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The 15 Best Non-Slip Yoga Mats To Keep You From Slipping During Downward Dog
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I was pretty fond of my first yoga mat. With a cushiony feel in a cheerful mint green, it seemingly had it all — until I did my first sweaty downward dog and face-planted in front an entire class. The best non-slip yoga mats are a solid investment for this reason, and many others, too. For example, non-slip yoga mats also usually synonymous with durability and carefully selected materials. After all, you can't just throw a bunch of haphazard ingredients together and expect it to stand up to crow pose, so especially if you’re a beginner yogi, you can expect this investment to last.
One of the reasons I love yoga is because it doesn't require any fancy equipment or personal trainers. It's open to any level, you can take a class on YouTube, and it uses the weight and resilience of your own body to strengthen your muscles and your mind. That being said, your yoga mat is your foundation during your practice. It's the one thing that stands between you and a hardwood floor when you're balancing on your head, so it's important to choose one that fits your needs.
Thankfully, the best non-slip yoga mats come in all shapes, types, and sizes. Whether you're looking for the best mat for bad knees or something that's healthy for both you and the environment, these options have you covered.
1The Overall Best Non-Slip Yoga Mat
For quality, durability, and (of course) a secure grip, the Jade Harmony mat is a well-loved option — especially for under the $100 mark. It’s made from natural rubber, which offers unparalleled traction while also providing some cushioning. It’s also available in seven colors and two sizes to suit most practices. “I tried every other ‘sticky’ mat out there,” wrote one of over 4,000-plus reviewers, but in their opinion, “Jade mats are the only ones that will keep you from slipping.”
One reviewer wrote: “I've been using Jade Yoga mats since 2012 when doing heated Vinyasa upwards of 10 hours a week. I tried every other "sticky" mat out there, but when you're in 100+ degree rooms doing a 90 minute flow and sweating like Nick Miller trying to keep a secret (I've been watching a lot of New Girl lately sorry lol), Jade mats are the only ones that will keep you from slipping.”
2The Best Budget Yoga Mat
Even though it's just over $20, the BalanceFrom GoYoga mat has over 25,000 five-star reviews, where shoppers dub it "great," "amazing," and "good quality." Among its dependable features, you get moisture-resistant technology that's easy to wash and won't slip with sweat, and 0.25 inches of high-density, eco-friendly foam that’s super cushioning. It's super lightweight and comes with a free carrying strap for convenient transport to and from your classes.
One reviewer wrote: “I use this mat for everything: daily routines, yoga, meditation, dance workouts. Doesn't slip on the floor and rolls up quick and easy for anyone on the go or working with little space. [...] The raised gripping pattern also helps with slipping and stability even with vigorous activity. [...] Overall, a solid mat for this price range.”
3The Overall Best Non-Slip Travel Mat
Non-slip materials aren’t always lightweight or travel-friendly, but the Gaiam’s folding travel mat is the exception. It’s thin and folds up (rather than rolling) so you can fit it in a carry-on or commuting bag more easily. However, it still features a sticky texture that improves stability while you’re practicing away from home. You can get this mat in six colors, all with intricate designs.
One reviewer wrote: “Get you one of these. I haven't travelled a single time without this mat since I bought it. It is so convenient to be able to pull out my own mat to studios when I'm on the road, and to be able to practice in hotel rooms, or at friends' homes on overnight stays. The mat isn't sticky to the level of some of the specialty mats you'll see out there [...] but is definitely a good grip. I've used it on hardwood floor, carpet, and on the deck of a ship - it's great.”
4A Fan-Favorite Mat That’s Great For Hot Yoga
For extra hot, humid environments (like a hot yoga class), some people prefer an absorbent, towel-like fabric. Others, however, prefer something that’s not at all absorbent, so it’s easier to wipe clean. If the latter sounds like you, the IUGA Pro hot yoga mat fits the bill. It uses a special polyurethane layer that delivers traction and support, even while you’re dripping sweat. After the class, it wipes clean. With more than 1,600 reviewers giving it a 4.5-star overall rating, it’s clearly been tested and loved.
