The 9 best yoga mats of 2021, according to yoga teachers

Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky

Summary List Placement

If you're looking to try out yoga, you'll need a mat. But if you're wanting to cultivate a regular practice, it's important to think very carefully about which you buy: "When we first begin a yoga practice, we are looking for a sanctuary to slow down and breathe. It needs to be a place that you recognize as your time to slow down,"Vinita Laroia, a 300 RYT-certified yoga and meditation teacher with over 20 years of experience, told Insider.

Considering you touch your yoga mat every time you practice, this item can create that familiar space as soon as you step onto it, whether you're unrolling in your living room, a studio, or while traveling away from home.

It may seem like all mats are the same, but materials, durability, thickness, non-slip grip, and other subtle design changes between mats can help or hurt your unique movement patterns, Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CSCS, physical therapist at Fusion Wellness and Physical Therapy in California told Insider. This can affect everything from creating unusual aches or pains in a pose to making your hour-long sweaty flow pure frustration if your feet and hands are constantly slipping out of place. (At the end of this guide, we go into a lot more detail about everything you should consider when buying a yoga mat.)

As a 200RYT Hatha yoga teacher with over 10-years-worth of practice, I have a ton of first-hand experience testing out dozens of mats over the years, as well as an endless list of input from fellow yogis about which mats they love (or regret purchasing). To help make your purchasing decision easier, we rigorously tested a number of the top yoga mats on the market and compiled this guide to find the best mat depending on your priorities, from perfect pose alignment to the use of sustainable, earth-friendly materials. Some of the mats included in this guide are ones I still continue to use daily.

At the bottom of this guide, I offer several more mats for consideration, and include a guide to how we tested each yoga mat, as well as what you should look for when shopping for a yoga mat.

Here are our top picks for the best yoga mats:

Best yoga mat overall: Rumi Earth Sun Yoga Mat
Best budget yoga mat: Hugger Mugger Gallery Collection Yoga Mat
Best eco-friendly yoga mat: Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat
Best socially-responsible yoga mat: Kosha Yoga Co. Sanctuary PUre Couture Yoga Mat
Best padded yoga mat: Manduka PRO™ Yoga Mat 6mm
Best travel yoga mat: Manduka Eko Superlight Travel Yoga Mat
Best yoga mat for sweaty yogis: JadeYoga Harmony Mat
Best washable yoga mat: Yogi Bare Teddy Yoga Mat
Best yoga mat for alignment work: Liforme Yoga Mat

The best yoga mat overall

Made from a blend of cotton and natural rubber sap, Rumi Earth's Sun Yoga Mat is a sustainable mat from a minority-owned small business that provides adequate support for your joints — a great choice for newbies and seasoned pros alike.

Pros: Plenty of padding, biodegradable, non-toxic materials, durable, multiple lengths, great for yogis of all levels, minority-owned small business

Cons: None

A minority-owned yoga and athleisure brand, Rumi Earth focuses on sustainability and conscious sourcing of non-toxic materials for its products. The Sun yoga mat is available in multiple lengths and widths, as well as several different color options, all influenced by the natural world. Every Rumi Earth mat is entirely biodegradable, so after living out its life as your yoga mat, it easily reintegrates back into the earth when discarded.

Made from cotton fibers and natural rubber, this mat is eco-friendly with excellent grip and durability. Its open-cell design does mean that sweaty yogis need not worry; I had no problems with traction, even while dripping sweat all over the mat during my bi-weekly full-body cardio pilates sessions.

As the cherry on top to all these features, this mat is subtly more padded than most. As someone with chondromalacia patellae in both knees, I need a thicker yoga mat for less pressure on my joints when I'm in poses such as chakravakasana (cat-cow pose) or anjaneyasana (low lunge pose). Gondek explained that thicker yoga mats can also help in cushioning common pressure points for anyone, like the sacrum, heels, and greater trochanters in your hips.

While standard yoga mats are 3mm thick, Rumi Earth's Sun Yoga mat is 4.3mm, which isn't so excessive that it'll bother those without any joint pain (truly, you can't even tell it's thicker than standard just looking at it), but is just enough extra padding to make those who need it more comfortable. I was surprised that I felt enough cushioning for my knees or palms even during my more active and vigorous yoga practices.

The best budget yoga mat

Featuring nature-inspired designs by local Utah artists, Hugger Mugger's Gallery Collection Yoga Mats are dual-sided, lightweight, and highly affordable for yogis on a budget.

