Go back a decade. There was only one type of yoga mat. It was PVC. It was sticky. It worked. It was perfect. Now, there’s so much more out there. Unfortunately, they aren’t all great options nor are they affordable.
What yoga mat you choose has to suit your priorities, whatever they may be. Some want style over substance. Some want an eco-friendly yoga mat. Others simply want one that’s comfy, cushy, and that works.
In this list of factors, we’ve assembled some key features and points to weigh in how to choose a yoga mat.
Material of A Yoga Mat
Yoga mats come in a variety of material though the most standard is TPE yoga mat and aka vinyl. There is also recycled rubber, jute, organic cotton, natural cotton, cork and other types. What you choose should come down to texture, stickiness under your feet, and how it yields to pressure. A low-quality material is only going to hurt you – literally. That’s why PVC is still the go-to yoga mat material and TPE yoga mat and cork yoga mat is the better choice
Thickness of A Yoga Mat
How thick your yoga mat is will be the top deciding factor on how comfortable it is. A thin mat won’t protect your knees. An extremely thick mat, however, can be difficult to stand on. A standard yoga mat is 1/8-inch thick. What’s considered a thick yoga mat is generally 1/4-inch thick. Ultimately, decide what you’re most comfortable carrying.
Texture of A Yoga Mat
You don’t want to be slipping and sliding across a yoga mat. You want to stand strong and securely in position. This is why texture matters. Your personal preference may mean a bumpy texture though others may not like it. There are rougher mats and then, smoother ones. All in all, whatever texture you feel best prevents slippage is the one to go with.
Stickiness of A Yoga Mat
You can’t have your yoga mat shifting underneath your feet. Just like texture on top matters, stickiness underneath is also key. TPE or vinyl yoga mats are the stickiest. TPE yoga mat has regular thickness of 6mm.Many will say that makes them the safest. You don’t want to be in a position and experience an injury because a lesser-quality mat gave way.
Eco-Friendliness of A Yoga Mat
Practicing on a yoga mat made of TPE or vinyl isn’t pleasing to some people. Fortunately, environmentally-friendly yoga mats do exist. They are made from natural fibers-Cork. Though eco-friendly, they vary in quality, stickiness, texture, and overall function as a yoga mat. If you do prioritize an environmentally-sustainable mat over a standard yoga mat, just make sure it still provides the performance you need from it.
Find a cork yoga mat or TPE yoga mat with alignment lines in Canada from Lierre.ca and continue on with your home yoga journey. Regardless of what style of yoga you practice or what your priorities are, there’s a yoga mat out there for everyone.