Purchasing a yoga mat is great if you are looking forward to practicing yoga. Different types of yoga mats vary in thickness ranging from thin to thicker mats. But what is the ideal yoga mat thickness should I go for? Are there benefits of using an extra thick yoga mat?
Having the best extra thick yoga mat is great if you want to enjoy extra cushioning. Thicker mats are also suitable for therapeutic practices. They are comfortable, offer a nice grip, and are moisture-resistant.
Since there are thousands of extra thick yoga mats on the market, knowing which one is best for you can be tricky. Luckily, we have put together a top list of extra thick yoga mats and buying tips to make your purchase seamless. Let us dig deeper!
Top 5 Best Extra Thick Yoga Mat Reviews
After comparing the features and performance of various extra thick yoga mats, we came up with these 5 best yoga mats for exercising and home use. The reviews will help you choose the right yoga mat that matches your exercise activities.
BalanceFrom All Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat
BalanceFrom all-purpose extra thick yoga comes with a regular mat, a knee pad yoga blocks, and a carrying strap. It ensures your comfort regardless of your shape and size. You can choose from beautiful colors like black, blue, gray, green, pink, purple, and red.
Using this yoga mat prevents injuries because it is slip resistant. The mat is double sided so you can enjoy using it longer before replacing it. Do you have spine, hips, knees, and elbows problems or frequent backaches? Then this yoga mat is best for you since it cushions the named body parts comfortably on hard floors.
It has exceptional resilience that allows you to keep your balance during any exercise style. The extra thick yoga mat also has moisture-resistant technology which makes it easy to clean with soap and water. The lightweight design and the strapping make transporting or storing the yoga mat a bliss.
- Comfort for people of all shapes and sizes
- Nonslip design to prevent injuries
- Cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows
- Keeping balance when doing yoga
- Easy and comfortable strapping
- Lightweight transportation and storage
- Great but not anti-tear
- Feels too squishy for standing poses
- It would have been more comfortable
Gaiam Yoga Mat – Premium 6mm Print Extra Thick
If you take your yoga mat to yoga classes, this is a lightweight and portable option for you. The Gaiam yoga mat is not only lightweight but also extra thick for additional cushioning your joints need during any yoga or fitness routine. The yoga mat is durable and best suited for all types of yoga, floor workouts, and Pilates.
The yoga mat features a sticky non-slip texture surface for excellent traction and superior grip. It also has a stylish design to keep you motived and focused. Gaiam yoga mat comes in metallic color but you can choose other color options as well. It is made of non-toxic and 6P-free PVC, making it one of the healthiest yoga mats you can find.
The mats have high-quality prints that give them an attractive look. you can easily roll it tight for compact storage or easy transportation. When you buy the yoga mat, you will get a free yoga workout guide that you can download to help you when starting. When you unwrap the mat, let it stay for 2-3 days before you get rid of the string but harmless smell.
- Additional cushioning for comfort
- Excellent traction and superior grip
- Stylish design for motivation
- Healthier and eco-friendly
- Available in different colors and prints
- Lightweight and easy to take anywhere
- The yoga mat rolls easily for storage
- Nice design but it is slippery
- The mat is not thick enough
- Wears out easily
NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat for Men and Women
Are you restricted from doing your workouts because of the small size of your yoga mat? Then you should try NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat. It is larger and thick enough to withstand even the most intense workout. Unlike other yoga mats, you have ample space for your poses and starches.
Doing your yoga workouts with this mat is easy because you don’t have to refer to your mobile phone for guides. The yoga mat is printed with 70 different, and easy-to-follow yoga poses for stretching, Pilates, and workout to help you get started. The yoga mat is made of a special material with moisture-wicking properties so it can serve as a hot yoga mat.
The home and gym yoga mat is great for people of all levels. Whether you are starting stretchers or doing true yogis, you can benefit a lot from this mat. The mat comes in attractive colors like black, blue, green, gray, orange, pink, purple, rust, and teal.
- Plenty of space to stretch and work
- High-quality material and thick material
- Promotes better living and healthier bodies
- Great yoga mat for all levels
- It has plenty of printed pose illustrations
- Durable, odor-free and non-sticky
- Recommended for daily self yoga
- The mat is slippery and smaller
- Hand wash only is time-consuming and tiresome
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat – For Women and Men
Enjoy stability and better joint support with the Manduka yoga mat for men and women. This yoga mat brags 6mm thickness to provide the best cushioning you need when doing yoga. The mat has a nonslip design so you don’t expect it to move around during use. Whether you are a serious yogi, fitness lover, do Pilates, or barre the pro yoga mat is best for you.
These Manduka yoga mats have close-cell material that prevents dampness, moisture, and sweat from reaching the mat under sticky conditions. If you prefer hygienic yoga, Manduka pro yoga mat allows hot yoga. It is made in Germany by PVC certified meaning it is chemical free hence cannot pollute the environment by causing diseases.
