How to find the best yoga mat

Best yoga mats. This video is a yoga mat review of the top yoga mats on the market: Manduka Pro, Liforme, Lululemon Reversible, Jade Harmony, BMat, Sugarmat, and Manduka Travel.
And so if you are looking for the mat for you, then this yoga mat review should answer all your questions as I explain the details of each yoga mat.
More specifically, I explain the yoga mat grip and even do an experiment to find out which yoga mat has the best grip (both with dry and with wet sweaty hands!)
For more information check out my article: yogamyoldfriend.com/yoga-mat-...
I then discuss yoga mat thickness and weight and even do a water-absorbing test.
If you are considering buying one of the best yoga mats 2021, then check out the links below!
YOGA MATS
Manduka Pro - fave.co/3f2VT6p
Liforme - fave.co/3S4r6oB
Jade Harmony - fave.co/3qXzPwT
BMat: amzn.to/3CEDbc8
Sugarmat: amzn.to/3pOST0N
Manduka Travel: fave.co/3BWyPPU
Some yoga mats have great cushioning, while others may be a little thin. Similarly, some yoga mats are rather heavy and so are not suitable for traveling on yoga retreats, while others are great to practice on at home or at your yoga studio. Some are expensive and other yoga mats are more affordable. You will find a good selection in this video to meet all your needs.
*This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links meaning that if you choose to use them I may earn a small commission from your purchase at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much if you choose to support my channel in this way.
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➡️ Website: www.yogamyoldfriend.com
➡️ Instagram: @alexiakyoga
Timecodes
0:00 - Best yoga mat
0:19 - Yoga mat grip
1:16 - Yoga mat grip test
3:29 - Yoga mat thickness
4:26 - Yoga mat weight
5:21 - The yoga mats I use
6:19 - Water absorbing experiment
8:08 - Bonus tip
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👍 Make sure to hit the LIKE button above if you enjoy this video (it really helps!!!)
Alexia xx
#yogamatreview #bestyogamt #bestyogamats

[@AlexiaKYoga]

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[@jax_08]

This was so awesome! I discovered that with the Lululemon Reversible, each side is intended for different types of practices. The smooth, designed side is for a heated/sweaty practice. And the latex side is for a "normal" practice.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Oh that's really interesting! I have never actually used the other side!

[@NaturallyKarli]

Great insight, as usual! I always place functionality above all other features with my yoga gear: ) Lifeform is still my fave!

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Grippy and pretty, what’s not to love?!

[@tracyliu9100]

Thank you for your detailed reviews!! Very helpful!!

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Glad it was helpful!

[@margaretk5883]

You have an amazing way of analyzing everything - your scientific background is obvious. Keep up the great work.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Thanks mum

[@DomoflixzCo]

I wish this was the first video I watched ❤

[@beoca2424]

Thank you so much for your video. Love the way you test each mat, very helpful for me 🥰

[@AlexiaKYoga]

You are so welcome! I tried to make it as helpful as possible :-)

[@suchetanaik1519]

Thank you for creating this video. It helped me make my decision. All the best to you and God Bless You

[@rockstar4evah]

I'm pretty much a beginner, and have made the mistake of buying cheap yoga mats. Without your excellent videos I would not have known that there was a better option out there and that it is possible to have a mat with good grip (obviously I'm sliding all over the place with my cheap mats!) With your reviews, and a bit of research of my own, I finally decided on a Manduka Prolite, and I can't wait to get it! Thanks for making such useful content for us newbies!

[@AlexiaKYoga]

(sorry for late reply) Thats wonderful to hear! I went though that too as a beginner with my super cheap mat that had me sliding all over the place! I hope you've been enjoying your Manduka Prolite mat :-)

[@azinz6207]

Amazing video Alexis! Well-explained, fun to watch and super helpful ~ keep it up 👍

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback :-)

[@magdrama]

Great review - thank you so much, Alexia.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

You are very welcome :-)

[@applegal3058]

I absolutely love my B Mat, but that Lifform one looks so nice! Thanks fir this informative video 😊

[@AlexiaKYoga]

You are so welcome!

