Nail Traction in Every Pose With These Yoga Mats

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For me, a yoga mat serves more than only a place for downward dogs and pigeons. It’s where I center my strength training, my core workouts, and more intensive stretching days. Simply put, in my “home gym” (which also happens to be my home office), I have space for one mat, and one mat that has to do it all.

For me, that ends up being a cork mat, because my tender knees like the extra support, and the grip never fails. For others, it might be a vinyl mat, a thin bike mat, or something else entirely. Whatever the case, yoga mats all look similar on the surface, but the differences are in the details and the use case.

Grip is up there with the most important factors. No matter how nonslip your mat is, some slippage is normal and is even a sign of strength-building, according to Tessa Jenkins, RYT 500 and training director for Bulldog Yoga Studio and Bulldog Online.

“Muscles are firing in new ways and often become fatigued quite fast, which can lead to slipping,” she explains. “While advanced yogis can definitely slip, what I’ve seen is that with time, practice, and patience, for many yogis, slipping decreases as strength increases.” Be sure to keep that in mind as you start putting your nonslip yoga mat to use!

The Best Nonslip Yoga Mats

What to Consider

Looking for a nonslip yoga mat is a great starting place for perfecting your poses, but there are a few more considerations to keep in mind before you choose the best mat for you. In particular, you’ll want to pay attention to the mat’s material, size, and thickness.

Material

The most common yoga mat materials are PVC (vinyl), rubber cork, and latex. Reclaimed materials are also becoming more popular, although the quality and performance of these materials are still in their infancy. The rush towards “sustainability” has some brands moving quickly to make mats out of a variety of things (like recycled plastic bottles), but not all are proven. Synthetic materials like PVC and latex tend to be bendier and softer. Rubber, a natural and biodegradable material, is generally stiffer, which can offer a firmer base for standing poses but can also be harder to roll up for travel. If you’re a hot yoga fan and need something that maintains its nonslip properties when things get sweaty, look for a mat with moisture-wicking materials like a microfiber coating. (Also, don’t forget to clean your mat!)

Thickness

The thicker the mat, the more cushion it provides for your joints. However, thicker mats tend to move and wiggle more on hard floors, challenging your balance. This doesn’t change with softer floors like carpet.

Size

Most mats measure about 6 feet long and 2 feet wide. If you’re over 5-foot-9, you may want something with a little more length and width.

How We Selected

To narrow down the list of best nonslip yoga mats, we tested several of the most popular products. We also surveyed a number of popular product review sites and gathered insight from leading brands. Between home and travel, I spend a significant amount of time on yoga mats and have learned a thing or two about what sets apart the great from the good (and the bad).

There are plenty of nonslip options out there, but not all are created equal. Check out some of our favorites below.

Extra Thick Yoga Mat

I didn’t know I’d like this combination of cork and rubber until I actually used it. What I love is that I get the benefits of cork cushioning with the practicality of a rubber backing that keeps the mat in place on an uneven surface like the carpet in my home gym.

I think I’ve had this mat for more than 2 years, and honestly, it just gets better the more I use it. The cork has broken in really nicely and my knees are incredibly grateful. (I can also dump dumbbells on the mat and not worry about the material chipping or fading). Scoria offers a few different thicknesses of this particular mat, so there’s likely an option for your specific needs.

I also appreciate the brand’s commitment to ethical and responsible material sourcing, which leads to a mat that doesn’t need much time to off-gas once you take it out of the packaging. It’s my go-to mat and shows no signs of slowing down.

More: 9 Best Yoga, Pilates, and Barre Socks That Have Serious Grip

The Reversible Mat 5mm Textured

Get a grip — a firm one — with this soft, moisture-wicking mat. Both the bottom and upper are made from nonslip latex, so both you and the mat stay where you want. The mat is also treated with an antimicrobial compound to keep it smelling fresh for years. Plus, it comes in a ton of reversible colors and patterns.

“My favorite thing about this yoga mat is the cushioning,” says Erica Murphy, our senior director for SEO and content. “I have some knee problems and can’t do many poses that put pressure on my knees, but this mat doesn’t give me any knee pain when doing poses with lunges and such. The only thing I don’t like about it is that one side of the mat shows sweat stains, and they don’t wipe off if you try and clean it.”

Premium Print 6mm Yoga Mat

Gaiam is a standard when it comes to yoga studios and professional at-home practices, so it’s no surprise it makes our list multiple times. Six millimeters of cushioning is a good mid-level option to provide some support for achy knees, but not too much.

I've used a similar version of this mat in hotel gyms and in studios, and it’s a solid option with plenty of grip. Reviewers say the same, noting its good grip through all kinds of poses and a quick odor-release period, with most of the smell dissipating after just two days.

eKO Super Superlite Yoga Mat

A good travel yoga mat requires durability, performance and easy carrying, all of which are offered here.

This lightweight mat folds super thin and stays together due to the material used throughout the mat. Reviewers love that you can fold it down to a size small enough to fit into a carry-on bag while having it unroll into something great upon arrival.

