What We Looked For

Thickness:

A pancake-thin mat can allow for more ground contact, which is better for yogis who want a firmer foundation during standing poses. Thicker ones are best for people with joint and back sensitivities (though naturally they’re heavier, and therefore less convenient, to carry around).

Materials:

Mats are made from either rubber or polyvinyl chloride, a synthetic polymer. Rubber is grippy and more sustainable but can be too sticky, which means it might lift up when moving between poses. PVC is lighter and smoother but can be slippery (which some yogis prefer—it forces you to engage more).