[@othilie5653]

C’est la vidéo la plus utile que j’ai regardé pour choisir mon tapis de yoga, merci beaucoup 🙂

[@AlexiaKYoga]

De rien! Thank you for watching :-)

[@vinayakchaturvedi8006]

This needs more views!

[@yogisen_se]

Love this, please more of testing mats! 😀🙏

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Oh I'm happy you liked it! I had a lot of fun making it :-)

[@geovanascalia8187]

Thank you for this! I am definitely looking to take care of my joints 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼♥️

[@AlexiaKYoga]

You're so welcome! I hope you found it helpful :-)

[@user-wc4ko3mz4b]

Amazing video!!

[@jamesleilian]

Thanks this is very informative to me. I think I’ve got an idea of what to get for my practice 🧘‍♂️

[@AlexiaKYoga]

James I'm happy to hear you found this video helpful!

[@darlenemarshall7475]

During covid, a lot of my yoga practice was in an outdoor class. I bought the Lululemon Reversible Mat 5mm - it is a heavy rubber mat, with a smooth side and a textured side. I found the I was slipping in downward facing dog on the smooth side of the mat. I have since added a pretty ordinary, no special brand name mat to use on the top which feels very sticky. Perfect for being on the ground. I would ride to yoga on my bike with these two mats in my bag - was it heavy - yes - but with my bag crisscrossing over my back, it was okay. At home, an older Lululemon Align mat stays in my yoga spot. This mat almost has holes where my feet would be in downward facing dog but I just love this mat, I used it for a very long time. I don't see it available anymore (or I would have bought it again).That mat was so good - it had grip, nice texture, I loved the light green, I liked the 'align' lines. I keep it as a base, and have put a thicker exercise mat (brand is PurAthletics) on top of it to protect my joints and it makes going into boat pose easier on the base of my spine. I have a longer coccyx so tipping in boat pose is an issue for me on a hard floor (not so much outdoors in a park because we usually practice on a grassy spot). That's my two cents! Thank you very much for your very thorough reviews. I love your channel.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Darlene I love hearing stories of much loved yoga mats! That must have been quite the experience riding on your bike with two mats on your back, very ninja! And thank you for the lovely feedback :-)

[@MsLetmewatchvideos]

Thank you for this so useful test! I went for the B Mat! I had already a Manduka Eko Superlite and it is exactly as you ve shown on this video! Thank you so much!

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Great to hear! I hope you're enjoying your B Mat :-)

[@MsLetmewatchvideos]

@@AlexiaKYoga oh yes! By now it' s my favourite one! Can't go back to other mats. 🤩🤩

[@AlexiaKYoga]

@@MsLetmewatchvideos good to hear!

[@nhauyen1512]

Super useful video. Thank you ❤

[@AlexiaKYoga]

You are very welcome :-)

[@haurisarasanjani8209]

Hello Alexia, your video is amazing! and would you like to make some reviews about Manduka X-Mat and Manduka GRP Lite? it's rare to find about those manduka in youtube. Thank You!

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Thank you for the lovely feedback! Yes ok I'll add both mats to my to-review list :-)

[@sophiamoskalo7774]

Thank you for all of your mat reviews and comparisons. They're very helpful. I was wondering if you have access to the Yogi Bare mats. I've heard them compared to Lifeform yoga mats and was wondering what you would think of them.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Sophia I haven’t tried the Yogi Bare mat, but if I do manage to get one, I’ll do that review :-)

[@nickevans3190]

I really love your your mat reviews and have gone for the manuka pro version but I don't really sweat too much so I'm curious why is the manuka pro an Ashtanga yogi favourite it it's slippy when you're sweating alot?