Pros: Lightweight, latex-free, colorful designs

Cons: Not as durable, can shift around during practice, slippery

A dependable, comfortable yoga mat is important to help you "create the sanctuary you need," according to Laroia, even for beginners. And that doesn't have to come with a high price tag.

Hugger Mugger's Gallery Collection Yoga Mat is made from PER material, weighs just 2.2lbs, and comes in colorful choices — all for under $35. These thoughtfully-designed mats are also ideal for yogis on the go as they are incredibly lightweight and easy to roll up.

Featuring a closed-cell design, the mats are non-porous to moisture and dirt; however, that of course means they become slippery the more you sweat (which was definitely my experience). This mat is best suited for less intensive flows like yin or hatha yoga, or will need a full-length yoga mat towel with non-slip grip for added absorbency over top.

I also don't recommend it for fast-paced flows — especially if you practice on tile like me — as the mat tends to shift around when moving quickly from one asana to the next.

This mat offers the standard 3mm of padding. If you're a yogi like me that needs more cushioning under the joints when you practice, opt for the Gallery Collection Ultra Yoga Mats. At 6mm thick, these well-cushioned mats offer double the padding and comfort as you flow through your practice.

The best eco-friendly yoga mat

Made from 100% sustainably sourced non-Amazon rubber, Hugger Mugger's Para Rubber yoga mats are non-toxic, durable and when it's time to retire, completely biodegradable as well.

Pros: Environmentally-friendly, well-cushioned, natural rubber, sturdy

Cons: Heavy, latex can aggravate allergies for some, expensive

When it comes to sustainability, Hugger Mugger's Para Rubber Yoga Mat comes out on top. Made from 100% non-Amazon sustainably sourced rubber, this eco-friendly mat is dual-sided — if you sweat a lot, pick the woven-like side, which offers excellent grip during hot yoga sessions.

Hugger Mugger offers the Para Rubber mat in multiple different calming colors, as well as two sizes: standard (24 by 70in) and an XL version (24 by 78in), the latter being perfect for taller yogis who need more space to stretch out.

At 6.4mm thick, I find the mat to be very comfortable on the knees and wrists, especially when practicing quicker-paced, Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga flows like the ones offered on Alo Moves. Thicker, denser mats, Laroia explained, are best for ensuring stability during your practice. "Soft mats will actually destabilize a practitioner in any balancing poses, asymmetrical holds, and even side planks," she said.

At $95, this yoga mat is undoubtedly an investment, but its sustainable manufacturing process, thick cushioning, and reversible nature justify the price. Not to mention, its non-slip grip means sweaty yogis don't have to buy an additional yoga towel.

The only downsides are that you have to clean it frequently thank to its open-cell design structure (which equals more porous), and some yogis may find the initial natural rubber smell to be overpowering. However, in my experience, the smell did go away after regularly wiping down and airing out my mat in the first few weeks.

The best socially-responsible yoga mat

Sustainably made in India, Kosha Yoga Co.'s range of PUre Couture Yoga Mats benefit the local communities they are produced in — a percentage of each sale goes to two local non-profits, Maee Home for the Blind and the Kalote Animal Trust.

Pros: Sustainable, PVC-free materials, socially-conscious, colorful floral patterns, sturdy design

Cons: Expensive, initial rubber smell

Focused on sustainability and giving back to the community, Kosha Yoga Co.'s PUre Couture Yoga Mats are entirely biodegradable thanks to the mat's recycled-PU top layer and dense, natural rubber base.

At 27 by 73 inches, the PUre Couture mat is broader and longer than a standard yoga mat, making it a great pick for taller yogis. I love that each mat also comes with a carrying strap, which, in a pinch, can also double as a yoga strap.

With 4.5mm of cushioning, there's enough padding between your joints and the floor. And, thanks to its sturdy rubber base, the mat stays firmly in place during power yoga flows; its non-slip top layer makes this a good choice for sweaty yogis.

To keep the floral pattern as good as new for years, keep in mind you shouldn't use essential oil mat sprays to clean it (just soap and water) and it should be dried and stored out of direct sunlight.

Apart from the use of eco-friendly materials in its mats and clothing, this sustainable Mumbai-based athleisure brand gives a percentage of each sale back to the local community. In addition, Kosha Yoga Co. provides career opportunities to women in Dharavi, Asia's largest slum — its line of yoga mat bags and meditation cushions are entirely handmade there.

