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Buying a yoga mat is a giant decision. It must be as adaptable as you’re, capable of go from a rigorous vinyasa flow to soothing restorative on a whim. Some cushioning is important for shielding your joints, yet a yoga mat that’s too soft can’t create a unstable base. And in fact, durability and sustainability are on the forefront—you’ll want something that may last for years and progress with you but doesn’t wreak havoc on the environment, either in its production or when it reaches the tip of its life cycle.
The yoga mat manufacturing industry is advancing and always being improved. PVC is all but out, while natural rubber mats are starting to include thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) to make them biodegrade quicker. Cork and organic cotton have also taken strides to be of remarkable quality. Still, not all mats are equal.
What to think about when buying a mat
Before we dive into the list of the most effective yoga mats of 2022, there are just a few stuff you’ll want to think about before you purchase:
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What yoga style do you usually wish to practice?
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How often do you get to the studio, or do you recurrently practice at home?
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Do you’ve got achy joints, or are you comfortable on nearly any surface?
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Are you recent to yoga or do you’ve got a sophisticated practice?
The answers to those questions will affect which mat is the most effective for you. Price points, open vs. closed cell, weight, thickness, and tech all play a consider pairing you with the most effective mat in your practice. We imagine which you could’t go flawed with any of those picks.
The 7 best yoga mats of 2022
Hugger Mugger Earth Elements Mat
Editor’s Pick
Buy It: Hugger Mugger Earth Elements Mat
A teacher once told me that we put our energy right into a mat each time we practice on it, and after two years of using this mat, I still feel that connection—and its advantages. At 5mm thick, Hugger Mugger’s mat comfortably cushions my wrists and knees, noticeably reducing discomfort. I typically practice Yin and Restorative Yoga, making the closed-cell structure of this mat suitable for its durability—especially since I’m not sweating much in those classes. But once I do take a vinyasa class, it’s still grippy enough to lock me in place amidst multiple Sun Salutations. And the biodegradable and recyclable TPE used to create this mat makes it an eco-friendly pick. $57.95–$82.99
Gaiam Solid Color Yoga Mat
Best for Beginners
Buy It: Gaiam Solid Color Yoga Mat
This mat has the whole lot that it is advisable to get you began, including a reasonable price. It’s lightweight and sturdy for straightforward carry and can last over a 12 months of normal use, the 6mm cushion is standard for shielding your joints, and its non-slip surface will allow you to stay planted in additional intermediate and advanced poses. $13.93–$46.78
Manduka PRO
Best for Vinyasa
Buy It: Manduka PRO
Manduka’s famed PRO mat has been a staple within the yoga world for over 20 years, and for good reason. The 6mm cushion protects the joints without being too squishy, enabling stability in postures, and it has a nonslip texture so that you and your mat won’t slide around while pressing into Warrior II. As a closed-cell mat, it’s extremely durable and might last for multiple years of practice. Anyone from beginner to advanced can progress safely and comfortably with this classic. $108–$249.98
Yoloha Air Cork Yoga Mat
Best for Hot Yoga
Buy It: Yoloha Air Cork Yoga Mat
For decent yoga, you’re going to want an open-cell mat since they absorb sweat versus having it pool on top. Yoloha has perfected the cork mat, providing an extra-grippy surface that dries rapidly and truly gets stickier as you sweat, with vegan foam on the underside to safeguard the mat from sliding. Plus, it’s lightweight, which makes carrying it around town seamless. $119
Öko Living Indigo Moon Herbal Yoga Mat
Most Sustainable
Buy It: Öko Living Indigo Moon Herbal Yoga Mat
What if we told you that cotton can actually be sustainable? That’s right, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton uses 91 percent less water than nonorganic cotton, 62 percent less energy to provide, can’t be grown with chemicals so runoff is negated, and is totally biodegradable. Öko Living takes its concentrate on sustainability a step further: their mats are dyed using plants and are available with no plastic packaging. Plus, it’s 5mm thick, which still provides an ample amount of cushion. $174
Jade Voyager Mat
Best for Travelers
Buy It: Jade Voyager Mat
Portability is vital for this mat—it folds as much as be smaller than a yoga block. At 1/16” thick and just one.5 kilos, it could easily slot in a backpack, suitcase, or tote bag. Carry it with you around town to catch a day class when you’re on the go, or toss it into your luggage when traveling. Despite the fact that it’s thin, the natural rubber provides excellent grip and a small cushion (and that price tag is good, as well). $39.95
YogiFi
Best Tech
Buy It: YogiFi
Get a mat, a category, and an instructor multi function. YogiFi is changing the at-home yoga experience by providing a mat that lights up to supply corrections in your posture, speaks to you for step-by-step instruction, tracks your calories burned, heart rate, and plenty of more health stats. It also comes with an app equipped with multiple classes and programs, so you’ll be able to start practicing immediately—no studio required. $399
More articles on Yoga Mats:
The Best Thick Yoga Mats to Add Cushion to Your Practice
This Video Might Just Sway You to Buy a Cork Yoga Mat
We Found a Video on How Yoga Mats Are Made. Prepare to Be Mesmerized
Please note that we independently source the entire products that we feature on yogajournal.com. If you happen to buy from the links on our site, we may receive an affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.