Best Budget Yoga Mat: Aurorae Classic Thick
This is Auroraes flagship eco-friendly thick yoga mat that includes a focal point moon design to help you maintain focus during your practice.
Material
This is an open-cell mat made with a new biodegradable, hypoallergenic resin that doesnt emit chemicals or gases, which means your mat does not emit any toxic chemicals or gases and is free of rubber, silicone, and latex.
Size and Weight
The Aurorae Classic Thick comes in one size: 72 x 24 and is 6.35 mm thick. This size is comparable to many other mats reviewed here, but the thickness of this mat is one of the largest on this list. Surprisingly, the shipping weight is only 3.2 pounds which makes it one of the lighter mats here.
Odor
Since this mat is made with a resin material, it is practically odorless. One reader even mentioned that it doesnt absorb odors either, which is a big plus for anyone who sweats a lot during their practice.
Color
There are 12 color options available, and each of them features Auroraes classic focal point moon icon.
About Aurorae
Aurorae is a family-run business founded by a yoga student and cancer survivor, Dennis Ingui. Dennis is a dedicated yoga student who has enriched his life using yoga and understands what a regular, everyday student needs for their yoga practice. Their #1 goal is to provide the best in customer satisfaction.
PROS
Best Budget: Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat
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Chemical smell before first washing
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Slippery before first washing
With 6-millimeter-thick cushioning, this yoga mat is both lightweight and durable, serving as a convenient option for both home and studio practices. The sticky, textured non-slip surface provides excellent traction, keeping you grounded and focused. It also features ample padding and cushioning to protect your joints. Made from PVC, it’s latex-free and is made without the top six most harmful phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP.
Ideal for those who love boho designs, this 68 x 24-inch mat comes in a wide variety of colors and prints, from cherry blossoms to a printed mountain range design.
Thickness: 6 mm | Material: PVC | Size: 68 x 24 in | Weight: 3.4 lbs | Style: Closed-cell
Best Overall: Manduka Equa Yoga Mat Towel
The Manduka eQua Yoga Towel is a soft cotton covering that can be used as a substitute for your yoga mat, as an absorbent towel to clear your skin from sweat, or a protective barrier between you and a shared mat in your yoga class. Measuring at 72 x 26.5 inches, this towel is compatible with almost every yoga mat.
This yoga towel is designed with extreme grip as it comes equipped with a unique frog-dot pattern, which is built right into the material. This pattern ensures that your towel won’t slip and slide while you’re trying to hold a pose. It is essential to read the fine print however, as some of these towels don’t include the frog-dot pattern. To further increase the grip, spritz the towel with water before use.
Use the Manduka eQua Yoga Towel to wipe away your sweat during an intense hot yoga class as the cotton fabrics are extremely absorbent and easy to clean. Pop this towel straight into the washing machine when you’re finished with it. If you opt for a bold color, the dye may bleed in the wash for the first couple of cycles, so ensure that you wash it alone at first to avoid accidentally dying your clothes.
You can dry this towel on tumble, or skip the dryer entirely and hang it to dry. It is fast-drying, so it will be ready to use again in no time.
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Best For Travel: Manduka Eko Superlite Yoga Travel Mat
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Lacks cushion of other options
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Strong rubber smell
This compact, portable yoga mat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can be neatly folded, taking up as little space as a laptop or pair of jeans. It features a grippy, non-slip surface with a dimpled feel. And since it’s on the thinner side, it can be used on its own or as a hygienic topper over a thicker, communal mat at your gym.
Its made from high-quality, eco-friendly natural rubber that’s biodegradable and made in a zero-waste manufacturing facility. The mat is also 99% latex-free and made without PVC, plasticizers, or harmful dyes. The mat comes in a variety of prints and colors as well.
Thickness: 1.5 mm | Material: Eco-friendly rubber | Size: 71 x 24 in | Weight: 2.2 lbs | Style: Open-cell
It Also Gave Me The Courage To Pursue It
Leaving my yoga mat, I continued to embody I am not a failure. Redefining how I thought about my life, my impact on this world and regularly breathing in my new mantra allowed for greater openness. All the hiring managers who had spurned my advances perhaps saw something in me that I hadnt been ready to acknowledge. Im not meant to be boxed into a corporate or nonprofit role. Those places pride in burnout, unpaid overtime and torturous commutes always sank my heart into a dark, unhappy place. To bring the lightness back into our conversations, Id end most of the interviews by asking, What do you do for self-care? The common response from the wedding planners, program coordinators, college administrators: Drink. I knew a more profound and balanced happiness was possible. Id felt it sweep over me. I just had to follow my path, not theirs.
When I first started practicing yogaor even when I first settled into frog pose that winterI never expected a yoga asana to so profoundly change my life. But yoga allowed me to find solid footing after endlessly slipping, and Ariellas teachings allowed me to forgive myself for the times Id fallen. When I surrendered to the pose, I was able to tune in to what my body was trying to tell me: slow down. A purpose-driven life is not something I am meant to chase down. My souls intention is waiting for meit is internal and needs strength to be unlocked.
