WIRED asked the popular YouTube yoga teacher Sara Beth for her top tips on buying the best yoga mat:
Thicker is not better. You still want to support your balance by having a firm connection to the ground beneath you, so aim for a 3 to 5 mm thickness. You can always add more cushion for your knees in the center, but too much cushion under the front and back, where your hands and feet go, can disrupt your balance.
Look for good grip. For hot yoga or sweaty people, make sure your mat gets grippier when wet. A washable design is more hygienic. A microfiber-finished mat can be put in the washing machine (manufacturers instruction advised) or you can opt for a “yoga towel” you cover the mat with before wiping down and washing after your session.
Take a travel mat. For holidays, a thin, lightweight, 0.059-inch (1.5-mm) mat can be folded or rolled in your suitcase. They work well on hotel room carpet, but if you need more cushion you can always layer a towel where your knees go. I’ve also practiced yoga in my hotel room with just the bath towel laid out like a mat.
Make it easy to workout. If you plan to use your mat like a gym floor for Pilates, weights, yoga, and HIIT, then consider investing in a jumbo 5- by 8-feet mat (like Gorilla mat), which shouldn’t move. These are typically a bit heavier and sturdier, which will help it stay in place while you move.