Yoga is a unique way to treat both your mind and body. Combining static poses, flexibility, meditation, and relaxation techniques, it is a great practice that can be an incredible benefit to your life.
When you first show up at a yoga studio, you’ll no doubt be lent your first mat, but if you find yourself going more often then you might consider getting your very own.
But here’s the problem - how can you know what the best yoga mat is? Many of the mats out there are aimed toward women, both in size and style.
One look online and you’re given an overwhelming amount of options. How can you be sure you’re getting the right mat for yourself?
After all, it’s something you’ll want to keep for a long time and use as you progress through your yoga journey.
If you find yourself wondering this - don’t panic! You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we're going to take you through the 5 best yoga mats on the market for men.
We’ve also included an extensive buyer's guide as well as an FAQ to clear up any additional questions you may have left over.
Let’s get right into it!
OUR TOP PICK
One of the big problems that larger men face when trying to find yoga mats, is the average size of mats.
If this is a problem you’re running into, then this mat from Tatago is going to be a great choice for you. It’s made out of natural rubber with is nonslip, essential for long yoga sessions (especially in the summer!)
Its dimensions are 84x30, which means you’ll have a lot of room to stretch out, especially if your body type is larger.
The rubber here is a high-grade tree rubber, which means that you not only get all the support you’ll need but also a material that absorbs moisture.
One look at this mat gives you an understanding that it’s going to last for a long time, with sturdy materials that promise to be a lifetime yoga mat.
Depending on how much yoga you’re doing on a weekly basis - there’s a good chance you’ll keep this mat for over 10 years.
Pros:
- Material: Natural rubber which is both durable and fit for purpose
- Size: XL-sized mat for if you need some extra room.
- Durability: A lifetime Yoga Mat
Cons:
- Padding: it has quite a small layer of padding, in case you were looking for something with more impact control.
- Design: Very basic one-color design.
EDITORS CHOICE
If this simplistic design of the last product was off-putting, then we’ve got an incredible mat for you up next. This is a more versatile mat that is suitable for all kinds of fitness sessions including yoga.
One of the most impressive features is its thickness and reversible design. It’s a little smaller than our previous product, with a size of 68x24, but it's still very large and suitable for almost all body types.
One of the best things about this yoga mat is its awesome design. If you check out the options available, you’ll see a wide range of different designs from more simplistic patterns, all the way to colorful psychedelic pieces of art.
The designs are different depending on what side you have flipped also. We found this to be a very well-made yoga mat with a strong grip and a no-slip texture on its surface - making it suitable for types of hot yoga such as Bikram.
Pros:
- Design: Two different designs with a lot of options.
- Grip: One of the best grip surfaces that we found.
- Reversible: Meaning you can always flip it over if one side is slippery.
Cons:
- Odor: There have been many reports of a plastic odor that comes with the product.
- Design Durability: Design may wear out over time.
BEST VALUE
This one is a much longer but slightly narrower mat, which could be a good option depending on the specifications you’re looking for.
It’s by far the thickest mat that we found, and because of this, it has some of the best cushioning that you’re likely to find.
This is the perfect mat if you’re in need of some extra support during your yoga sessions. The thick material makes it perfect for more intense types of yoga.
It has a non-slip surface which makes it good no matter the temperature (or intensity of your workout) and it also comes with a simplistic strapping system.
This means you can easily roll it up and take it with you wherever you want, which is especially good considering its overall bulk and thickness.
We found the material particularly easy to clean, which makes maintaining this mat simplistic over time.
Pros:
- Thickness: Thick rubber material to give you extra padding.
- Strap: Easy to pack up and take with you anywhere.
- Length: One of the longest mats we found on the market.
Cons:
- Grip: whilst it does have a grip design, it is less impressive than some of the other products on this list.
RUNNER UP
This is a more lightweight yoga mat that is perfect if you’re looking for something smaller.
First up, we’d like to take the time to point out the impressive number of designs and color combinations that they have available.
No matter what color you want they’ll probably have the right one for you.
This mat comes with a lot of benefits that make it one of the easiest to carry around with you.
Its simplistic strap system allows you to quickly roll it up and carry it over your shoulder. It’s the smallest mat on our list which makes it great if you’re traveling or doing yoga outside in nature.
It has a very good grip system also, with a surface that makes it perfect for any kind of flooring - be it carpet, wood, cement or any other.
Pros:
- Weight/Thickness: A very lightweight mat, especially considering its length.
- Non-slip: It has a really good non-slip surface which makes it great for different floor types.
- Portability: Great strap system which makes it easy to roll up and store at the end of a session.
Cons:
- Support: Because of its thickness it’s not suitable for practitioners who need extra support with padding.
RUNNER UP
This is another great, versatile mat that comes with a few unique features. It’s large enough for all kinds of body types, and it has a lot of support because of its general thickness.
One of the best things about this mat is its two different kinds of surface depending on the side that it’s flipped to.
For example, the front side has perfect traction to interact with your hands and feet, and the floor side has a very firm grip that will interact with different floor types to stop any slipping.
The thickness of this mat makes it uniquely comfortable, with two options depending on how much support you feel you need.
You can opt for either the 6mm version or the 8mm version. Both are high density with multiple layers of material, which makes it well buffered and suitable for those who need extra support.
Pros:
- Thickness: One of the thickest mats we could find, with two different options depending on what you need.
- Non-slip: Different textures on the front and backside make it perfect if you’re worried about slipping.
