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The tiniest things can help to enhance your yoga practice. The melodic swell of singing bowls as you rise into warrior, rays of sunshine filtering across a studio floor, the quality of your breathwork. But something we often neglect to consider is the one tool we use every time we settle in to practise: the humble yoga mat.
Designed to cushion, stabilise and prevent slips, these durable mats are perfect for movement practices such as yoga and Pilates, as well as meditative rituals like sound healing. Should you wish to vary your exercise routine, some thicker models are also hardy enough to endure intense HIIT or weights sessions. But deciding on a mat to suit your practice, mood and routine can be tricky – which is why we've put together a guide to help you choose.
A luxury yoga mat is an investment, so it’s worth doing your research to ensure you choose one that will see you through from morning flow to night time meditation. Factors like grip, comfort and aesthetic all need to be taken into consideration.
How thick your yoga mat is largely down to personal preference. If you have poor balance you may want a thinner mat, but if you have achy joints or enjoy lingering in restorative stretches where you need more support, opt for a thicker mat (at least 3mm) to offer a reassuring cushion between your body and the floor.
It’s also worth considering texture, grip and sustainability. Many luxury yoga mats are eco-friendly, made with natural rubber, cork or recycled materials. Most quality mats also have surfaces that provide extra grip, some of which will increase the more you sweat – such as with suede or suede-like microfibre. Generally you want an open-cell yoga mat; these tend to be heavier with an almost sticky, grippy texture and are made with materials like rubber and polyurethane (PU). They absorb moisture, so do require cleaning – this Gaiam cleanser is up to the task.
There’s no reason at all that your yoga mat should be drab, particularly when we know the myriad ways colour and pattern can affect our psychology; fractals to soothe, blues to de-stress, greens to induce calm. First and foremost, opt for a colour (or colours) that you love and will be happy to see time and time again. Generally, bright, bold colours like red and orange can feel energising and empowering, while more natural greens and blues promote calm and tranquillity. Opt for purples for mystery and spirituality, pinks for creativity and yellows for joy.
Some luxury yoga mats include alignment marks on the mat, helping guide you through poses, improve posture and avoid injury. Most will include a central line, plus 45-degree markers for feet in standing postures. You may also find guides for hands and feet in postures like downward dog.
Your home studio may already be fully kitted out, or you might benefit from a few extras, such as yoga blocks, a yoga strap and bolsters. If you’re considering taking your practice outdoors or want to use your mat at your local studio, a carry strap or yoga mat bag is a must.
Whether you’re lying prostrate taking in the healing qualities of sound or getting a sweat on with your practice, make sure you’re doing it on a top-tier mat. As the nights draw in we can benefit from simple pleasures to boost our mood, and we certainly count beautiful yoga mats among those pleasures (they also make great gifts).
So, to prove that yoga mats can be beautiful and functional, here’s our edit of the very best fashion-forward mats we put to the test. Namaste.
Available in six deeply pigmented solid colours and three pretty tie-dye designs, this mat from luxe yoga brand Alo does it all. Our tester praised the no slip surface – incredibly useful mid-wheel pose – and the reassuring weight of the mat, which means it instantly lies out flat even when it’s been rolled up all day.
It’s squishy and surprisingly cushioned, making light work of headstands, plus it’s moisture-wicking and anti-odour. It's also available in black with asana guides. While you’re here, treat yourself to a pair of the brand’s coveted Airbrush leggings, too.
The undulating marbled pattern of this premium yoga mat from lululemon means we barely want to stow it away post-practice. It’s quite simply beautiful to look at, while also delivering on performance; it’s incredibly grippy (we’ve never had to readjust slipping hands), thick enough to take pressure off joints in poses like half plank or bow, and it’s not as heavy as some other premium mats, so not a pain to take to the studio.
Available in three soothing colourways and made with natural rubber, it’s the obvious choice for any discerning yogi.
A contemporary blend of LA cool and London chic, this mat serves as a fitting epitome of fitness and athleisure brand Varley. Snakeskin sits among a group of animal prints that tick both the classic and neutral boxes, while never going out of style.
But it's not just looks this luxe yoga mat delivers on; made from dense, premium 4mm rubber it offers unfaltering support, always rolls out flat and cushions even the most put upon joints. Choose from bronze viper or shadow viper.
Understated and sleek, this offering from Sweaty Betty provides unparalleled grip thanks to a rubber/polyurethane blend. Despite its minimalist appearance it comes etched with all the alignment guides you could ask for, including various hand and feet placements, as well as a central line to keep all poses in good form.
It's not as cushioned as some mats but when used on a hard floor we found pressure was eased off joints in poses such as pigeon and runner's lunge.
It doesn't get much more luxe than plush, padded cashmere. At 184cm this Italian-made meditation carpet is longer than most yoga mats, finished with lambskin leather edging and complete with contrasting strap and mini bolster. It's suitable for both exercise and meditation, but we're willing to bet you'll spend most of your time in shavasana.
If you come to yoga hoping to leave energised, this is the mat for you. The surface artwork is hand-painted by founder Kati in her Surrey studio before being printed onto the vegan suede top and the result is beautiful — a colour palette reminiscent of an Ibizan sunset sees juicy oranges shot through with pink and flecked with gold. It's as invigorating as it is bold, and also comes beautifully packaged, so would make a great gift.
Being a travel mat it rolls up nice and thin (carry with the included strap) or it can be folded and tucked into a tote. The rubber base clings to any floor surface superbly, while a quick spritz of water will activate the grip on the upper. Also available in six other striking colourways.
Bala is head and shoulders above other brands when it comes to making minimalist fitness gear that not only performs, but looks great too. This natural rubber and polyurethane 8mm mat is no exception. Grippy, supportive and extremely comfortable, it's perfect for challenging floor work, with incredible cushioning to take pressure off joints.
The top layer is antimicrobial, moisture-wicking and waterproof, while the unique shape and three muted colours tick the modern aesthetics box.
At 6mm this is one of the thickest mats on this list, and as such it truly feels luxurious. Joints feel almost padded in clouds and you can breeze through high-pressure poses such as the one-legged pigeon. You essentially get two mats in one as it’s reversible, plus it’s incredibly grippy and larger than most mats.
You might have to get used to the feeling of natural rubber – it can feel a little tacky to begin with but this only aids your practice, and we found it offered a unique way to feel more plugged in to nature. Pick up a cork yoga block by the brand, too.
Available in four calming colours, this 4mm mat from Californian brand Vuori is reassuringly weighty (definitely more a home gym addition than local studio companion) and durable, with a non-slip natural rubber and eco-polyurethane composition. It wicks away sweat and has clever anti-odour properties, leaving you free to focus on your practice.
Manduka is known for its sustainability credentials, and this marbled design offers great balance of support and cushioning – while the tactical raised tree bark-like pattern provides impressive grip, keeping hands and feet glued down.
It has a good weight to it, feeling substantial and like it will last a long time, while the biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested, natural tree rubber makeup scores big eco points, too.
If you prefer a distraction-free flow, opt for this minimalist design yoga mat from Prada. Crafted from close-weave rubber and a soft fabric upper, it comes with a matching monochrome adjustable carry strap, with a removable zipped pouch for your keys and phone. The epitome of sophistication.
This luxurious cushioned yoga mat was made for restorative or kundalini practices. Italian microfibre and sponge make up the pebbled surface while a clever grippy back stops it from slipping on hard floors.
It's embossed with the No Ka' Oi logo and a simple mantra we can all get behind: 'style, energy, power'. And no need to worry about a particularly sweaty session soaking into all that foam - it's machine washable. Also available in an indulgent purple and chic charcoal grey.
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