For some people, the idea of hot yoga sounds both intriguing and confusing. What is it exactly? Essentially, it’s a practice of yoga that is done in a heated environment with a lot of humidity. If done right, it can lead to many health benefits, including detoxification, improved flexibility, stress reduction, and fat burn.
Because of the high heat, increased moisture and excessive sweating from hot yoga, you may need to use a different yoga mat that is more specialized for hot yoga.
Having the right yoga mat is one of the most important ways you can prepare for a hot yoga class.
In this article, we’re going to review the best yoga mat for hot yoga – actually, 5 of them – and tell you what’s so special about each one.
Top 5 Mats for Hot Yoga Comparison Chart
Product Reviews
Zura the Eco-Friendly Combo Yoga Mat
Even though it’s made by a relatively new company, Zura’s The Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat is so well designed that it instills a sense of traditional quality. This mat was created for yogis and especially for hot yoga enthusiasts. It doesn’t matter how much you sweat in your yoga class, there is no risk of slipping or losing grip when using this yoga mat.
You can hold a position as long as you need to without any anxiety about losing the ground beneath you. The softness of this hot yoga mat is going to make you feel extremely comfortable when you’re in your hot yoga class. As you’re doing your inversions, you will feel sturdy and secure. The top layer of the mat (called the towel top) is absorbent, so you don’t need to put a towel on it when you exercise.
The microfiber used to make the towel is vegan and it helps immensely with traction when you are very sweaty. This amazing combo yoga mat is made of completely natural rubber and suede, and it’s completely machine washable. The materials used are biodegradable, non-toxic, and ethically made. It also doesn’t wrinkle and is noticeably lightweight.
The Zura yoga mat can be used for other forms of workouts as well. It’s great for all other types of yoga, as well as Pilates, or just stretching.
Also, the colors offered are beautiful – there are 21 unique artistic designs and colors to choose from, all reminiscent of nature and peaceful environments. And since the folks at Zura believes that practicing yoga is supposed to make your life simpler, not more complicated, they’ve added a travel strap to the mat that loops completely.
Pros
- Combo mat and towel
- Sustainably made
- Machine washable
- Travel strap and towel added
Cons
- Not very thick
Liforme Original Yoga Mat
Why does the creator of the Liforme Original Yoga mat describe it as “revolutionary”? Because the company founder James Armitage is a dedicated yogi who spent five years developing it! There is no such thing as a “perfect” yoga mat, but this one can successfully compete for the title. The incredible thing about this mat is that it’s sustainably and ethically made.
But that’s not even what makes this mat stands out – it’s almost like the company takes that as an implicit thing and there is no other way that they’d go about it. The biodegradable properties of this mat make it Earth-friendly all the way. The revolutionary part has to do with the amazing grip qualities of the mat.
A unique material is used that gives you an almost impossibly firm grip while practicing any kind of yoga, including hot yoga. It’s also beautifully and practically designed. It has the alignment lines that can help you immensely when you’re trying to maintain the warrior pose,or any other that you’re struggling with. It’s also a bit longer and wider than your standard yoga mat and an excellent choice for taller people.
The Liforme yoga mat can help you improve and give you extra support even when the room gets very hot and the chances for slipping go up. It’s designed to sustain even the hottest temperatures and excessive sweating. You can get this 5.5-pound yoga mat in four gorgeous colors and all of them come with an included bag for protecting the bag and making it easier to carry and travel with.
Pros
- Great alignment
- Biodegradable
- Revolutionary grip
Cons
- A bit pricey
Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
Jade Yoga is an established and well-respected US-based brand in the world of yoga accessories. It’s not surprising that its yoga mats, like the Harmony line, is one of the best-selling items in the lineup. This mat is a great choice for people who enjoy hot yoga and look forward to sweating all the toxins out of their system.
Your body will be firmly supported as you go from one position to another, and there is no concern about slipping or losing balance. This yoga mat is elegant and minimalist and at the same time, very comfortable and soft. The thickness is impressive.
