expensive mats come with a lifetime guarantee, which means that you only have to buy them once.
What are the Best Yoga Mat Brands?
If you’re completely new to buying yoga mats, you may not have heard of any of the brands. Don’t panic. While there are many different yoga mat brands out there, there are a few that stand out when it comes to quality and sustainability. With that in mind, here are three that you should keep your eye out for.
Yogi Bare
With an intense focus on functionality, style, and inclusivity, Yogi Bare is one of the best yoga mat brands. The eco-sensitive company offers mats with ultra-grip that respond to the way that you practice. Many of these mats are made from natural rubber and you can get a variety of styles and even patterns too.
Manduka
Offering supreme grip and cushioning, the Manduka range of yoga mats is certainly worth your attention. The premium brand is known for its high quality mats with a fabric-like surface, which means that you get the highest level of comfort. Check out the brand’s PRO Yoga Mat or the eKO Superlite mat.
Fable
Boasting a wide line of eco-conscious yoga mats, Fable is a pioneering brand. Many of the Fable yoga mats offer a longer length and wider width, which some yogis will find refreshing. Featuring bold, block colours and maximum grip for your practice, there’s oh-so-much to love about these mats.
5 of the Best Yoga Mats to Get in 2021
Ready to get shopping? Now that you have the inside scoop on the best yoga mat brands and what you should be looking for, let’s take a deep dive into which ones to choose. We’ve done the hard work for you. Let’s take a look at five of the best (and highest quality!) yoga mats to get this year.
Best Yoga Mat for Beginners
Are you just starting out on your yoga journey? The YOGI BARE Paws Natural Rubber Yoga Mat may be the ideal option for you. Offering extreme grip, a mid-level thickness (4mm), and a gorgeously simple style, this mat is the perfect entry-level accessory.
Made from eco friendly natural rubber and PU, the affordable yoga mat also ranks highly when it comes to sustainability. If you’re looking for a good all-rounder, you’ve found it.
Best Thick Yoga Mat
If you’re in the market for a super stylish and thick yoga mat, look no further than the Manduka PRO Yoga Mat. Coming in at 6mm in thickness, this leading brand mat is likely to tick all of your boxes.
The 100% Latex-free, easy-to-clean mat is great for more intense practices, such as hot yoga. You get excellent levels of comfort and support from this high-end mat, thanks to its thickness and high quality material.
(instagram @janiceliou, 2021)
Best Affordable Yoga Mat
Are you on a budget? That doesn’t mean that you can’t get a supreme yoga mat. The Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat might be the one for you. Weighing as little as 1 kilo and with 1.5mm thickness, the mat is ideal for the yogi that commutes to and from the studio.
You can roll up this mat into a thin cylinder and take it with you anywhere when you’re on the go. Made from biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested, natural tree rubber, the mat is also 99% Latex-free. That’s a huge win for the environment.
Best Yoga Mat for Men
While men can choose any yoga mat they please, they won’t go far wrong with the Nike Mastery Yoga Mat. With a thick 5mm base and a slick, subtle design, there are many reasons that they may choose this option.
Consisting of an 80% thermoplastic elastomer and 20% rubber mix, the lightweight mat has a cool, stone-look finish. This one also has an anti-odour construction, which is ideal for extra sweaty classes.
Best Yoga Mat for Vinyasa
Moving swiftly from pose to pose during vinyasa or ‘flow’ is a savvy way to stay fit. However, it means that you need a mat with an extreme level of grip. While many of the mats we have covered offer this (and would fit the bill!), you might want to check out the Fable 4mm Pro Grip Studio Mindful Mat.
Featuring non-slip technology and ultimate levels of stability, this premium mat will stay strong throughout every session. Bonus: It is also made from PVC-free and biodegradable natural tree rubber. What’s not to love?
The Takeaway!
Choosing the perfect yoga mat for you doesn’t have to be difficult. Using this guide, you should have no problem finding the right one for both your level and the type of exercise you do. Keep in mind that investing in a high-quality product now means that it will stand the test of time for years to come.
