As a Yoga enthusiast you know how important environment is to find peace and concentration for achieving a state of meditation, or “Dhyan”. What you wear, what you hear, where you are, and such details are key to making your Yoga sessions more fruitful. After all, The purpose of Yoga is lifting your physical, mental, and spiritual being to a higher state of existence.
A Yoga mat is an essential part of the Yogic routine. It becomes an extension of yourself and so which one you choose is very important. There are plenty of Yoga mats offered by various companies available in the market, but only you can know which one makes you feel like yourself.
10 Best Yoga Mats you can choose from in 2018
In this article, we’d discuss various popular options available for you, and the different aspects of these mats so that you can make an informed decision. So, let’s begin –
1. Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
Manduka Pro Yoga mat is great, especially for people who practice at home. It’s a bit heavy compared to many other, but that is also an advantage. You can be sure that it will be your Yoga partner for long.
It is firm and provides great support. It is a bit hard to carry around if you practice far from your home, and go there walking.
Here’s are a few specifics for you –
- The Manduka pro yoga mat is German made, and it is 6mm thick.
- It weighs 7.5 lbs. A bit heavy to carry, but that also makes it steady.
- It is made with eco- friendly PVC which is safe and free from toxins.
- Provides great support to your knees and elbows.
This mat is durable and is definitely worth your money. Weight might be an issue for some, and it might be a little less than soft, but other than that there’s not much to discourage you from buying it. The mat doesn’t absorb any moisture, sweat , or smell.
2. Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat
Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat is the lighter version of Manduka Pro and it’s also thinner than its predecessor on this list. In terms of material and design it’s very similar to Manduka Pro so has the same pros. For those who want their mat to be lighter than Manduka Pro, this is the right choice. It still isn’t the lightest a mat can be, but it definitely has other qualities that make up for that.
Let’s see the specifics –
- It is German made, and 4.7 mm in thickness.
- The weight of Manduka ProLite Yoga mat is 4lbs; considerably lower than Manduka Pro.
- It is made from PVC and is safe from toxins.
- It’s available in various colors.
It is similar to Manduka pro in all other regards. It is durable, non- absorbent, and a great buy.
3. Tomuno Yoga Mat
This Yoga Mat from Tomuno is extremely soft, with a great grip. It provides good support and is also a popular option among Yoga enthusiasts. The padding is great for knees and elbows. It is made from all natural rubber and on arrival might smell strongly of it.
Here are the specifics –
- Tomuno Yoga mat is made in Taiwan and is 5mm in thickness.
- It weights 4.7 lbs, which is quite lite.
- It’s made from natural rubber, making it extremely soft and supportive.
This Yoga mat will be softer on your knees and elbows. It might smell like rubber at first, but that will go away with time.
4. Manduko Eko Yoga Mat
Unlike manduka Pro, and Manduka Prolite; manduka Eko Yoga Mat is made up from non- Amazonian, all natural, tree rubber which is made without the fusion of foaming agents or toxic glues, and is reinforced with cotton and polyester.
There are two layers of materials to ensure firm support as well as softness. The closed cell surface is included in the design to repel moisture.
Here are some specifics for you-
- Made in Taiwan, the thickness of this mat is 5 mm.
- The mat weighs 7 lbs, nearly same as the Manduko Pro.
- Made from natural, eco friendly rubber.
In the Manduko series, this is another nice addition. The rubber smell might take some time to wear off though.
5. Jade Fusion Yoga Mat
Jade Fusion Yoga Mat is thick and firm, and provides you with all the necessary support. It has a open cell design which helps in absorption of moisture, to provide excellent grip. It’s made from all natural rubber and is devoid of PC and other synthetic rubbers. Buying one of these can be your contribution to saving the future ecosystem, as one tree is planted for each sale through Trees for the future.
The mat is a little heavy, and it’s better for home Yoga Practice.
Here are some specifics –
- Made in the USA, this mat is 8mm in thickness.
- The weight of this mat is 8.5 lbs.
- this is made from natural rubber.