One reviewer wrote: “I’ve been through 5 yoga mats, a yoga towel, and several grippy socks & gloves to keep from slipping during yoga, especially warrior two and down dog. This mat is the only one the works & works well! I’ve been using it for a few months now, too. [...] Now yoga is much more enjoyable that I don’t have to worry about doing a face plant or knocking the person next to me over, which have both happened at least once before using this mat. And no break in needed! Very happy!”
5An Affordable Non-Slip Mat In 40+ Designs
Even the most affordable mats are offered in a few colors, but few combine affordability, quality, and style quite like the Gaiam yoga mat. This one is offered in literally dozens of eye-catching designs, from intricate mandalas to mountaintops to alignment charts — and in a huge range of shades, too. In addition to the way it looks, it also offers a sticky, non-slip texture, comfortable padding, and a lightweight PVC design, all for a great price.
One reviewer wrote: “I'm certified in Vinyasa yoga and this is the foundation of my personal practice as well, so I know what to look for in a mat for me. [...] Because of my practice, grip, stability, and the right amount of cushiness are tanamount. This mat has the perfect amount of all of it. Despite sweating all over it, or spilling water, I have never once slipped or lost grip because of the mat.”
6A Machine-Washable Mat With A Towel-Like Surface
If you’re looking for an absorbent material to ensure that moisture doesn’t pool on top of your mat, the Aurorae Synergy has a two-in-one design that one buyer called “revolutionary.” It combines both a supportive PER yoga mat with a non-slip, sweat-absorbing microfiber yoga towel, all in one. It’s also machine-washable on gentle with warm water, so it’s extra easy to get a deep clean.
One reviewer wrote: “My hands and feet get really sweaty during even basic (non-hot) yoga classes, and slipping was really a problem for me with the typical rubber mats. [...] These mats are excellent at absorbing sweat and are very easy to wash on a gentle, quick wash cycle in my washing machine and then hang dry.”
7The Best Yoga Set For The Beginner
Finally, if you’re in need of both a non-slip mat as well as some useful props, consider the Clever yoga set. This seven-piece purchase includes the company’s best-selling grippy yoga mat, two foam blocks, a hand towel, a mat towel, a strap, and a carrying bag. It’s offered in five colors, and according to reviewers and its 4.7-star overall rating, it’s one of the best values around.
One reviewer wrote: “I'm incredibly "beginner level" with yoga, but I'm happy with the quality of everything, and it all fits in the bag it comes with - so, five stars! Good price for everything you get, too - much easier than trying to buy everything separately, especially as a beginner who doesn't know much. Great kit!.”
8A Durable Option That’s Only $40
You don’t have to spend upwards of $100 to find a mat that can stand up to a rigorous practice and years of use. According to reviewers, the Gruper yoga mat is “super durable” and “sturdy”; one reviewer even tried to rip it just to make sure it had the same durability as advertised,” and “rest assured it does.” It’s made of several layers of thermoplastic elastomers, and features a unique, sticky texture and an anti-skid design to keep your hands and feet where they should be.
One reviewer wrote: “[A]fter about 6 months of slipping and tearing, I decided it was time for a new mat. AND WOAH. LET ME TELL YOU. It made all the difference. As expected, it provided sturdiness and more comfort for my joints. What I didn't expect is that it nearly instantly helped me improve my postures and flow. I truly had no idea how much the mat itself can make or break all the hard work you're doing. After a couple months of use, I've had no issue with quality in any way. At this price point, just buy it. You deserve it.”
9A Budget-Friendly Option That’s Great For Hot, Sweaty Practices
If you tend to sweat a lot during your practice (and that's where the slipperiness comes in), the Dralegend yoga mat is an affordable solution. It’s designed to suit hot, sweaty practices because the TPE material absorbs moisture rather than allowing it to sit on the surface. It’s also well-cushioned and anti-skid on both sides thanks to its reversible, grippy surfaces. Last but not least, it’s lightweight and comes with a carrying strap.
One reviewer wrote: “This mat is really comfortable and provides the needed support for exercise. The thickness is also true to the product description which adds to the support. I haven’t had any issues with it slipping while doing strength training.”
