My favorite yoga mats
One question I get all the time from yoga students is; “What yoga mats do you recommend?” So it’s time I wrote a blog about my favorites!
So you've gone to a few yoga classes now and you're loving it, but you're hating how much you slide on your mat, or it’s uncomfortable on your knees. Finding the right yoga mat can be tricky, but I'll share my favorite yoga mats and what I love about them.
Gaiam - Inexpensive. Great for beginners.
Gaiam yoga brand offers a variety of yoga props and supplies at extremely affordable pricing. Although the quality might not be 5-star, this brand is perfect for beginners, yogis just starting out, or those who don’t want to invest a ton into their yoga supplies. With a wide range of mat styles and designs, Gaiam should be a great fit for that stylish, fun, first yoga mat. I also love having a cheaper mat for outdoor use.
BYoga - Great Grip. Great Quality.
This brand offers some super high quality, grippy mats. If you’re looking for something to help you from slipping and sliding, this brand is for you! Their BMat Everyday yoga mat is my absolute favorite; it’s perfect for a practice that requires more grip. They also offer thicker mats for more padding, or thinner mats better for travel.
Jade Yoga - Eco-friendly. Excellent quality.
Jade Yoga mats are made from natural rubber, a renewable resource, made in the United States in compliance with U.S. environmental laws and contain no PVCs - making our mats the first "green" and non-toxic yoga mats. For every yoga mat sold, one tree is planted. With variety of styles, thickness, and colors, there’s something for everyone. If you love Mother Earth and want to support an eco-friendly brand, Jade Yoga is the mat brand for you!
Manduka - Love/Hate Relationship. Not for everyone.
I have a love-hate relationship with the Manduka brand. What I would once call the slip-n-slide of yoga mats, has now found its place in my practice. Manduka isn’t the best brand for grip, but if you want quality comfort, I prefer my Manduka mats for slow flow vinyasa, Yin yoga, or Restorative. Manduka offers a variety of thicknesses but doesn’t offer the best grip so if you’re a Yin loving yogi, or want a mat with more cushion and padding, Manduka might be the mat for you.
Lifeforme - High quality. High price.
Sometimes you pay for what you get, and Lifeforme is a brand that proves that statement. If you’re seeking a high quality, high performance yoga mat with great grip; Lifeforme might be the mat brand for you. With extremely great grip, this mat also offers specifically designed lines to use as guides for your body’s alignment in poses. This mat’s lines can really help improve a student’s alignment and help the teacher see where your alignment is to give better verbal cues. This brand also offers smaller yoga pads for arm balances and inversions. One downside is if you’re an essential oil lover, you do not want to get oils on your Liforme, it will ruin the mat. Otherwise this is a great brand that offers high quality yoga gear that lasts a long time.
It all depends on what you’re looking for
It might take a bit to figure out exactly what style mat you need, especially if you’re still figuring out what style yoga classes you like to take. If you’re able to, try borrowing mats from studios, asking others their favorites, and testing out what might best suit your practice. Start with a more inexpensive mat and then when you’re ready, try something new! Weigh the pros and cons of each brand and style and soon you should find a yoga mat that’s just right for you!
What’s your favorite?
What do you think of my list? There’s so many brands and styles of yoga gear available, and these are just a few of my top favorite yoga brands. If you have a current favorite, share with me!
