Yoga is supposed to make you feel good, healthy, peaceful, and at the same time, strong and energetic. Yoga can help heal your body and soul and improve your outlook on life. You don’t need a yoga studio – you can do a great workout at home. The only thing you need for a yoga class is some calming music and a great mat. One thing you definitely don’t want to worry about is slipping on your mat and getting injured!
This is why picking out a high-quality non-slip mat for your yoga classes is extremely important. If you’re not sure what you should look for, here’s a guide that can help you find the best non-slip yoga mat and enjoy your yoga class even more without having to worry that you will slip and get injured during a pose. And if you are doing hot yoga, a non-slip mat is even more important to prevent injuries! Without further ado, here are the best yoga mats.
Our Top Choices: Non-Slip Yoga Mat Reviews
Heathyoga are an established yoga brand. They have been making mats and accessories for ten years, so it’s safe to assume that they know that they are doing! They are the most popular yoga brand on Amazon and come recommended by instructors and over a million yogis a year.
Made from biodegradable TPE, this mat is an excellent choice for the eco conscious buyer. It is ¼ inch thick so provides plenty of cushioning for your knees and elbows when needed but stll seems to provide a great surface for balancing on.
This mat comes in six color combinations, some of which are more expensive than others, and includes alignment lines. The alignment lines help you make sure you are in the correct position at all times.
The centre mark is a useful guide to help you stay centred in your mark whilst the reverse points and end-to-end marks give you a clear guide for your hands nad feet. If you are new to yoga you will find these really helpful.
A great thing about this mat is that it is extra long and wider than a standard mat. We think this is useful not just for taller yogis but also newer yogis. The extra space will be very much appreciated as you learn the poses and transition between them.
Like the Gruper, this mat is crack and tear resistant. Heathyoga use a mesh middle to achieve this effect and it really does increase the durability of the mat.
Pros
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Lightweight but soft.
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Made from biodergrabale TPE.
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Alignment lines.
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Extra large.
Cons
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No strap or bag supplied.
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Some buyers report a strong smell when first purchased.
Heathyoga Eco friendly Non-Slip Mat
IUGA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat
This hot yoga-approved pro yoga mat comes in different colors and two sizes, one of which is extra-large. Its design supposedly drew inspiration from yoga teachers all over the world.
The polyurethane top layer will prevent you from slipping and sliding. The mat’s highly absorbent and will keep you safe during your practice. The rest of the mat is made of natural rubber, which is sustainable and biodegradable.
Not only are you doing something good for your body, but you’re also helping to save the planet. Furthermore, according to the manufacturer, no toxic chemicals are used in the manufacture of this product.
The IUGA mat is suitable for any type of yoga because of its thickness. and its durability should allow you to use it for years and enjoy its comfortable cushions while keeping stable and supported regardless of the position. This is a mat that has extra cushioning and will support your body.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Affordable
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Spots and marks may be hard to clean
Body by Yoga Luxury Cork Non-Slip Yoga Mat
This cork yoga mat is certainly luxurious and it is non-slip, which means you’re protected from potential injuries during your yoga practice. The mat is supportive for your body, and its surface is soft, pleasant and quite different from the usual synthetic plastic mat most people use. The more you sweat, the more stable you’ll be, thanks to the properties of cork.
In fact, this may be the best non-slip yoga mat you’ll ever come across. The mat was created by experienced yoga instructors who designed it to be an effectively non-slip solution. And the mat is extra stable and more protective for your elbows and knees than regular mats.
It bears mentioning that these mats are super eco-friendly since they are made from regenerative outer cork tree bark. And cork is one of the most sustainable materials in the world! The fact that they are longer than most conventional mats provides enough space for any yoga position and is greater if you’re above average in height. In addition, you definitely won’t have any problems with it not staying in place when you unroll it since the back of the mat is made of durable natural rubber.
Pros
- Environment-friendly
- Easily cleaned
- Extra thick for comfort
- Manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- The cork layer could be thicker
Ewedoos Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
Another great eco-friendly yoga mat, the Ewedoos is made of thermoplastic elastomers, which have been improved and can be stretched as many times as you’d like. The result is that the material is extremely flexible and also durable. These mats feel extra grippy, so you can yoga away without the fear of slipping. If you are looking for a mat with great grip, this is a great option.