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Best Thicker Yoga Mat: Yogaaccessories Extra Thick Deluxe Mat
This is one of the better selling wholesale mats I found. It may be an option to consider for people that want many mats for minimal cost.
Material
This is an open-cell mat comprised of PVC. It is free of latex and heavy metals.
Size and Weight
The Deluxe Yoga Mat is 74 x 24 and 6.35 mm thick. It ties with the Aurorae Classic as the thickest mat on my list but is only 3.8 pounds, so not incredibly dense.
Odor
Some reviews complained of an odor, and others didnt think it was an issue.
Color
With 27 colors available, youll have plenty of choices to pick from. This might be fun for a studio looking to match a brand color.
About YogaAccessories
Yoga Accessories searches for craftspeople, manufacturers, vendors, designers, and entrepreneurs that offer goods and services to customers who value the environment, a sustainable economy, healthy living, and alternative healthcare.
PROS
Whether You’re A Yogi Who Sweats A Lot During Workouts Or You Enjoy The Sweat
Pros: Non-slip surface, plenty of cushioning, multiple length options, multiple color options
Cons: Some may find the cushioning too much for their preference, expensive
If your yoga practice works up enough of a sweat that most mats become dangerously slippery, JadeYoga’s Harmony Mat will keep you safe. Made from natural rubber with tiny dots instead of a smooth, sleek surface, the Harmony Mat’s design provides great traction and minimizes slipping. The texture is small enough it goes unnoticed by your hands and knees, even after a 60-minute session.
The mat is incredibly comfortable, too. Featuring thick enough cushioning to protect your knees and back from getting dinged while practicing, it’s not too thick to hinder movement.
JadeYoga offers the Harmony Mat in two different sizes, as well as a dozen different colors and prints. It is on the spendy side at $85 for the longest option, but for sweaty yogis, that’s often cheaper than purchasing a mat plus absorbent towel. — Kaitlin Gates
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How Do You Take Care Of Your Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
It is quite important to understand the best way to take care of your mat. Even if the mat guarantees utmost durability and the highest quality with very low wear and tear tendencies, it is highly recommended to know the dos and donts of using and taking care of your Manduka PRO Yoga Mat.
- Always clean your mat after each use. You can apply Mandukas All-Purpose Mat Wash or make your mat spray at home.
- Let the mat air dry after wiping it with water. You will have to keep in mind that the mat should not be hit by direct sunlight even though you can hang it dry outside.
Donts
- Never attempt to use vinegar-based solvent or cleaning solutions because it can damage the mat. It will also dull the mats opalescent and metallic properties.
- Never soak the Manduka PRO Yoga Mat. Never shower, machine wash, place in a bathtub, or even use a garden hose to clean the mat. More importantly, never attempt to use a vacuum cleaner to clean the Manduka PRO Yoga Mat.
Best For Bad Knees: Jade Harmony Professional
Jade Yoga makes a variety of mats, and this is their most popular. Since it is an open-cell mat, it absorbs sweat and can be more slip-resistant than other mats . Jade Yoga takes pride in providing products that are sustainably produced and eco-friendly.
Material
This is an open-cell mat made with natural rubber from rubber trees, which is a renewable resource. It does not contain PVC, EVA, or other synthetic rubbers. Also, its made in the United States of America.
Size and Weight
The Jade Harmony Professional has two size options. The smaller one is 68 long, and the larger mat is 74 long. Both lengths are 24 wide and 4.7 mm thick. According to their website, they weigh about 5 pounds each.
Odor
Many reviews complained of a strong rubber smell that sticks around for a while. The website offers suggestions for how you can help the scent to fade more quickly, but they also give a friendly reminder that the mat is rubber, and like all rubber things, there may be a lasting odor.
Color
There are 7 color options available for the 68 mat and 6 options available for the 74 mat.
About Jade Yoga
PROS
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Yoga Mat Lululemon
Manduka Pro Yoga Mat Special Features
- Made from synthetic eco-certified safe, high-grade PVC
- The high-density cushion that provides unmatched joint protection and support
- Phthalate-free
- Non-toxic emissions and 100% latex-free
- Closed-cell surface technology is designed to achieve a hygienic surface that prevents moisture and sweat from seeping into the mat.
- Sticky
- It will never wear out from any yoga practice, and thats guaranteed.
What’s The Best Way To Clean A Yoga Mat
When it comes to cleaning your yoga mat, simple is better. Combine warm water and a few drops of your preferred dish soap, spray the mixture generously over the surface of your yoga mat, and scrub it firmly with a microfiber towel. Flip it over and repeat. Finally, rinse both sides of your yoga mat with warm water and hang it up to air dry.
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Made From A Blend Of Cotton And Natural Rubber Sap Rumi Earth’s Sun Yoga Mat Is A Sustainable Mat From A Minority
Pros: Plenty of padding, biodegradable, non-toxic materials, durable, multiple lengths, great for yogis of all levels, minority-owned small business
Cons: None
A minority-owned yoga and athleisure brand, Rumi Earth focuses on sustainability and conscious sourcing of non-toxic materials for its products. The Sun yoga mat is available in multiple lengths and widths, as well as several different color options, all influenced by the natural world. Every Rumi Earth mat is entirely biodegradable, so after living out its life as your yoga mat, it easily reintegrates back into the earth when discarded.
