The Best Yoga Mat Review

General Introduction
The yoga mats reviewed range in price accessibility, surface diversity, size and thickness, manufacturing material / technology, as well as degrees of portability. We selected ten mats from a significantly larger field, with the focus on evaluating top products that would appeal to all types of yogi's living diverse lifestyles under varying conditions. Of course, when we say yoga we are referring to Hatha Yoga, or the yoga of movement focused on the physical purification of the body. This includes everything from gentle or restorative yoga used to treat injuries to a more physically intense practice such as Ashtanga, which focuses on intense postures detoxifying muscles and organs and building strength, stamina, and flexibility.
Yoga Mat Technology
The mats we selected for evaluation are manufactured from a variety of materials, ranging with respect to environmental impact. These include naturally occurring (and sustainably farmed) materials such as cotton and rubber to complex polymers such as PER (Polymer Environmental Resin) and TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers). Some manufacturers utilize open cell technology, designed to be more flexible, provide traction and absorb moisture like a sponge to help prevent slipping. Others engineer a closed cell material that lasts longer and resists absorption of moisture as well as oils and other germs. Some mats focus on comfort or compressive material designed to provide a combination of cushion and grip, while others focus on high quality dense material that will not break down and provides joint protection as well as a stable surface on which to practice. The mats we evaluated range in thickness from 1/8” (Gaiam Tree of Life Yoga Mat), keeping you well grounded and connected to the earth, to 1/2” (ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch Yoga Mat) offering impact absorption and maximized comfort. Mats also range in size (length, width), weight, have varying surface texture, must be washed or cleaned in different ways, and come in a variety of options that include color and in some cases pattern or logo.
Consumer Consideration
Each yoga mat has a different overall feel and will perform differently in varying situations. While one mat may be extremely sticky when practicing at the peak of Mt. Everest but will become a slip-n-slide in the cauldron of Death Valley, another may actually improve in performance as you pant in Warrior III while a lake of sweat forms around you. A mat might be so light-weight and compact that when strapped to your pack you can't even tell it's there, but that same mat might unfortunately be unnoticeable as you press into Eka Pada Koundinyasana II (Hurdler Pose) and feel every little pebble digging into your hands.
Evaluation Criteria
We evaluate each of the ten mats, as well as the two additional yoga towels, for their overall effectiveness in dry traction (15 percent weighting), wet traction (10 percent), comfort (20 percent), durability (15 percent), weight portability (10 percent), size portability (10 percent), environment / health (10 percent), and wash-ability (10 percent). In our evaluation we also consider size and color options, how mats perform on a range of surfaces, out- of-the-box and persisting mat smells, accessories, and social equity; however these factors are ultimately factored into the core criteria.
Dry Traction
When testing dry traction we are specifically interested in how a mat holds up during outdoor use or use in a studio kept at “room” temperature.
There is nothing worse than walking into a studio with your brand new yoga mat, excited to challenge your focus and conquer asanas such as Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose), only to get into your first downward-facing dog and watch helplessly as, slowly but surely, your hands and feet begin to creep in opposite directions. We have heard some say that if you are sliding on your mat it is because you are not engaging your core, and while this may be true, we happily place some of the responsibility of stickiness on to our practice surface. When practicing a vinyasa style of yoga (flowing movement with breath) in a non-heated space, we are particularly impressed with the stickiness and traction of the Jade rubber.
Wet Traction
For anyone who has experienced a heated Bikram or hot vinyasa-style class, you know that when the heat cranks, the sweat pours. I have walked out of many a yoga class with liters of sweat puddled up around my mat, pants soaked like I just hopped out of a swimming pool, and my mat feeling like it weighs ten pounds. If you are like me and you have a tendency to sweat in heat, the Jade Microfiber Yoga Towel and the yogitoes Skidless Yoga Towel are essential products, and can be paired with virtually any mat out there (we recommend something around 1/4” for maximum comfort). These yoga towels grip to a variety of surfaces, provide a nice feel on your hands and feet, and once damp, will stay put while you pour sweat-holding poses like Tittibhasana (Firefly) or Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Stand). There is no mat tested that, once saturated, offers a completely stable surface. For less heat-intense classes, or for those people who simply don't ooze brine out of their pores like I do, the Jade rubber outperforms all others in wet conditions.
Comfort and Stability
The incredible diversity of yoga mats offers varying textures, sizes, thicknesses, levels of sponginess, support, feel, well, you name it. How a mat supports you can be strongly influenced by the surface underneath the mat. For example, a thick heavy mat like the Manduka Black Mat PRO Yoga Mat or the Jade Fusion Yoga Mat does significantly better on grass or slightly uneven surfaces. Comfort on a mat is very much a matter of personal preference, although the many long-term practitioners we queried offered some clear consensus on a few things to look for when shopping for the most comfortable mat.
First, texture. Most agreed that a texture on the hands that feels more natural and less artificial was preferable. The Jade rubber and Manduka fabric-like texture provide this more natural surface.