10The Mat With A Lifetime Warranty
If you’re willing to make a life-long investment for your yoga practice, the Manduka PRO mat is the way to go. It’s considered one of the best of the best among professional yoga teachers and advanced yogis alike, all because the more you use it, the better it gets. The closed-cell, OEKO-TEX- compliant PVC material wicks sweat, grips your hands and feet, remains easy to clean, and provides both balance and adequate cushioning at the same time. It even comes in a larger size if you prefer extra room to maneuver. It’s also offered with a lifetime warranty, so on the off chance anything happens to your mat, they’ll replace it for free. (Keep in mind that this option needs to be broken in before it reaches optimal traction levels.)
One reviewer wrote: “[I]t is the best mat ever because it is not slippery or slick during yoga in any way and it looks great because it is obviously very tough and will last forever. My other grippier mats that came that way out of the box now look terrible while the Manduka Pro still looks like it is new and it is a year and a half later!”
11A Recyclable Synthetic Mat
Because it uses a certified TPE material, this Heathyoga eco-friendly mat is recyclable. The double-layer structure provides optimal grip on both sides. It also has an alignment chart printed on it, so you can ensure that your hands and feet are in the right position. It’s 0.25-inches thick, and comes in three colors.
One reviewer wrote: “This mat was recommended by a fitness instructor. I decided to get it because while working out I had slipped and almost hurt myself badly with the previous mat I was using. She had suggested this mat because it provides grip on the bottom. Best purchase I’ve made because I have never slipped on this mat and it still provides the same comfort and support my previous mat had.”
12A Cushioning Mat In Dozens Of Colors & Patterns
The YogaAccessories mat is a thicker 0.25 inches and made of a dense foam that provides loads of cushioning for your joints without all that extra bulk: "The quarter-inch thickness gives it just the right amount of cush, making it easy on your feet and knees," says one reviewer. That being said, others are also impressed with the durability of its non-slip surface, which is double-sided. Finally, it comes in almost 30 colors, some of which are patterned or reversible.
One reviewer wrote: “The quality of the mat is very good and it has really nice thickness to it which gives a good cushioning. Its size is 74" x 24" which is larger then usual yoga mats. It has a good grip and does not slip from the ground. Using this at my home is really convenient and works great on both tiles and carpet. This is one investment I am really happy about.”
13The Best Cork & Rubber Mat
While most yoga mats on the market are still made from some kind of synthetic, foam-like material, all-natural mats are getting more and more popular. The GURUS sweat-proof mat is made from natural cork and rubber, and it’s a go-to for people who want a high-density surface to cushion their joints. Especially in the presence of sweat, it’s also especially grippy, and of course, it’s non-toxic and eco-friendly.
One reviewer wrote: “I [...] have NOT slipped! My feet feel grounded, my hands feel grounded...but I can also flow from one asana to another without a squeaking, sticking problem like other super-tacky mats. I'm stoked about this!”
14The Best Jute Mat
Jute is an eco-friendly, all-natural material that also happens to be very non-slip, which helps explain why the Anja reversible organic yoga mat has earned a 4.6-star rating overall from over 1,800 ratings and reviews. Not only do the natural jute fibers offer traction and stability, but they also repel unwanted odors and stains while remaining durable against wear and tear — or, you can use the rubber side, instead.
One reviewer wrote: “This yoga mat is the most beautiful I've owned yet. The texture keeps my hands and feet from slipping, and the cushioning is easier on my joints than my previous favorite mat. The carrying strap is brilliant, making it quick and easy to roll this up and jet out of class.”
15A Lightweight Mat That’s Great For Taller Folks
Made with a textured grippy surface on one side and a wavy non-slip design on the other, this Clever Yoga BetterGrip mat stays in place on the floor and keeps your hands steady on the mat. It's designed to withstand the sweatiest and toughest of practices with its closed-cell, non-tear TPE material. And at 72 inches long, it’s a great choice for taller people — but it still weighs less than 2 pounds.
One reviewer wrote: “I'm tall at 6'2" so finding long mats is already an issue especially if I'm doing asanas like reclined mountain with arms overhead or plow. It doesn't slip AT ALL which is great and provides excellent grip even if I'm sweaty. I love it!”
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