Alexandra Ramirez
Best Yoga Mat
There are many different styles, thicknesses and materials that yoga mats are made of today. We have brought you the top rated yoga mats available for you to check out. One of them may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
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Introduction to the Yoga Mat Reviews
Yoga has gained popularity over the years with it becoming a very common activity that is used for weight loss and over all well being. It is also great for mental awareness as well. These top rated yoga mats are the perfect thing to do all of the twists, turns, stretches and maneuvers that yoga involves. While you could use an exercise mat, yoga mats are designed specifically for yoga and are better suited for that activity.
The different styles and thicknesses provide certain benefits to you so knowing what those are before you purchase one can help you choose one that will meet your specific needs and preferences. When you have the right knowledge, such as the kind you will get from these top rated reviews and the detailed buyer’s guide we have provided, it makes the decision making process much easier.
Top Ranked Yoga Mats
Kurma Professional Quality Extra Long Yoga Mat
Why is it the Top Pick?
Back in the early 1990’s a yoga student developed this fantastic mat in Germany. This mat was designed to be the perfect surface for practicing yoga and to withstand committed yoga students who practiced more than two times each day.
This Kurma Pro yoga mat is the original design that students clamored for back then and still find the perfect yoga mat for their sessions.
Up until now, it’s not been available, but now you can get this excellent mat for your own yoga and know that you have one that is designed by a real yoga student who knows what is needed and what works the best.
The dense firmness does not take away comfort which is very important to provide the joints with the support and comfort they need during specific poses. Users will feel secure, stable and grounded when using this mat. The fabric texture of the surface provides a good, secure grip for hands and feet.
Measuring 80” L x 23” w this yoga mat is 15” longer than most providing even more room for you to go through your paces. The mat is antibacterial, non-toxic and doesn’t have an unpleasant odor the way some mats do. This sturdily made yoga mat is made to withstand decades of use and days being in your hot car as you bring it back and forth to your yoga classes. This mat has been officially certified as Phthalate and heavy metal free with the OEKO-TEX Standard which is the highest Swiss certification.
It also comes with a lifetime guarantee to prove how much the company stands behind the construction and durability of the mat. Try it for 60 days and if any time within those 60 days you are not 100% satisfied, the company offers a money back guarantee.
Jade Harmony Professional 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat
Why is it a Top Pick?
Jade Harmony Professional Yoga Mat includes many great features that make it a very popular choice. These features include a non-slip surface made of all natural rubber.
This prevents slipping of the hands and feet. It is resilient and has cushioning that can’t be matched.
Clean up is very easy. All you need to do is use mild soap and warm water.
Once it is wiped off, it should be laid out flat to dry but not in direct sunlight. It has no PVC or ozone depleting substances to worry about. The open cell, natural rubber is a customer favorite because of the comfort and cushioning it provides.
Since it does have the excellent non slip surface, you don’t ever have to worry about falling or slipping out of position, even if you are wet with sweat. You can get two convenient lengths of this comfortable and exceptional yoga mat from Jade: 68” and 74”.
It is available in a variety of colors to match workout clothing or just your favorite color. Just a handful of the colors available include: black, purple, midnight blue, raspberry, olive green, orchid, slate blue and many more.
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
Why is it a Top Pick?
This exceptional Manduka Pro Yoga Mat has multiple features that place it at the top of the list with customers. This mat has a lifetime guarantee that is a testimony to the superior wear and longevity.
It provides all the cushion you need for the spine, knees, hips and elbows too no matter what surface you have the mat laid down on.
The slip resistant properties keep it safe even when it is damp with perspiration. It doesn’t feel sticky either which can really ruin a good yoga session. This functional and comfortable yoga mat has the esteemed Oeko-Tex certification that deems it emissions free.
It has two lengths available: 71” which is considered standard and 85” which is the long size. It measures 26” wide so you will have plenty of length and width to work with. Because of the closed cell construction, you won’t have to worry about bacteria or microbes getting into the mat and causing trouble.
Cleans easily as well, just warm soapy water (a mild soap) and let dry flat out of the direct sunlight. Stores easily when not in use, just roll the mat with the fabric finish facing outwards. This is important because it will keep the corners flat when you unroll it to use it.
One of the popular things about the Manduka Pro mat is that the longer you use it the better it gets. You can even break it in when you first get it so it is comfortable from the beginning.
Using it every day is one simple way, but you can also sprinkle sea salt over the top of your mat (sea salt is very coarse) and spritz a little water and then scrub it down with a stiff scrub brush. After you’re done with that, let it dry in the sun. It’ll be all broken in and ready to use.
Top Rated Yoga Mat Summary
When it comes to getting the right yoga mat, you want to look at the mats that customers consider the best of the choices and these three top rated yoga mats are definitely the top of the list.
