Whether you’re buying your own yoga mat for the first time or looking to replace your over-worn mat, experts agree: when you’re looking to buy a new yoga mat, it’s mainly about stickiness, knee support, and portability. Eco-friendliness also comes into play and of course, color, design and budget.
When it comes to yoga mats, I personally don’t have a brand favorite, and will often be drawn to buy one yoga mat over another simply because of the color, design or price. But all yoga mats aren’t the same and as materials have improved, mats are now eco-friendly as well as stickier and thicker.
Over at reviews.com, they tested 16 yoga mats and spent one month talking to 30 experts, including over a dozen instructors about the best qualities in a mat. Support, grip and maintenance were evaluated as well as the overall popularity or hype of a particular brand.
They also ranked the best mats for
- Overall use
- Hot yoga
- Eco-friendliness
- Thickness
- Traveling
One aspect that affects price is the material the mat is made from. PVC is cheaper and more durable but less beneficial for the environment. Eco-friendly materials tend to be more expensive and degrade faster but are free of toxins and more sustainable.
Whatever mat you choose, make sure the texture, thickness and stickiness work for you. Studio 108 provides a variety of yoga mats to try before you make a buying decision online or at a store.
When you’re looking to buy a yoga mat either online or at a brick and mortar store, keep in mind that prices range from a low end of $10 to over $100. A quality mat should last you many years and if you can, feel the mat before you buy.
If you have any questions, you can ask me or any of our knowledgeable instructors after class. Or, email us at thestudio108llc@gmail.com.
The full class schedule can be seen here.