While you can practice yoga without a mat, a mat is useful piece of equipment to make your practice safer and more effective.  Mats can help to brace you so that you do not slip and fall when you are in a stance.  They also provide padding for knees, hips and backs in different positions.  So which mat is best? 

The most common type of yoga mat is the sticky mat. These mats are thin and offer little padding. This is the traditional type of mat. They are usually around 3-4mm thick.  There are also thicker mats that have more padding and allow for a better feel being produced eg 6mm mats.

Here is a guide to help you to choose the best yoga mat for you: 

Avoid cheap mats

The most common mistake people tend to make when purchasing a yoga mat is that they go for the cheapest.  Yoga mats are not very expensive when you compare it to buying a pair of shoes.  A good mat will last you years.  If you buy a mat from The Warehouse of Bed Bath & Beyond it will be a poor quality product.  These mats are very thin and do not provide the type of cushioning that you require for performing yoga. These mats also tend to have little “bounce back” ie. When you put a hand or foot on the mat the mat compresses and smooths out.  This means that the mat loses its cushioning and grip.  These mats are usually very porous meaning that they will absorb sweat readily and will get stinky pretty fast.  Cheap mats will smell of chemicals and you’ll be breathing in the fumes when practicing.  Leaving this mat inside a car is also harmful as it tends to expel harmful chemicals when hot. Additionally, these mats aren’t environment friendly. 

Jute mats

Cork or Jute yoga mats are environment friendly. However, these tend to absorb sweat when you start practicing yoga. This result in a bad smell that may distract you while practicing. Additionally, these tend to disintegrate relatively quickly.  

TPE mats

These are environmentally synthetic rubber mats.  They are much lighter and are more textured than most other mats.  They tend to be more impervious to water than standard mats, making them a good choice for Hot Yoga or Bikram Yoga.  They are more expensive, but from our experience tend to last very well. 

Pilates and exercise mats

Pilates mats are thicker and bouncier than yoga mats.  These can be bulky, and tend to be more slippery and elastic than a sticky yoga mat.  They tend to stretch so aren't suitable for many yoga poses.  They also tend to be porous making them prone to getting smelly. 

Other points

Dark colours tend to be more popular as they don’t get as dirty over time

How tough is your mat?  If you can easily tear it apart it won’t last long

Personal comfort level is the most important thing. You need to test whether you are feeling comfortable when lying or practicing on a yoga mat.