How to choose a yoga mat ?

But it’s just a yoga mat!

…So why is it so hard to choose?!

20+ years ago, choosing a yoga mat was, let’s be honest, easier. The market had not yet been flooded by an overwhelming supply and variety of mats made from every type of material imaginable, in varying thicknesses and lengths, designs and colors. Oh and did we also mention price? Yeah, that’s changed too.  Today, not all yoga mats are created and sold equally. We don’t expect you to go out and get a PhD in yoga mat design and economics. Instead, we just want to fill you in on a few attributes of the yoga mat to help make the decision-making process easier. 

 

Thickness 

The thickness of the mat you choose will be dependent on a few variables, namely, the type of yoga you do, your location and any pre-existing aches or pains you may be dealing with. Standard thickness is around 1/8 inch but if you have known pain points in your knees or hips that could use some extra TLC, go for a slightly thicker mat. Don’t underestimate what a little extra support and padding will do for you. The benefit of a thinner mat, however, is better balance as a result of greater contact with the surface below. To test this theory, just try doing the tree pose on your couch. Wobbly much? 

 

The type of yoga you do will also have a bearing on what thickness you go for. If you prefer your practice to contain a lot of movement and varying postures, thicker might be better but too thick and you might end up with a lot of bunching. We recommend around 4-5mm in thickness.  If you are practicing a more gentle flow or a routine with a lot of standing poses, you could get away with a thinner mat. 

 

Yogis who are on the move and plan to do more traveling with their mat in the future might want to opt for a much thinner mat that folds well and can be stored easily (around 1-2mm). Expect less cushioning but also a smaller price tag as there is less overall material. 

 

Material 

Is it:

Durable? 

Sustainable?

Anti-slip?

These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself when considering what your next yoga mat should be made out of. It will come as no surprise that we LOVE a mat made out of natural materials, that provides the support you need and which will be easier on the earth when it reaches the end of its lifespan. The RB organic cork mat is an excellent option with its anti-slip properties and standard thickness. Our mats contain sustainably harvested cork and rubber and are free of harsh chemicals. Cork is generally known to be springy, anti-microbial and helps keep your hands and feet in place throughout your practice. While there are still many brands producing mats made out of PVC, you now have more and more environmentally friendly options that are made out of natural or recycled materials. PVC tends to have a long lifespan and generally provides good grip but do a quick PVC Google search and you might quickly eliminate this option from your list (the earth will thank you for it). Also, if hot yoga is your thing you might find it quite slippery as it does not absorb moisture. 

 

Design

Is it everything? No. Is it important? Well.. we think so! If you love the way your mat looks, chances are you are going to want to use it every chance you get and who doesn’t need a little motivation sometimes? We all like a little beauty in our lives so choose a mat with a design that pleases you or brings you joy each time you lay eyes on it. You might become inseparable ;)