Mat-ter of fact (or opinion): The best yoga Mats
As a yoga teacher, I often get asked about the mats and props I use in my own practice. After all, the right yoga mat can make a huge difference in how you experience your flow, your balance, and even your peace of mind. Having tested countless mats, I’ve found a few favorites that consistently elevate my practice. So today, I’m sharing my top picks—from high-end investments to more affordable options—to help you find the best mat for your own practice.
But firstly, what should one look for when looking into buying a new yogamat? These are the things I would consider personally, before I spend my hard earned cash on a mat.
What is the grip like? This is especially important in practices like vinyasa, poweryoga and hotyoga, where you will need a lot of traction.
How supportive does this mat feel? Is it squishy? (squishy = great for gentle practices such as yin and restorative yoga, but not so great for balancing and potentially your wrists) Is it sturdy (great for balance) Is it thick or thin?
How long will this mat stay with me? How durable a mat is, has a massive influence on what a mat is worth for me. Will it stay with me for life? Will I need to repurchase after a few months? A few years?
Is it a heavy or a light mat? Heavy mats are great if you don’t want the traction of your foot pulling your mat along as you’re moving, or if you practice in a place where it might get windy and you don’t want to be smacked in the face. Lightweight mats are great for those travelling around lots, and they are often more affordable.
Can I use this mat outside? This might or might not be relevant to you depending on where you live and your practice habits. Of course yoga mats aren’t glued to the floor and technically you can put any mat outside. However, for some mats, practicing on them outside can massively increase their decline rate.
This is my all time favourite mat and the one I practice on the most. It gives a super sturdy, stable feel beneath your feet as you practice. The thickness is perfect for cushioning joints, but it never feels too soft or squishy.
One of the standout features is its lifetime guarantee. This isn’t just a mat you buy for a season; it’s one that will last you fo for decades. and if it doesn’t, Manduka will simply replace the mat for you. Making it a worthwhile, and truly one time investment for serious yogis. I’ve used mine consistently, and the durability still amazes me as my manduka mat still looks and feels brand new while my other mats are showing serious signs of use, and are slowly withering away over the years of use I put them through.
The only con the pro mat has, is that it is not great for very sweaty practices. However, for those hot yoga sessions or times when you need extra grip, pairing the Manduka PRO with a yogi towel is a game-changer. The towel absorbs sweat while adding extra traction, so you don’t slip even in the sweatiest classes. The combination of the two creates a practice surface that’s like nothing else I’ve experienced—grippy, comfortable, and sturdy.
If you are one of my students reading this, you’ll probably know I host classes by the beach. This adds in another use for the towell. After practice, My students and I often take a well deserved sea dip after hot summer practices. After which you can use the yoga towell as a beach towell too.
Manduka also makes muitple versions of their pro mat to suit different needs. I have personally not tried the variations so I can’t vouch for them 100%
What i can tell you in case you are interested in a different variation of this mat, is that manduka has always delivered me high quality in the the products that I have bought from them.
Manduka Pro Mat cons:
When it gets very sweaty, you’ll need a towel for extra grip
Just like a good shoe, you’ll need to ‘break in’ this mat. My favourite way to do this is with the salt method.
Heavy. (I think this mat is worth carrying the heavy weight, but definitely worth taking in account
Manduka Pro Mat pros:
lifetime guarantee
great joint cushioning
very sturdy/not too squishy
Great grip as long as reasonably dry
Great for any yoga practice
Sustainable
easy to clean
can be used outside
Lots of different colour options
I do have a discount code with Manduka which gets you 15% off
Code: ELLIGNED
Manduka Travel Mat: Small but Mighty
Now, not everyone will need a travel mat. I know that. However me being a yoga teacher, I can’t go anywhere without a mat or I’ll go crazy. If you’re someone who practices on the go, the Manduka travel mat is incredible. Unlike bulky, heavy mats that are a pain to carry, this one is light and compact, you can roll it up or even fold it, making it perfect for slipping into a suitcase or backpack. I have carried mine around in a totebag and people did not even notice I was carrying a yogamat! Despite its size, the grip is excellent—even when you sweat.
Whether you’re in a hotel room, a park, or at a studio while traveling, this mat gives you the quality of practice you’d expect from a full-size mat but in a much more portable form. It’s a true lifesaver for frequent travelers or yogis who like to practice outdoors.
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing this or any travel mat, is that for mats to be so small and thin, they are not going to give you any cushioning. The main thing a good travelmat will give you is grip. So you do have to sacrifice some comfort in order to travel light.
Manduka travel mat Pros:
Super lightweight
foldable
great grip
Great for active practices
Manduka travel mat cons:
no cushioning
Get a 15% discount with the code: ELLIGNED
When it comes to alignment-focused mats, Liforme is a fantastic option. Liforme mats are designed with alignment markers that help guide your hand and foot placement, which is great if you’re looking for easy pointers to improve your form. The mat has a soft yet supportive feel that’s both comfortable and stable.
While Liforme mats can be a bit on the pricey side, I find that they are a great option for yogis who appreciate attention to detail in their practice. Plus, the eco-friendly material is a bonus for those conscious of sustainability.
Liforme pros:
alignment cues
nice grip
beautiful designs and colours
Will stay with you for years
comes with a free handy carrier bag
great for any practice
sustainable
easy to clean
LiForme Cons:
while not as heavy as the manduka mat, it is still a hefty bag to carry
if comparing to manduka, it doesn’t last as long. but still a lot longer than the more affordable mats I have tried
If you’re new to yoga or looking for an affordable yet reliable option, Decathlon has got some decent yoga mats for around 30 euros. While it may not have the same luxury feel as the Manduka or Liforme, it’s still comfortable, grippy, and a solid choice for beginners or casual practitioners. I personally really like this one It’s grippy (especially after it’s broken in a bit), has got a really nice amount of cushioning, yet is not too squishy, and has a truly luxury feel for a mat in this range. It is heavy enough to not blow away in the wind when practicing outside, yet not too heavy to carry to and from your yoga practice. They come with a handy carrying strap and are easy to clean as well. when shopping on a budget I don’t think there is much more that one could want :)
This is another decathlon mat that is very popular among my students, and I quite like it as well for all the reasons mentioned above, except it feels a little bit cheaper, and is slightly harder to clean. But don’t get me wrong, It is still a great mat with decent grip, it is light weight, and affordable.
Decathlon does have another, even cheaper yogamat for about 10 euros, however, this is a mat I would highly advise against buying. It breaks easily, has no grip, and the wind will pick it up and smack it in your face in the slightest breeze. I’m only mentioning this one because I know it can be enticing to go for the most affordable thing. However.. your mat plays such a huge role in how you experience your yoga sessions, that you do generally want it to be of decent quality.
Your comfort on the mat plays a big part in how you engage with your practice. Mats that cost significantly less tend to wear out quickly, lose their grip (if they have any in the first place, and provide minimal support, which can affect your experience. Think of it as an investment in both your practice and your wellbeing—comfort on your mat will define a big part of your yoga journey.
Having said that, I do want to adress that part of the beauty of yoga is also that you don’t really need anything to practice it. All you need is yourself and the will to show up. No one will think any judgemental or negative thoughts if you show up to your class with a worn out, cheap yoga mat. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is how you feel about your practice, and how you show up for it. I simply want to give you this information, my opinion, on what I think are great yoga mats in case you do want to scale up your practice or simply would like a new mat.
I hope this was helpful, if you have any questions about any of these, or other yoga mats, you can drop them below in the comments and I’ll answer them as soon as I can.
With love and warm regards,
Elle