What Thickness Yoga Mat is Best?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST YOGA MAT

The search for the best yoga mat thickness can take you from the extra thick yoga mats to provide better protection for your joints, and ranges to the ultra thin travel mats that are foldable and made for on the go. With so many options, it can be confusing to know which yoga mat is right for you.

The ideal mat should match your needs so committing to choose the right one now will help improve your practice in the long term. Pick a mat that's too thin and you may experience a lot of discomfort in your knees, wrists and ankles when you hold poses for a long time.

At the other end of the spectrum, one that is just too thick might be too heavy if you’re always travelling to studios.

EXTRA THICK: BIG BEAR YOGA MATS

If you are looking for an extra thick yoga mat, these range from 6mm to as thick as 12 cm. Zen Bear Big Bear mats are 6mm thick, and weigh 4kg. They’re ideal for those who place support and comfort at the top of the list of requirements.

They’re also machine washable and made from sustainable materials, including vegan suede.

Avoid mats made from TPE, latex, PVC or any synthetic materials. Natural rubber mats are the way to go, as they don’t cost the Earth.

STUDIO MATS: 3.5MM YOGA MATS

Zen Bear Studio Mats are made from natural rubber, so easy-to-clean, leaves no nasty smells or chemicals on your skin, and is kind to the Earth. Studio mats allow you to keep better control of balance as well as the right grip for not slipping.

Natural rubber makes the absolute best material for grip and only weights 2.2kg.

Natural rubber provides enough cushioning at 3.5 and has more density than more common mats. If travelling with your mat to or from the studio or taking it with you on holiday is important to you, make sure you find a mat that is not too heavy and also comes with a carrying strap to help you take it anywhere.

EXPLORER MATS: FOR YOGIS ON THE MOVE

Travel yoga mats tend to be paper thin and you can tell a travel mat apart from all others by the fact that you can fold it up easily instead of rolling, so you can literally take it anywhere with you. The downside? There’s only so much cushioning it can provide.

If you use this mat straight on the floor you are likely to feel it in your knees and wrists. If yoga studios provide yoga mats, these can be a great option to lay on top of the mat, so you’re practicing on your own clean Zen Bear mat, and you can easily pack it away. Explorer Mats’ purpose is to make it easy for you to travel with it.

Pack it in your handbag or suitcase if you want to practice yoga on holiday, at the office, gym, studio…the world is your oyster!