In terms of performance, users still get much of what manduka is known for, although those with sensitive knees will certainly need more padding than what’s on offer here. However, most travel yoga mat users know this going in, and can work around that to make the mat work for their needs.

Athletic Yoga Series dynaMAT Xtra-Wide Mat

This inexpensive option is great for new yogis who want a well-made, durable, nonslip surface to practice on that won’t break the bank. It’s made from latex-free PVC, so it’s allergy-safe and plenty grippy. It’s also reversible, so your mat can match your outfit or mood.

One of the things to note is that the brand recommends wiping it down before first use with a vinegar solution or a mat wash to clean it and add some grip/remove some initial manufacturing slip. Reviewers say that doing so has added to the traction they get from this mat, and we concur.

According to our deputy editor Joana Mascioli, it has a “super cushy foam that doesn’t flatten out AT ALL over time (I’ve been using it for over a year!), it’s super grippy, and I seriously never slip in any position or exercise. Also, the pattern hasn’t faded one bit since purchase.”

Harmony Mat

Not only does this bright and colorful mat offer a nice amount of cushion and traction, but it’s also made from a renewable natural resource: rubber extracted from trees. There are no synthetic materials, and Jade even plants a tree for every mat sold.

“I’ve had my trusty Jade Yoga Mat for about three-and-a-half years now,” says our digital designer Hunter Young. “It’s thick enough to not feel things under the mat — and trust me, I’ve used it everywhere, from rocky overhangs overlooking oceans to thick and scratchy grass-covered forests. It’s flexible enough to lay nicely over most terrains, regardless of how bumpy it is. The rubber material also means no slipping in poses like warrior or plank, no matter how sweaty things get.”

“The mat does age, though (after almost four years, it has seen some things!),” she adds. “My dear mat now has cat-claw marks, carries a strong rubber odor that I can’t seem to get rid of, and picks up a lot of dirt/dust from the floors. Of all the other yoga mats I’ve used, I still prefer this Jade mat — its strong nonslip abilities and lightness of the mat outweigh everything!”

The Combo Yoga Mat in Mexicana

Take your practice on the go with this lightweight, packable, and might we say, stunning mat. It has a highly absorbent microfiber upper layer to wick away sweat and keep you stable. Underneath, a rubber base maintains its position on the floor. In fact, the mat becomes more stable as it gets wetter.

“I’ve been practicing hot yoga for the past year, and of all the variety of mats I’ve tried, this one stands out from the rest. What makes it different is that you can just throw it in the washing machine and hang dry it — and since I sweat enough to saturate the mat and work out on it daily, it was a game-changing feature for me. Plus, it has a great grip,” says one happy customer.

“I use this mat for very intense yoga practice and I have never slipped once. The material does not grip as well as the harder rubber of some other hot yoga mats, but it's easier to move around on. It also absorbs sweat very well and provides ample support for a variety of poses.”

Yoga Direct Deluxe ¼-In. Yoga Mat

Let’s be clear: You’re not taking this mat to the most intense hot yoga practices, but for the average home yogi, this will do just fine. For $15, you get time-tested open-cell PVC foam with enough real estate to thoroughly enjoy your practice. Plus, there is a range of colors available.

If you’re a member of a large gym, you’ve likely seen some version of this mat in the studio. These mats are a good economy choice as they wear somewhat slowly and the 6mm+ of cushioning offers enough support for a wider range of users. For those using it only at home, they should find plenty to like and at least a couple years of use before its time to replace it.

For those just getting into yoga, this choice makes a lot of sense. Start here and decide if you like the practice before checking out one of our more expensive selections.

The (Big) Mat

True to its name, this is a yoga mat for people who need serious space for their practice. Having this much grip spread out over this much real estate means you can really get into poses without ever having to leave mat material.

Reviewers love the grippiness of the mat, especially in hot yoga and warmer situations. You’re essentially getting much of the same trusted Lululemon performance, but in a large-enough layout to really enjoy the full breadth of your practice.

The mat also adheres to several of Lulu’s sustainable sourcing practices, including the use of Forest Stewardship Council-certified rubber. It’s certainly one of our more expensive options, but worth the investment.

Recycled Wetsuit Yoga Mat

Recycle while you recenter with a comfortable yoga mat made from used wetsuits. The unique super-dense material won’t absorb bacteria, odors, or dirt, and offers excellent cushioning and grip, too. This mat is made in the U.S.A. and is also a closed-loop product — meaning aside from being made of 100% recycled materials, it is also fully recyclable after its end of use.

“It’s comfortable to use, provides plenty of support, and is relatively inexpensive for such a good product. Plus, it's anti-microbial, long-lasting, and can be returned for reuse! What’s not to love?” says one very satisfied user.

Each mat is unique, with lots of colors and textures to choose from too. Another reviewer alternates between two different patterns of these mats and offers a practical tip: “Just remember to give it a good hose-down and a good hang-dry in a well-ventilated place.”

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