Best Nonslip Yoga Mats to Supplement Your Running Routine

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If you’re a runner, yoga is a perfect supplement to your running routine. A yoga practice allows you to slow down, focus on tightness in the body, work on flexibility and stretching, and challenge a lot of different muscles you don’t regularly use when you’re logging miles (but also muscles that can help you become a faster runner).

One of the best things about yoga is you don’t need an arsenal of tools, but what you do need is a mat—and it's well worth the investment. This is the paramount product for yoga—and it can make or break the ease of your practice.

Best Yoga Mats

What to Look for in a Yoga Mat

First, determine the type of yoga you plan to practice; then factor in your experience level. Keep in mind that no one mat is suitable for all types of yoga or levels of student. Hot yoga, vinyasa, yin, and restorative each require slightly different mat types and features. For instance, hot yoga, where the room temperature may reach 106 degrees and 40 percent humidity, will require a mat with more “stick” or traction to prevent slippage. Restorative and Yin practices, which are more meditational and less active in nature, may require more cushion depending on joint sensitivity and personal anatomy, in addition to offering more width for the shapes which tend to be primarily on the ground.

You might even decide that having more than one mat is a convenience especially if you vary the styles of yoga you practice. Specialty mats abound these days, whether a lighter weight for travel, fabric material for outdoors, or even disposable yoga mats designed for practicing at a special event like the one in New York City's Times Square held for International Yoga Day. Whatever type mat you ultimately choose, it should be easy to clean and quick to dry, but due to composition, some mats may require a bit more effort.

Thickness

Comfort is a top consideration with any mat. Thickness and type of materials will determine how comfortable your mat is. Mats are measured in millimeters and can range anywhere from 5mm to 6mm thick. Mats that are over 6.35mm thick are typically geared toward pilates.

Weight

While a hefty mat might feel solid and supportive beneath you, it still needs to be transported to a studio or carried to wherever you practice. A heavier mat may not be suitable if you’re on the move in a city (squeezing into a subway with a mat is no fun) or traveling by plane or train. Once class is over, it can sometimes be awkward or more time consuming to roll up a bulkier mat. It’s also not as easily stored in compact spaces. Contrary to that, if a mat is too light, it may move during your practice, and its edges could potentially curl over time so that it won’t lay flat to the ground. I have found that a middle weight—between five and six pounds—works best.

Stickiness

Historically, one of the largest complaints about mats was their slick surface. The lack of “tooth’ or texture made it hard for both experienced yogis and beginners alike to grip the mat with feet and hands while maintaining healthy alignment. Today, this is not the case, with the abundance of new material compositions. Manufacturers have identified not only tactile surfaces that resist sweat and wick away moisture, but are easier to clean and environmentally friendly.

Consider a mat that can withstand different terrain and environments specifically for where you will use it. You may ultimately have different mats for different events or practices. If you practice outside, in a park or at the beach, recognize that sunlight—and therefore moisture either by sweat or humidity—may be an issue. Heat and moisture can increase the level of slippage on your mat, and some mats—those not designed for the outside elements—may dry out in sunlight and deteriorate.

Size

Many American-made mats measure 24-inches wide by 68-inches to 72-inches in length, which is perfect if you are no taller than 5’10” and of moderate to slender build. Many students don't fit this mold, however, and mat manufacturers have recently acknowledged this with mats that are slightly wider (up to 26 inches wide) and a much as 81 inches in length.

Price

There is a wide range in pricing, and my recommendations below include budget choices to premium ones and everything in between. Lower-priced mats may be a good starter option. They may not meet all functionality you are looking for in terms of grip, comfort, cushion, or weight, but if you’re just test driving a practice they may suit your immediate needs. If you spend $150 to $200, your mat may last you several decades or even a lifetime with proper care. My Manduka mats have lasted more than 20 years with regular cleaning and attention.

How We Selected These Yoga Mats

As a yoga teacher for more than a decade, and with students ranging in varying abilities, skill level, injury, and ages, I am familiar with how choosing the right mat can improve or detract from a practice. Based on my experience with mats from major brands and additional research of current market offerings, these are the best yoga mats for a variety of styles of yoga and experience levels.

