The Best Yoga Mats for Runners

If you’re a runner, yoga is a perfect supplement to your running routine. A yoga practice allows you to slow down, focus on tightness in the body, work on flexibility and stretching, and challenge a lot of different muscles you don’t regularly use when you’re logging miles (but also muscles that can help you become a faster runner).

One of the best things about yoga is you don’t need an arsenal of tools, but what you do need is a mat—and it's well worth the investment. This is the paramount product for yoga—and it can make or break the ease of your practice.

Best Yoga Mats

The Expert: I’ve had many yoga mats in my 20-plus years as a student, teacher, and studio owner. My first lightweight mat was purchased in a runner’s shop; the edges curled up from the floor and over time and it creased and smelled from hot yoga. Conversely, I can still remember the harsh loud whipping sound of my heavy Manduka mat being laid down as my first introduction to a mat that was both weighty and remained still during practice. That mat has been an integral component in some of the best yoga sessions I have ever had— mostly because I forgot that it was there while I was focused on my practice. Your mat should not take centerstage of your practice—you should.

What to Look for in a Yoga Mat

First, determine the type of yoga you plan to practice; then factor in your experience level. Keep in mind that no one mat is suitable for all types of yoga or levels of student. Hot yoga, vinyasa, yin, and restorative each require slightly different mat types and features. For instance, hot yoga, where the room temperature may reach 106 degrees and 40 percent humidity, will require a mat with more “stick” or traction to prevent slippage. Restorative and Yin practices, which are more meditational and less active in nature, may require more cushion depending on joint sensitivity and personal anatomy, in addition to offering more width for the shapes which tend to be primarily on the ground.

You might even decide that having more than one mat is a convenience especially if you vary the styles of yoga you practice. Specialty mats abound these days, whether a lighter weight for travel, fabric material for outdoors, or even disposable yoga mats designed for practicing at a special event like the one in New York City's Times Square held for International Yoga Day. Whatever type mat you ultimately choose, it should be easy to clean and quick to dry, but due to composition, some mats may require a bit more effort.

Thickness

Comfort is a top consideration with any mat. Thickness and type of materials will determine how comfortable your mat is. Mats are measured in millimeters and can range anywhere from 5mm to 6mm thick. Mats that are over 6.35mm thick are typically geared toward pilates.

Weight

While a hefty mat might feel solid and supportive beneath you, it still needs to be transported to a studio or carried to wherever you practice. A heavier mat may not be suitable if you’re on the move in a city (squeezing into a subway with a mat is no fun) or traveling by plane or train. Once class is over, it can sometimes be awkward or more time consuming to roll up a bulkier mat. It’s also not as easily stored in compact spaces. Contrary to that, if a mat is too light, it may move during your practice, and its edges could potentially curl over time so that it won’t lay flat to the ground. I have found that a middle weight—between five and six pounds—works best.

Stickiness

Historically, one of the largest complaints about mats was their slick surface. The lack of “tooth’ or texture made it hard for both experienced yogis and beginners alike to grip the mat with feet and hands while maintaining healthy alignment. Today, this is not the case, with the abundance of new material compositions. Manufacturers have identified not only tactile surfaces that resist sweat and wick away moisture, but are easier to clean and environmentally friendly.

Consider a mat that can withstand different terrain and environments specifically for where you will use it. You may ultimately have different mats for different events or practices. If you practice outside, in a park or at the beach, recognize that sunlight—and therefore moisture either by sweat or humidity—may be an issue. Heat and moisture can increase the level of slippage on your mat, and some mats—those not designed for the outside elements—may dry out in sunlight and deteriorate.

Size

Many American-made mats measure 24-inches wide by 68-inches to 72-inches in length, which is perfect if you are no taller than 5’10” and of moderate to slender build. Many students don't fit this mold, however, and mat manufacturers have recently acknowledged this with mats that are slightly wider (up to 26 inches wide) and a much as 81 inches in length.

Price

There is a wide range in pricing, and my recommendations below include budget choices to premium ones and everything in between. Lower-priced mats may be a good starter option. They may not meet all functionality you are looking for in terms of grip, comfort, cushion, or weight, but if you’re just test driving a practice they may suit your immediate needs. If you spend $150 to $200, your mat may last you several decades or even a lifetime with proper care. My Manduka mats have lasted more than 20 years with regular cleaning and attention.

How We Selected These Yoga Mats

As a yoga teacher for more than a decade, and with students ranging in varying abilities, skill level, injury, and ages, I am familiar with how choosing the right mat can improve or detract from a practice. Based on my experience with mats from major brands and additional research of current market offerings, these are the best yoga mats for a variety of styles of yoga and experience levels.