Design: A Bit Limited
At the time of this review, I could only find the longer and wider version of the Dry-Grip mat in black, with a large, glossy peony surface print. The option to go sans peony would be nice since flowers arent everyones cup of tea, but the design isnt really a deal-breaker. I just like options.
The mat is made of PVC , which is great news for people who have a latex allergy. Unfortunately, thats not so great for the planet, since PVC isnt a sustainable material and is difficult and costly to recycle. If you prioritize eco-friendliness, there are responsibly and sustainably made rubber, cotton, and jute mats available that may be more your speed.
Standard Gaiam Yoga Mat Print
Our Rating
The 6 mm Gaiam print yoga mat is probably their most well known and best-selling yoga mat. Almost everyone has one somewhere in their closet or garage. Its made from a non-toxic PVC thats lightweight , provides decent cushioning, and its always offered in tons of printed patterns.
We like several things about the standard mat. For starters, its affordable. Secondly, the sheer variety of designs means anyone can find something they like. And finally, its 6 mm which is thick enough to provide good cushioning even for those with sensitive joints.
A few other high points are that the grip is good and the material will essentially last forever so even if you use it daily, it should hold up.
What we dont love is that its just like most low-cost yoga mats. Meaning, it curls at the ends when you put it down, feels cheaply made, and doesnt offer the same class as some of the other mats. It also has a chemical smell when you first get it but if wash it down with some soap and essential oils the smell disappears instantly.
Overall, this is a good one for beginner yogis, those who just need something easy and dont really care about getting a high-end yoga mat.
What makes this yoga mat special?
- Many print design options
Competition: Different Approaches To The Same Problem
Manduka GRP Yoga Mat: At around $100, Mandukas GRP mat delivers slip resistance, but this time with responsibility. Like Gaiams Dry-Grip mat, the GRPs surface gets stickier the damper it gets. Additionally, the charcoal-infused rubber core absorbs sweat and eliminates odors. But the big bonus is the fact that the GRPs core and bottom layers are made from sustainably harvested rubber plus, the production practices have eliminated toxic emissions. That should be important to the sweaty and the bone-dry alike.
Aurorae Synergy Hot Yoga Mat:If youre sensitive to slick textures or prefer the grip of fabric to rubber, the Synergy Hot Yoga Mat from Aurorae stops the slide by bonding a non-slip microfiber towel permanently to a plush, 5-millimeter mat. I know what youre thinking, and dont worryits all machine-washable.
Yogitoes Yoga Towel: For the ultimate solution in portability, convenience, and, lets face it, hygiene, nothing can really beat a yoga towel. The Yogitoes Yoga Towel from Manduka is basically yoga canon, with silicone nubs on the underside to grip your yoga matand a soft, absorbent, low-pile towel surface to absorb sweat and keep you from slipping around. Folding down to purse-friendly dimensions and weighing in at just 1.25 pounds, its way more transportable than a traditional yoga mat, but the best part is you can just throw it into the wash as often as you like.
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What Is The Gaiam Yoga Mat
Gaiam Yoga is a very popular brand for entry-level yogis. They create affordable yoga products of every type and generally, their products are pretty good. They dont compare to the high-end yoga mats in quality but they do everything you need pretty well.
Most of the Gaiam yoga mats are made from a foam or PVC material thats relatively inexpensive to produce which allows them to pass those savings on to you. They hold up well, provide decent cushioning, and come in a wide variety of printed designs.
Overall, the Gaiam yoga mats are good but were going to review their most popular ones and see how they stack up against comparable mats from other yoga companies.
Grip: It Must Be Magic
At first sight, I wasnt sure if I could take the claims of the Dry-Grip mats extra tackiness seriously. The finish is luminous and smoothmuch smoother than the nubby texture on mats you usually find in a standard yoga studio or gym. When dry, it feels like a normal mat. Once the Dry-Grip is damp, though, your hands and feet just stick. Gaiam says this is due to a special topcoat that wicks away moisture and gives you a better grip when wet, but it works so well, Im pretty sure its sorcery.
When dry, it feels like a normal mat. Once the Dry-Grip is damp, though, your hands and feet just stick.