Pro Yoga Mat

Used by myself for many years, this popular Manduka yoga mat is designed for longevity—and comes with a lifetime guarantee. It is available in two different lengths, 71 inches and 85 inches, so you can choose based on your height and preference. I love its 6mm thickness, which provides enough cushion from the hard floor yet it isn’t too bulky to carry around. Once it is broken in, the top surface is extremely sticky—ideal for hot yoga sessions.

Original Happiness Yoga Mat

Though one of the priciest mats available, the Liforme is excellent for beginners. The unique design features the company’s “AlignForMe” system, a helpful navigational tool for anyone’s practice. Markers are printed on the mat to provide as much, or as little, guidance as you need. The stick (or traction) is also above-average and well suited for a hot and sweaty yoga session.

While slightly less cushioned than the Manduka Pro, the Liforme is perfect for a vinyasa (flowing, more aerobic) yoga practice. An added benefit: it’s simple to clean. The bottom surface is smooth, so if you practice outdoors, any grass or dirt can be easily removed.

Premium Thick Yoga Mat

This classic mat is a great starter option if you're just taking up yoga, pilates, or any other movement practice. Durable, comfortable, and available in a range of colors, this mat is perfect if you’re on a budget or want to spend a minimal amount to try out a mat.

Take Form Yoga Mat

This mat is designed with texture to help you feel your way into alignment rather than relying on visuals. An emphasis when starting yoga is generally placed on learning how to feel or “embody” the shapes. This 3D cushioning is an interesting aid to support that endeavor. This mat’s uniquely textured pattern allows you to focus on your movements instead of thinking about where to position your hands and feet. The placed patterns guide your alignment so you can tell if your hands are equally distanced during a plank just by the feel under your palms. Made from sustainably sourced natural rubber, the Take Form mat is FSC-certified to support the protection of forest ecosystems.

Extra-Thick Yoga Mat

Specifically for floor practices, this mat is ideal for restorative, yin, or practices where the shapes have less movement or are more meditational in nature. With a bit of loft and cushion, this mat lets you release into shapes that promote stretching and relaxation.

Harmony Yoga Mat

From one of the original mat producers in the business, Jade knows its way around a yoga mat. This one is timeless. Made from plant-based materials, this mat is entirely toxin-free with no PVC, phthalates, heavy metals, or other harsh chemicals. It’s easy to clean and doesn't have a heavy smell straight out of the wrapper like some other options. Additionally, the company donates a tree for every mat sold and has done so since 2006 in partnership with Trees for the Future.

Luxury Cork Yoga Mat

Not only is this mat’s natural cork construction antimicrobial and antibacterial, but its grip is unquestionably one of the best out there. A bit on the heavier side, the mat comes in varying thicknesses and is slightly wider than most. The durable rubber on the bottom keeps it from sliding, while the thickness provides just enough cushion without inhibiting your movement.

Travel Yoga Mat

This mat incorporates an ultra-absorbent microfiber top side with sturdy grip on the underside. Perfect for a hot yoga session. It’s ideal for those who prefer an extra towel on top of their regular mat—because with this mat you won’t need one.

How Long Will Your Mat Last and How Do You Clean One of These Things? Expert Jennifer Vafakos Shares This and More!

RW: How long can I expect my yoga mat to last?

JV: Depending on use and care, a good yoga mat should last a lifetime. Cleaning with natural products, not placing on all terrains (i.e. using in the heat of the sun on a beach, in a grassy park, in a parking lot), and using your mat in controlled studio spaces and at home will all extend the life of a mat.

RW: What is the best way to clean a yoga mat?

JV: One option is to make your own cleaner using natural dish soap and warm water. Wipe down and then allow the mat to air dry for 30 minutes. Less cumbersome is purchasing the recommended mat cleaner with the mat or making your own cleaner (there are many recipes online).

RW: What mistake do people make when buying a yoga mat?

JV: We all begin thinking we will practice forever...not knowing what we are getting ourselves into. I have seen plenty of students start a practice by purchasing a mat that isn’t suitable and then never returning. Cost is not a good indicator of a mat’s serviceability. I suggest not going with the least expensive as you may encounter the difficulties mentioned above (crease in mats, initial smell, mat moving when practicing), in fact most studios will rent out high quality mats for your use and it may be a great way to learn the type of investment that may be right for you.

*Editor's Note: Amy Schlinger contributed to this article.

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