- Size: A very large mat that is perfect for extended yoga sessions.
Cons:
- Durability: It’s not the most durable mat we’ve found and depending on how much you use it, you may notice some wear and tear.
Best Yoga Mat For Men Buying Guide
So that was our list of the 5 best yoga mats on the market, but it’s not the end of the story. When choosing a yoga mat you’re going to want to find something that will be the perfect fit for you.
There are a lot of different aspects to keep in mind, and so we’ve written this short buyer's guide to explain everything you’ll need to know.
Grip
If you’ve ever done a yoga session with a mat that has a bad grip before, you’ll know just how important this is.
A lot of the positions in yoga require a lot of physical strength, poise, and fortitude, so the last thing you want to do is have to worry about the mat you’re standing on.
Because of this, the grip is something that you’re going to have to pay attention to when looking in stores or online for the perfect yoga mat.
Take a look at the material first of all. The smoother the general surface of the mat, the more likely you are to slip around (especially if you get sweaty).
We would generally suggest finding a mat that has a rubber mesh or ribbed surface. This will ensure that you will still be able to grip your mat even when it’s wet.
Moisture Absorption
On the same line as what we just covered in grip, you’re also going to want to get a mat that has some form of moisture absorption technology baked into the design.
Certain materials are better at this than others.
Generally, natural rubber is going to be your best option for this. For the longest time, this has been the industry standard when it comes to yoga mats, as foam and PVC don’t have the same properties.
It also means that your mat will be biodegradable and therefore better for the planet.
Support
The thickness of your yoga mat is generally going to dictate how much support you’ll get. The thicker, the more support, but also the more difficult it can be to move around on top of.
So then, you’re going to want to target a mat that is the best for you depending on the type of yoga you’re doing, and how much support you need.
Support comes in two forms - thickness and softness. The softness of your mat is going to depend on the material used, but this comes as a benefit and a curse.
If your mat is too springy, it can be more difficult to perform certain yoga mats - that’s why foam is often considered to be the inferior material.
Yoga Styles
One thing you’ll need to make sure you pay attention to is the type of yoga you’re going to be doing.
Let’s say you’re only ever going to be going to Hatha Yoga classes - this is a kind of yoga that is more about static positions and meditation.
In this case, you probably won’t need so much support, and there’s also a lot less chance of your mat getting slipper with sweat, so it could be a better choice to opt for something thinner and closer to the ground.
However, if you’re doing any kind of vigorous, hot yoga class, then sweat becomes much more of an issue. Bikram yoga classes usually have intense humidity and a temperature of over 40 degrees celsius.
This means that by the time you get to the end of a 90-minute cycle, your mat is likely going to be drenched in sweat.
This is where mats with enhanced moisture technology are going to be important. Depending on how vigorous the yoga class is also, you may need additional support for your joints/limbs.
Design
Depending on your eye, this can be a dealbreaker for you. One look online or in stores will show you a huge variety of a lot of different designs and colors.
A lot of mats offer multiple combinations, and it can be a little overwhelming. Generally, if you don’t care too much we suggest you go for something simplistic like black, blue, or white.
However, if you’re buying a lifetime mat then you might want to think of whether or not the design is important for you.
Design can also matter a little if you consider the type of class you’re going for. It probably won’t matter, but if you’re attending a more spiritual session of yoga, you might want a mat that is more simplistic or imbued with spiritual patterns. This one is mostly down to you but something to keep in mind.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! That was a list of the 5 best yoga mats for men on the market, as well as a buyer's guide to explain our choices.
Picking the right yoga mat can be a difficult choice, but as long as you keep in mind your own needs then you’re likely to pick something that will be perfect for you.
We would generally suggest picking up a mat when you’re sure that yoga has become an important part of your life, and that you get something that will last you for years to come.
We hope that this article has given you some insight into the best yoga mats for you, but if you still have some questions make sure to keep reading for our short FAQ section.
We wish you the best of luck on your yoga journey and hope that it brings health, joy, and spiritual balance to your life!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Thick Should A Yoga Mat Be?
This is going to massively depend on what you’re looking to use your mat for. If you get a thick mat then you’re going to have more support for your body, but it can be difficult to use in more vigorous forms of yoga.
Generally, you want to pick something that supports your body as well as your goals within yoga.
What Is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha yoga is the most common style of yoga practiced worldwide. It is a simplistic form that focuses on some of the central, static poses as well as meditation techniques.
If you’re looking for a good balance between physical exercise and mindfulness then this is a great idea for you.
What is Vinyasa Yoga?
Vinyasa yoga is often called flow yoga, as it is all about transitioning through different poses with a key focus on breathing techniques.
It’s a more dynamic form of yoga that is all about the power of the mind and getting into a flow state. It’s another popular form that is perfect if you’re looking to take your experience to the next level.
What is Bikram Yoga?
This is the first and probably the most popular form of hot yoga. It involves a curriculum of certain poses that are performed over a 90-minute cycle.
Bikram yoga involves a room that is extremely hot and humid, which makes it a great option for those looking for a way to quickly lose weight.
You can think of Bikram Yoga as closer to something like an aerobics class, rather than a form of yoga that focuses primarily on meditation.
The positive effect yoga had on me was indescribable. Every aspect of my life improved, from social to mental, physical to emotional.
I want my website to help more people get into the world of yoga and teach them how to be present for themselves - even if that’s just for a few minutes a day.
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