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From travel mats to cork-covered finds, they’re the only piece of equipment you really need
No matter if you’re a daily dedicated yogi or have just started to do a downward dog, one of the only pieces of equipment you may need is a good-quality yoga mat. Sadly, in our experience, these can be few and far between.
From corners that roll up to surfaces that slip, the list of potential yoga mat problems is as long as your body in a sun salutation, so let us guide you with our list of tried-and-tested mats to buy, no matter your budget.
After all, it’s hard to stay in that state of serenity when your feet are slipping, hands aren’t gripping, and there’s a sweaty sound of suction every time you move.
So, from cork-covered options to trusty travel yoga mats, we’ve found something to suit every style of practice, no matter if it’s a fast-paced flow or a more restful yin. We’ve even got some funky finds, too, to make your practice just a little more colourful.
Keep reading below to see which yoga mats impressed, including those from Dare 2 B, Gymshark, Corkspace, Amp and many more. And keep scrolling to get some great advice from Cat Meffan, yoga teacher and founder of the Soul Sanctuary, who reveals what makes an ideal yoga mat.
Our tester is a daily dedicated yogi, so has practised on many a mat during their time. From doing downward dogs to flowing through vinyasa, they swapped out their standard mat for a whole host of options, to find the best ones to buy for every budget.
Different mat materials have different lifespans and varying levels of grip, says Cat Meffan, yoga teacher and founder of the Soul Sanctuary. Here are a couple of options:
Rubber mats
“Smooth, recycled rubber mats are amazingly grippy at the start but, on average, they will last for around 300-400 practices. If you’re someone that does yoga everyday, this might feel a little excessive to be buying a new mat each year.”
Cork mats
“Some materials such as cork are great, but more so for hot yoga classes, or very dynamic flows when you know you’ll get sweaty. When buying a ‘yoga towel’ or hot yoga mat, be aware that these are often only 1-2mm thick, so you’ll want to have another mat to pad underneath.”
“Thickness definitely matters”, says Meffen, “especially if you like extra padding under the knees and spine. But bear in mind that the thicker the mat, the heavier it will be.” While thicker mats are good for using at home, they may be too much for carrying to the gym.
“I honestly don’t believe it is that important.” says Meffen. “Yoga mats were created to enhance the practice of yoga and they do a great job of it. If someone had the choice of doing yoga without a mat or not doing yoga at all, I would always urge them to just start.”
She added: “There are many asanas that don’t require a high-grip yoga mat, and let’s not forget that meditation and pranayama are a huge part of yoga, for which we can sit on a cushion or a chair.”
Before buying your first yoga mat, there are a few things you need to consider. Firstly, think about what type of floor it will be used on – if the mat doesn’t have enough grip, on hardwood or tile floors it may be difficult to balance in various poses.
Additionally, a non-slip mat will be helpful when working up a sweat or when practising hot yoga in a heated room. If you plan to transport your mat between your home and classes, look for one that’s lightweight and rolls up easily.
Thicker yoga mats are a great option to provide extra support for anyone who suffers from knee pain, sensitive wrists or is looking to practise hatha or restorative yoga.
Most standard yoga mats usually measure 3mm thick, while a thick yoga mat starts at approximately 5mm. However, the most important thing to consider when picking one is your own personal comfort.
Depending on how often you practise and the intensity of your sessions, you can usually go a week or so before your mat needs a thorough clean. But, if you tend to sweat a lot or find that your mat retains an odour, it is best to clean it more often.
For a quick spot clean, you can buy ready-made antibacterial sprays that are designed to be used on both sides of the yoga mat, to kill any germs and eliminate odours. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid and two cups of warm water into a spray bottle.
It is also important to check your mat’s specific cleaning recommendations. While some can be spot cleaned only, others are hand-washable and some can even be put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.
While it is fine to use just one mat for all forms of exercise, there is a difference between fitness and yoga mats. Those designed solely for yoga are often thinner, longer and have more grip, while standard exercise mats can be a bit thicker to offer extra support for higher-impact workouts.
A lot of yoga mats contain PVC – a plastic known as polyvinyl chloride – which is what gives them a slight chemical smell when rolled out. If you’re looking for a mat that’s kinder to the planet, you should, first of all, avoid this material. More eco-friendly options include yoga mats made from natural rubber, cork, cotton or jute.
Yoga mats come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to select one that works best for you and your practice. But if you’re still sitting on the fence about which one to buy, let us point you even further in the right direction.
No matter if you’re a beginner or best in class, the Yash cork mat is sure to impress. For those after a bargain buy, the Decathlon essential yoga mat will do the job of softening any surface just fine. While those looking for a more luxury buy are sure to be blown away by the beautiful Kati Kaia Aurelia gallery yoga mat.
If you regularly take your practice out and about, the La Pochette whenever wherever yoga mat couldn’t be easier to carry around. And the Amp yoga mat’s loud leopard print will inject some personality into even the most serene of practices. Just be sure to thank us when you’re slipping into shavasana, all nice and snug after a good sweaty session.
Make your practice even more comfortable with our pick of the best yoga pants and leggings