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The Best Yoga Mat in Australia for 2024

The Best Yoga Mat in Australia for 2024

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A yoga mat is an important tool that offers you safety, stability and comfort during your yoga sessions.

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced yoga instructor, a good quality yoga mat is necessary to provide you with the support and confidence to progress in your practice.

There is a range of benefits to using a yoga mat and there are lots of different mats to choose from. If you are new to yoga you may be unsure which is the best yoga mat for you and that’s okay.

Use the reviews and buyer’s guide below to help you find the best mat for you.


Yoga Design Lab The Infinity Yoga Mat (Top Pick)




The Infinity Yoga Mat from Yoga Design Lab is a studio-quality mat that is anti-slip and offers high-performance comfort, perfect for yoga, pilates and fitness classes.

The mat offers 5mm of cushioning and provides wet and dry grip so can be used for all yoga sessions including hot yoga.

It is an eco-friendly option that is made from ethically sourced natural tree rubber. The design includes a textured mandala print that will help you to align your poses.

This beautifully designed yoga mat also comes with a carry strap and can simply be sprayed clean and air-dried when necessary.


What We Like:

  • Environmentally friendly
  • Anti-slip
  • Design helps with pose alignment

What We Don’t Like:

  • Some users may find the mat has a strong rubber smell at first

Liforme Original Yoga Mat

Liforme Yoga Mat Original - The World's Best Eco-Friendly, Non Slip Yoga Mat with The Original Unique Alignment Marker System - Biodegradable Mat Made with Natural Rubber & A Warrior-Like Grip - Blue

A favourite amongst yoga teachers, the Liforme Original Yoga Mat is a premium quality mat suitable for beginners and advanced yogis alike.

This mat uses the Liforme “gripforme” material that ensures you always have a strong, steady grip even when you are sweating.

To assist your yoga practice the mat has alignment markings that can guide you and help you align your poses such as warrior and downward dog.

This “align for me” feature is fantastic for improving your technique during practices.

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly option, this Liforme yoga mat is biodegradable, PVC free and non-toxic.


What We Like:

  • Premium quality
  • Excellent grip
  • Includes alignment markings

What We Don’t Like:

  • Expensive

Lululemon The Reversible Mat



This reversible mat from Lululemon has a natural rubber base and an absorbent polyurethane top layer to ensure you have grip even when you are sweating. With this yoga mat, you can hold your poses with strength and confidence.

These yoga mats have an antimicrobial additive that helps prevent mould from forming. This helps to keep the mat in great condition and ensures it lasts for a long time.

These mats are 5mm thick and designed to provide extra cushioning for your hips and knees and make floor poses more comfortable.


What We Like:

  • Absorbent for grip during sweaty practices
  • Antimicrobial
  • Well-cushioned
  • Affordable

What We Don’t Like:

  • Spot clean only


5. Gaiam Classic Yoga Mat

Gaiam Yoga Mat Classic Print Non Slip Exercise & Fitness Mat for All Types of Yoga, Pilates & Floor Workouts, Aubergine Point, 4mm

If you’re looking for a durable, lightweight mat that can handle home and studio practices the Gaiam Classic is worth a closer look.

This yoga mat has a sticky non-slip texture that gives traction and helps you have a good grip at all times. The 4mm mat thickness also helps provide the necessary cushioning for your joints.

This is a PVC mat and has been manufactured to be free of the 6 most harmful phthalates (meaning its healthier for you and the planet).

There are 4 beautiful print designs to choose from so you can pick the one that best suits your mood and style. As a bonus, you receive a downloadable yoga class to help get you started.


What We Like:

  • Well-cushioned
  • Great grip
  • Includes bonus yoga class

What We Don’t Like:

  • Needs to be aired for 2-3 days due to initial smell

Yoga Design Lab The Combo Yoga Mat



THE COMBO YOGA MAT by YOGA DESIGN LAB | Eco Luxury Mat/Towel that Grips the More You Sweat | Designed in Bali | Ideal for Hot Yoga, Bikram, Pilates, Barre, Sweaty Practice | Includes Carrying Strap! (Tribeca Sand)


This Combo Yoga Mat from Yoga Design Lab doubles as a yoga towel and mat. It’s an all-in-one that ensures you have everything you need for your yoga and exercise classes.

This 3.5mm thick yoga mat offers enough cushioning to provide stability and comfort together. The responsive grip soaks up moisture and helps reduce injuries.

Interestingly, this mat grips better when you are sweating so if you do not sweat much you may find you experience improved traction if you spray the mat with a small amount of water before beginning your practice.