This very lightweight mat comes in multiple solid colors – dark grey, purple, dark blue and Jade. What’s so great about these mats it the fact that they’re pretty affordable and deliver great value for the price. This mat offers a body alignment system (alignment lines built into the mat) – and this helps you achieve any position accurately in no time and without having to look at the mat, for you can feel the lines with your hands and feet. We have seen similar alignment systems in expensive yoga mats, but never in a mat at this lower price and that makes it stand out even more!
The Ewedoos mat is also super easy to clean and waterproof. You won’t have to worry about stains, dust, or unpleasant smells. It also comes with an SGS certificate.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Dense padding to protect your knees
- Multi-purpose
- Carry strap included
Cons
- There are no cons for this mat that we could find
Liforme Original Yoga Mat
The manufacturer claims that this one is truly the best non-slip yoga mat in the world. It comes in a several bright colors (blue, gray, green and pink), and it’s larger than most other mats on the market, both in length and width. This may give better control of your body and improve your balance during the practice.
The alignment lines should also make your exercise more effective, as they allow you to reach the desired position quickly as well as improve your technique. This mat will support you for all of the asanas (poses) that may be part of your practice.
The material is revolutionary in its non-slip properties. Also, it’s biodegradable, seeing as it’s made of eco-polyurethane and natural rubber. Free of PVC and colorants, the mat is highly hygienic.
Pros
- Available in lively colors
- Eco-friendly material
- Unique body alignment system
- Yoga mat bag included
Cons
- A bit pricey
Youphoria Yoga Mat
This lovely purple yoga mat comes in one universal size. D esigned for hot yoga, it’s non-slippery and has a truly remarkable grip.
The manufacturer has also paid special attention to making these mats super hygienic. The material is liquid absorbent and you won’t always need a yoga towel during your hot yoga classes. It’s also antimicrobial and prevents unpleasant odors.
You won’t have to deal with odors when the mat is new either. The material is eco-friendly and natural, so it’s enough to wipe the mat with warm water and soap to keep it clean and ready for use. Make sure you clean it after each use to prevent possible stains. You can also accomplish that by not using body lotion before your practice.
The Youphoria mat won’t stretch over time or fall apart because of the high density, which makes it highly durable. It’s lightweight so it’s easy to carry wherever you go.
Pros
- Easily cleaned
- Anti-slip design
- Free mat sling
Cons
- It can take too long to dry
Best Non-Slip Yoga Mats Buying Guide
Like yoga itself, buying a yoga mat is not as simple as you might think. Mats seem innocuous enough, after all, they are just strips of material for you to lie on, but finding one that meets your needs is key to getting the most out of your yoga practice.
To help you find your zen, we have put together a handy buyer’s guide so you can choose the mat that suits you best.
Thick or thin?
You have three choices when it comes to the thickness of your yoga mat. Thick which is usually ¼ inch thick, standard which is ⅛ inch thick, and thin which is 1/16 inch thick. Which one suits you depends on the support you need.
Thin mats give you a much closer connection to the floor and are therefore great for finding your balance in tricky poses. They are also much easier to roll up and carry around with you owing to their smaller size.
Thick mats offer plenty of cushioning and back support. This is ideal for those of you who don’t like the feeling of your bones digging into the floor in certain poses. It’s also helpful if you have a lower mobility range as a thicker mat makes you feel more supported.
The standard is a happy middle. It’s thin enough to give you a secure connection with the ground without loosing too much cushioning. If you’re not sure, perhaps start with a standard and see how that works for you. You can switch to a thin or thick mat when you work out what you need.
Materials
As yoga mats have become more and more popular their diversity has also increased. Nowadays there are many different materials used for yoga mats so here is a quick rundown of the most common types.
PVC has been used for yoga mats for years. The reason it has stuck around is that, well they’re sticky! This kind of mat offers great resistance against the floor so you can use them without worrying about slipping. The downside to PVC is that it generally needs to be broken in before it is properly grippy.
PVC is sometimes viewed as the cheap option as most of the rental mats in studios and gyms are made from PVC. However, there are plenty of high-end mats available made from PVC which offer as good an experience as any other.
PVC mats are cute cushy. The material is supportive and thick PVC mats can be unbelievably comfortable to sit and lie on.
Rubber is another material used to make mats. Though it can often look quite similar to PVC, rubber is a natural, biodegradable product. If you do want to go for a greener mat, rubber could be a good choice for you but make sure to check if it’s made with natural rubber over synthetic rubber.
