Fifteen years ago, there was only one basic type of yoga mat – made of PVC and known for its viscosity – and your only choice was whether to buy purple or blue.
Now, there is a yoga mat to suit every priority and preference. Beyond the color or pattern that suits your style, the yoga mat must keep you stable in the position; it must be storable and portable, but at the same time comfortable. You may also want your mat to be environmentally friendly.
Use this guide to help you find a yoga mat you will never regret! One that adapts to your practice, needs, lifestyle, values, and budget.
Table of Contents
Guide to choosing the right yoga mat!
The characteristics to consider when choosing the yoga mat.
Buying a new yoga mat is not as easy as it seems. There are so many different styles, thicknesses, and materials to choose from. How do you know which yoga mat is right for you?
Thickness and length
Why it matters? The thickness of your yoga mat has a lot to do with its comfort: too thin, and your knee may be damaged during the lunge. On the other hand, thick yoga mats can make it more difficult to maintain stability on the ground and compromise balance.
The ideal is to choose a mat between 1/8″ and 1/2″ thick. There are also extra-thin yoga mats, often classified as ” travel mats, ” from 1/8″ to 1/16″ thick. They fold easily and do not weigh much, making them extremely comfortable in a suitcase.
Consider how much space you have been available to store your yoga mat, how important portability is, and the right compromise between comfort and balance. If you don’t mind taking up more weight in your bag, consider a high-quality yoga mat with a thickness of 1/4″ – 1/2″.
Also, consider the length: your mat should be long enough for the whole body when you lie down in savasana. If the legs are longer than the mat, the difference in temperature may make relaxation difficult. Standard yoga mats are approximately 72″ long.
If you are taller, make sure you have an extra-long yoga mat. Larger width mats are also available, so keep that in mind if you need more space.
Material
The material from which the yoga mat is made determines its consistency, tightness, eco-friendliness, and sponginess (what it gives for the pressure) and its duration over time.
Most standard yoga mats are made of PVC, otherwise known as vinyl. The most modern and most environmentally friendly options include natural and recycled rubber, jute and organic cotton or natural cotton (which means that the fabric is not treated with synthetic finishes during production). If you are allergic to latex, avoid natural rubber yoga mats.
Texture
Smooth rugs can be cool if you choose the right model. Some give you that ” sticky ” feeling, and it’s important to create traction and keep you from slipping. If you want a smooth mat, it must be good! Otherwise, it will become slippery and potentially dangerous.
Smooth mats with great traction are good for Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga that require more powerful movements. It is important to avoid completely smooth PVC mats, as they are simply too slippery. We recommend natural rubber mats. Especially if you are sweating a lot while practicing, a smoother natural rubber mat does not absorb sweat like a textured mat.
The textured pattern mats naturally provide grip and are less slippery. You can opt for a cotton or jute yoga mat, but there are also rubber mats with a nice texture. These mats are perfect for lighter types of yoga.
Environmentally friendly
Yogis are very attached to the principle of ahimsa, of non-violence. It follows that it is necessary to practice on a yoga mat that, once disposed of, can pollute as little as possible. This is why the ecological yoga mats were born, generally made of natural or recycled rubber.
Those that use natural materials such as jute or organic cotton are very popular. If eco-friendliness is important to you, avoid PVC yoga mats (the traditional sticky mat), which is difficult and expensive to recycle.
Rubber, jute, and cotton yoga mats, although available in various thicknesses, tend to be thicker and thinner than PVC mats. You can find a yoga mat that is both ecological and with a thickness that can meet your needs for comfort and portability.
Price range
Usually, a solid-color PVC yoga mat will be the cheapest purchase you can make. From there, you can invest for models with designs or logos; premium thicknesses; antimicrobial treatments; and fantastic textures, tactile motifs in relief. Eco-friendly yoga mats tend to be towards the high price range.
The question is, are you willing to invest so much money from the start? Don’t feel obligated to buy an expensive mat just because everyone else has one.
Style
After restricting your choices based on thickness, material, consistency, viscosity, eco-compatibility, and price, only one factor remains style! So go ahead and choose your favorite color, pattern, or print. After all, you will have to see it for a long time in the position of the dog upside down.
What kind of yoga are you practicing?
If you practice Hatha Yoga or Yin Yoga, you will be comfortable with a standard mat: it must not be of the best quality. You don’t necessarily have to sweat with these yoga styles, so the traction provided by a medium mat will be fine.
If you practice Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Hot Yoga, you will have to invest in a mat that can absorb to sweat and provide super-strong traction. You can also consider adding a textured yoga towel to the top of the mat.
Where will you practice?
The place where you are doing yoga is important. If you train at home, you don’t have to worry about carrying a heavier mat. If you are a beginner and you practice Hatha or Yin Yoga, in particular, you should definitely opt for a thicker and bulkier mat because it will be more comfortable for you.
If you practice in a studio, you will definitely need a lighter mat. It should be comfortable enough to be carried around and should be long enough to allow resting positions.