10 Best Yoga Mats for Traction in Every Pose

Flexible, sturdy, sleek, and slip-free, this is the best yoga mat for practices of all kinds. The mat surface has a subtle texture that will hold you in place, whether you're cool and dry or dripping sweat in the middle of a hot yoga session. Plus, the easy-to-clean surface is treated with a compound to help keep things odor-free.

Users that love this reliable mat praise it for its nonslip feature. “The grip is amazing on this mat, and truly unlike any other I’ve tried — and I've tried a lot!” says one reviewer.

“I have four other mats at home, and this is the best one in terms of grip,” says another happy customer. “I do not slip whatsoever on this mat, and it feels so comfortable when I'm practicing that I can actually focus on the postures rather than worrying about not slipping through my sweat. 10000% recommend.”

More: 9 Best Yoga, Pilates, and Barre Socks That Have Serious Grip

Get a grip — a firm one — with this soft, moisture-wicking mat. Both the bottom and upper are made from nonslip latex, so both you and the mat stay where you want. The mat is also treated with an antimicrobial compound to keep it smelling fresh for years. Plus, it comes in a ton of reversible colors and patterns.

“My favorite thing about this yoga mat is the cushioning,” says Erica Murphy, our senior director for SEO and content. “I have some knee problems and can’t do many poses that put pressure on my knees, but this mat doesn’t give me any knee pain when doing poses with lunges and such. The only thing I don’t like about it is that one side of the mat shows sweat stains, and they don’t wipe off if you try and clean it.”

At a whopping 15 millimeters thick, this mat provides premium cushioning, making it especially gentle on joints. It has a soft, fluffy texture and a textured surface for added grip.

Our parenting editor, Cat Bowen, considers it a lifesaver. "It's like working out on a shock-absorbent cushion," she says, adding, "It's also PVC-, DEHP-, DBP-, BBP-, DINP-, DIDP-, and DNOP-free. Translation? It leaves all the questionable (and outright nasty) chemicals out of the mix. Instead, it's made of ‎nitrile butadiene rubber foam, a synthetic rubber made from petroleum."

Look and feel like a seasoned yogi with this super-thick and firm mat. At 6 millimeters thick, this is one of the most cushioned mats on our list. The top layer looks and feels like leather to offer maximum slip resistance, and the mat's inner core contains charcoal to absorb odors.

Our senior editor, Eunice Lucero-Lee, loves its mix of grip and cushion, not to mention its longevity. “This mat screams quality,” she says. “I've been practicing since 2008 and have had my Manduka mat since 2013 — it has sustained me in every single yoga and Pilates session since. It doesn't budge, is the perfect size for my build, and its thickness is great for any sensitive kneeling poses or forearm planks. If you have $130 to spend on a mat and are looking for a sleek, professional-grade option, this is a solid choice that will stand the test of time. I also clean it after each use with their lemongrass mat spray, which also gives a great boost of zen.”

This inexpensive option is great for new yogis who want a well-made, durable, nonslip surface to practice on that won't break the bank. It's made from latex-free PVC, so it's allergy-safe and plenty grippy. It's also reversible, so your mat can match your outfit or mood.

One of the things to note is that the brand recommends wiping it down before first use with a vinegar solution or a mat wash to clean it and add some grip/remove some initial manufacturing slip. Reviewers say that doing so has added to the traction they get from this mat, and we concur.

According to our deputy editor Joana Mascioli, it has a “super cushy foam that doesn't flatten out AT ALL over time (I've been using it for over a year!), it's super grippy, and I seriously never slip in any position or exercise. Also, the pattern hasn’t faded one bit since purchase.”

Not only does this bright and colorful mat offer a nice amount of cushion and traction, but it’s also made from a renewable natural resource: rubber extracted from trees. There are no synthetic materials, and Jade even plants a tree for every mat sold.

“I’ve had my trusty Jade Yoga Mat for about three-and-a-half years now,” says our digital designer Hunter Young. “It’s thick enough to not feel things under the mat — and trust me, I’ve used it everywhere, from rocky overhangs overlooking oceans to thick and scratchy grass-covered forests. It’s flexible enough to lay nicely over most terrains, regardless of how bumpy it is. The rubber material also means no slipping in poses like warrior or plank, no matter how sweaty things get.”

“The mat does age, though (after almost four years, it has seen some things!),” she adds. “My dear mat now has cat-claw marks, carries a strong rubber odor that I can’t seem to get rid of, and picks up a lot of dirt/dust from the floors. Of all the other yoga mats I’ve used, I still prefer this Jade mat — its strong nonslip abilities and lightness of the mat outweigh everything!”

Take your practice on the go with this lightweight, packable, and might we say, stunning mat. It has a highly absorbent microfiber upper layer to wick away sweat and keep you stable. Underneath, a rubber base maintains its position on the floor. In fact, the mat becomes more stable as it gets wetter.

“I’ve been practicing hot yoga for the past year, and of all the variety of mats I’ve tried, this one stands out from the rest. What makes it different is that you can just throw it in the washing machine and hang dry it — and since I sweat enough to saturate the mat and work out on it daily, it was a game-changing feature for me. Plus, it has a great grip,” says one happy customer.

“I use this mat for very intense yoga practice and I have never slipped once. The material does not grip as well as the harder rubber of some other hot yoga mats, but it's easier to move around on. It also absorbs sweat very well and provides ample support for a variety of poses.”

The large version of this mat measures a lengthy 78 inches long, which is great for taller yogis to stretch out. It's also made from dense rubber for added cushion without wobble. It's a sustainable choice made of a blend of recycled rubber and FSC, and its organic cotton scrum helps keep it from stretching after much use.

“I love that this mat is longer and wider than most,” says one happy customer. “Plus, my feet feel very stable on it with no sliding whatsoever.”

Another reviewer adds, “I'm 6'5" — so I've had a hard time finding yoga mats that are both long enough and wide enough to practice on. This yoga mat is great, and I never end up going off of the mat for anything. I also really like the grippy texture, which gives it a solid feel even when I am sweaty.” It's also important to note that this mat is on the heavy side and is better for at-home yoga rather than on the go.

For those serious about perfecting their alignment, this “best yoga mat in the world” is pretty much considered the gold standard. This unique mat allows you to find your perfect alignment, thanks to its detailed designs that remove the guesswork from your poses.

The top is marked with helpful guides to keep you centered at all times, and the “GripForMe” material offers incredible stay-put powers. The mat comes in four attractive color options.

“Liforme mats are the best: They are made of natural rubber with no strong chemical odor (however, this does make the mat very heavy at 2.5 kilograms). The mats have guidelines that make it easy to get correct asana alignment. The mat grip is fantastic and absorbs moisture, so there are no sweaty slips. If you’re a serious yogi, don’t be put off by the price!” says an enthusiastic reviewer.

Recycle while you recenter with a comfortable yoga mat made from used wetsuits. The unique super-dense material won’t absorb bacteria, odors, or dirt, and offers excellent cushioning and grip, too. This mat is made in the U.S.A. and is also a closed-loop product — meaning aside from being made of 100% recycled materials, it is also fully recyclable after its end of use.

“It’s comfortable to use, provides plenty of support, and is relatively inexpensive for such a good product. Plus, it's anti-microbial, long-lasting, and can be returned for reuse! What’s not to love?” says one very satisfied user.

Each mat is unique, with lots of colors and textures to choose from too. Another reviewer alternates between two different patterns of these mats and offers a practical tip: “Just remember to give it a good hose-down and a good hang-dry in a well-ventilated place.”