Made from cotton fibers and natural rubber, this mat is eco-friendly with excellent grip and durability. Its open-cell design does mean that sweaty yogis need not worry I had no problems with traction, even while dripping sweat all over the mat during my bi-weekly full-body cardio pilates sessions.
As the cherry on top to all these features, this mat is subtly more padded than most. As someone with chondromalacia patellae in both knees, I need a thicker yoga mat for less pressure on my joints when I’m in poses such as chakravakasana or anjaneyasana . Gondek explained that thicker yoga mats can also help in cushioning common pressure points for anyone, like the sacrum, heels, and greater trochanters in your hips.
That Frog Yoga Mat Is A Manduka Mat
The frog yoga mat in question is likely the Manduka mat. As you can see in the pictures on this page, the Manduka logo is a white frog on red background. Manduka is probably the most popular brand of yoga mats today, just like how Apple iPhones are the biggest name brand for phones. Youve probably seen other yoga classmates sporting this frog yoga mat, and now you can too!
The Manduka mat is a premium yoga mat that doesnt come cheap. Depending on the size and color, you will likely pay over $100 for this mat. What makes the Manduka mat so famous? It is a durable, high quality natural rubber that lasts forever, literally years, and provides a great grip for yoga poses. The closed-cell surface is also easy to clean and maintain. Finally, at 6mm thick, this is one of the most cushioning yoga mats you can find, while still providing a stable support.
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Manduka’s Eko Superlite Travel Yoga Mat Is Slim And Lightweight Enough To Bring With You No Matter How Far You Roam Without Compromising Grippiness
Pros: Lightweight, easy to maintain, thin enough to fold, signature grip, durable material
Cons: Thin
Lightweight travel mats let you keep up with your practice on the road without borrowing a questionable yoga mat from your hotel . The Manduka Eko SuperLite Travel Mat is the lighter, thinner version of Manduka’s top-ranked Eko option.
Made of a woven scrim material that won’t tear or stretch either with use or in your suitcase, the Manduka Eko Superlight is Gondek’s preferred travel mat of choice. “I’ve used this mat for over two years, and just like any other Manduka, the mat has held up very well during travel,” she said. “Even on camping trips with plenty of dirt and grime.”
It’s thin enough to be foldable so that you can tuck the mat away into your backpack or your carry-on without added weight or bulk. Thanks to Manduka’s signature sweat-resistant closed-cell design, this mat stays drier and cleaner for longer. But, if you end up signing up for a hot yoga class during your travels, Gondek recommends bringing a non-slip grip yoga mat towel along.
The Manduka Eko SuperLite is composed of non-Amazon sourced natural rubber. And it’s more affordable than other travel mats, which is ideal considering this option is too thin and flexible to be your daily mat. Rachael Schultz and Christabel Lobo
Best Yoga Towels In 2021
BestYoga TowelsiMore2021
Whether you’re just starting on your yoga journey, or you are a seasoned yogi, there is one thing that remains the same throughout: yoga towels. Using a yoga towel does not only act as a hygienic barrier between you and your used mat, but it also absorbs your sweat, is easy to clean, and improves your grip. That’s why we recommend the Manduka eQua Yoga Mat Towel. This towel is made from soft cotton that offers excellent grip and is easy to clean.
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Yoga Helped Me Reevaluate What I Really Wanted
On that January day, I acknowledged an anniversary. Id hit a year of unemploymenta year of rejections, a year of We went with a more experienced candidate, a year of interviews and judgment. But being inthat vulnerable position, my hips stretching and opening more than I thought possible, a wave of forgiveness washed over me.
I am not a failure sent chills over my entire body, and I cried.
Id cried silently at my computer reading so many rejection letters that year. I thought Id been releasing my anguish and disappointment, but really, Id been accumulating self-loathing and doubt and storing it in my hips and heart. I am a failure had, unbeknownst to my consciousness, turned into a personal mantra. I let the rejection of others define my worth and character. My energy was stuck, balling up tighter and tighter in my body, triggering me to live as a failure and to give up on myself. But, that day in frog pose, Id inverted those ideas and began to liberate myself from them. This time, the tears werent self-pitying, they were empowering. I would no longer tie the value of my personhood to someone elses capitalistic assessment of me. How exponentially freeing.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Emily Stone is a Chicago-based journalist specializing in fitness and lifestyle content. Emily uses different mats for different workouts. For yoga and pilates, shes a fan of Alos Yoga Warrior Mat , as it provides excellent traction and stability. Meanwhile, she uses the BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat for non-yoga workouts because it features extra cushioning for the joints.
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Keep Calm And Flow On With These Picks
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
A high-quality yoga mat is critical to keeping you safe and grounded as you flow through your daily yoga poses and even as you work on your core at the gym. And when it comes to yoga mats, toting your own is always a good idea.
While yoga mats may all appear to perform the same function, each is uniquely designed to suit different physical needs, preferences, and workouts. So set yourself up for success and find a yoga mat thats tailored to your build, style, and needs.
Here are the best yoga mats on the market.
