Top 5 Yoga Mats for Hot Yoga
By Hannah Moran
A great yoga mat can make a huge difference in all yoga settings, but this is especially true in a Hot Yoga setting. Ever taken that big step to the right for a straddle forward fold and your foot slips, causing your whole body to tense up and catch yourself from falling? Yeah, we’ve all been there…
Sometimes this just amounts to a funny moment of almost falling on your butt, but this can also result in a serious injury. When you’re as sweaty as we all get in those hot rooms, it’s super important to take precautions to avoid slipping and injuring yourself.
Enter: a great yoga mat :)
Below are my top 5 choices for the best Hot Yoga mats out there based on online reviews, personal experience, and testimonials from my fellow yogis. But remember - you might find that a particular mat works better for you than others! So please take this assessment with a grain of salt, and always follow your instincts if you find a mat that works great for you.
Be sure to check out the yoga mat inventory at our studios next time you come in for class! It’s always a good idea to feel (and even smell) a yoga mat before you buy it to make sure you like the thickness, texture and weight of it.
BONUS: Tell us you read the “Top 5” blog for 10% off a yoga mat at our studios now through August 15!
#5: Jade Harmony
Length: 68” and 72”
Thickness: 3/16”
Weight: Light
Cost: $85-$74
Material: Natural Rubber
Durability: Low
PROS: Lightweight; good price; eco-conscious materials; flexible rubber
CONS: 68” is too short for many people; wears out faster than other mats; smells rubbery at first
Overall grade: B
The Jade Harmony mat is overall a nice, lightweight travel-sized mat. It holds up fairly well in a Hot Yoga class, but is not as sticky as some of our competitors. We recommend you use a Yogitoes towel or other sticky mat towel over this one to avoid slipping. It also wears out faster than some of its more durable competitors.
Stocked at IFY Studios: occasionally
#4: Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip
Length: 68”
Thickness: 5mm
Weight: Light
Cost: $70
Material: Rubber and Latex
Durability: Low
PROS: low cost; light-weight; sweat-activated grip
CONS: wears out quickly; slips around on the floor; smells rubbery; too short for some people; not for people with a latex allergy
Overall grade: B
I’ve never admittedly tried this particular mat, but it pops up everywhere if you search “hot yoga mat” because it’s a low-cost, super sticky option. Problem is, according to reviews it might move around on the floor beneath you due to its open-cell design. Plus, it has low durability, only comes in 68” which is 3” shorter than a standard mat size, and apparently smells awful for months after purchasing. So even though you may be able to save some cash and avoid using a yoga mat towel, beware of these other issues that have been reported in reviews. Definitely do not use this mat if you have a latex allergy.
Stocked at IFY Studios: no - purchase here
#3: Manduka eKO
Length: 71” and 79”
Thickness: 1.5mm to 5mm
Weight: Light to Heavy
Cost: $49-$99
Material: Natural Rubber
Durability: High
PROS: durable; eco-friendly materials; many thickness and color options; fairly sticky; durable
CONS: 5mm variety is quite heavy; not ideal for heavy sweaters
Overall grade: B+
This classic Manduka option is popular amongst hot yogis for its mid-level pricing, eco-friendly materials, moderate stickiness, great durability, and multiple thickness options. If you like the material and you enjoy practicing in style, this mat might be for you - it comes in many colors and prints so you can be in your happy place every time you step onto your mat :) Still, the grip-factor isn’t perfect for super sweaty folks. We still recommend using a yoga towel for this option, especially in a super hot class and if you’re a heavy sweater.
Stocked at IFY Studios: Yes!
#2: Manduka PRO
Length: 71” and 85”
Thickness: 2.5mm to 6mm
Weight: Light to Heavy
Cost: $75-$155
Material: Closed-cell PVC that has been certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®️ (Latex-free)
Durability: High
PROS: durable; sticky; stays in one spot on the floor; has a lifetime guarantee; comes in XL
CONS: non-travel size variations are heavy; expensive
Overall grade: A
This high-quality mat from Manduka is a great option for a serious hot yogi. The material is quite sticky, although if you’re a heavy sweater, we still recommend using a yoga mat towel to avoid accidents. Its closed-cell material doesn’t stretch and move around on the floor, so you won’t be slipping and sliding. It’s heavy and expensive, but it’s 100% the most durable mat out there. I’ve heard accounts from people about these mats being 10+ years old and still holding up well. It just might be the only yoga mat you ever have to buy :) And if it doesn’t last forever, Manduka offers a lifetime guarantee on this one.
Stocked at IFY Studios: Yes!
#1: Manduka GRP
Length: 71”
Thickness: 4mm and 6mm
Weight: Medium
Cost: $100-$130
Material: Charcoal-infused natural rubber
Durability: Medium
PROS: Highly grippy even when sweaty; best cost-to-value ratio; not too heavy; built-in smell deterrent
CONS: expensive; will wear with use
Overall grade: A+
The Manduka GRP mat is quickly becoming recognized as the superior Hot Yoga mat. It’s *highly* sticky, even for those who sweat profusely. The open-cell top layer allows moisture to filter through it for a slip-free experience. The middle layer is made of charcoal-infused natural rubber to deter that sweaty yogi smell, and the bottom layer is made from an eco-friendly natural rubber as well so it doesn’t slip around on the floor and doesn’t hurt the planet. Unlike the PRO series, this mat will wear with use and does not include a lifetime guarantee. But due to it’s superior anti-slip grip and eco-friendly materials, the Manduka GRP mat takes the cake for us.
Stocked at IFY Studios: Yes!
Bonus Tip: Yoga Mat Towels
Remember - even if you’re not sporting the grippiest mat out there, there are always Yogitoes and Nomadix towels available at our studios to lay over your mat and soak up your sweat. Always take precautions to avoid slipping and injuring yourself in the Hot Yoga rooms.
What do you think of this assessment? Do you have a great Hot Yoga mat that wasn’t mentioned here? Leave it in the comments below!
See you at the studios,
Hannah