The best padded yoga mat

The Manduka PRO is thicker and longer than your average mat, making it a great choice for taller users and those who need extra padding.

Pros: Extra dense and padded, available in two sizes (85-inch variety is ideal for taller yogis), lifetime guarantee

Cons: Heavy, expensive, may need a towel for hot yoga or if you sweat a lot

Manduka is a leading name in the yoga community and its mats are highly recommended by teachers. However, its steep $120 price tag ($146 for the extra long version) can be a deterrent for some, which is why I now only recommend it for yogis in need of more space and padding during their practice.

But it is worth it: "This mat does everything," said Laroia. At 6mm thick, it has the right amount of cushioning without being soft and provides ideal support for your knees and joints, allowing practitioners such as myself extra comfort when practicing with chronic knee pain or when rolling the mat out on hard surfaces like concrete and tile. As Gondek's preferred mat of choice for five years, she finds the PRO yoga mat "very comfortable on the knees and sacrum during quadruped and supine positions."

The mats come in two lengths, a standard 71 inches and a long 85 inches. Yogis over 6-feet-tall will benefit from the space that the 85-inch mat provides.

The PVC-mat is made using an emissions-free process and has a closed-cell design, creating a non-porous surface that lengthens its life span. This prevents moisture and bacteria from being absorbed into the mat; however, closed-cell mats can get slippery and are not great on their own for hot yoga or if you sweat a lot (though this is easily solved by throwing a yoga towel on top).

Perhaps best of all, Manduka's lifetime guarantee for its PRO series makes the mat a worthwhile long-term investment. If you do experience flaking or peeling of your yoga mat, which happened to my first Manduka mat, they'll send you a replacement at no cost.

Best budget alternative: For a more affordable mat, I recommend the Hugger Mugger Earth Elements 5mm Yoga Mat. At 2.4 lbs, this mat is lightweight and extremely easy to carry from home to yoga studio without sacrificing on thickness. Made from non-toxic TPE, it features a closed-cell design, and is also a great latex-free pick.

The best travel yoga mat

Manduka's Eko SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat is slim and lightweight enough to bring with you no matter how far you roam without compromising grippiness.

Pros: Lightweight, easy to maintain, thin enough to fold, signature grip, durable material

Cons: Thin

Lightweight travel mats let you keep up with your practice on the road without borrowing a questionable yoga mat from your hotel (or worse — down-dogging directly on the carpet). The Manduka Eko SuperLite Travel Mat is the lighter, thinner version of Manduka's top-ranked Eko option.

Made of a woven scrim material that won't tear or stretch either with use or in your suitcase, the Manduka Eko Superlight is Gondek's preferred travel mat of choice. "I've used this mat for over two years, and just like any other Manduka, the mat has held up very well during travel," she said. "Even on camping trips with plenty of dirt and grime."

It's thin enough to be foldable so that you can tuck the mat away into your backpack or your carry-on without added weight or bulk. Thanks to Manduka's signature sweat-resistant closed-cell design, this mat stays drier and cleaner for longer. But, if you end up signing up for a hot yoga class during your travels, Gondek recommends bringing a non-slip grip yoga mat towel along.

The Manduka Eko SuperLite is composed of non-Amazon sourced natural rubber. And it's more affordable than other travel mats, which is ideal considering this option is too thin and flexible to be your daily mat.— Rachael Schultz and Christabel Lobo

The best yoga mat for sweaty yogis

Whether you're a yogi who sweats a lot during workouts, or you enjoy the sweat-inducing practice of hot yoga, the JadeYoga Harmony Mat is what you need to avoid slipping and sliding.

Pros: Non-slip surface, plenty of cushioning, multiple length options, multiple color options

Cons: Some may find the cushioning too much for their preference, expensive

If your yoga practice works up enough of a sweat that most mats become dangerously slippery, JadeYoga's Harmony Mat will keep you safe. Made from natural rubber with tiny dots instead of a smooth, sleek surface, the Harmony Mat's design provides great traction and minimizes slipping. The texture is small enough it goes unnoticed by your hands and knees, even after a 60-minute session.

The mat is incredibly comfortable, too. Featuring thick enough cushioning to protect your knees and back from getting dinged while practicing, it's not too thick to hinder movement.

JadeYoga offers the Harmony Mat in two different sizes, as well as a dozen different colors and prints. It is on the spendy side at $85 for the longest option, but for sweaty yogis, that's often cheaper (and way more convenient) than purchasing a mat plus absorbent towel. -- Kaitlin Gates

Read our review of the JadeYoga Harmony Mat.