Second, stability. A firm surface that is not so thick and spongy that you will strain your wrists or be balancing on a moving surface. For those that enjoy a very firm surface, the Gaiam Tree of Life offers a very thin mat to maintain a close connection with the earth.
Third, cushion. Subtle padding is critical for cushioning impact and providing a gentle surface underneath. We have found most prefer a minimum thickness of 3/16” to 1/4”. As noted, too much cushion can compromise stability, making very thick mats or mats that compress considerably less desirable.
Fourth, size. While all but one mat tested offer a perfectly adequate width of 24” (The Manduka's being available in 26” or 30” widths), what is more important for anyone over 5'10” (70”) is having at a minimum a 72” mat. When moving front to back, flowing on your mat, or while lying in Savasana (Corpse Pose), having a mat that your entire person remains on offers an uninterrupted sanctuary.
Durability
Some mats are designed to take a beating, and others will break down from heavy use or, more often, neglect. Natural rubber and other more environmentally friendly mats (aka biodegradable) offer exceptional solutions, but just be wary that these materials, if left in the sun (think the back seat of your car), will degrade rather quickly. For a once-a-week practitioner, every mat reviewed will hold up well over time if cared for properly. The cheapest option available (Yoga Accessories 1/4” Yoga Mat), likely scoffed at by many seasoned yogis, is the mat I used for almost four years of once or twice a week practice coupled with my yogitoe skidless towel on top. This mat has clearly stood the test of time, enduring hundreds of yoga classes with minimal wear and tear. Unfortunately testing the other nine mats over the course of months was not enough to push these products to their limit, so in addition to scouring the web for feedback we located many practitioners using the mats under review to find how they stood the test of time.
Weight and Size Portability
If you are an urban dweller, or have plans to tote your mat with you on journeys far and wide, then portability is a factor that cannot be overlooked. In many cases this means trading comfort for convenience. By far the lightest and most compact mat, the Gaiam Tree of Life Yoga Mat, weighs in at under two pounds and rolls up into an extremely tight package. The ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch Yoga Mat, at 2.5 pounds, is another very lightweight, although not at all compact, solution that doubles as a minimalist's sleeping pad. At 4-5 pounds with a 4” diameter rolled up, the Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat and the Manduka PROlight Yoga Mat are excellent portable high performing mats.
Environment / Health
As yogis we are responsible for the planet's health and well-being. In almost every mat reviewed the manufacturer made efforts to minimize waste, utilize recycled or biodegradable material, eliminate or reduce the use of toxic substances, and generally remain mindful of the earth and its inhabitants. The clear standouts were the Jade and Manduka products (note we reviewed the Manduka PRO, not the Manduka EKO product line), with the Jade mats in particular being made of sustainably sourced natural rubber, using limited minimal impact packaging, planting a tree for every mat sold, and supporting a wide range of causes including Jade's 3 Rs program. This program provides a way to bring “retired” yoga mats to those who otherwise might not be able to afford them, reducing landfill waste and supporting people and programs in need.
Wash-ability
Whether practicing daily or weekly, at some point it becomes time to wash your mat. We found the ProSource premium the easiest to wash with a quick scrub and an hour or so in the sun to dry. In general, closed cell technology prevents absorption of moisture and bacteria so the mat will clean with a quick wipe and dry relatively quickly. Open cell technology absorbs moisture and allow oils and bacteria to root into the mat. Open cell mats, therefore, require a deep cleaning from time to time and often take significantly longer (sometimes 24-48 hours or longer) to dry. For both open and closed cell technologies, biodegradable generally means they cannot be left in the sunlight and therefore require much longer to dry.
Editor's Choice – Jade Harmony Professional
The Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat is the highest performing all-purpose yoga mat we tested. It is not only portable, durable, and environmentally friendly, but offers excellent wet and dry traction and simultaneously provides stability under your feet and cushion for your joints. The Harmony is useful indoors and out, for more or less intense practices, and will be a great travel companion as well as a mat for the home. It is a mat that you will practice on once and immediately go and buy.
Top Pick – Manduka PROlite
The Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat wins the Top Pick award being ideal for the traveler or urban yogi that has a frequent practice of a more moderate intensity. Although this mat does not offer excellent wet traction like the Jade Harmony, it is a bit lighter, easier to clean, and comes with a lifetime guarantee, ensuring you will get to enjoy this mat for the rest of your life.
Top Pick – Jade Microfiber Towel
The Jade Microfiber Yoga Towel is a must-have accessory for anyone that practices a heated or more vigorous yoga practice. This towel is extremely comfortable to the touch, stays in place when its dry and provides excellent traction when it gets wet. Costing only $35, we suggest you buy one and after you fall in love, get yourself a second so you have one to practice on while the other is in the wash.
Best Value - The ProSource Premium 1/2”
Although not a traditional yoga mat, the ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch Yoga Mat is so useful to have around that for a $21 price tag it is a no-brainer for our Best Value award. Although we found this mat less desirable (but usable) for a more intense heated practice, the ProSource Premium was the go-to mat whenever we were stretching, taking a restorative class to nurse an injury, doing P90X or a core workout, or practicing Acro-Yoga with a partner.