The best mat, is the mat you actually use. A mat can have super fancy and great attributes but if you do not like the way it feels, looks or smells, then it will not be worth the money. Go with a mat that makes you feel good and you like spending time on.
- Thickness
There are different options when it comes to thickness. A thicker mat usually provides more cushion and comfort when you are on your hands and knees. Very thick mats may however make it a bit more difficult to balance in standing positions such as tree pose. The thickness also has an impact on a mats weight. If you use it primarily at home and do not have to carry it around, then this will not be a big deal. However if you are regularly on-the-go then weight is a major factor to consider.
I really like a 4 or 5mm mat, I believe it’s a great thickness that provides comfort while still being lightweight enough to take with me. I also use a 3mm lightweight travel mat that I use on days where every gram counts.
- Grip
A mats grip is, to me, the most important factor to consider. The mat should be sticky so that you do not slide even if you sweat. If you tend to sweat or have sweaty hands then you may want to choose a mat with a raised texture.
- Material
You‘ll hopefully spend lots of time on your mat. That is why the mat should preferably not contain any nasty things but rather be made from natural materials such as natural and/or recycled rubber, organic cotton, jute and cork.
- Test it
I recommend trying a mat before buying it. This will allow you to test the mat for grip, feel, comfort etc. Choosing a mat is personal and you may weigh some factors higher than others. Most yoga studios use well known brands such as Jade Yoga Mats and Manduka. Therefore, you may take a class at a studio where you can test a mat. I also carry a limited number of mats, so let me know if you would like me to bring one to our next class.
- Manduka mats
If you want to buy a Manduka mat feel free to use my code “thematyoga” to get an exclusive 10% discount on your order.
- Jade Yoga mats
If you would like to buy a Jade Yoga mat please get in touch as I have a few mats on stock and I can offer you a 10-20% discount on these mats.