Read Also: How Many Calories Does A Yoga Class Burn
How To Choose The Right Yoga Mat
Finding a good mat isnt tough , but when youre shopping, keep in mind all of your specific needs. Maybe you find thicker mats more comfortable for joint pain. Maybe perfect alignment is your goal, and you want a mat that provides you with ample space to stretch your legs out in Warrior II pose. And if you sweat a lot during your practice, a mat that reduces slipping might be top of mind.
Next, consider the mats portability. If youre looking for a mat you can carry with youeven if its just into the backyard for some outdoor yogaor a mat compact enough to stow under your bed, you may want to choose one that fits in a yoga strap or rolls up easily to fit inside your yoga mat carrier.
And especially in these stressful times, it can be helpful to think outside the mats functionality for a minute and choose one that just brings a smile to your face with its design and feel. Need some inspiration? Below, yoga instructors and fitness pros walk us through what they consider the best yoga mats for all types of practices and bodies.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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The Gaiam Performance Marbled Power-Grip Yoga Mat – where all your yoga dreams come true. Made from eco-friendly natural rubber, this 4mm yoga mat has a fabric-like slip-resistant texture, even when it’s wet. This mat features an internal stabilizing core to prevent bunching and stretching and provide a firm foundation. This mat looks beautiful with its contemporary marbled design, but it is also designed with performance in mind.
- Premium mat with a fabric-like slip-resistant texture
- Internal scrim prevents bunching and stretching
- Ideal for hot yoga
- Free online yoga content included
- Lifetime guarantee
Professional Quality:Our performance line of professional quality products are designed by yogis, for yogis, and created to inspire mindful movement. These products are designed with care and attention to high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and durable construction. Whether for personal or professional use, these products are built to last. Measurements: 68″ x 24″ x 4mm
Materials: Rubber.
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Gaiam Power Grip Yoga Mat Review
Gaiam Power Grip Yoga Mat Features
- Gaiam Sol premium Yoga mat is a thickest mat , available for the superior cushioning
- The well structured internal scrim ensures no bunching or stretching.
- This mat is made up of 100% natural rubber.
- The fabric-like surface provides greater stability and grip.
- This part of Gaiam Sol line of professional-quality mats come with the lifetime guarantee.
Portability: Big And Tall And A Little Heavy
A standard yoga mat is usually around 68 inches long by 24 inches wide. Adding a full 10 inches to that length and 2 inches to the width, the Longer and Wider Gaiam mat I reviewed was a perfect amount of real estate for a broad, 6-foot-tall yogi. All of that space comes with a price, though. Unless youre planning on storing a mat at your gym or studio, theres a fine line it has to walk between portability and comfort.
At 5 millimeters, the cushy depth of the Dry-Grip Mat is great for my sensitive knees, but at these larger-than-average dimensions, that density adds up to a hefty 5 pounds. Thats about 50 percent lighter than the Manduka Pro mat, which I also tested, but it still feels like a haul if youre carrying it around every day. If you prioritize low weight to extra real estate, Gaiam also sells the Dry-Grip mat in a 68-inch length.
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Premium Reversible Seaglass Yoga Mat
05-64305
Due to continued concerns about the coronavirus, all orders for yoga mats and weights are FINAL SALE at this time. Learn More.
Reversible mats let you choose the side that matches your current mood. Pick the geometric side for grounding energy or the mandala-inspired design when you’re feeling flowy and energized. Each side features a beautiful, inspiring design, while the textured, non-slip surface is sticky for extra grip. The cushioned, 6mm-thick mat contains no latex and is free of the six most harmful phthalates.
- Non-slip surface
- Ideal for home or studio use
- Lightweight and durable
- Supports you and your joints
- 6P and latex-free
- Comes with our lifetime guarantee
Measurements: 68″L x 24″W x 6mm.
Materials: PVC. Latex-Free. 6P Free: Free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP phthalates.
Care Instructions: Printed yoga mats release a very strong but harmless odor when first unwrapped. Please unroll and air out your mat for 2-3 days before use. Spot clean with our Yoga Mat Wash or damp cloth with cold water and mild detergent. Dry flat. The mat may fade and become brittle and unusable if exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. We recommend storing your mat in a mat bag when not in use. Learn more about How to Remove That New Yoga Mat Smell.
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- Non-slip surface
- Comes with our lifetime guarantee
Measurements: 68″L x 24″W x 6mm.