Not only are they made to withstand daily use, they are all certified to be free of toxins and chemicals, and they provide plenty of cushion, support and non-slip exercise area so you can do your yoga without worry or inconvenience.
These top rated yoga mats are all long lasting and durable so you will have them for decades and they will stand up to all the use you want to give them without breaking down and becoming cushion less slabs of material that offer no protection or cushion at all.
Take the time to look at the features these three yoga mats have and see which one meets your needs and preferences. Below is a detailed buyer’s guide that will give you even more information on yoga mats and how to choose the right one.
Yoga Mat Comparison
 Professional Yoga Mat by Kurma View |
 Jade Harmony Professional View |
 Manduka PRO View |
 Aurorae Classic View |
 Aurorae Printed View |
 RatMat Pro Eco View |
 Manduka eKO View |
 ProSource Premium View |
 Ashram Premium Yoga View |
 Hanalava Premium View |
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| Length (inches) |
79 | 74 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 71 | 68 | 73 | 72 |
| Thickness (inches) |
1/4 | 3/16 | 1/4 | 1/4 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 1/4 | 1/5 | 1/7 |
| Dimension (inches) |
79 x 23 | 24 x 74 | 71 x 26 | 72 x 24 | 72 x 24 | 72 x 24 | 71 x 26 | 68 x 24 | 73 x 25 | 72 x 24 |
| Weight (pounds) |
5.1 | 4.8 | 7 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 7 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 3.8 |
| Material | Natural Rubber |
Natural
Rubber |
Natural
Rubber |
Natural
Rubber |
Natural
Rubber |
Thermoplastic
Elastomer |
Natural
Rubber |
PVC | Thermoplastic Elastomer |
Natural
Rubber |
| Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color | Multi-Color |
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Professional Yoga Mat by Kurma View |
Jade Harmony Professional View |
Manduka PRO View |
Aurorae Classic View |
Aurorae Printed View |
RatMat Pro Eco View |
Manduka eKO View |
ProSource Premium View |
Ashram Premium Yoga View |
Hanalava Premium View |
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Professional Yoga Mat by Kurma View |
Jade Harmony Professional View |
Manduka PRO View |
Aurorae Classic View |
Aurorae Printed View |
RatMat Pro Eco View |
Manduka eKO View |
ProSource Premium View |
Ashram Premium Yoga View |
Hanalava Premium View |
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| Shipment | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Ratings | ||||||||||
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Professional Yoga Mat by Kurma View |
Jade Harmony Professional View |
Manduka PRO View |
Aurorae Classic View |
Aurorae Printed View |
RatMat Pro Eco View |
Manduka eKO View |
ProSource Premium View |
Ashram Premium Yoga View |
Hanalava Premium View |
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| Customer Ratings | 4.96 | 4.91 | 4.79 | 4.68 | 4.60 | 4.45 | 4.42 | 4.27 | 4.20 | 4.12 |
| Expert Ratings | 5.00 | 4.89 | 4.78 | 4.65 | 4.58 | 4.44 | 4.36 | 4.23 | 4.16 | 4.13 |
| Overall Rating (Out of 5) |
4.98 | 4.90 | 4.78 | 4.67 | 4.59 | 4.44 | 4.39 | 4.25 | 4.18 | 4.12 |
Yoga Mat Buyers Guide
What is a Yoga Mat?
Yoga has been around for centuries. It was developed over 5000 years ago in India. The word yoga means to join together; its purpose being to join the mind and body together for the ultimate harmony. There are three main parts that make up the practice of yoga: exercise, meditation, and breathing. All three are equally important to the culmination of mind and body.
The very first yoga mats were made of tiger skin, deer skin or grass and later on they were made of cotton or towels. The mats were used as a base that the exercises could be performed on more comfortably.
Rubber mats were discovered and used in the 20th century but the traditional floor mat that is used today wasn’t discovered until the early 80s. Even though exercise mats were used up until; the 90s, they tended to be too thick and would slip on the floor which can be very dangerous with many of the positions that yoga calls for.
Yoga mats are made with some cushioning that will protect the joints, but not too much and they are designed to not slip on the floors which will protect you from a fall in a not so easy to fall in position. These two features are two of the most important ones since they affect the success of the workout.
Materials Used for Yoga Mats
Yoga mats can be made from many different types of materials. Learn about those different materials below and see which one will fit your needs and preferences the best. What you will find in the differences between different yoga mats mostly will be in the level of absorption they have, their eco-friendly properties, and the stickiness of the mats to prevent slipping. Eco friendly is a very important factor among yoga enthusiasts because the majorities are more health conscious and concerned about the environment so it stands to reason they would prefer yoga mats that have this same consideration.
