A yoga mat is a basic accessory needed for your yoga session. It may seem basic, but a good yoga mat offers good balance and cushioning.

In contrast to other exercise practices, yoga needs an excellent yoga mat to begin. Although the majority of studios offer everything a beginner requires, owning your mat, yoga-specific attire, and a few other accessories can further enhance your yoga experience. However, if you’re looking to buy a yoga mat but don’t know how to choose a yoga mat, read this comprehensive yoga mat buying guide to make the process easier.

How to Choose A Yoga Mat?

Understand these factors in detail to learn how to choose a yoga mat:

1. Thickness

Why it matters: The thickness of your yoga mat significantly contributes to its comfort — if it’s too thin, your knee will hit the ground during a crescent lunge. The downside is that thick yoga mats (some 1/4 inch thick) can make it more challenging to feel a solid connection to the floor, so you’ll be less stable in poses like Tree Pose, for instance.

Choices: The average yoga mat is roughly 1/8 inch thick, while the thickest ones are approximately 1/4 inch thick. Then there are wafer-thin yoga mats, sometimes marketed as “travel yoga mats,” which are only 1/16 inch thick. They can be folded up and are light enough to pack away in a suitcase.

Yoga Mat Thickness Guide: Consider the amount of space you have for storing your yoga mat, your level of concern for portability, and where your sweet spot lies between comfort and a direct connection to the floor. If you don’t have much storage room, have a long commute to the studio, and prefer the feel of just a bit of padding, consider using a standard-depth mat in the 1/8-inch category.

If you don’t mind hauling and storing a bit more weight in the interest of more padding, try a high-end yoga mat that’s roughly 1/4 inch thick. And if you need to roll up your yoga mat and stuff it in a suitcase or carry-on, consider using a foldable travel yoga mat with a thickness of 1/16 inch.

2. Material

Why it matters: The substance of your yoga mat determines its texture, tackiness, environmental friendliness, sponginess, and how it degrades over time.

Choices: The most common yoga mat material types are constructed of PVC or vinyl. More recent alternatives, which are more environmentally friendly, are natural and recycled rubber, jute, and organic cotton or natural cotton (meaning the fabric is not finished synthetically during production).

General purchasing guidelines: If you’re latex-sensitive, steer clear of natural rubber yoga mats. If you prefer to adhere to the classic sticky mat, opt for a PVC-made yoga mat, which can withstand your abuse and wear and tear for over a decade. Sponginess will vary considerably with different material blends, but overall, PVC is the most “giving” material among all yoga mats; jute and cotton are the least.

Beyond these basics, let your other concerns — texture, stickiness, and environmental friendliness— guide you.

3. Texture

Why it matters: The texture of your yoga mat determines how much grip it has. Similar to stickiness, texture influences the amount of sliding and slipping you experience. It offers physical barriers to sliding. And because texture impacts the feel of a yoga mat, it’s also part of overall comfort.

Anything with a bumpy surface will annoy you in savasana. Texture may be artificial or inherent in the materials themselves — jute mats have an earthy, roughness, while PVC mats, although slightly textured, are softer.

Options: There’s a texture of yoga mat to accommodate every fancy, from utterly smooth to downright rough.

Basic purchasing tips: If you’re in the market for a non-slip yoga mat and you prefer to steer clear of PVC mats, consider a rubber, jute, or cotton yoga mat with a tactilely elevated pattern. The extra grip the raised texture gives can keep you steady regardless of how sweaty or intense your practice becomes.

If smoothness is your top priority, a PVC yoga mat is the best choice. And if you enjoy stickiness but wonder about the new, more environmentally friendly versions, consider trying them before you buy. Some of the eco-friendly yoga mats may surprise you with the amount of grip they provide, despite lacking the traditional “sticky” sensation.

4. Stickiness

Why it matters: A Sticky yoga mat prevents you from sliding everywhere and allows you to sustain your alignment as you transition from one position to another, in addition to holding positions for a few seconds.

Choices: PVC yoga mats offer the most significant sticky factor.

Basic buying guide: If you require assistance with staying in position in your poses but you object to the idea of practicing on a raised-texture yoga mat, then a PVC yoga mat is likely your best option. Please note that these mats only adhere when clean, so it’s essential to take good care of your yoga mat. If you do purchase a PVC yoga mat, wash it before use, and then apply a convenient yoga wash cleaner whenever your hands start to slide forward during downward dog.

5. Eco-friendliness

Why it matters: As yogis, we prize the principle of ahimsa, non-violence. So, practicing on a yoga mat that will, in the end, clog a landfill for the next several decades is inconvenient.

Options: An eco-friendly yoga mat is typically made from natural or recycled rubber. These yoga mats may also include natural materials, such as jute or organic cotton.

Basic buying guide: If eco-friendliness is important to you, avoid yoga mats made of PVC, which do not break down in landfills and are difficult and costly to recycle. Rubber, jute, and cotton yoga mats, although they come in varying thicknesses, are thicker and smoother than PVC mats. Therefore, always opt for an eco-friendly yoga mat to contribute to a greener world.

6. Price range

Generally, a simple 1/8-inch-thick, plain, solid-color PVC sticky yoga mat will be at the lower end of the price range. Then you pay extra for patterns, designs, or logos, high thickness, antimicrobial treatments, and incredible textures, notably raised tactile patterns. Environmental yoga mats fall at the upper end of the price range.

7. Style

Now that you’ve narrowed down your options based on thickness, material, texture, stickiness, eco-friendliness, and cost, only one factor remains: style. Go on and choose your favorite hue, pattern, or print. After all, you’ll be looking at a lot of it in downward dog.

Conclusion

Choosing an appropriate yoga mat can significantly benefit your practice, whether you are just starting or advancing on your path. By considering material, thickness, texture, and price, you’ll be more likely to select a mat that suits your unique needs. Keep in mind that learning how to choose a yoga mat is simply about matching comfort, support, and functionality with your practice style. If you’re starting with yoga, spending money on the best yoga mat for beginners will provide additional grip and cushioning, enabling you to establish confidence and stability from the very first day. With the proper mat to support you, each stretch, pose, and breath feels more enjoyable and stable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Which is the best thickness for a yoga mat?

A1: Choose a mat that’s about 6mm thick, which offers excellent comfort. For better balance and closer contact with the floor, a thickness of 3–4 mm works well.

2. Which is the best material for a yoga mat?

The natural rubber and TPE mats are the most popular choices as they’re grippy and eco-friendly. PVC mats may be durable, but they aren’t the best for the environment.

3. What should beginners look for in a yoga mat?

If you’re a beginner, choose a mat that’s soft, non-slip, and provides good support. A 6 mm medium-thick yoga mat is often the best choice for beginners.

4. Does a textured mat help with grip?

Yes, it does, textured mats help your hands and feet stay in place, especially when you start to sweat.

5. Is the size of the mat important?

Yes, the mat size is significant. Ensure the mat fits your height and provides sufficient space for movement. If you’re tall, go for a longer mat than the usual size.