The best washable yoga mat

The Yogi Bare Teddy is machine washable without sacrificing quality or durability over time and use.

Pros: Machine-washable, grippy microfiber top, natural rubber bottom stays in place, comes in a variety of fun patterns

Cons: Requires a washing machine, not very padded

Though most mats are easily cleaned with a simple spray and wipe down, if you use it outside or tend to heavily sweat while you practice, it's convenient to have a mat that can be thrown in the washing machine. The Teddy from Yogi Bare is actually machine washable. I was surprised to find during testing that the washer didn't compromise its integrity; its natural rubber base and microfiber top stayed as intact as when I first bought it, even after multiple washes.

Even if the Teddy wasn't machine-washable, it'd still be a great yoga mat. Its microfiber surface is grippy, especially after I'd been sweating a bit on it, and it's just padded enough that it provides a soft landing whenever my feet (or wayward knees and elbows) hit the ground. It comes in fun patterns and colorways.

It's cheaper than many other mats on this list. However, it's also only 2mm thick, so it's not a great choice if you have any sort of joint pain. — Rick Stella

The best yoga mat for alignment work

The Liforme Mat is a cult-favorite among the Instagram yogi community thanks to its signature printed alignment system on the surface, which promises symmetry, balance, and proper footing during your practice.

Pros: Eco-friendly, extremely sticky, doesn't wear over time, signature alignment system

Cons: One-size-fits-all alignment doesn't fit all bodies, very expensive

The first thing you'll notice about the Liforme mat is that discreet lines, shapes, and markers are etched into its surface to help you place your limbs accurately as you move from one asana to the next. Laroia explained that the lines on the mat — part of Liforme's signature alignment system — help you with hand and feet placement and improve your alignment, a key feature for beginner yogis.

After a few weeks of regular use of my Liforme mat, it's not hard to see why these mats are beloved by Instagram yogis. "The mat's are good in quality, rivaling my trusty Manduka," Laroia said. And at 27 by 73 inches, the mat is also slightly longer and wider than most traditional yoga mats, so you'll never feel cramped or confined.

Thanks to its proprietary blend of natural rubber and sustainably sourced felt to cushion your knees, hips, and hands, the Liforme mat is exceptionally grippy, preventing you from sliding around during vigorous yoga sessions. It's also PVC-free, and each layer is heat-bonded to avoid toxic glues and adhesives, making it an eco-friendly choice. Even the alignment marking system is etched onto the surface of each yoga mat to prevent the use of synthetic dyes.

However, one major downside to consider (apart from its price tag) is that you may have trouble hitting the recommended alignments if you're shorter than 5'4" or not the most flexible of yogis.

Why a quality yoga mat matters

If you're buying your first yoga mat, it's easy to assume you're just shopping for the single piece of gear that'll make your stretching practice more comfortable. But in reality, stepping on your mat becomes a tactile cue that it's time to relax and unwind.

What's more, the right yoga mat can actually help prevent injury by cushioning pressure points like the knees, lower back, and hip bones, Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CSCS, physical therapist at Fusion Wellness and Physical Therapy in California told Insider. "Less joint pain can improve your activity tolerance during your yoga practice, allowing you to spend more time improving your mobility, flexibility, and strength in the areas you need it most," she said. Even the most able-bodies person will feel a different level of comfort between an uber-minimal or cheap mat, and a quality one at standard thickness. If you have any sort of joint pain, upgrading to a thicker mat (4mm+) will give you a world of relief.

Additionally, if you like heart-pumping Ashtanga or Vinyasa flows or who sweat easily during hot yoga, you'll enjoy your practice a lot more if your mat has special sweat-absorbing properties. Meanwhile, those who travel often will benefit from foldable and lightweight mat for maintaining a daily practice on the road.

How we tested these yoga mats

Most of the yoga mats included have been a regular part of my practice for several years. Others, such as Kosha Yoga Co.'s PUre Couture Mat, have been tested daily since February 2021. I spent hours testing the yoga mats out in a variety of yoga disciplines, including yin yoga, invigorating vinyasa flows, and gentle, hour-long Hatha classes. Additionally, the mats were used twice a week in sweat-inducing cardio and mat pilates-focused workouts to evaluate their grippiness and traction when wet. I practiced on several different surfaces, including tile, carpet, and concrete. I even took the mats outdoors to see how they'd fare in different climates and evaluate their portability and durability.

