Best Yoga Mats for Practice and Training
Pros
- ✓ Non-slip surface for poses
- ✓ Cushions knees and joints
- ✓ Thicker than exercise mats for comfort
Cons
- ✗ PVC mats aren't eco-friendly
- ✗ Cork/rubber mats are expensive
What Is a Yoga Mat?
A yoga mat is a cushioned, non-slip surface for practising yoga, pilates, stretching, and floor exercises. Unlike generic exercise mats, yoga mats are designed specifically for grip — both for your hands and feet on the mat surface, and for the mat on the floor. They’re typically 3-6mm thick, providing enough cushion for knees and joints without being so soft that you lose balance.
A good yoga mat is the foundation of your practice. It defines your space, provides traction for challenging poses, and protects your joints from hard floors.
Who Needs One?
Anyone practising yoga, pilates, or regular stretching. Even if you’re just doing 10 minutes of mobility work after lifting, a yoga mat makes floor work significantly more comfortable. They’re also essential for bodyweight exercises at home — push-ups, planks, and ab work all benefit from a non-slip surface.
What to Look For
Grip is the most critical feature. Your hands shouldn’t slide forward in downward dog, and your feet shouldn’t slip in warrior poses. Natural rubber and polyurethane (PU) tops offer the best grip, especially when wet. PVC mats need to be broken in before they grip well.
Thickness affects comfort and stability. 3-4mm is standard for yoga — thin enough for balance but enough cushion for kneeling poses. 5-6mm mats are better for joint sensitivity but can feel less stable in standing poses. Anything thicker than 6mm is really a fitness mat, not a yoga mat.
Material has environmental and performance implications. PVC is the cheapest and most durable but isn’t biodegradable. Natural rubber is grippy and eco-friendly but heavier. TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is a middle ground. Cork tops with rubber bases are premium and sustainable.
Size is usually standard at 183cm x 61cm. Taller people should look for extra-long mats (200cm+). Travel mats are thinner (1-2mm) and fold into a suitcase.
Closed-cell vs open-cell surface matters for hygiene. Closed-cell surfaces don’t absorb sweat and are easier to clean. Open-cell surfaces (like natural rubber) absorb moisture, which improves grip when sweaty but requires more thorough cleaning.
Top Picks
Liforme — The alignment mat. Laser-etched alignment lines guide your hand and foot placement. Outstanding grip that actually improves when wet. Eco-friendly and beautifully made. Expensive, but many yogis consider it the best mat they’ve ever used.
Manduka PRO — A tank of a mat. 6mm thick, incredibly dense, and virtually indestructible. It takes a few weeks to break in (the surface is slippery initially) but once broken in, it’s outstanding. Comes with a lifetime guarantee.
JadeYoga Harmony — Open-cell natural rubber with exceptional grip out of the box. Eco-friendly — Jade plants a tree for every mat sold. Slightly less durable than the Manduka but grippier from day one.
Decathlon Yoga Mat — At around £15, this is the smart entry point. Perfectly adequate grip and cushioning for beginners. Won’t last forever, but it’ll get you started without a big commitment.
Where to Buy
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