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Find zen – or try your first downward dog – in our edit of the best mats for all levels and practices
If there’s one thing you really need for yoga, it’s a mat – especially if you’re practising from home. Nobody wants rug burn from chaturanga on the carpet.
Whether you're an Insta-famous yogi or can just about get into child's pose, your mat will either help or hinder your practice. The perfect yoga mat is one that’s designed to suit the movements and sequences of your chosen style, be it vinyasa flow or ashtanga. At the very least, you deserve better than shared gym mats that always smell of feet.
Our resident yogi tried and tested 18 of the best yoga mats in the business, before whittling them down to a list of seven that are most worthy of your time.
Our ever-helpful Esquire editors then scoured the mat market for more premium products that will elevate your yoga practice from ungainly stretching sessions to flawless flows.
To get the most out of your yoga practice, your mat should offer the following:
Support: Most mats are made from a soft rubber material, or similar, that’s designed to cushion your spine and limbs from unforgiving surfaces. If supporting your joints is a priority, we would recommend looking for a mat which is at least 0.4mm.
Grip: Bare hands and feet should remain firmly planted on your mat – this is crucial for keeping you stable during precarious poses like the crow.
Stability: Your mat should grip both carpet and tiles without sliding about, even during energetic vinyasa flows.
This must-have trinity aside, consider sustainability credentials, innovative features – such as 3D texture – that will help you master more advanced techniques, and portability. Mats that roll up tight and come with carry straps make great companions for a spot of al fresco ashtanga.
The mats on this list vary from 3mm to 10mm in thickness, and finding the right option for you will depend on what you want to use it for. A thicker mat will offer more support for your spine and limbs when used on unforgiving floors such as tiles — perfect for at-home practice.
However, unlike thinner mats, they won't roll or fold up so easily. They're not as portable as a result, so opt for a less chunky mat if you're looking for an on-the-go vinyasa companion.
Alternatively, if you want the best of both worlds, we'd recommend plumping for a medium mat, between 0.4 and 0.6mm thick.
Our expert tester put 18 market-leading yoga mats on trial during a range of practices, from meditation to hot yoga. They judged each mat on its suitability for each activity and took into account factors such as grip, portability, ease of use, comfort and overall design. You’ll find their favourites below, followed by a few of ours.
Now all that’s left to say is ‘Namaste’.
This mat’s understated design belies its stand-out performance in every test we put it through. It provided an ideal platform for mastering all kinds of yoga practice and we liked the minimalist aesthetic.
Sweaty Betty’s soft natural latex was easily the grippiest surface that our tester encountered, with no risk of slipping in downward dog. It instantly lay flat on the ground, without sliding at all on carpet or tiles, and the fact it only weighs 2kg makes it a great travel companion for nomadic yogis.
It did pick up dust quite quickly - particularly the slate colourway - but this was nothing a quick wipe down couldn’t fix.
Best for: With great grip and a surprising amount of cushioning given its modest 4mm thickness, this mat is a fantastic all-rounder that all yogis will love.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 183 x 62 x 0.4 Weight: 2kg Material: Natural latex Thickness: 4mm (medium) Colours available: Slate, marina green, nerine pink, cornflower blue
Lululemon’s reign as the king of innovation is cemented with this natural rubber mat. It has a sticky 3D texture that guides your hands and feet to the right position, helping you stay aligned during poses.
Being able to feel your way around the mat, rather than constantly having to look down to check your spacing, is particularly helpful for beginners. It felt well-built, but its sturdiness made it slightly harder to roll up tightly and it sometimes needed flattening at the edges once unfurled.
Best for: Vinyasa and anusara, two yoga practices that focus heavily on alignment - how the body is positioned to reap the benefits of every pose.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 180 x 66 x 0.5 Weight: 2.2kg Material: Natural rubber Thickness: 5mm (medium) Colours available: Black, spiced chai, blue linen, blue borealis, black and white
This mat’s consummate performance during testing earned it top scores across the board. It provided a supremely stable platform for perfecting our poses, while the natural rubber and polyurethane material’s ability to absorb moisture stopped it from becoming slippery when wet or sweaty.
