Gaiam Yoga Mat - Premium 5mm Solid Thick Non Slip Exercise & Fitness Mat for All Types of Yoga, Pilates & Floor Workouts (68" x 24" x 5mm)

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Choosing your ideal mat will depend on a few things, so we spoke to yoga teacher Eloise Skinner to find out more. We also cover some basics below that you should factor into your decision-making.

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While this mat is reversible, we preferred the polyurethane side because we found it to be more absorbent, with better grip during both the dry and sweat tests. Meanwhile, the textured rubber side showed more dirt, was more prone to slipping, and had a stronger, lingering smell. Compared to thinner options, a 5mm mat can be heavier and less portable, making it less ideal for frequent travelers or outdoor practice. Less Stabilitylululemon, known for their high-quality activewear (which we also put to the test in the Lab when finding the best lululemon leggings), makes this extra-large mat—a rare find for tall people. At 28 inches, it is the widest of all the mats we tested—and was second in length only to the Manduka PRO.

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In contrast, a 3mm mat provides less cushioning, which may suit those who prefer a firmer surface or do not require as much padding. Support If you need extra cushioning and your mat is too thin, fold it under your knees or wrists when you’re in a more challenging pose so that your joints are protected and you don’t suffer from any pain during or after practice We cleaned the mats regularly, paying attention to how fussy the care instructions were. Low-maintenance mats that could be cleaned with a damp towel or microfiber cloth received higher marks than those that required specific cleaning solutions. We rolled the mats and took them with us to classes, or the park, or while traveling to rate their portability and storage. Mats that included a carrying bag or strap were rated higher on these attributes. There are other factors to consider, too: texture and size. “I like a big, heavy mat for home practice, but when you’re travelling you need it to be lighter,” says Emma Henry, yoga teacher at Triyoga, who uses a Liforme travel mat or Lululemon ‘(Un)mat’ when she’s on the move. She also considers the ethics of a company: “what they’re doing to support yoga teachers and what they’re doing environmentally.” As a teacher, my favorite is the Sweaty Betty Super Grip yoga mat,” Skinner recommends. “It’s soft enough to feel comfortable but designed to prevent slips. Also made with fully biodegradable materials!” How do I clean my Yoga Mat?From our drive to push the edges of sustainable technology comes our Performance Jute Yoga Mat. Made partly from the natural fibers of the jute plant, the lightweight, 5mm mat is durable, sustainable and absorbs moisture, making it comfortable for even your sweatiest yoga pursuits. Self-titled ‘nature’s best yoga mat’, the standout feature of this yoga mat is the rough, grainy texture of the natural rubber. This has been sourced from rubber trees – a rapidly renewable resource – and contains zero nasties, but JadeYoga recommends avoiding this mat if you have a latex allergy as the mat could contain traces. Many brands now combine synthetic with natural materials that are all recyclable. Brands like JadeYoga and Yogi Bare have even partnered up to plant trees or recycle mats on your behalf when you buy with the brand. We tested the long version of this mat (it’s available in two lengths), and with length comes weight. At 8.8 pounds, the Manduka PRO was easily the heaviest mat we tested—notably, the manufacturer states that it weighs 9.5 pounds. For such a heavy mat, and at this higher price point, we wish it came with a bag or carrying strap. For these reasons, this mat had some of the lowest portability, storage, and care scores of the entire test, at a 3 out of 5.

The best yoga mats of 2023 - tested by our experts

This sturdy mat from Gaiam has a pleasant blue and green lunar wave design that makes your practice feel luxurious. The mat is reversible, so you can choose whichever design suits your mood.The XW Fusion mat is made from sustainable, natural rubber, and we like that Jade Yoga plants a tree for every mat sold. In testing, we found that the mat provided substantial cushioning but still had some give to it to allow for stability. The grip is solid even when sweating, and the texture feels pleasant and kept us from sliding around. As it’s designed specifically for yoga and is susceptible to scratches, the brand says to avoid wearing shoes on the mat and to take off any jewellery that could get caught on the fabric. If you’re reading this, it's likely that you know that a mat is not just something to place between your body and the floor when you work out. Although we loved the portability of Gaiam's Yoga Folding Travel Mat, we didn't appreciate how thin the mat was—it didn't offer much cushioning at all. And although it's budget-friendly, we found it to be pretty unstable and slippery while practicing.