[@Andy-cr3ew]

Hello Alexia, thank you for your very nice tests! You mention cotton towel to complete the using of Manduka mat, especially when it come to sweating or wet environment. Can you tell more about which one using , quality, size , material,…?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Hi Andy! Good question! Ok I’ve got an article on yoga mats and rugs, so scroll down to where it mentions Cotton rugs: yogamyoldfriend.com/the-best-yoga-mats-for-ashtanga-yoga-ashtanga-teacher-review/ Hope that helps!!

[@zamisingh2594]

I have a Lole yoga mat that I simply love. The underside is bright yellow, and the top side is blue and what I love about it is that there is a centre circle with lines running from one end to the other. Towards each end there are two = = markings that I find very useful when I’m doing standing posture. The markings give me a guide to make sure that position that I’m standing in is centre, because the middle of my body is towards the circle and my feet can be placed with position either in the or close tothe == markings. That way I know that my position is really equidistant. That is foot each foot position is equidistant from the center. There are lots of other stuff that I do with those markings in positioning my body from the centre to the end of the mat I’m looking looking for that specific Yoga mat to give as gifts to my friends and especially for my daughter-in-law, and I can’t find it.😔 I went to all of the sites that offer the lole yoga mats, and looking at the designs and, I simply cannot find what I’m looking for so I need your help/advice. Thank you very much.

[@MITS621]

Thank you for the great video! I can't decide which one to get among Manduka Pro 6mm, B Mat 6mm and Liforme 4.5mm, and found that yours was one of the rare ones that are comparing all of them! Thank you so much!! Which one do you recommend the most to the person who has weak bony joints? I'm interested in alignment print of Liforme but am worried about the thinner thickness.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

I’m happy you found my video helpful! For more sensitive joints I would go for a mat with good cushioning. Out of them all I would say that B Mat has the best cushioning. I hope that helps :-)

[@MITS621]

@@AlexiaKYoga Thank you so much! I got one and love it!!!!!

[@Chrisfeb68]

I like Manduka.

[@giantcatrobot1776]

Thank you for the helpful video! I have the problem of my feet sticking to the yoga mat where it becomes hard transitioning into various standing poses because my foot becomes stuck to the mat! Has anyone else had this issue and is there a mat in which this doesn’t happen?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Good question! I’ve heard of that happening with rubber mats, e.g. Jade Harmony and BMat. Perhaps a mat with a smooth top surface would be better for you? Such as Liforme or Lululemon?

[@quynhpham8923]

Thanks for your informative video. Now I really torn between the alignment system of Liforme, Alo Chakra Warrior Mat and the gorgeous design of Sugarmat (but there are warnings of their printing quality and horrible customer service). So between the 3, which one do you think has the best grip, durability, and worth their prices?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

(sorry for late reply) I can tell you from experience that the Liforme and Sugarmat are have a very similar feeling. In fact, they are all the same with a rubber base and polyurethane top layer. I've never practices on an Alo mat but have heard good things about it. And so if you haven't already bought a mat, I would go for either Liforme or Alo Warrior. Hope that helps!

[@alcurtis93]

Would like to see yogi bare. Seems to be mentioned a lot in top reviews on Google but don't see it on KZbin

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Hi Alex! Ok I'll admit that I'd never heard of Yogi Bare so I did a google search and yes they do look like really good mats, I'll add them to my to-review list. Plus, I just checked your channel and love all your succulents :-)

[@alcurtis93]

@@AlexiaKYoga Thank you Alexia. I don't do much in the way of succulents anymore but they'll always hold a special place for me

[@seechangenyc280]

@@AlexiaKYoga I second Yogi Bare review, please!

[@seechangenyc280]

Love this! I use the Jade Harmony because it's super sticky and I never slip, however that means sliding into poses like, upward dog, are a little hard. Any happy medium? And is the B Mat even more sticky? Always wanted to try it. The Manduka, all I hear from friends is slipping and sliding. Another one I always wanted...

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Yes the Jade Harmony is lovely to practice on! And yet, if sliding into poses is an issue, then you won’t like the BMat where sliding into poses is even more challenging! With the Manduka, as long as you break it in you’ll like the grip. If you want a mat with good grip, where sliding is easy and it’s ready straight out of the box, then go for Liforme or the less expensive Lululemon Reversible. Hope that helps!

