Another top-quality option from our pals at Les Mills. Unlike the MBX mat above, this one is designed specifically for yoga, with a vegan leather top layer that absorbs moisture (read: sweat) and stops you from sliding around, no matter how clammy your paws are. Sure enough, our resident yogi stayed rooted in their poses during vigorous vinyasa flows, without any distracting slipping around. Music to our ears! One downside with this mat is the potential for a lingering rubber smell. Airing the mat out (not in direct sunlight) and cleaning the mat can help, but it may still take weeks or months for the smell to dissipate, and the smell may transfer to your hands and body. Thankfully, the natural rubber smell is not as bad as that of synthetic rubber, but it does seem to be more of an issue with the Manduka eKO than with the Prolana Rubber and Wool Mat and with the Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Mat. When you’re buying a new yoga mat, ask the following five key questions. These will help you get the eco-friendly, ahimsa-friendly mat you need: Standard yoga mats are 68 inches long. This means they easily accommodate someone who is around 5’8″. If you’re taller than that, you’re going to need to pay attention to mat length so that you’re not cramped. And, even if a standard mat fits you just fine, a longer mat can help you extend your practice by giving you extra flexibility to really dig into those lengthier poses.

I've also included brands that consider sustainability and ethical labor practices in all facets of their business. Ones that have third-party certification in place and fully transparent ones. If I can't find that info, I will tell you. To sum up, try to avoid these materials: Organic cotton is certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which ensures complete transparency from farm to finished product. Third-party certification by GOTS also includes social criteria, ensuring people are protected, and children are kept out of the workplace.

Type

There’s nothing more irritating than buying a brand new yoga mat only for it to fall apart after a few vinyasa classes. Fortunately, there’s no such problem with this durable offering from the experts at Complete Unity. It’s crafted from sustainably harvested tree rubber and natural jute fibres, which means the surface isn’t the smoothest, but it is resistant to wear and tear and, crucially, it’s uber sturdy – trust us, it won’t budge, whether you’re flowing on carpet, hard wood or tiles. Our pros put a number of mats through their paces, seeing how each one performed during yoga, yoga nidra (a form of deep rest), HIIT and even weights sessions (most yoga mats double up as exercise mats). They were scored based on how grippy, comfortable, portable and stable they were (with bonus points for eco credentials), and only their favourite few made it on to this list. They guarantee all U.S. environmental laws, and they do so since their founder, Dean Jerrehian, used to work as a lawyer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before joining the family business that is Jade Yoga. If you like rustic-looking mats, you'll fall in love with the ones that Barefoot Yoga makes. You have a few to choose from. There’s an almost overwhelming number of training mats available on the market right now, and most can be split into two categories: yoga mats and exercise mats.

The top performers offered great grip, even when wet, and kept us comfortable as we flowed between poses. Those with the highest scores are featured below, identified by our trusty RW Lab logo.PVC is naturally a very hard plastic. Phthalates (hormone disruptors) are added to the material to make it soft and flexible. Your body can absorb these chemicals from your yoga mat simply by breathing. Not a lot of zen going on there!

The barrier to getting started in yoga is very low. All you need is patience, an open mind and a grippy, comfortable mat. Lighter mats, ones that fold into a square instead of the bulky roll, and those with their own stylish carrying case are all good options if you place a high value on portability. Price How regularly and how thoroughly you clean your yoga mat will depend on how often and how intensely you practice. For most people, it’s enough to clean your yoga mat once a week. This keeps stains at bay and prevents the build-up of bacteria and dirt. Follow manufacturers’ guidelines where given, and choose natural cleansers like lemon juice, dilute vinegar solution, or non-toxic dish soap to clean your mat.Our hard-wearing Yoga mats will stand the test of time. But as well as being durable, we've focused on ensuring they are stylish and well-designed so you will want to continue using them for years to come. Get started or expand your practice