The 4mm thickness was able to find a middle ground between being supportive enough and allowing us to feel grounded during flows, and the subtle Aztec design provides positioning prompts to help align your body.
Best for: Yogis who want the best of both worlds. This mat will keep you comfortable while providing a responsive surface for more dynamic practices.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 180 x 66 x 0.4 Weight: 2.5kg Material: Natural rubber and polyurethane Thickness: 4mm Colours available: Black, green, grey, ocean blue, red
Sporting superpower Adidas has a heritage most of its competitors could only dream of, with over 70 years of experience in the field. Happily, it didn’t disappoint with this malleable mat. The design is more athletic than the usual yoga aesthetic, and this was reflected in its performance.
It was just as comfortable standing up to the rigours of a home weights workout as it was hosting a lengthy savasana - otherwise known as corpse pose. It offered plenty of grip, though there was a small amount of slipping during more dynamic practice, and its handy carry strap earned it extra praise from our tester.
Best for: Those who have a varied at-home fitness regime or use yoga as a recovery tool for other sports. It can handle HIIT sessions as, unlike most yoga-specific mats, it can withstand trainers and dumbbells without marking.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 183 x 61 x 1 Weight: 1.3kg Material: NBR Thickness: 10mm (thick) Colours available: Black and red
The mere existence of ‘wet floor’ signs is enough to tell you that ‘liquid’ and ‘non-slip’ are two terms rarely uttered in the same breath. However, With Every Atom’s logic-defying mat manages to offer yogis more grip when wet, making it the ultimate accessory for hot yoga enthusiasts. Made from tree rubber and polyurethane, it’s slightly heavier than others on our list, helping it lie flat quickly and stick rigidly to the floor. This did make it harder to roll up, however, so keep it for at-home practice.
Best for: Those who like to be challenged in their yoga sessions, favouring hot yoga or sweatier, more energetic flows.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 183 x 68 x 0.5 Weight: 2.5kg Material: Biodegradable 100% tree rubber, polyurethane Thickness: 5mm (medium) Colours available: Midnight blue
Sustainability is a key consideration when picking a product these days, and this Yogamatters mat has eco credentials to make its competitors green with envy. The brand turns algae blooms from rivers and lakes into ‘eco-foam’, before returning clean, oxygenated water back into the ecosystem.
If you’re looking for another USP, it’s also the longest yoga mat we tried, which taller yogis will appreciate. Our tester found it super soft and comfortable, but not very sticky, so save it for slower sessions.
Best for: Gloriously comfortable but lacking in grip, this mat provides cushioning to complement meditative or seated yoga practices like yin.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 190 x 60 x 0.5 Weight: 0.8kg Material: Foam and algae Thickness: 5mm (medium) Colours available: Aqua
Yoga’s benefits for mind and body are well documented. Some practices push the body to its physical limits while others, such as yoga nidra (a form of guided meditation), focus more on mental wellbeing.
Unlike the rubbery texture of most yoga mats, this coastal-inspired Sundried model is made from jute – a natural material that feels warm and grainy against bare skin. Our tester said this added an extra grounding dimension to their meditative practice, but this came at the expense of some grip. Their hands and feet slipped in some poses, particularly when the mat became wet.
Best for: Slower-paced sessions or meditation.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 180 x 61 x 0.6 Weight: Not specified Material: Jute Thickness: 6mm (medium) Colours available: Blue and sand
Part of Stella McCartney’s activewear range for Adidas, this training mat feels as good as it looks. That’s down to its high-quality construction – 60% TPE, 20% EVA, 20% POE foam – and transportability (we’re big fans of the over-the-shoulder carrier strap).
