There is nothing quite like yoga for finding balance within yourself, but a poor mat can leave you struggling to find balance in a very practical sense. Choosing a non-slip mat is the best way to help you keep your footing so you can focus on your internal equilibrium.
We have gathered together the best non-slip mats on the market and put together a buyer’s guide so that you can make the best choice for your personal yoga style.
All of these mats come highly recommended by yogis of various skill and experience levels so whether you are looking to start yoga as a beginner or are looking to upgrade your well worn mat, there will be something for you here.
Can’t wait to get practicing?
Our top pick is the Gruper TPE Yoga Mat. Here’s why:
- Made from soft, lightweight, biodegradable TPE.
- Wide variety of colours and two choices of thickness.
- Durable and crack resistant.
- Mid range price.
Top 5 Best Non-Slip Yoga Mats
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
Heathyoga Eco friendly Non-Slip Mat
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
Gruper TPE Yoga Mat
This mat is a sustainable option that doesn’t break the bank. Made from biodegradable TPE, this mat offers unrivaled ‘stickiness’ during yoga sessions as well as high intensity workout sessions.
The manufacturers boast that at 65° tilt a phone still stays in place with no slippage! This being the case, you won’t need to worry about your hands or feet moving whilst in downward dog.
Though TPE has a bit of a reputation for being low durability, this mat seems to buck the trend. It is resistant to cracking and stretching under normal circumstances, though some users report that even when forced into unnatrual shapes and positions it still did not crack or tear.
Gruper offer this mat in a wide variety of colours to suit your personal style and, more importantly they give you a choice of thickness between ¼ inch and 3/10 inch.
These are cushy mats and will offer you lots of back and joint support which makes it a good choice for anyone with joint or mobility issues.
Despite the thickness, this mat is feather light and easy to transport as it comes with an handy bag to take it back and fore to the gym or studio.
Pros
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Lightweight but soft.
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Made from biodergrabale TPE.
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Wide variety of colors.
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Two choices of thickness, both of which are very cushioned.
Cons
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Supplied bag is flimsy and a pain to use.
EDITORS CHOICE
Heathyoga Eco friendly Non-Slip Mat
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.
BEST VALUE
Retrospec Solana Yoga Mat
If you need a thick mat, Retrospec has got you covered. They offer ½ inch and 1 inch thick mats which are very soft and comfortable.
These mats are perfect for yogis who have joint pain or need some extra support. The thickness of these mats also make them highly suitable for outdoor practice.
If you struggle withbalance, then you might want to think twice about getting such a thick mat. It does make it somewhat more difficult due to the lack of contact between your feet and the floors.
Retrospec’s mats comein a variety of colours and designs though not all designs and colours are available at all thicknesses so do double check when making your purchase. The clours and designs are vibrant and pleasing, we particularly like the chakra mat design.
Made from PVC foam, these mats are not biodegradable like the TPE mats. Retrospec are very clear that the mat contains no toxic or harsh chemicals so they are safe to use but maybe not the best choice for the eco conscious.
Pros
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Great budget option.
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Wide variety of designs.
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Extra thick for comfort.
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Carry strap included.
Cons
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Makes balancing a bit more difficult.
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Seems to mark and scuff quite easily.
RUNNER UP
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
This is a higher end mat made by a company that has lived and breathed sustainable yoga practice for 20 years. They’re famous for their PRO mats which offers high proformance and excellent quality.
The PRO mat comes in two sizes, the standard 71” mat and the extra long 85” mat making it a great mat for taller yogis. Both sizes are ¼ inch thick and have a fabric coated, closed cell top side for a softer feel and to prevent sweat seeping into the chusioning.
The problem with the closed cell coating, is that if you are a heavy sweater then you might find your mat becomes a bit slippery during high intensity or hot yoga sessions. Usinga towel on top of the mat does fix the issue but that is an added expense.
Related: If you’re trying yoga for the first time, read our post on how to prepare for hot yoga for the first time – it will help you prepare
Though one of the thinner mats in this review, the Manduka’s cushioning feels comfier than it looks. This mat provides great support for your back and joints but also allows you a stable balancing surface.
Pros
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Good balance between cushioning and support.
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Free from toxic and harsh chemicals.
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Zero waste construction for the sustainably minded.
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Comes with a lifetime promise.
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Closed cell construction prevents sweat from soaking through to the cushioning.
Cons
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Breaking in can take a while.
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Can become slippery with sweat.
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On the heavier side.
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Expensive.
RUNNER UP
Gaiam Yoga Mat – Premium
This standard size, ¼ inch thick mat stands apart from the crowd because of its beautiful designs. With 15 printed designs to choose from there is something to satisfy everyone. Many reviewers said that the look of the mat is what encouraged them to buy over otherwise similar mats.
The cushioning on this mat works hard to give you support when balancing whilst also being comfortable on the joints and bones. It is not the thickest of cushiest mat around but for the price, it has a great feel.
What we love about this mat is that you get a free guided yoga lesson with your purchase. Gaiam have an app filled with yoga lessons and are offering a free class with their mat so you can try before you buy. If you are a beginner looking to build your confidence at home before heading into a public class, this could be a really good option for you.
Some owners report some initial slipping when first used. As this is a PVC mat, it does need to be broken in first. After a few uses or a salt wash, the mat seems to have a decent amount of traction and should allow you to pose without slipping.
Pros
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Great looking designs.
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Includes a free yoga lesson.
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Non-toxic and phthalate free.
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Lightweight.
Cons
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Needs breaking in to remove slipperiness.
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Has an initially harsh smell.
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Can become slick with sweat.
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.