[@seechangenyc280]

@@AlexiaKYoga Yes, it helps! Thanks so much for writing back.

[@samanthanogrado6798]

Hi Alexia! Would you recommend any of these for hot classes?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Hi Samantha! As hot yoga involves sweaty hands (I'm guessing!) you want a mat with the best grip with wet hands. Of these, the best (in my opinion) are BMat, Liforme and the Lululemon. I wrote an article that you may find helpful: yogamyoldfriend.com/yoga-mat-grip-i-tested-7-of-the-most-popular-mats/

[@ekjellgren]

You gave the BMat a C for durability, would you say the top mats for wet grip and durability is Sugarmat or Liforme then?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

I gave the Bmat a C for durability because it’s a rubber mat (just like Jade) and even though the grip is fantastic, I’ve had mine for a few months and already I’m seeing bits coming off. Liforme and Sugarmat have great wet grip and should last up to 5 years (that’s what I’m told by people who have had them that long). Though I will admit that my go to mat is my Manduka pro which is 11 years old and I use a cotton rug when I get sweaty.

[@ekjellgren]

So is the grip test done on a broken in Manduka Pro?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Hi Evert, yes this Manduka Pro was broken in several years ago and is my main practice mat.

[@shrutisharma3005]

Which material is best in yoga mats EVA or TPE or NBR and does 6mm thickness will not cause me pain while doing my yoga ? Please reply mam

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Good question! I prefer PVC (Manduka Pro), rubber (Jade Harmony) and polyurethane (Liforme). For me 6mm is perfect as it provides really good cushioning for joints. I wouldn’t go less than 4mm.

[@tanss4003]

Good morning I am looking at reviews about your yoga mat from sugarmat it says it is 5mm I have osteoarthritis is that thick enough, I also read the reviews say the mats smell, just wondering about yours thanks

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Good question! Ok so Sugarmat is 5mm, as is Lululemon and the Alo Warrior mat. All 3 mats have a rubber base meaning they offer great cushioning. And so when it comes to premium yoga mats, you can’t go wrong with either of these. However, if due to your osteoarthritis you need an extra thick mat (eg 10mm) then the 10mm Gaiam could be a good option. Keep in mind however that such a thick mat is better for Pilates or yin yoga/restorative practices.

[@AlexiaKYoga]

And regarding the smell, that’s due to the rubber. If you let it air dry for a couple of days the smell with quickly fade. Hope that helps!

[@tanss4003]

@@AlexiaKYoga thank you

[@mohaklondhe5516]

is oak and reed yoga mat any good?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

(sorry for late reply) interesting question! I have never tried either so I have no idea!

[@mohaklondhe5516]

@@AlexiaKYoga That was helpful!

[@karenguu]

between alo and lululemon, which one is grippier and more durable?

[@karenguu]

grippier with wet hands*

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Good question! I did an Alo mat review also (kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYPPfml7nJdngJIsi=-o45QFH9H-YEjHi5) and Alo seems to have better grip with wet hands. Regarding durability I think they’re the same.

[@TheOgi22]

Material? PVC, NBR, TPE, EVA, Rubber, Rubber+Microfiber, Rubber+PU, Rubber+Jute, Rubber+Cork, Cotton?

[@AlexiaKYoga]

Hi Peter, ok let me see if I can answer your question: Manduka Pro (PVC), Jade Harmony and BYoga mat (natural rubber), Lululemon, Sugarmat, Liforme (rubber and polyurethane top surface), and Yoga Design Lab which isn't in this video but that I did a review of recently (rubber and micorfiber top surface). For more information on yoga mat materials check out my article: yogamyoldfriend.com/yoga-mat-material-of-all-popular-yoga-mats/

[@Ilovekudaliniyoga]

Lifeform is great when new but very quickly loses its grip and gets very slippy. Not worth the £

[@user-dk1bv9ck1p]

beware from a farting mat