If you’re having a hard time holding that crow or lizard pose, you might be using the wrong yoga mat. Though practice makes perfect, using a yoga mattress that doesn’t provide you with a suitable surface to practice on can just be the culprit.
So let’s see what it is that you need for that yoga class.
| Brand/Models | Material | Dimensions | Weight (lbs) | Thickness (mm) | Design
(cell type) |
| Alo yoga warrior | Bottom-Natural Rubber
Top- PU leather |
188 cm x 6 cm | 8 | 5 | Open |
| Lululemon Reversible | Polyutherane & rubber | 180cm x 66cm | 3.88 | 3 | Closed |
| Gaiam Performance Dry Grip | PVC | 198 cm x 66 cm | 5 | 5 | Closed |
| Manduka Pro | PVC | 180 cm x 66 cm | 7.5 | 6 | Closed |
| Liforme Original | Bottom-Natural Rubber
Top- PU leather |
185 cm x 6 cm | 5.5 | 4.22 | Open |
| Yogi Bare Paws | Bottom-Natural Rubber
Top- PU leather |
180 cm x 66 cm | 5.5 | 4 | Open |
| Balance GoYoga | High density foam | 180 cm x 66 cm | 1.5 | 6.35 | Closed |
| Jade Yoga Voyager | Rubber | 172 cm x 60 cm | 1.5 | 1.58 | Open |
Let’s start with the Buying Guide
If you’re on the hunt for the most suitable yoga mattress for your practice, here are things to consider.
Mat Thickness
Keep this in mind. A thicker mat will have more cushion and feel more supportive for the wrist and the knees. But if it’s also thick, this makes it easier to transition from one pose to the other.
A thinner mat, on the other side, makes it easier to hold poses and asanas.
Material
From eco-friendly materials to synthetic ones, yoga mats are made from a myriad of materials.
The question is, are you going green or are you okay with synthetic materials?
Natural materials like rubber tend to have more traction and grip. But these can also be more expensive. Synthetic materials such as PVC can have a tinge of chemical smell, but they are easier to clean and maintain.
Cell Type
There are two options- open cell and closed cell.
Open-cell mats are porous and absorb sweat and moisture effectively. If you’re doing hot yoga, Bikram, or any hot and sweaty activities, these mats will offer better traction. It stays grippy even when wet.
The downside is, this type of mat is also prone to bacterial growth, so you have to be diligent in cleaning it after every class.
Closed-cell yoga mats are perfect for lightweight fitness activities. They are also easier to clean but they can lose traction once they get wet.
The 10 best Mattresses for Yoga
For saving your time, we made a list with the best options in the market at the moment
Alo yoga warrior
This grippy yoga mat can give your yoga towel a rest. The surface is quite thick and has great traction so you don’t need to worry about your wrist slipping off the mat. This provides a safe surface for you to practice holding asanas like the frog or lizard pose. It will also give sufficient support for your wrist.
It has a perfect balance of support and cushion since the bottoom part is made of 100 percent natural rubber. That explains well that very grippy surface.
This mat is also quite roomy, so you have enough space to explore more poses while having your entire body on the inside of the mat.
But keep in mind that due to the thickness, this is in no way a light mat. It can carry quite a weight. Also, you have to consider that sweat or liquid can leave a stained mark once it gets dry. Though it’s no biggie and easy to take care of, it’s also something to consider.
Aesthetic-wise, this is a pretty luxurious-looking mat. You can tell from the color, the finish, and the matte look that it is made of quality materials.
Lululemon Reversible
This is a household name in premium yoga and fitness apparel. You will not run out of fashionable yet functional yoga wear and accessories. So it’s no surprise that it also manufactures one of the best yoga mats for both beginners and intermediate yogis and yoginis.
When you say Lululemon, stylish things come to mind. But you also love how grippy and stable their reversible mats are. There is also no slipping even if your hands get wet and sweaty from practicing that headstand. The surface appears bubbly, this accounts for the grippiness and the stability.
The mattress is also thicker than standard yoga mats. It is also wider so you also have room enough to explore more poses.
Let’s take a look at the two sides. One side is smooth with a sticky PU material that makes your feet and hands adhere to the surface more. The other side feels like natural rubber, grippy and spongy at the same time. This reversible mat gives you options on how grippy you want your mattress to be. So you can also use it in sweaty situations such as Bikram or hot yoga.
Gaiam Performance Dry Grip
We had tons of grippy yoga mats on the list, then Gaiam is no exception. But instead of latex, it is made of a PVC material and has thick cushioning that your joints will surely love. So those who need extra support for their joints will find this a fitting choice. It is very nice to hold grounding poses for longer.
This is also a lighter option, it is quite easy to carry compared to the other grippy mats on our list. So this is a great choice if you need to carry a yoga mat most of the time.