This mat is made from natural rubber and can be machine washed for added convenience.


What We Like:

  • All-in-one mat and towel
  • Perfect for hot yoga
  • Machine washable
  • Comfortable cushioning

What We Don’t Like:

  • Not as non-slip when dry

Liforme Travel Yoga Mat

Liforme Travel Yoga Mat - The World's Best Eco-Friendly, Light And Portable Non Slip Yoga Mat With the Original Alignment Marker System - Biodegradable Mat Made With Natural Rubber & A Warrior-like Grip With Extra Support - Blue

The Liforme Travel Yoga Mat is a lightweight, portable mat perfect for yogis on the go.

Like the Liforme Original, this mat features the “align for me” alignment system so you can ensure you are always well set in your positions.

Although this mat is only 2mm thick it still provides stability and cushioning.

It also comes with a Liforme carry bag, allowing you to easily transport your mat to class or while travelling, or to protect it when not in use.


What We Like:

  • Lightweight
  • Excellent grip
  • Includes alignment markings

What We Don’t Like:

  • Only 2mm thick


Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat



Manduka Prolite Yoga and Pilates Mat, Thunder, 79"

The Manduka Prolite is a dense mat that offers stability and joint protection and can be used on all surfaces. This is a great option if you are looking for a mat that provides cushioning.

The Prolite has performance grips that will never wear out but will continue to improve the more you use it. It will never peel, flake or fade no matter how much you use it.

These mats are non-toxic, latex-free and have a closed-cell surface to prevent dirt, bacteria and sweat from absorbing into the mat.


What We Like:

  • High performance
  • Great cushioning
  • Closed-cell surface for hygiene and cleanliness

What We Don’t Like:

  • Can be slippery at first as it needs to be used a few times to break it in

Toplus Yoga Mat


TOPLUS Yoga Mat - Classic 1/4 inch Pro Yoga Mat Eco Friendly Non Slip Fitness Exercise Mat with Carrying Strap-Workout Mat for Yoga, Pilates and Floor Exercises, blue

The Toplus Yoga Mat is a professional, high-density mat made from environmentally friendly TPE material. These yoga mats have good elasticity and offer great rebound resilience.

The anti-slip lines on the front and the back mean this mat can be used on all floor types and will provide you with the traction you need. The material is waterproof and can be cleaned with soapy water when necessary.

These yoga mats are 6mm thick to offer the most comfortable experience no matter what your skill level is. This thick mat remains lightweight and comes with a carry strap for portability.

The material used is non-toxic, recyclable and photodegradable.


What We Like:

  • High-quality
  • Thick cushioning
  • Waterproof and non-slip
  • Lifetime guarantee

What We Don’t Like:

  • Direct sun exposure can cause decomposition of the mat to happen faster

Jade Harmony Yoga Mat


Jade Harmony yoga mats are made from natural rubber which is grippier and provides more cushion than synthetic rubbers do.

They provide great traction, comfort and are available in a range of colours.

These are environmentally friendly mats that contain no PVCs, heavy metals or substances that deplete the ozone layer. The mats are made sustainably using a renewable resource.

Jade yoga mats can be wiped clean with water but they do act like a sponge so deep cleaning is likely to be needed occasionally.

They can be cleaned with soap and water but they need to be thoroughly rinsed and dried afterwards.


What We Like:

  • Environmentally friendly
  • Sustainable
  • Great traction
  • A tree planted for every mat sold (a million trees so far)

What We Don’t Like:

  • The mat acts like a sponge soaking up water and sweat

Manduka Welcome Yoga Mat




These 5mm thick yoga mats are best for beginners as they provide a grippy texture and an alignment stripe to help with positioning.

They are also lightweight so are portable and easy to carry.

This mat can help beginners gain confidence and help guide poses thanks to the centred alignment stripe. The mats are reversible and both sides feature the stripe.

The closed-cell surface ensures no sweat or dirt can get into the mat. The Manduka mat requires a simple wipe down after practising to keep it in great condition.


What We Like:

  • Best for beginners
  • Alignment stripe to help with positioning
  • Does not soak up sweat or dirt
  • Good durability

What We Don’t Like:

  • Entry-level so may not be the best choice for professionals

Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat

Hugger Mugger para Rubber Yoga Mat (River), Unisex, MA-para_Rubber-River, River, One Size

This high-end mat is the flagship model from American brand Hugger Mugger and is popular with yogis around the globe.

With a thickness of 1/4 inch, or 6.35mm, this mat is on the thicker side and provides exceptional cushioning and shock absorption.

