Which yoga mat is best?
There are so many answers to this question, which I’m sure wasn’t the answer you were hoping for! But, it truly depends on the style of yoga you’re practicing, your sweatiness, and your budget. Let’s break down the mats I’ve had over the years and I’ll give you honest reviews and prices so you can find the mat that works for you!
My first mat was from 5 Below… I'm not even going to bother linking that one. Just trust me, and don’t buy one there. It will be paper thin, not grippy at all, and filled with who knows what. gag.
My first decent mat was a gaiam yoga mat. It was basic, about $25, and did the job. It was cushy enough that I felt comfortable, yet sturdy enough to feel supported. It came in a variety of colors and designs and didn’t break the bank which I appreciated. It was also light weight, as some of the mats can get heavy. Online it says it’s 5mm thick (although it doesn’t feel that thick) and it doesn’t have a weight listed. As far as grip, it was pretty good, however, I’m sweaty, so the sliding was a bit of an issue in poses like downward dog. You may also experience bunching on certain surfaces which can be irritating. The first studio I taught at had beautiful carpeting which this mat wasn’t the best on. If you’re using your mat for a calm practice and won’t sweat much, this is a great buy. You could always throw down a sweat towel too. Surprisingly, they don’t bunch or cause an issue as you think they might.
My next two mats were both manduka and were a step up in price. I purchased both right after I completed my yoga teacher training. My first was an eko yoga mat 5mm and 8lbs. It was fantastic and they still have the color (acai midnight) that I bought. It was heavier than my first mat, but it also had a much better surface (especially for my sweaty hands) and at 5mm was even cushier for my knees. Definitely a quality mat that has lasted me over 10 years. It cleans well and comes in several fun colors. They also have an eko lite which is a little thinner (4mm instead of 5mm) but it has a lower price tag. The regular eko is $100 and the lite is $84.
The other fancy mat I bought after teacher training was while I was on a yoga retreat in Vermont. It was a yogitoes mat - they’re not a standalone company it seems and are under manduka’s umbrella. All I can find by yogitoes anymore are just towels. These towels cover your mat to help with grip and sweating. They’re probably fantastic, but honestly, I love Lululemon’s or Yoga Rat. Yoga Rat was a random brand I found at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s. I wish Yogitoes still had mats because it lasted and was so fantastic, but no worries, the next one’s phenomenal!
My lululemon 5mm made with fsc-certified rubber mat has been my tried and true for the last several years. It is 5mm, super sturdy, but cushy at the same time. It’s been through everything with me. Multiple vacations (it’s heavyish at a little over 5lbs), classes indoors, outdoors, on grass, on cement, etc. It’s also going to be one of the best options if you’re sweaty. I took this bad boy to hot yoga (temps upward to 109* F) and never needed a sweat towel on top. It is so stinking grippy, it’s amazing. It can take a beating and still perform, which is another reason I love it so much! It is heavy (ish) but it really is just such a fantastic yoga mat for wherever you’re practicing. It ranges depending on color from $94-$98.
My newest and most favorite mat is now my alo warrior mat. It’s absolutely absurd. It’s 5 mm, comes in a variety of colors, and is the absolute grippiest mat I’ve ever owned. But of course it should be amazing at the price tag of $128. It’s heavy (8lbs) and has been phenomenal so far. Like I said, I’m sweaty, and this thing grips. There is absolutely no slipping and although I never took this to the hot studio I belonged to, there were many other yogis on these without needing a sweat towel. It’s incredibly sturdy and somehow feels cushier than the lululemon one even though they’re both 5mm.
I’ve linked all the mats I’ve talked about HERE for you to shop (minus the yogitoes since that’s no longer available). I hope you find the mat that works for you and you can feel comfortable, supported, and safe as you flow!