Moreover, it will also fulfill the criteria of anyone who is environmentally aware and uncompromising when it comes to what kind of products they use. The company emphasizes that it uses only non-toxic, natural, and long-lasting materials. To prove that they are serious about their planet-friendly stance, they plant a tree for every Jade Yoga product sold.
The mat could be categorized as a high-end option for yoga mats, but the grip quality and the meticulous approach to manufacturing speak volumes and may justify the price.
This mat has excellent absorption properties and an open-cell surface. It’s available in five beautiful colors at weights of 4.3 to 4.5 pounds, which makes it lightweight and easy to carry. It’s also possible to use it outdoors due to the thickness. This mat is built to last for a long time and be non-slippery in any hot yoga stance.
Pros
- American-made
- Non-toxic materials
- Excellent non-slip features
Cons
- Might be prone to staining
Aurorae Synergy 2 in 1 Yoga Mat
When the excitement of a great hot yoga session begins to dwindle because your yoga mat can’t handle all of the extra sweat production, it’s going to become slippery and then you’ll discover that you have the wrong mat for hot yoga.
Fortunately, the Aurorae Synergy 2 in 1 mat can alleviate that fear completely. It has an integrated microfiber towel that has amazing non-slip properties.
It’s very soft, lush to the touch, and it’s an easy grip when it’s dry. The manufacturer recommends that you should mist the mat with water before using it to enhance the grip even more.
So, with one mat you can stop worrying about having to put an extra towel over the mat and you can rest assured that no matter how much you sweat in a hot and humid hot yoga class, this mat will keep up with the demand in making you feel supported.
After you are done using it, you can machine wash it, as long as you set the water to cold or lukewarm water and use a gentle detergent. However, you will have to air dry it as it’s not to be tumble-dried. This mat is ultra-thick, which means it will be kind to your joints, especially if you have issues with your knees.
It’s eco-friendly and free of any toxic materials like latex or silicone. And what makes this mat special is that it’s practically odorless. And since. yoga mat users often complain about mat odor, this is a great benefit. Finally, the mat comes in four unique designs and colors.
Pros
- Designed for hot yoga
- Zero slippage
- Washing machine friendly
Cons
- Dries slowly
Youphoria Yoga Mat
The two features that make the Youphoria Yoga mat stand out are the antimicrobial properties and its ultra-light weight. It weighs only 2 pounds and it completely eliminates of the need for a yoga towel.
It’s made to sustain even the sweatiest of yoga practices due to its massive liquid absorbency. It’s designed to give you a great grip and to ensure that you’re not going to slip.
The mat is also eco-friendly and made of natural materials. The manufacturer encourages you to use it right out of the box, as there’s no need to clean it or do anything before use.
It’s great for traveling because it’s light, but also because it comes with a free mat sling that makes for easier transport. It’s not washing machine-friendly, but it’s still pretty easy to clean. Just make sure to dry it thoroughly before rolling it up again.
This is a great yoga mat for everyone who values convenience, simplicity, and affordability. This mat will equally intrigue beginners looking to try hot yoga for the first time as well as hot yoga veterans who know their way around it.
Also, even though it’s not completely odorless, there are no strong and persistent smells that will bother users. Whatever odor there is when it’s will dissipate over time. This hot yoga mat is meant to last a long time and the portability makes it a great choice for yoga fans who are always on the go.
Pros
- Antimicrobial properties
- Ultra-lightweight
- Very absorbent
Cons
- High maintenance
Hot Yoga Mats Absorb Your Perspiration
The No. 1 feature to look for in the best yoga mat for hot yoga is how absorbent it is. All these mats do a great job with absorbency. Being absorbent is an important safety requirement for a mat for hot yoga that differs from a mat for regular non-heated yoga – to ensure you won’t slip and get injured due to a slippery mat!
Most of them are designed with hot yoga in mind. It’s crucial to feel safe and supported, but the time required to clean it post-exercise is also something to consider. The price and the quality of materials also play a role, and it’s good to know that so many of the brands are committed to eco-friendly production.
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- Best Mats For Pilates