If you practice on concrete or hardwood floors, or are looking for extra knee and wrist protection, this could be a great option.

The rubber mat is reversible, with a different surface texture on each side, meaning you can customise your experience depending on your personal preferences.

The top of the mat is textured with small bumps that provide a great dry grip and assist with stability in poses.

The underside is a smoother, rubber surface that is supper grippy when wet, making it great for hot yoga.

The Para mat also ticks the eco-friendly box, being made from natural sustainable rubber, sourced from renewable, non-Amazon plantations.


What We Like:

  • Good for comfort and shock absorption
  • Eco-friendly
  • Reversibility means it remains grippy when both wet and dry

What We Don’t Like:

  • Expensive
  • Rubber smell when new

Yogangstar Premium Home & Studio Yoga Mat


Yogangstar is an Australian brand that produces beautifully designed eco-friendly yoga mats.

The construction consists of 100% organic natural tree rubber and the mats are biodegradable and recyclable.

With 4mm of thickness, these mats should provide you with all the support you need to progress in your practice.

They also feature a microfibre top layer that is great for hot yoga.

The Yogangstar Premium mats are machine washable and come with a free carry bag.


What We Like:

  • Australian owned
  • Eco-friendly
  • Affordable
  • Carry bag included

What We Don’t Like:

  • Heavier than some other options

Yoga Mat Buyer’s Guide


A good quality yoga mat provides cushioning and protection during yoga sessions.

They help you keep steady and are non-slip too so they won’t move around as you move in and out of your downward dog.

The best yoga mats are comfortable, consistent and provide just enough stickiness to help you hold positions.

Some mats have alignment lines or alignment cues such as Lifeorme’s Alignforme that help beginners get their poses right and can be a great way to boost confidence during sessions.

There are lots of yoga mats to choose from so this buyers guide will help you find the right yoga mat for your practice.

Thickness

Yoga mats range in thickness and the one you choose will impact how comfortable the mat is during your practice.

A yoga mat that is too thin won’t provide you enough cushioning which can be sore on your knees, hips and joints while one that is too thick can make it difficult to feel stable and connected to the ground.

The standard thickness is around 3mm, but if you need a mat for travelling and it needs to be small and lightweight there are mats as thin as 1.5mm.

There are also thicker yoga mats (and pilates mats) available that are around 6mm, which would suit those with sensitive joints or injuries and would benefit from extra padding and shock absorption.

The best thickness for you depends on your sweet spot between comfort and connection with the ground as well as how portable you need the mat to be.

Size

As a general guideline, aim for a mat that is around 6 inches (15cm) taller than you. This will provide you with enough space to complete poses comfortably. Make sure you check the mat size before purchasing and if you are tall, look for a longer mat.

Material

Common materials include:

  • PVC – this is a common material that is durable, sticky and lasts well.
  • Natural rubber – this is a more environmentally friendly option that offers excellent traction.
  • TPE – this high-performance material is manmade and is biodegradable. It is lightweight, sticky and soft. It does, however, tend to be more expensive and less durable than the common alternatives.
  • Cotton – this is another environmentally friendly option but cotton tends to be less spongy.

Stickiness

The stickiness of the mat is important as this is what will stop you from slipping and sliding during workouts.

The yoga mat needs to be non-slip even when you are sweaty.

Some people prefer using textured mats and feel the textures are grippier while others like smooth mats as they find them more comfortable.

Note that smooth mats often soak up sweat and remain sticky even when wet.

Whatever you choose, keeping your mat clean is important for the longevity of the surface.

Portability

The weight of the mat will be an important consideration if you need the mat to be easily carried. Heavier mats tend to be more durable but are less convenient to carry to and from classes.

Sustainability

There is now a wide range of environmentally friendly yoga mats available. The best yoga mats for the environment are made from natural or recycled rubber, are non-toxic and do not contribute to greenhouse emissions.

Choose a mat made locally for an even lower environmental impact.


Yoga Mat FAQs


What is the best thickness for a yoga mat?

A 3-4mm yoga mat tends to be a great option for all-round use. If you are spending more time sitting, doing ground poses, have injuries or are practicing on a hard floor, you may benefit from a slightly thicker mat.

How do I choose a yoga mat?

When choosing a yoga mat, think about the type of yoga you are practicing and where you intend to use the mat (do you need to carry it with you to class?). Consider the thickness, texture and material you prefer and whether you sweat a lot as this can impact the grip. Also, make sure you choose a mat that is long enough for you. It’s a personal choice so there is no right or wrong answer.




This article was written by Jennifer Blair

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