How to Choose the Best Yoga Mat - Part 1 - Yoga Mat Size, Grip and Durability

There’s a lot of advice and articles about choosing the best yoga mat, but that question can’t be answered without more focused information. The ‘best yoga mat’ for what? For what kind of yoga practice? For what kind of yoga student? Without first identifying your personal preferences and individual needs, learning about yoga mat size and yoga mat material and other features like grip is somewhat arbitrary. So, what kind of yoga do you predominantly do? Starting there will help narrow down your focus for choosing the best yoga mat.

Best Yoga Mat for Comfort (Restorative yoga, gentle yoga, yoga students with arthritis)

If your primary yoga practice includes at least half the time on the floor, then buying the most comfortable yoga mat will probably be your priority. The best yoga mats for comfort are generally twice as thick for extra cushion when laying, sitting or kneeling on the floor. Meanwhile, some thicker, more cushioned yoga mats make standing and balancing poses more difficult, requiring yoga students to step off their mat or move it to the side when standing.

Thickness is not the only yoga mat feature the determines the best yoga mat for comfort. Yoga mat size is also a consideration. Can you roll from your back to a side-lying pose without rolling off the mat or having to reposition yourself? This is an important concern for people with arthritis or limited mobility. Some yoga students may need more space than the 68 X 24 inches of standard-sized yoga mats. (It is possible to buy larger-sized yoga mats that aren’t thicker or heavier than standard ones, like the Whisper Mat by Mount Adams®.)

Since the downfall of the most comfortable yoga mats are heavier weight and bulkiness (and often higher price), many yoga students don’t think it’s worth it. But for yoga students with chronic pain, it can make the biggest difference in their practice.

Worth considering: Hot Springs Yoga Mat by Mount Adams® or the Summit by Sunshine Yoga. If you only need extra cushioning in certain areas, you can buy your preferred lightweight yoga mat and supplement with props like wedges, foam inserts or knee pads when and where you need them.  

Compare to : Manduka PRO™ Squared Yoga Mat ($299; actually creates cushioning for an entire practice area big enough for 2) and Gaiam Extra Large Yoga Mat ($80).

Best Yoga Mat for Durability (yoga teachers, yoga studios and outdoor yoga)

Maybe you teach three yoga classes a day and then pile all your groceries on top of your mat in the backseat? Or your pets use your yoga mat as much as you do? Maybe you like to practice yoga on the walkway by the beach? Or, you’re a yoga studio owner looking for mats that can hold up to hours of use, day after day? Whatever the cause, your yoga mat endures a lot more abuse than most. For you, the best yoga mat for durability is an important consideration.

When shopping for yoga mats that promise durability, look for the “Pro” qualifier in the name. While this doesn’t guarantee longevity, these mats are designed to be more heavy duty than the non-pro versions with the same name.

Worth considering: Mount Adams® Pro Fit XL Mat.  

Compare to Manduka Pro Yoga Mat ($120, durable but not very grippy)

Best No-Slip Yoga Mat (Bikram, power yoga, Baptiste and other hot yoga practices)

When one of the primary goals of your yoga practices is to break a sweat, you’re going to get slippery. While no engineer has yet designed a mat that is completely “no-slip,” a yoga mat with a good grip– combined with a good yoga towel – will help avoid turning your mat into a Slip-n-Slide.

Worth considering Cork Mat by Mount Adams® and Hot Springs Yoga Mat by Mount Adams®.  

Compare to Manduka GRP Hot Yoga Mat ($130), and Gaiam Performance Dry-Grip Yoga mat ($70)

Best Yoga Mat for Travel

The best yoga mats for travel prioritize light weight and foldability (or otherwise easy packing) over comfort or durability. Many offer pretty good no-slip yoga mat grip, but you won’t find a travel yoga mat that brags about its comfort. These are bare bones mats that are flexible, versatile and light.

Worth considering: Whisper Mat by Mount Adams® and Sunshine Yoga TPE Yoga Mat.  

Compare Manduka EKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat ($45), and Lululemon Carry Onwards Mat ($88)