Rubber mats also provide a decent amount of traction and don’t generally need to be broken in. However, they are quite a bit heavier than PVC mats. If you are buying your mat for your home and don’t plan to carry it back and forth to classes then this isn’t too much of an issue. Rubber mats are not the best travel mats, however.
Another thing to note about rubber mats is that they provide quite a firm surface to practice on. Even the thicker mats are solid enough to help you balance correctly. Of course, if you were looking for that soft cushiony feel then a rubber mat wouldn’t be ideal.
TPE is a biodegradable, man-made material that gives you the best of both worlds. The material has lots of traction despite its lightweight feel. This makes it a great option for traveling back and forth to classes.
Mats made from TPE are very soft to touch and can be very comfortable to practice on despite their slim build. The only issue with TPE is that it is not very durable. These mats wear out quicker than other kinds of materials though as they are biodegradable, you don’t have to feel too guilty about replacing them.
Other materials such as cork and jute have been popping up on the market. The big draw for these materials is that they are more sustainable and better for the environment. Cork also has the added advantage of being slightly self-cleaning in that it tends to repel odours like sweat due to it’s antibacterial properties.
Added Features
Some mats come with little extras which can give you a better over all experience. One of the most useful extra features is alignment lines. These markings on your mat help you to keep your posture and limbs aligned in poses. If you are new to yoga, these are super handy!
Another thing to lookout for is straps or bags. If you are planning on attending classes you’re going to want a convenient way to transport your mat. Most mats are sold with a bag or strap so you can carry your mat over your shoulder but double check when buying what comes with the mat.
Related: Learn the most common yoga terms to feel more comfortable at yoga class!
Yoga Mats – Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my yoga mat slipping?
Some yoga mats need a bit of breaking in, even the non-slip variety. This is especially true of PVC mats though some other materials are also a bit slippy at first.
The best way to break in your mat is to use it. After a few sessions it should stay in place no problem. You may need to be extra focused during those first few sessions and really make sure you are pressing your hands and feet into the mat to get more traction.
If you want to speed the process up a little, you can try leaving it in a busy are of the house so it gets walked on a lot or you could try a weak salt wash. To make the salt wash just spread some sea salt on your mat and then wipe it down with a damp cloth or brush. Both of these tricks mimic normal use of the mat and help speed up the breaking in process.
Are expensive yoga mats worth it?
As with most things, you get what you pay for. The big appeal of higher end mats is that they are usually more eco friendly. Many of the big name brands like Jade and Hugger Mugger are designed with sustainability in mind. Making mats from natural or recycled materials is a more expensive process than churning out hundreds of synthetic PVC mats which is why the greener products are more expensive.
Most high end companies also claim to make more durable mats which save you money in the long run. These mats tend to last far longer than cheaper mats which means you spend less money replacing them. This is great if you have the extra cash to shell out initially but is not feasible for everyone.
If you practice hot yoga or similar types of yoga then more expensive mats might be better for you as a large number of these mats claim to be antimicrobial and antibacterial. This means that your sweat won’t soak in and make your mat smelly.
Really, it depends on your usage. If you are a casual yogi then a cheaper mat will probably work well enough for you. If you are a more experienced and committed yogi, you will benefit from a higher end mat.
What is the correct side for a yoga mat?
There are a few ways to tell which side of your mat should face up and it will vary from brand to brand. One of the easiest ways to check is to look for the logo. Most mats will have a logo on the top side as a way of marketing the brand to others in your class.
If your mat doesn’t have a logo on oneside or perhaps it has one on each side, you can look to see which side of the mat has little bobbles or ridges. The bobbled side faces up to give you more grip during your pose. This is especially true of PVC mats.
Non Slip Yoga Mat Summary – Keeping You Comfortable and Safe
Using a yoga mat is a safety measure before anything else. It’s important that you’re protected against injuries and that’s why investing in a high-quality yoga mat is worth it. It will add stability and safety to your yoga practices and help you relax more than ever during class and eliminate any anxieties about your mat being unstable.
The reviewed mats are all great and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. These are the best yoga mats if you need to prevent slipping. The Liforme yoga mat is the best option overall but quite expensive. If you’re budget is more limited, the Ewedoos eco-friendly yoga mat is an incredible value for the money!
Related: Learn How to Make Your Own Yoga Mat Cleaner
