Beyond style and color there is so much more to a yoga mat. It should keep you stable in your poses; it needs to be storable and portable, yet comfy and cushy, but most of all it should fit your practice, priorities, lifestyle, and values.
Material
The most important option to begin with is the material the mat is made of because that determines the stickiness, sponginess, and how it wears over time. While most standard mats are made of PVC, otherwise known as vinyl. Newer, more earth-friendly options include natural and recycled rubber, jute, and organic cotton or natural cotton (which means the fabric is not treated with synthetic finishes during manufacturing). Although these newer options tend to be pricier, they are ultimately a higher quality mat that will handle wear. Also, if you're allergic to latex, rubber may cause irritation so look for mats that are 100% latex free. (Learn more about the different types of material)
Texture and Stickiness
Both texture and stickiness determine how much slipping and sliding occurs on the mat, however texture provides a physical barrier while stickiness is about suction. Both are important because they help maintain alignment moving from one pose to another, as well as holding poses for several seconds. Texture can be either man-made (a pattern of raised bumps, for example) or dictated by the materials — eco-friendly yoga mats may surprise you with how much traction they provide even though they don’t have the traditional “sticky” feel.
Thickness
The thickness is the next option to consider. A standard yoga mat is about 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) thick, while the thickest are about 1/4 inch (6.35 mm). There are also wafer-thin yoga mats, often billed as “travel yoga mats,” that are a mere 1/16 inch (1.587 mm) thick. They fold easily and don’t weigh much, making them a cinch to fit in a suitcase, but a thin mat can be hard on the knees. On the other hand, a thicker mat can make it hard to feel a strong connection to the floor, making you more wobbly in Tree Pose, for example.
To cover all bases most efficiently for both travel and home practice, it is best to have a thin travel mat that is light weight and easy to fold, and a premium thick mat for comfort at home. For beginners looking for a more all-around mat, a ¼ inch can provide comfort without being outrageously heavy to tote around.
Eco-Friendly Mats
Eco-Friendly mats are typically made from natural or recycled rubber, but also can be cork, jute, or cotton, and are available in a range of thicknesses, tend to be thicker and slicker than PVC mats. You can get a yoga mat that's eco-friendly, has a thickness that meets your needs for comfort and portability, and has a texture (such as a raised geometric pattern) that prevents slippage.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, check out our collection of eco-friendly yoga mats for your perfect fit.
Comments