PVC – Even though PVC isn’t eco friendly and it’s not absorbent either, it provides the most “stickiness” of all the materials. This stickiness prevents the mat from slipping which can cause injury.
Rubber – Rubber yoga mats can be made to be eco friendly and provide a lot of give when you are changing positions. It has enough stick to prevent the mat from slipping but if you have an allergy to latex, you may find that using rubber yoga mats can cause an allergic reaction. Another drawback is that they are not absorbent.
Jute – This is an eco-friendly material that has a good amount of absorbency and is used by some manufacturers to create yoga mats. There are a couple of drawbacks to mats made of Jute. They can cause resistance when you change from one position to another and they can have an uncomfortable texture as well.
Cotton – Cotton is another eco-friendly material that is very absorbent. Users may find that pivoting is difficult on a cotton yoga mat, so take that into consideration. It can be cleaned easily but since it does not prevent slipping you may want to choose another material such as rubber if you do not have a latex allergy.
Different Yoga Mat Textures
The texture of your yoga mat is an important consideration. You want a texture that will provide traction for standing poses but that won’t be uncomfortable for sitting and lying down poses.
Jute will feel rough to the touch due to its organic origin and how it is woven as well.
PVC and Rubber will vary in different textures and that will depend largely on the manufacturer. If you like completely smooth textures, you will probably want to get a PVC mat that has a smooth texture.
Since there are all kinds of textures yoga mats can have, when shopping around, be sure to pay attention to the texture description so you can get what you want.
How Thick do You Want Your Yoga Mat?
The thickness of your yoga mat will determine how comfortable the sitting and lying down poses will be. You don’t want it so thin that those poses are uncomfortable or even painful; on the other hand, you don’t want it so thick that performing the standing poses becomes difficult and unsteady.
Standard yoga mats are about 1/8” thick. They are typically comfortable and stable enough to be great for standing exercises and floor exercises. The thickest yoga mats will be around ¼” thick. You will love how the lying and sitting poses feel but you may notice that having a strong connection to the floor will not be present with a mat this thick.
There are very thin yoga mats that are only 1/16” thick. They roll easy, carry easy, and are great for the standing poses but you may find that using them on hard floors can be very painful when doing the sitting and lying poses.
The Stickiness of Yoga Mats
If you are new to yoga, you may not realize that a yoga mat will have a stickiness to it that is functional to the practice of yoga. It needs to be sticky on both sides and for good reason. The stickiness on the side that is face down on the floor will prevent it from sliding, giving the user a stable and safe foundation from which to do some intricate and sometimes difficult poses.
It needs to be sticky on the top side so sweaty hands and feet do not slip out from under you. So make sure that the yoga mats you look at have a good level of stickiness on both sides so you can perform your yoga poses safely and sturdily.
Reasons why You Should Try Yoga
In the event that you are brand new to yoga or that you are considering it, there are several reasons why you should try it. We’ll outline the top reasons below why you should give it a try and see what you think. Most people, who try it, end up loving it, wishing they had started sooner and make it a part of their day to day lives.
Reason #1 – You will feel fantastic. Not only will you find that you are more aware, awake and connected mind and body, you will find that your focus is very deep and increased as well. Practice yoga at your own pace and you will find that you want to do it again and again.
Reason #2 – Yoga will help you slow down a bit and find peace with your life and yourself. Breathing; calm, even breathing is one of the foundations of yoga. This even breathing facilitates healing on many levels. Another thing to think about is that when you are doing a controlled exercise, with calm, steady breathing, it is very difficult to end up injured. Yoga is not an activity that is meant to be rushed.
Reason #3 – There are many physical benefits for your body when it comes to yoga. Alignment in the joints, strengthening the body, helping relieve the stresses your day to day life can place on your physical body and stretching your muscles.
If you are new to yoga class, be sure to let the teacher/instructor know. Also tell them about any physical problems you have such as back problems, etc. They will be able to help you with poses that can actually help and improve your condition. If something you are doing doesn’t feel good or starts to cause pain, back off and try again another time. Some poses will have to be worked into.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding an activity that is inexpensive, easy to get started with and that has massive physical benefits, yoga is at the top of the list. Equipment is basically a good quality mat, which is why we have brought you the top rated choices here.
With it being your only real purchase when it comes to equipment, you want to spend the money to get the right kind and one of good quality that will last. With proper care, a good quality yoga mat will last decades.
With the information in this review and buyer’s guide you will be able to choose the perfect yoga mat for you. And if you’re brand new to yoga or are considering it, you still want to get a great quality mat since that can make a difference in your first impression.
Resources
- Kurma Professional Quality Extra Long Yoga Mat – Kurma Professional Quality Extra Long Yoga Mat
- Jade Harmony Professional 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat – Jade Harmony Professional 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat
- Manduka PRO Yoga Mat – Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
