There was only one basic type of yoga mat at the beginning-made of PVC and known for its stickiness-your only choice is to buy purple or blue. Now, there is a yoga mat that can meet all your priorities and preferences.

In addition to colors and patterns that suit your style, yoga mats also need to maintain a stable posture. It must be storable and portable, but also comfortable and convenient. You may also want your mat to be environmentally friendly. These aspects of the mat’s personality are all affected by the way the mat is made: the thickness of the mat, the way it is made, and its surface texture.

Using this guide can help you find a yoga mat that can meet your needs, which fits your practice, work focus, lifestyle, values, and budget. No matter what the store tells you, that is the best yoga mat for you!

1. Thickness
Why it’s important: The thickness of a yoga mat has a lot to do with comfort-too thin, and the knee may be damaged during a crescent bow lunge. The trade-off is that thick yoga mats (some as thick as 1/4 inch) will make it harder for you to feel a firm connection to the floor.

Options: The standard yoga mat is about 1/8 inch thick, and the thickest is about 1/4 inch. There are also some thin yoga mats, usually called "travel yoga mats", which are only 1/16 inch thick. They are easy to fold and not heavy, so they can be placed in a suitcase.

Basic buying guide: Consider how much space the yoga mat needs to store, how important portability is, and the best location for comfort. If you don’t have enough storage space, you can choose a standard depth cushion in the range of 1/8 inch.

If you don't mind carrying and storing more things to reduce cushioning, consider using a high-quality yoga mat about 1/4 inch thick. And, if you absolutely must be able to pack the yoga mat in a suitcase or carry-on luggage, you can buy yourself a foldable travel yoga mat within 1/16 inch.

2. Material
The reason for the importance: the material of the yoga mat determines its texture, stickiness, environmental protection and sponge feel, and will wear out over time.

Option: Most standard yoga mats are made of PVC, also known as vinyl. Newer, more earth-friendly options include natural rubber and reclaimed rubber, jute, organic cotton or natural cotton (which means that the fabric is not treated with synthetic finishing agents during the manufacturing process).

Basic buying guide: If you are allergic to latex, please avoid using natural rubber yoga mats. If you want to stick to the tried-and-tested real sticky mat, please choose the PVC yoga mat, which can withstand more than ten years of use and abuse. The mixture of different materials, the softness of the sponge varies greatly, but in general, PVC is the most "useful" material among yoga mat materials. Jute and cotton are the least.

In addition to these basic principles, read on and let your other priorities-texture, stickiness, and eco-friendliness-be your guide.

3. Texture
The reason for the importance: the texture of the yoga mat determines the traction it provides. Like stickiness, texture affects how well you slide. It provides a physical barrier for sliding (and stickiness depends on suction). And because the texture affects the feel of the yoga mat, it is also an integral part of the overall comfort.

Option: There is a yoga mat texture that can be adapted to various ideas-from completely smooth to completely rough.

Basic buying guide: If you are looking for a yoga mat that prevents slippage and want to avoid using PVC mats (traditional viscous yoga mats), look for rubber, jute or cotton yoga mats with bumps and feel. pattern. The increased grip provided by the raised texture can help you maintain your posture no matter how much sweating or hard you practice.

If smoothness is most important to you, then a PVC yoga mat is your best choice. If you like stickiness but are curious about newer, more environmentally friendly options, please test drive before buying. Some eco-friendly yoga mats may provide you with how much traction even if they do not have the traditional "sticky" feeling, which will surprise you.

4. Stickiness
Why it matters: Sticky yoga mats prevent you from sliding throughout the position and help you stay aligned as you move from one pose to another and hold the pose for a few seconds.

Choice: PVC yoga mat has the highest adhesion coefficient.

Basic buying guide: If you need help maintaining your posture, but are uneasy about practicing on a yoga mat with raised texture, a PVC yoga mat may be your best choice. Remember, these yoga mats are sticky only when they are cleaned, so make sure you care for the yoga mat properly. If you have purchased a PVC yoga mat, please wash it before use, and use a convenient yoga cleaner when you find a downward dog sliding forward.

5. Eco-friendly
Why it matters: As yogis, we uphold the dear non-Islamic or non-violent principles. This makes practicing on yoga mats, which will eventually lead to decades of trouble in landfills.

Options: Earth-friendly yoga mats are usually made of natural or recycled rubber. These yoga mats can also include natural materials such as jute or organic cotton.

Basic buying guide: If environmental protection is important to you, please avoid using yoga mats made of PVC (traditional sticky mats), which will not decompose in landfills, are difficult to recycle, and are expensive . Although rubber, jute and cotton yoga mats come in various thicknesses, they are thicker and more slippery than PVC mats. You can get an environmentally friendly yoga mat with a thickness that meets your needs for comfort and portability, and a texture that prevents slippage (such as raised geometric patterns).

6. Price range
Normally, a basic 1/8-inch thick solid color PVC sticky ordinary yoga mat will be close to the low end of the price range. From there you can pay more for patterns, designs or logos; premium thickness; antibacterial treatment; and cool textures, especially raised tactile patterns. Eco-friendly yoga mats tend to be at the high end of the price range.

7. Style
Once the selection is narrowed down according to thickness, material, texture, viscosity, environmental protection and price, there is only one factor left: style! So go ahead and choose your favorite color, pattern or print.

Make full use of what you have learned, and then buy our yoga mats to find the best fitness mat for you!