The cons is, PVC is not the most sustainable material. So if you’re going green, this might turn you off.
Manduka Pro
Manduka is a premium choice, like Lululemon. This is latex free but has a very nice grippy surface. And despite the higher price tag, it is worth it since this is one of the few brands that offer a lifetime warranty.
So if you’re looking for an investment, this will be at the top of the list. It has an extra dry grip. And if your palms and hands get sweaty, you can still enjoy that nice and decent traction perfect for balancing poses like the crow or the flying lizard. The surface is also firm and nice and can provide great support for almost all asanas.
The cons is, this requires a break in period and may be quite hefty.
Liforme Original
What sets this yoga mat apart is that despite the very smooth surface, this has an excellent grip both on wet and dry palms. It is also sustainable and made from natural materials. So expect it to be a bit hefty, but it is one durable yoga mat, there’s no doubt about that.
One thing you’ll also notice is that it has a great alignment system. So this is an excellent choice for beginners, though this will be quite an investment too. The natural rubber base provides a stable and durable base for all types of asanas. So even beginners will get great support even if they’re still exploring asanas.
Yogi Bare Paws
If you’re on the hunt for an affordable yet aesthetically looking yoga mat, this is it. It is a dupe for the more premium yoga mats you can buy. It may not be as supportive and as grippy as a Manduka or a Lululemon mat, but it would suffice if you’re looking for an average performer.
It is decently grippy still. And even if it has an affordable price, it features an alignment system so you can be on track. But keep in mind that it is less thick and has a narrower dimension. So those who need a more roomy mat may find this lacking.
A bonus too is that it is made from eco-friendly materials. So those who are going green but are on the budget should consider this mat.
Balance GoYoga
We have another budget option mat on our list. The material is quite soft and has decent cushioning. So you can get decent support for your wrist and you will not feel tired while trying to balance in your lizard pose. And since the foam is a bit supple, you may also use this for bodyweight exercises. It has more cushioning so you can get support when you’re hopping or jumping.
The con is, this can be quite squeaky. So you might hear small noises when you’re transitioning from one pose to the other. It is also lightweight so you can carry this with you all the time.
But keep in mind that this mat takes some time to completely flatten. But it’s no biggie, you just have to spend a few more minutes before you can perfectly lay it out on the floor. Also, the mat thickness may be a nay or yay. Those who need to focus on balancing may find a thinner mat better. So this is something to consider.
Overall, this is a multipurpose yoga mat that you can use for not just yoga. You can use it for weight-bearing exercises and Pilates too.
Jade Yoga Voyager
This mat has great traction and it stays put on the floor, there’s no slipping around. It even stays glued on top of another mat.
It can be used as a secondary mat since this may not provide the best cushioning, the material is a bit thin compared to the other options on our list. But it does provide great support if you need your mat to stay put on the surface, carpeted floors, or on another mat.
The surface is quite sticky so you’ll find it easy to hold almost any type of pose. Oh, but this is not suitable for hot yoga. The smooth and thinner material tends to get a bit slippery if it gets fully drenched in sweat or water. But this is portable and easy to carry.
Sweaty Betty Supergrip Align
Like the Jade Voyager, this will stay put on the floor. It has great traction, grippy enough both on the surface and on your palms. And it stays put both with dry and wet hands.
The mat is made from latex, so keep that in mind if you have allergies. But hey, it is still made from eco-friendly materials.
It will not budge during your practice, you will be able to hold the poses better. This also makes them versatile yoga mats that you can use for HIIT or weight-bearing exercise. You can easily transition from one exercise to another.
But one thing to consider is that the material is a bit softer and can feel thinner than the others. Also, it runs a bit narrow, so chunky yogis and yoginis might find this too restricting. That’s why if you need extra support for the wrist, you might want to look elsewhere.
Smug Premium Reversible
This is one of the best yoga mats if you need one that is lightweight and portable. It’s also reversible so you get to have two different mats for the price of one.
It’s 6 mm thick so it can provide enough grip and traction so you can use it for other fitness activities too.
You might find it suitable for HIIT and dynamic exercises. It is still grippy even if you are drenched in sweat,
The cons, it is still made from PVC, so it’s not the most eco-friendly choice. Also, the edges turn to curl and it might need some time so you can lay the mat completely flat on the floor.
The Perfect Yoga Mattress for Every Asana
Using a suitable yoga mat for your type of practice is essential in progressing to the next level. Especially, if you’re on to Ashaygange, you have to perfect each pose before you can proceed to the next. Thus, you have to be able to hold the poses longer or easily transition from one asana to the other.
Your yoga mat should also be able to give you ample support so you don’t hurt your wrist. And our list above can fulfill any of your requirement, just be sure to check the buying guide so you know what mat to get for your practice.