Materials: PVC. Latex-Free. 6P Free: Free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP phthalates.
Durability: The Topcoat May Have Issues
Unfortunately, I found that the smooth surface shows scratches easily, and the logo along the edge peeled off after my second use. These things dont affect the performance of the mat, but theyre not a great look for a higher-end mat either.
I had a regular practice on this mat for about a month, using it two times a week during very sweaty yoga sessions, and I thought it performed beautifully. While I feel I could get a grasp of the performance quality in that amount of time, one expects a good yoga mat, particularly one that you dropped a little bit of money on, to last considerably longer.
The smooth surface shows scratches easily, and the logo along the edge peeled off after my second use.
The topcoat that makes this mat so sticky and great for sweaty palms may just be its downfall, as customer complaints have mostly centered on bubbling and wearing away of the surface. Bonding and special finishes are tricky business when heat and humidity are involved. Im not too worried, though. Gaiam extends a lifetime guarantee for its mats that covers defects in manufacturing and workmanship. If you do experience any problems, Gaiam will replace it. Obviously, it would be better if the mat remained flawless for life, but rest assured that if you do experience an issue, the companys customer service is top-notch and very responsive.
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Ease Of Cleaning: Pretty Straightforward
Cleaning this yoga mat is fairly straightforward: You can spot clean with a yoga mat wash, a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, or a mild dish detergent with cold water.
Sensitive noses take notewhen I first unwrapped the mat, it had that famously strong yoga mat smell to it. Gaiam recommends unrolling it and airing it out for a few days prior to use, which did take the edge off, but its still faintly detectable, even after a month of use.
The magical non-slip properties, lifetime warranty, and excellent Gaiam customer service make it worth the price.
Gaiam Yoga Mat Review
When it comes to Gaiam Yoga Mats, there are tons of options to choose from. Theyve been in the yoga product world almost the longest and chances are you have one of their products laying around the house right now.
But, are they great yoga mats or are there better alternatives?
In this Gaiam yoga mat review, we cover several of the most popular Gaiam yoga mats and give you a breakdown of what we like, what we dont like, and the alternatives we prefer.
Lets dive right in
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Performance Stable Grip Yoga Mat
05-63204
Due to continued concerns about the coronavirus, all orders for yoga mats and weights are FINAL SALE at this time. Learn More.
The Performance Stable Grip Yoga Mat’s gorgeous and radiant design will have you running to your mat every day. This extra-dense mat is reversible, featuring an exclusive anti-slip ultra-sticky textured side perfect for sweaty vinyasa flows, and a smooth side, perfect for restorative yoga. Meant for all types of yoga, this mat has a stay-dry top coat meant to wick away moisture, providing a better grip the hotter you get.
- Stay-dry topcoat for ultimate grip
- Firm, cushioned support
- Ideal for all types of yoga
- Free online yoga content included
- Comes with our lifetime guarantee
Professional Quality: Our performance line of professional quality products are designed by yogis, for yogis, and created to inspire mindful movement. These products are designed with care and attention to high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and durable construction. Whether for personal or professional use, these products are built to last. Find the perfect mat or accessory thats right for you and shop the rest of our Performance Line.
Measurements: 68 L x 24 W x 6mm
Materials: PVC. Latex-Free. 6P Free: Free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP phthalates.
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- Stay-dry topcoat for ultimate grip
- Firm, cushioned support
- Ideal for all types of yoga
- Free online yoga content included
- Comes with our lifetime guarantee
Heathyoga Eco Friendly Alignment Mat
Our Rating
The Heathyoga mat features alignment markings and compares most in appearance to the very high-end . This one isnt meant for hot yoga like the Liforme but its right around the same cost as the Gaiam yoga mat and another one we prefer.
Between this one and the welcome yoga mat, if you need a yoga mat for non-heated yoga, you cant go wrong with either of these. Theyre both excellent yoga mats, very highly rated, feature great grip, and great styles.
This one wins over the Gaiam yoga mat because of the alignment marks , TPE instead of PVC material, grip, and size . Its also competitively priced so its kind of a no brainer.
What makes this yoga mat special?
- Over-sized length and width gives you lots of space on the mat
- Super useful alignment marks help you stay centered throughout your session
Specs
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