The best thing about this mat, along with it having great support and grip is that, it is the eco-friendly choice. It is a bit heavy, and needs regular cleaning, but it provides great support and the satisfaction of having grown a tree.
6. Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
Jade harmony Yoga mat is thin and light, with great grip. Compared to the mats of similar thickness, it is far more better in terms of support. It is also made from natural rubber, instead of synthetic ones.
Here are the specs –
- Made in the United States, Jade Harmony Yoga Mat is 4.7 in thickness.
- It weights around 5 lbs.
- Made from natural rubber.
- A tree is planted for every mat sold.
Made from natural rubber, the rubber smell might need some getting used to. It is light and easy to transport; an overall eco- friendly option.
7. Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat
The surface of Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga mat is soft like a cushion, and has an excellent grip. The mat is made up of a 100% natural rubber, adhered with a blend of other components. The nice feel that the mat imparts is a bonus, with its great grip and supportive design. It’s is a bit heavy, and since it’s natural rubber, it may smell like it too, for a while.
Here are some specifications you would like to know –
- Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat is 6mm thick with the weight of 6 lbs.
- It is made from natural rubber.
- A percentage from every sale of this mat goes to charity.
The mat is heavy, with firm grip and excellent support. Natural rubber smell is there, like other natural rubber mats. This is a good way to do charity as well.
8. PrAna Revolution Mat
PrAna Revolution mat is quitre long, so you can stretch out and do a variety of Asana’s on it. It is made from 100 % natural, non- Amazon rubber. The grip provided by the mat is excellent and it supports your body perfectly. It has the open cell design which helps in the absorption of sweat and moisture, keeping a firm grip at all times.
Here are the specifics –
- PrAna Revolutions mat is 4mm thick and weights 6 lbs.
- It is made from natural, non- Amazon rubber.
Like all other natural rubber Yoga mats,, it has a strong smell. Since it has the open cell design, it requires regular cleaning.
9. Aurorae Classic Thick Yoga Mat
Aurorae Classic thick Yoga Mat is a good option if you want an affordable Yoga mat. It is made from Polymer environmental resin; a biodegradable substance with no Phenols, latex, or phthalates. It provides great support, and it is a very durable mat.
Here are the specifics you would like to know about this mat-
- The Aurorae Classic Thick Yoga Mat is 6mm thick, 72″ Long, and 24″ wide.
- It is made from environmental resin, and is biodegradable.
- It is available in 12 colors.
The Aurorae Classic Thick Yoga mat is affordable, an durable. Unlike the natural rubber made mats, it is odorless, and easy to maintain. Since it might become a little slippery during the Yoga sessions, a non- slip Rosin Bag comes free with it, that you can apply to reduce the slipperiness. It is very light and easy to transport.
10. Aurorae Synergy Hot Yoga Mat
Aurorae Synergy hot Yoga mat is made for Hot Yoga and has two layers. The top layer is non-slippery, ultra absorbent microfiber, bonded to a polymer environmental resin Yoga mat. It is an affordable option, but it might be a lot of hassle, compared to the rubber mats.
For dry sessions the PER side is good, and during Hot yoga sessions when the mat can get wet, you can use the microfiber side. It is a lighter mat.
Here are the specifics –
- The mat is 5 mm in thickness, its 72″ long, and 24″ wide.
- It is made from PER, with a layer of microfiber on top.
It is affordable, light weight, soft, and odor less. It might not be able to replace the rubber mat feel, but it is perfect for its price. If you don’t want to spend a lot on yoga mats, this is it.
How to keep your yoga mat clean
- Always clean yourself before using the mat.
- Sweating is normal during a session, but, use towels to dry off yourself as much as you can.
- Dry your mat out in the sun after use, to get out the smell.
- Always keep it either gently folded, or straight, and use both sides.
- Avoid getting any soil on it and try not sharing it with anyone else.
We hope that this article was informative and useful for you and now, choosing between these mats will be easier for you. We wish you many fruitful Yoga sessions ahead. Namaste!
