Whether you practice yoga in a structured class or at home, you’ll likely find a yoga mat helpful. In addition to the comfort aspect of having a cushion for your knees and feet, the mat also acts as a hygienic barrier if you are doing yoga in a public area.
“If you take yoga classes in a studio, you will typically be barefoot, which means you are doing yoga on the same floor that everyone else is walking on barefoot. It will be much cleaner and healthier to practice on your mat, the cleanliness of which you can control,” he said. bianca ashleypostnatal yoga specialist who has been practicing for 15 years.
But as with any item that is used regularly, the time will come to get a new one.
“If your rug smells and the smell doesn’t dissipate when you clean it, that’s a sign it’s time to replace it,” he said.
Although lingering, not-so-fresh odors will make you want to trade in a well-seasoned yoga mat for a new one, the texture from a frequently used mat can also affect your yoga experience and potentially cause injury.
“You’ll also want a new one if you start to see chips or holes in the mat, because sometimes they’ll wear down just like your favorite pair of sneakers or the tread on a tire,” Ashley said. “We have to replace our car tires because the tread wears out from normal use, and yoga mats work in exactly the same way.”
Long-term consistent yoga can also cause wear and tear on the top layer of the mat, making it slippery and dangerous to practice on.
Below, we’ve rounded up 8 yoga mats you can buy online if you think it’s time to replace them, including two of Ashley’s favorite mats.
HuffPost may receive a portion of purchases made through links on this page. Each item is independently selected by the HuffPost buying team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Lululemon’s carpet
This 3-millimeter natural rubber mat is nearly 6 feet long and comes in multiple colors, including pink, creamy mint, pastel blue, black, and teal. It’s also reversible, meaning you can switch between the soft, grippy side and the natural rubber cushioned side. You don’t even have to worry about your rug getting gross and gross as it has a built-in antimicrobial substance that prevents mold and mildew. The mat also comes in a 5 millimeter option.
Promising review: “Perfect for Ashtanga – Provides the perfect amount of ‘stick’ and support. I sweat (a lot) and this keeps me in place.” — Jim M.
Amazon
June and juniper travel mat
Style options include purple spaces, green forests, and blue flowers. Since this mat is made for travel, it’s ultra-thin (like a credit card!) and foldable so you can easily take it with you. It’s almost 6 feet long and made of microfiber and tree rubber. If multifunctionality is your workout style, you’ll love the reversible element as the black rubber side offers high-quality grip, while the microfiber side works best for hot yoga or humid environments.
Promising review: “I needed a mat that I could easily fly with and spent a lot of time finding the right one. I decided to be vain and pay a little more for this one because the design was so impressive. It was worth every penny. The color and design are even more beautiful in person…and it folds up easily in my backpack.As for the quality of the mat,excellent.Super grippy top,nice texture to practice on.Usually I also use a yoga towel for extra grip but not necessary for this mat as the texture is already very grippy.Of course it is very thin so can be a bit hard on the knees but the extra comfy pad that comes with it takes care of that. perfect!” — Amanda
Amazon
Jade yoga mat
Promising review: “This is the best yoga mat I have ever purchased! I have used many different mats and am so happy I tried this one in a yoga class. I highly recommend this mat over any other expensive mat. I practice flow and heat yoga and both worked great with no slipping. Downward facing dog was NOT a problem! I do yoga with weights sometimes, and I think this will be perfect for that too. I just aired mine out over the weekend when I got it in my step out the door and was ready to use. No scrubbing or wiping before use. Happy practicing!” — String
Hello
Alo Warrior Mat
Promising review: “I’ve been searching the market for a new yoga mat for a long time. I really needed something stickier and more slip-resistant in both wet and dry conditions. This one is perfect! It’s quite heavy, but I practice at home.” — amber g
Bullet
Bullet Play Mat
Promising review: “I love this mat!! It’s thick so you can get your knees on it without any pain and it lays FLAT without curling. It’s the best mat for working out! It’s worth it! I bought pink and love the color ! What fun! !” — jaime m
Gaiam Printed Yoga Mat
Promising review: “Excellent mat! I’ve been buying a good one to start doing yoga again. It’s reasonable and durable. I have hardwood floors and haven’t had any issues with slipping.” — tdburleson
Amazon
BalanceFrom Yoga Mat
Promising review: “I have VERY sensitive knees and sensitive bones due to osteoporosis. I find this mat very comfortable when doing my yoga routines, especially in any kneeling position. I don’t find it too thick to be unstable in upright poses. It is WONDERFUL soft. I will definitely buy again or even add another color before I need a new mat as I am so pleased with it. It is a great product for the price. I have been doing yoga for decades and I am thrilled with this find. .” — Luluru
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