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 176.5 x 61.5 x 0.4 Weight: Unspecified Material: 60% TPE, 20% EVA, 20% POE foam Thickness: 4mm (medium) Colours available: Pearl rose and maroon
Nice, this. Simple, affordable, tasteful. At 4mm thick, it’s suitable for low-impact yoga and palate sessions and is easily transportable (it comes with a carrying string and a two-year manufacturer’s warranty). The non-slip textured surface ensures that you keep your grip too, and can maintain confidence and stability through even the most intense of workouts.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 173 x 61 x 0.4 Weight: 1kg Material: Foam Thickness: 4mm (medium) Colours available: Blue
Trusted by yoga teachers and advanced practitioners alike, Liforme is considered the gold standard when it comes to yoga mats. That’s not only thanks to the amazing grip, which keeps you secure even when you're drenched in sweat, but also alignment markers that help guide the placement of your hands and feet, for perfect postures.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 185 x 68 x 0.42 Weight: 2.5kg Material: Natural Rubber and eco-polyurethane Thickness: 4.2mm Colours available: Orange
With a good balance of cushioning and grip, the Yogamatters Eco Everyday mat is comfortable enough for any daily practice but also offers a textured surface that provides stability and a steady grip so you can focus on your practice without the distraction of slipping. It’s also recyclable, biodegradable, and free from toxic chemicals and dyes. A great all-rounder, especially for beginners looking to ramp up their practice once they feel ready.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 183 x 61 x 0.4 Weight: 2.5kg Material: Natural rubber and recycled material from factory Thickness: 4mm Colours available: Dark navy, purple, slate grey, ocean green
Manduka’s GrP is a beast. At 6mm thick, it gives great cushioning and support for your knees and wrists, but as the name suggests, it's also extremely grippy, which makes it perfect for hot yoga. Basically, the hotter and wetter you get, the stickier the mat becomes, and a better chance you have of not slipping around mid-pigeon pose.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 180 x 66 x 0.6 Weight: 2.2kg Material: Natural rubber Thickness: 6mm Colours available: Black
If you're the kind of yogi who switches practice as often as you change your compression tights, Lululemon's versatile cross-discipline mat has your every whim covered. On one side you’ll find a smoother texture, for flow practice; flip it over and you get extra grip, for better traction in inversion practice like headstands and crow poses. Bonus points if you swap sides mid-session.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 180 x 66 x 0.5 Weight: 2.38kg Material: Natural rubber and polyurethane Thickness: 5mm Colours available: Orbit fusion, icing blue and Eton blue, wisteria purple and lavender dew, midnight navy and true navy, spiced chai and white, black and white, camo, black, water drop and blue linen with true navy
Jade Yoga isn’t only interested in saving the world one mat at a time, courtesy of its sustainable, rubber tree-sourced materials. The planet-conscious company has also developed one of the stickiest mats out there – the Harmony mat – which is perfect for ensuring you don’t lose your grip during tricky arm balances or handstands. It’s super cushioned, too, which makes it as friendly on your wrists as it is the planet.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 173, 180 or 188 x 61 x 0.5 Weight: 2.2kg Material: Natural rubber Thickness: 5mm Colours available: Raspberry
The mat of choice at London yoga studio MoreYoga, this one offers pro-level features at an entry-level price. And now, you no longer have to “borrow” one from class. You get great grip and a material that happily wicks away moisture as you work up a sweat, all for less than a session with some yogis.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 183 x 68 x 0.4 Weight: 2.4kg Material: Eco-polyurethane Thickness: 4mm Colours available: Black
For all those minimalists out there, Fable's brand new yoga mat wears its features lightly. Instead of intricate designs, it cues positions with subtle dots, and comes in sleek, biodegradable black (other colours are available; you don't want them). If you're one for giving back in a bid to curb the guilt of consumerism, as Fable vows to plant a tree in one of ten global projects for each mat sold.
Key specifications Dimensions (cm): 185 x 68 x 0.4 Weight: 3.2kg Material: Natural rubber and polyurethane Thickness: 4mm Colours available: