You’ll tell a travel mat apart from all the others by the fact that you can fold it easily, so you can take it anywhere with you. As cork is naturally antimicrobial, there's no risk of mould and mildew developing, and it’s a doddle to maintain – just wipe it down with a soapy towel and leave it to dry flat. It’s 183cm x 61cm and, even though there are only a couple of centimetres in it, you do notice the difference between the widths – I felt this mat was slightly too narrow.

The Best Yoga Mat Thickness: What You Need To Know The Best Yoga Mat Thickness: What You Need To Know

Despite providing good grip even during the sweat test, we found that this mat occasionally made squeaking noises when transitioning into certain poses. The drawback to such a light mat, however, is that it doesn’t have the heft to lay perfectly flat out of the box like some of the heavier mats we tested. On our quest to find the best on the market, we also considered sustainability, style and any original features before naming our favourites. A dedicated yogi who practices yoga daily might want to invest in a more expensive mat that's made to last. We ultimately scored it a 4 out of 5 for portability—while it doesn’t include a carrying bag or strap, it rolls up tightly and isn’t too burdensome to take from your home to the studio and back again.However, rapid yoga classes like Rocket require faster transitions, and grip could slow you down, so remember to consider your class preferences too. Yoga mats, meanwhile, tend to be made with slightly more delicate materials such as rubber or latex, providing a stickier surface for your hands and feet. We would have liked a travel strap and the absence of care instructions was disappointing, but those were our only quibbles.

yoga mats 2023 | Live Science Best yoga mats 2023 | Live Science

Because this eco-friendly mat is made from natural latex (avoid if you have a latex allergy) you should expect a strong odor at first. The best yoga mats are non slip, travel friendly, and thick enough to support the joints, but which is right for you? Then, we tested 24 yoga mats in The Verywell Testing Lab and in our homes for a month to see how they performed in key areas, like unboxing, padding and thickness, grip and feel, portability, storage, care, and overall value. Cork mats, like the With Every Atom Cork yoga mat, absorb moisture well and are perfect for hot yoga classes. Whether you're inverted in Crow Pose or standing in Warrior 1, Athleta's Flow Freely Yoga Mat provides a sturdy base and firm support.Top marks for this double-sided mat from lululemon, which offers unparalleled grip, a stable surface and plenty of support. You needn't worry about the mat moving under your feet, either; on test, it stuck to the floor brilliantly when unfurled. However, we always recommend investing in high-quality fitness equipment that will last for dozens of Downward Facing Dogs to come.

5mm Yoga Mat: Which One Is Better? 3mm vs. 5mm Yoga Mat: Which One Is Better?

Before the second test on each mat, we sprayed our hands and feet with water to see how the mats would hold up to moisture from external factors like sweat and humidity. She adds that any mat that offers stickiness or texture is great for heated classes as long as it can be easily cleaned. We recommend this mat for most ability levels and practices, but while it is 5mm thick (slightly thicker than the Yogi Bare Wild Paws yoga mat), it actually felt thinner and less suited to restorative classes. But its beautiful design and cleverly subtle alignment cues allow every yogi to lead intuitively with their senses. More impressively the grippy underside stuck to the shiny fake hardwood floor in my flat which is usually slippery, without budging.

This Jade mat weighs in at just under 5 pounds, and we found that it easily lays flat during the first use. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a carry strap or bag – but that really is nitpicking. The remaining yoga mats are recommendations from our Runner’s World editors, who have managed to unearth some hidden gems.