Each yoga mat featured in this guide went through a series of on-the-mat tests to see how well they stacked up across these five categories: performance, durability, material, support, ease of cleaning, and value. Specifically, here's how each category contributed to which yoga mats ultimately made the cut:

Performance: They key aspects of performance include how grippy the mat is for helping you hold poses or reliably move a hand or foot (especially once you start sweating), and how comfortable or padded the mat is. In categories such as the best travel yoga mat or the best yoga mat for sweaty yogis, we looked at those features specifically (instead of docking points for lack of padding or too much grip) when choosing what to feature.
Durability: Durability of a mat is what justifies their higher price tags and truly speaks to their sustainability. Yoga mats should be able to take a beating, especially if you use it often. Be it puddles of sweat or the constant barrage of knees, elbows, heels, and shoulders, a yoga mat is under constant pressure. Because of this, you ideally want one built to stand up to this kind of abuse and to last for at least a few years, particularly with regular cleaning.
Material: PVC or TPE, all-natural rubber or synthetic, latex — the materials used to make your yoga mat affect all the other categories listed here. PVC mats tend to be the best value; however, they aren't very eco-friendly or durable. So, while a lower price tag may seem attractive now, in the long run, you may end up spending more just replacing your cheaper mats. We consider sustainability a major factor in choosing a mat, so your best bet is to seek out options made from cork, natural, non-Amazon harvested rubber, or recycled materials; some brands, such as Manduka, have its own eco-friendly lines or are OEKO-TEX certified — an European-based textile certification agency focused on sustainable manufacturing processes. Smell is another thing to consider; some new mats have a distinct rubber smell that dissipates after time but can hinder your practice initially.
Support: Having chondromalacia patellae in both knees means I take mat thickness very seriously. Extra cushioning helps take the pressure off your joints, so it's a smart consideration for anyone with knee issues, joint pain, or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Look for a thick, dense mat, over a soft one — soft mats can destabilize some practitioners in balancing postures, side planks and asymmetrical holds, Laroia said. But not everyone needs extra cushioning. If you don't have joint pain, the standard 3mm-thick mat should be fine for you, and you can always double fold your mat to create more cushioning on a pose-by-pose basis, Laroia suggested.
Ease of cleaning: Sweat is nearly inevitable when you practice yoga — even during a particularly mellow session. It's recommended that you clean your yoga mat after every use (especially for anyone who sweats heavily). So a mat that's easy to clean is a necessity. Closed-cell designs are easier to clean, while open-cell designs requires more meticulous disinfection to remove dirt and sweat buildup.
Value: Value is the combination of every category we judged the yoga mats on, plus its actual price point. We like to think that it's better to invest more in a quality mat that lasts than to spend the money on several cheap mats in the same amount of time. So when choosing our budget pick, we also wanted to make sure it wasn't some shoddy mat but something that delivers premium quality at a more wallet-friendly price.

What to look for when buying yoga mats

Finding the perfect yoga mat can be a frustrating experience for many. Not only does it take time, practice, and patience to break it in, but trying out different mats can end up being a significant investment. As a decades-long yoga practitioner and 200 RYT Hatha yoga teacher since 2017, I have personally tested, researched dozens of mats and brands, and spoken to trusted experts to find the best yoga mats for a variety of practices and lifestyles.

Quality, of course, comes with a higher price tag, Laroia explained. "But the quality of the mat is the foundation of your whole yoga experience. If you love your mat — the way it feels, the way your hands stay in place, the way it smells good, the way it stays clean, the way you unroll with a little snap — you will come to your practice with enthusiasm."

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a yoga mat that best serves your needs. Size and portability are essential to many yogis because you'll often tote your mat along to the studio — unless you do your practice in the comfort of your own home. Some mats are longer than others, so keep that in mind, especially if you're taller.

While certain people like sticky mats that help their feet from sliding around, others find them annoying, providing too much hold when they want the freedom of movement. The same goes for a mat's relative thickness or thinness. Most yoga mats are 3mm thick, which will suffice for the less injured of yogi. But considering every person has different abilities and a lot of people turn to yogi to mend an ailing body, mats with a thickness at 4mm and above will relish the extra protection and cushion for their joints.

