Choosing a Yoga Mat

FITNESS · UNITED STATES

Choosing a Yoga Mat

Grip, thickness, materials and what suits your practice

A yoga mat is judged on one thing above all — whether your hands slide in downward dog when you start sweating. Almost everything else is preference.

Grip is the main variable

Natural rubber and polyurethane surfaces grip well, including when damp, which is why they dominate among people who practise regularly. PVC mats are cheaper and become slippery with sweat.

Some mats grip better once slightly damp, which is normal and takes getting used to. A towel over the mat is the usual fix for very sweaty practice.

Thickness

Around 4 to 5 millimetres suits most people — enough cushioning for knees without losing stability. Thicker mats of 6 millimetres and above cushion more and make balancing harder.

Thin travel mats around 1 to 2 millimetres fold into a bag and are unforgiving on hard floors.

Materials

Natural rubber grips best and is heavy, has a smell at first and is unsuitable for anyone with a latex allergy. TPE is lighter and less durable. Cork has a distinctive feel and grips when damp.

PVC lasts a long time and is the least environmentally appealing.

Size

Standard mats are around 173 centimetres, which is short for taller people. Longer mats exist and are worth it if your hands or feet hang off.

Alignment markings

Some mats print guides for hand and foot placement. They help beginners build consistency and some teachers consider them a distraction — useful rather than essential.

Care

Wipe down after practice with water and a little mild soap, and let it dry flat and out of direct sunlight, which degrades rubber. Avoid oil-based cleaners, which destroy grip.

Store rolled rather than folded, with the top surface facing outwards so it lies flat.

Props

Blocks, a strap and a blanket make more postures accessible than any mat and cost very little. Using props is not a sign of a beginner; teachers use them constantly.

A folded blanket under the knees or hips fixes most discomfort in seated postures.

Practising safely

Tell a teacher about injuries, pregnancy or high blood pressure before a class. Sharp pain means stop, and inversions are not suitable for everyone.

Sustainability claims

Natural rubber is biodegradable and comes from a renewable source; PVC is neither. Look for a stated material and a named certification rather than a general claim about being eco.

Keeping one mat for years matters more than what it is made from.

Starting out

A class with a teacher who can see your alignment matters far more than the mat.

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