Are you new to yoga, and need a yoga mat to get started? Maybe you've been practicing yoga for a while, and are looking for a mat upgrade. Maybe you're somewhere in between!
Having practiced yoga for a while, I've had the chance to test different types of mats. Instead of telling you which are the best, I'll let you know which are the best depending on your budget and situation.
Under $20
If you're looking to give yoga a try, and don't want to invest a lot for a mat before giving the practice a shot, a mat under $20 is prefect for you. It's a great way to get started easily and quickly, without having to pay too much.
Where can you buy one?
You can find a mat under $20 at Walmart, and I've even seen some at dollar stores for as little as $4.
Meg's Pro Tip: It's important to keep in mind that eventually, the cheaper mats will begin to fall apart (literally…). You will start to see little holes in your mat and pieces of your mat on the floor and on your clothes. When your mat begins to fall apart, you can keep it as an outdoor mat, and upgrade to one of the next options!
Meg's Pro Tip: Keep your toe nails trimmed! It will help keep your mat intact longer. Also, try to avoid digging your nails in the mat, or trim them too.
$20-$40
So you outgrew your cheap mat, and want something better. Or maybe you want to be a little more environmentally conscious, but are not ready to invest $100+ yet. Good news, you can get a great mat that won't easily fall apart for $20-$40.
Where can you buy one?
In my humble opinion, the best mat for this price is a brand called Gaiam. You can buy a Gaiam mat online through tons of websites, including Amazon and directly through the Gaiam website. In the US, I've seen them at Walmart and Target, and in Canada, you can find them at Canadian Tire and Winners.
Meg's Pro Tip: In terms of mat thickness, 6mm (≈1/4 inch) is ideal. That being said, I had a 4mm (≈1/8 inch) Gaiam mat for a very long time, and even completed my yoga teacher training with it. Anything less than 4mm will compromise comfort (especially for your joints), and are typically only recommended for travel. Anything more than 6mm will compromise stability (so you will likely lose balance more often), and are typically only recommended for people with pain in their joints (like in their knees, though I would personally recommend the use of props instead of a super thick mat).
Over $100
Now you're talkin'! At this price, you can get a mat that should technically last you a lifetime. Once you buy one of these mats, you're set. This is a great option for yoga teachers, for yogis who are truly dedicated to their practice and for people who like good quality products.
Where can you buy one?
2 words: Manuka PROâ„¢. The Manduka PROâ„¢ Yoga Mat 6mm is likely the only mat you'll ever need, and it even comes with a lifetime warranty. THAT'S how confident they are in the quality of their product. With this mat, you can take your yoga practice to the next level. It's the mat I use every single day! It's much wider, longer and more stable than any of the cheaper options mentioned above. It's important to note that it's quite heavy (around 7lbs for the standard size), so for travel, I usually use one of my cheaper, lighter mats. You can buy this mat directly on the Manduka website, where they have separate webpages for customers located in the US, Canada and EU. They are also sometimes sold in yoga studios.
Meg's Pro Tip: If you're not vertically challenged like I am, and are around 6' tall or more, you should strongly consider paying a little extra, and getting the long version of the Manuka Proâ„¢ (85"/215cm). I have yet to meet a single tall person that has regretted this decision. No more feet on the floor in Savasana and Downdog! Your yoga practice will be better, safer and more comfortable.
Now that you know where to get your mat and how much you will be spending, I can't wait to see you in class, on your mat!
Namaste,
Meg