Gondek explains that for beginner yogis, mats serve as important tools to help "improve your balance and joint position sense by gently challenging the vestibular system." The right yoga mat can also teach you how to focus your attention through mindful connection between body and mind. "Practicing on a firm surface allows us to connect directly with our base of support, which is beneficial for people with poor balance, and allows us to maintain presence and focus during our practice, " she says.

Consider the durability and the types of materials used, too. You want a mat that's going to last, isn't made with harsh or harmful chemicals, and is easy to wipe clean after a sweaty session of hot yoga. See "how we tested" for more details.

What else we considered

What else we recommend

YoGo Travel Yoga Mat ($68): This mat is lightweight and rolls up really small, making it ideal for packing in a suitcase. It uniquely comes with durable buckles and handles, which makes for easy carrying. However, it got beat out by the Manduka Eko SuperLite for Best Travel Mat since they are both the same thickness and made from sustainable rubber, but the Manduka is $20 cheaper.
Liforme Travel Mat ($115): Available in various colors, Liforme's travel mats also come with their own canvas yoga mat bag. Offering the brand's signature printed alignment guide— no matter what kind of yoga you practice, proper alignment is an important part of learning the poses and transitions — and incredibly grippy surface, these PVC-free mats weigh 2 pounds less than the original cult favorite. However, if you don't care about having a visual alignment aid, I find the Manduka Eko Superlite Travel Yoga Mat and YoGo Travel Yoga Mat more suitable for travel. And, they're both significantly cheaper, too.
PrAna E.C.O. Yoga Mat ($55): Made from 100% thermoplastic elastomer, PrAna's E.C.O. yoga mat is non-toxic and, when the time comes, completely recyclable. The mat is known to be super sticky, so your hands and feet won't slide, but the TPE material may not be the most cushioning option for those looking to protect their knees and backs from the hard pressure of the floor. If you're on a budget, this is an excellent option as it's $39 cheaper than the Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat.
Jade Level 1 Yoga Mat ($50): Touted as a beginner-friendly mat, JadeYoga's Level One Mat is so much more. A grippy bottom surface means your mat will stay put whether it is on tile or grass, and an all-natural rubber construction makes it a choice pick for eco-conscious yogis — JadeYoga also plants a tree for every mat purchased. Its 4mm thickness and under $50 price tag have made this my go-to mat for cross-country road trips and short-haul travels.

What we don't recommend

Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mat ($30): A trusted yoga brand, Gaiam's Print Premium Yoga Mat has a lot going for it: It's highly affordable, comes in a slew of colorways and fun designs, and has a decent non-slip grip for casual and beginner yogis. However, since it's not as durable as other options on our list, you may end up spending more money down the line replacing it.
Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat ($92): Its no-slip grip surface and lighter weight make this Manduka mat an appealing choice for yogis of all levels. However, it got replaced by Rumi Earth's Sun Yoga Mat in the "Best Overall Yoga Mat" category due to materials (Manduka's a PVC-based mat), and its closed-cell design means you're more likely to need a yoga mat towel to prevent you from sliding in sweatier sessions, which will run you an additional $20-30 on top of this already-high price tag.

What we're looking forward to trying

Gurus Roots Cork Yoga Mat ($99): With an antimicrobial top — thanks to cork's natural therapeutic properties — and all-natural rubber bottom (harvested from the owner's family rubber trees in southern India), Gurus's cork yoga mats are as sustainable as they come. Cork's naturally non-slip surface means no yoga towels during your next hot yoga session.
Suga Yoga Mat ($79): This innovative Southern California-based brand collects your old neoprene wetsuits and converts them into yoga mats. Suga's (rhymes with beluga) 5mm-thick recycled mats come in two sizes, regular and extra large. It also have a 3mm travel mat for yogis on the go.

Expert sources

As a decades-long yoga practitioner and 200 RYT Hatha yoga teacher since 2017, I have personally tested, researched dozens of mats and brands and spoken to others in the community about their experiences. For this article, I not only leaned on that expertise, but I also spoke with trusted experts to find the best yoga mats for a variety of practices and lifestyles, including:

Dr. Kasia Gondek, DPT, CSCS, a licensed pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist at Fusion Wellness and Physical Therapy in Southern California and instructor of a biweekly "Yoga for Pelvic Pain" donation-based Zoom class that teaches those with pelvic, low back, and hip pain to be present in the moment and find pain-free movement based in Hatha and yin yoga styles.
Vinita Laroia, a first-generation Indian-American 300 RYT yoga and meditation teacher based in California's Sonoma County.