5 Top Rated Yoga Mats According to Yoga Teachers

One of the first yoga essentials that every yogi should have is a yoga mat. When I just started doing yoga, I went to a regular store and bought one of those $15 mats, used my regular workout closing and had a towel for hot yoga classes. But let me tell you, it did not take me too long to figure out, that if I want to continue doing yoga on a daily basis, I better get on the top of the game and grab the most efficient and practical yoga mat.

But first and foremost, I found it a big challenge to figure out what mat is worth buying. Well, my biggest issue (like for the most of yogis) was sliding hands on the mat, especially in a downward facing dog. So I had to ask a lot of long-time yogis about their favorite mats, their benefits, and drawbacks. 

Here is a thing. Since I practice yoga daily and I already hit a lot of bumps on the road, I thought to make your life easier and give you a list of best yoga mats according to many famous yoga teachers. First of all, in my opinion just like you don’t want to save on running shoes, because you will surely get injured wearing just any shoes for a run, you don’t want to save on your yoga mat for the exact same reason.

1. Liforme Yoga Mats

My personal most favorite yoga mat is a Liforme mat. Although it will cost you top dollar, this is so far the best, most eco-friendly and longest-serving of all yoga mats existing so far. This is the mat, that most professional yogis use in their practice. This is the mat I bought for myself and can say that it worth every single penny!

These yoga mats are made of non-toxic, PVC free, biodegradable material. They have a strong natural rubber base and added felt portion between the layers that provide extra support, stability and cushioning. And being a few inches longer and wider than regular yoga mats, Liforme Yoga Mats give you that extra bit of space you’ve been craving! 

The very best part! These yoga mats have an excellent grip and they serve from 5 years and even longer, depending on your practice and how well you maintain it. Even after long time use, they don’t really fall apart. They might just get dirty and alignment lines might disappear, but they will still serve you well. So really the only drawback of these yoga mats is that they are pretty heavy. But to be honest I saw heaver mats. So for me personally this is not really an issue. 

Also, these yoga mats come with super comfortable Liforme Yoga bag. One less headache. So if you are very serious about your yoga, this is the mat to buy, there is no doubt.

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2 . Manduka Pro Yoga Mats

The second choice of most yoga teachers is Manduka Pro Yoga Mats. They are still quite expensive but do have a reason to be so as well. 

These are ultra-dense and spacious performance yoga mats that have great comfort and extra cushioning. Manduka company promises that these yoga mats will never wear out, guaranteed under their lifetime warranty. 

I did my research and found out that most people are having trouble breaking in these yoga mats. You have to break up that top layer, otherwise, your hands will constantly slide during your practice. As much as I am aware, using salt baths should help in that. But I know people tried all type of different methods. Someone even said that [he/she] “stomped on it with shoes on and I beat it with sticks to break up or abrade its surface a bit”. Haha. But I’ve heard that Manduka has excellent customer service. So you better give them a call for advice on that.

What I know for a fact is that once you break in your Manduka yoga mat, you will find it to be the best mat ever. It will not be slippery and will not slick during yoga in any way.

So I think you will go from hate to love forever with Manduka Pro Yoga Mats.

3. Alo Warrior Yoga Mats

If you are a big fan of hot yoga, you should go with Alo’s Warrior Yoga Mat. Its glossy antimicrobial top is non-slippery, whether it is wet or dry. And it offers the perfect amount of cushioning.

Alo Yoga Mats are made of the same materials as Liforme yoga mats. Therefore they are also grippy, comfortable, and easy to clean.

Although Alo Yoga mats are only available in solid black or white right now. And unfortunately, they show everything if you don’t wipe them down after every use. Also, they don’t have those convenient alignment marks as Liforme does. But Alo yoga mats cost a bit cheaper, ranging around $100.

All in all, it is a great choice of a yoga mat. It will serve you well if you decide to buy it.

4 . Jade Yoga Mats

My next choice of yoga mats is Jade mats. They also have a pretty good grip. The coolest part, the Jade company plants a tree for every mat they sell. Also, all their mats are made in the USA, and they are completely biodegradable.

Their Fusion mats are the best if you are looking for extra cushioning, especially great if you have knee problems. And although it is quite thick, you will not have trouble with balancing poses. 

Although I have to say that you will feel the slipperiness if you are taking hot power yoga classes. And you will have to break it in with salt-scrubs and bathes and air it out for better performance.

So I personally think that Jade Yoga Mats are great for Hatha type of classes. Just be ready that they will have to be changed after about 3 years of regular practice because they are falling apart after that.

5. Lululemon The Reversible Yoga Mats

To be honest, I personally never tried Lululemon The Reversible Yoga Mats, but I have students using it and loving it. It is very durable, so it will last you for quite some time and it has a great grip as well. Also, It is built with antimicrobial additives that prevent mold, mildew, and bad smell. It has two sides, offering a different feel on each. One “smooth” side has a top layer of antimicrobial polyurethane to help absorb sweat and prevent slippage. On the flip “grippy” side, a textured surface gives you plenty of traction for less vigorous practices. The extra grip at the ends keeps you firmly grounded in downward dog, while a smooth middle allows for fluid jump through.

The drawback is that this yoga mat is on the heavy side. Also, the surface tends to show dirt, dust, and smudges. 

Overall, because this mat can be used on either side, depending on how much traction you need for your practice, it is great for any type of yoga. It is reasonably priced around $70. And I’ve heard that it does not smell as most yoga mats do. 

Best Yoga Mat for Beginners

And if you are just beginning yoga, not sure how serious you want to get on it and looking for a cheaper option,  you might want to go with Gaiam Yoga Mat. This is a very popular mat among beginners. Although you might experience slipperiness, there are ways to address the issue. One of the buyers on Amazon left a review: “To address those who complained of a slippery mat: mine was pretty slippery when it arrived, like many others. When I practiced my downward dog, my hands started to slip underneath me. After some online research, I decided to wash it in my bathtub with some Dr. Bronner’s soap, rinse it, wash it with vinegar, and rinse it again. After it dried, I tried it out and no more slip! I hope this helps some of you who are having issues :)” 

Conclusion

So there are some really good yoga mats out there. It all really depends on how serious you are about your yoga practice and what type of yoga you do. I hope this list helped you to choose the best option for yourself. 

Please comment below if you have any questions. Or if you want to share your own feedback on any of these yoga mats. 

Also, read my article “7 MUST HAVE YOGA ESSENTIALS TO START PRACTICING YOGA TODAY” to find out what other essentials you might need for your yoga practice. 

I have a wonderful yoga practice!

Namaste ॐ

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