Choosing a yoga mat is kind of like choosing a dog. You need to ask
the same questions: How much do you travel? How much space do you
have? How much are you willing to spend? The perfect yoga mat is the
one that is best suited to your needs. There is no “one” yoga mat that
is perfect for every person, in every way. Fortunately for you, this
isn’t 1970, when you had more or less one choice for material: PVC.
This is 2014, and you could spend the whole year researching the endless
varieties of yoga mats that are now available. The important thing is
to choose a mat and
use it. The following guide will help you
pick the perfect mat, whether you bike twenty miles to class or practice
in the basement (if you’re in the latter category, feel right at home
with this
weekend at-home yoga retreat).
A Brief Overview
Let’s take a quick look at the factors that will ultimately help you make a decision.
- Material: Like I mentioned, the all-PVC mat, while still popular,
is starting to become a thing of the past. Newer materials exist,
ranging from cotton to recycled materials, with a strong emphasis on
eco-friendliness (note: avoid natural rubber if you’re allergic to latex).
- Stickiness: For the most part, material determines stickiness.
Obviously, a sticky mat helps you hold your pose. The reason PVC still
survives is because it’s arguably the stickiest. But there are, of
course, other options.
- Thickness: Thickness is all about comfort. If it’s too thin,
you’re really going to feel some of those positions. But if it’s too
thick, you could find yourself flailing for balance. Yoga mats usually
range from 1/16” to ¼” thick. A 1/16” mat would probably fit in your
briefcase, while a ¼” mat is best staying at home.
- Texture: i.e. traction. From slick to sandpaper, you can find any
texture you desire. PVC, while sticky, is very smooth; conversely,
rubber and cotton tend to be rougher, but as mentioned before, less
smooth. In other words, if you like getting your traction from
stickiness, PVC is the way to go; if you prefer to grip a raised
surface, do yourself (and the world) a favor and go eco-friendly.
Spice up your mat routine with what is hands-down
the best thera ball workout ever.
Best Beginner’s Mat
Let’s just get this out of the way. The best beginner’s mat, for the
person who wants to dabble in everything, is the Hugger Mugger Original
Tapas Mat. It is, truly, an average mat, but sometimes that’s the
perfect choice. At only $30, you don’t have to make a serious
investment to get into yoga. It has an average thickness of 1/8”,
weights about 2.5lbs (light enough to travel with), and is made of
traditional, latex-free PVC. The only negative is its lack of
eco-friendliness, which can feel a bit hypocritical when you’re shooting
for self-improvement.
Best Traveler’s Mat
Whether you have a long trek to class or like to do yoga in your
hotel on business trips, the best traveler’s mat is the Lululemon Un
Mat. It’s perfect in just about every way. To begin with, it’s made of
natural rubber, so check eco-friendly off the list and let’s keep
rolling. It measures a mere 1.5mm thick and weighs in at one
pound—one! It’ll be like a pencil in your ear; you’ll forget it’s even
there. And at $48, this is hands-down the best value. You can find
cheaper mats, but they’ll likely weigh more and feature PVC
construction.
Best For Sweat
Blame it on the Bikram, but anyone who sweats a lot or loves power yoga needs to check out the Barefoot Eco Mat. Rated $1 by
The New York Times,
the Eco Mat is, of course, incredibly eco-friendly, featuring natural
rubber and jute fiber construction with no chemicals added. Add to that
the fact that the Eco Mat is sleepy soft, with a unique texture that
refuses to slip on skin or flooring. At 4.5lbs and $85, it
is on
the heavy and expensive side, but it lasts forever and you get what you
pay for (and it’s definitely cheaper than an injury).
If you love to sweat, you’ll love this
total hot-body yoga fitness workout.
Best for Home Practice (And Heavy Duty Use)
I recently read an article on NFL players readily adopting yoga, to
help avoid injury and encourage durability. Needless to say, if you’re a
big-boned professional or just like to practice in absolute
home-comfort, 1/8” isn’t going to cut it, let alone 1/16”. Meet the
Manduka Mat Pro. This thing is a beast. The 71” version weighs in at 7
lbs, while the 85” breaks the scales at 9 lbs! This thing would break
you back if you try to go anywhere with it, but it will save your knees
and elbows for years to come. For $100, you get a full ¼” of protection
with a lifetime guarantee. That’s right, a
lifetime guarantee.
I don’t know how something that lasts so long is also eco-friendly, but
it’s true. The Mandura Mat Pro is manufactured in a zero-waste,
emission free process. And it just happens to be latex-free, too.
Best All-Around (On The Elite Side of the Scale)
The Jade (Key Lime) Yoga Mat is one of the best all-around mats on
the market. At 3/16” thick, it’s the amalgamation of comfort,
durability and lightness (4 lbs). At $75, it sits squarely in the price
range of an intermediate to pro-level mat. And yes, the Jade Yoga Mat
is made of natural rubber, with one of the best slip-resistant surfaces
on the market. Plus, they plant a tree for every mat you buy, and that
never hurts your Karma.
Like I said before, the important thing is to decide on a mat and
actually practice yoga. Whatever your style or needs, there’s a mat out
there for everyone. And if you’re just getting started, you should
feel the same way about yoga. It’s not a competition. There is
yoga and meditation for everyone.
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