The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Yoga Mat

 

Picking a yoga mat is very personal and exciting but it can be a little bit daunting. There's so many brands, styles, and don't even get us started on the colours! It's easy to walk into a yoga shop and come out empty handed because you just couldn't choose. Should you go for the basic-but-brilliant, or splash out and buy something a little more fancy? What material is best for my practice? We hear these questions all the time, and so we have created The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Perfect Yoga Mat. 

There are so many mats available nowadays, especially online. It can be compelling to go for the lowest price tag, but cheaper mats tend to have issues. Generally they lack the grip and endurance of a high quality yoga mat, and this can negatively impact your practice. Additionally, cheaper mats tend to be produced cheaply, meaning they have little consideration for the workers, or the environment. If you're commited to your practice, you should be commited to your mat. You're on your yoga journey together. 

Choosing a mat you love is so important. Hopefully you'll be spending a lot of time on those four corners, and so investing in a good mat is a long term investment in your yoga practice. Not only that but a high quality mat will actually help you stay in your asana without slipping one bit! Finding a mat that you adore will encourage you to spend more time using it, and you will enjoy your practice even more!

So, lets introduce our top 5 yoga (and pilates!) mats. 

Yogamatters Sticky Mat - £22

The Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat is the most regularly recommended mat for beginning your yoga journey and beyond. This sticky mat is the best value non-slip yoga mat in town, hence why you see this mat in yoga studios everywhere - including our own! 

A huge pro of this mat is the extensive array of colours it comes in! We particularly love Wisteria and Flame Orange but they have a colour to suit every palette and carry straps to match! (don't forget matching bricks and blocks too). 

The mat is a standard size and has a good grip. It has cushioning to protect knees, backs and bottoms, and is easy to fold over to create more support (no creases). It is very easy to clean and is incredibly durable - trust us, we put them through their paces here at the studio!

The only downside of this mat is that if you get very sweaty you might start to slip around a little bit, but this should only be a concern if you practice hot yoga or are prone to sweaty hands and feet. 

Summary:

Pros: 

• Available in a rainbow of eye-catching colours to match with other yoga accessories in the Yogamatters range. 
• Great value for money. 
• Incredibly durable.
• Tried and tested by many yogis and in studios all over the world. 
• Great for beginners as well as all levels. 

Cons:

• You may slip if you get super sweaty!
• Strap does not come with the mat (but it is available to purchase with it).

Shop The Yogamatters Sticky Mat

 

Yoga Matters Eco Everyday Rise Yoga Mat - £45

Rise and shine with the Yogamatters Eco Everyday Rise Yoga Mat. Allow the calm colour and appealing texture to awaken your senses as your yoga practice lifts your soul. 

This mat is a minimalist's dream. Available in a range of natural colours and made from eco friendly rubber, this mat has a soft, almost fabric feel to it that is very comfortable. 

At 3mm thick, the Yogamatters Eco Everyday Rise Yoga Mat offers a revitalising and stable surface for your morning practice. Thinner than the rest of the mats on our list, it provides a very grounding feel to it. Whilst some yogis love this, it does not provide much in the way of cushioning sore joints - if you're in love with this mat, you could always counteract this by having a small blanket to hand to prevent any discomfort. 

As this mat is made from natural rubber, you will not be slipping around, even in that hot class! Many of our yoga teachers use this mat and swear by it! 

This mat is also made from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber that is recyclable and biodegradable - a definite pro for the planet!

Summary:

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly.
• Natural colours.
• No slip rubber material.
• Appealing texture.
• Great value for money.
• Grounding thickness.

Cons:

• Might be too thin for sore joints.
• Not a huge range of colours.
• No straps included (but they are available to purchase with it)

Shop The Yogamatters Eco Rise Mat

Yogi Bare Paws  - £74.95

This mat has it all: bright colours, cute pattern and the grip of your life. You won't be able to keep your PAWS off it. Oh, did we mention it's environmentally friendly? Win-win! 

This mat is perfect for someone who is prepared to splash out as a show of commitment to their practice. You may be a complete beginner wanting to kickstart a regular practice, or an advanced devotee ready to upgrade. Either way, this mat won't let you down. 

A hot and sweaty practice is a breeze on this mat -no more clinging onto the mat as your hands and feet slide around in downwards dog! You will feel perfectly supported by your Yogi Bare Paws Mat. 

At 4mm thickness, you will feel a little more cushioning and support than the Eco Rise mat. Be sure not fold this mat or you will end up with creasing! Made from natural rubber and PU, you can be sure that your purchase does not harm the environment!

Summary:

Pros: 

• Best grip of your life
• Thicker material for supporting joints
• Environmentally friendly
• Made from natural rubber
• Eye-catching colours and design
• Good value for higher-end mats

Cons:

• Does not include strap (but they are available to purchase with it)

• Can't fold over on itself so may need a blanket instead. 

Shop The Yogi Bare Paws Mat  

Liforme Mats - £100 to £135

The King of all Mats: introducing Liforme! These mats are like a piece of art rolled up, and just waiting for your creative genius to unleash your flow on it. This is where the magic happens! 

These mats are truly planet-friendly: biodegradable, non-toxic, and PVC-free. Made from a natural Rubber base and Liforme’s unique eco-polyurethane top surface, featuring high grade non-toxic and eco-friendly ink, it doesn't get much better than this! 

There absolutely zero chance of slipping around on this mat, Liforme will have you gripped for life! Our teachers and students alike are in love with these mats, you will love your flow more than you thought was possible! Downward dog will never feel so effortless!

These mats have some serious style point. Not only are they beautiful, (every time you unroll them you will be in awe and so will everyone else in the studio!) but their unique pattern helps to keep you aligned during your practice. There are many different colours, from an understated grey, to a magical white and gold to a truly sensational rainbow mat. Your practice will be 10 times more fabulous on this mat.  

This mat is also the only one on the list that comes with a complimentary bag for easy carrying to and from the studio, no additional purchases needed!

Our thickest yoga mat on the list at 4.2mm, you will feel well cushioned and supported. Folding is not an option with this mat as you will end up with creasing. A blanket can be used for added support instead.   

Summary:

Pros:

• Gripped for life
• Thickest mat on the list
• Beautiful designs and colours
• Complimentary bag
• Environmentally friendly
• Pattern that helps with alignment

Cons:

• Can't fold over on itself so may need a blanket instead. 
• On the higher price end of the market. 

Shop The Liforme Mat

 

 

 

So there we have it, The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Yoga Mat! Which one did you fall in love with?

By: Katrina Scales