During sweaty sessions, pair this yoga mat with performance towels to prevent sweat from reaching the mat. The yoga mat is available in standard, long, long & wide, and squared options. You can also choose from different colors to suit your needs.
- The yoga mat provides long-lasting use
- Recommended yoga mat by yoga teachers in the world
- Comfortable medium thickness
- Offers stability and joint protection
- Nice yoga mat worth the price
- Prevents moisture and sweat from entering the mat
- Slippery when wet
- Not ideal for hot classes
BEAUTYOVO Yoga with Strap TPE Yoga Mats
Enjoy professional performance when doing yoga, floor exercises, and Pilates with the BEAUTYOVO Yoga mat for men and women. This mat has a 1/3-inch thickness to provide the required cushioning. In addition, it is nonslip and double-sided for better performance. Unlike other mats made of rubber and plastic, this one feature an eco-friendly thermoplastic elastomer material.
It combines the benefits of plastic and rubber in one giving you more elasticity, is tear-resistant, and mats with improved abrasion. This construction also makes the yoga mat long-lasting. The yoga mat is thick enough to offer safer, more sturdy, and more comfortable yoga. Use it for back support when doing inversion, balance posture or when doing other types of yoga.
The bottom of the mat is non-slip to provide more stability. It provides better traction so that you can get a steady connection on the floor without slipping. If you love taking your yoga mat on the go, this one has a carrying strap to make your transportation easier.
- Great for yoga lovers of all levels
- It has a carrying strap
- The textured bottom provides stability
- The mat provides enough cushioning
- Made of durable and eco-friendly material
- Great mat for men and women
- Perfect size to suit different sports
- It’s a little narrow
- Gets damaged easily
- The mat is too lightweight
Other Extra Thick Yoga Mats We Liked But Did Not Make Our Top Five List
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat – Premium 6mm Thick Mat
Looking for an extra thick yoga mat for a serious yogi, Pilates, barre, or fitness? Manduka Pro Yoga mat is your best choice. This yoga mat for men and women has a professional ultra-supportive 6 mm thickness to give you support and cushioning on different surfaces.
Manduka pro yoga mat are used in gym, studio, or for home use. When used in gyms pair it with performance towels to add grip during sweaty sessions. It has ultra-dense cushioning to offer enough support during exercises, stability, and protection in case of accidents.
Manduka pro yoga mat is loved by teachers worldwide for nearly 20 years because it’s made of quality material PVC which is crafted in Germany. They are built to last a lifetime and are easy to clean.
- Built to last a lifetime
- Crafted in an emissions-free facility
- Thicker and supportive mat
- Designed with high-performance grip
- The mat will serve you for many years
- Great mat to elevate your yoga practice
- Comfortable and soft
- It is too slippery even when dry
- Much heavier than expected
Hatha Yoga Extra Thick TPE Yoga Mat
Enjoy better cushioning and support when doing yoga with the Hatha extra thick yoga mat. It has a thickness of 12mm which makes it suitable for all types of fitness. This yoga mat is made of premium quality materials to provide better performance and durability.
The material is non-slip, provides better cushioning and it is easy to clean, unlike other traditional yoga mats. It has a nonslip texture on both sides to offer better traction and grip regardless of the type of yoga you practice. Whether you are using the mat on a tile floor, cement floor or wood floor expect nonslip performance.
This yoga mat is super comfortable and extra thick for your floor workouts. It provides better cushioning for your spine, knees, hips, and elbows even on hard floors. Additionally, its slip resistance makes prevents injuries.
Extra Thick Yoga Mat Buying Guide – Things to Consider
This buying guide will discuss the most important things you need to have into consideration before getting an extra thick yoga mat. They include;
Mat Stickiness
An extra thick and sticky yoga mat maintains its position when doing yoga. Such mats do not move even when you change positions. PVC mats are great because of their stickiness even after cleaning with water.
Yoga Mat Texture
You should also consider the texture of the yoga mat before buying. Yoga mats have both natural and artificial textures to provide better traction and reduce slipping. Cotton and rubber yoga mats with tactile patterns are great when it comes to preventing slipping or sliding than PVC mats.
Mat Thickness
The pretty standard thickness of a mat is about 3.175 mm. Yoga mats with such thickness are good for those in strong and flowing practice. The advantage is that it allows solid contact with the floor surface which aids in stability during different poses. These mats also are preferred since they don’t catch and get in your way when you change from one pose to another.
Thinner mats can increase stability for yoga styles with more active poses, and balanced and focused poses. Look for mats with textured surfaces which help in maintaining a better grip when the poses get more and more strenuous. On the other hand, thicker mats provide extra cushioning and they are the best for therapeutic practices.
Weight
A weighty yoga mat is durable and provides a luxe feel and stability. However, if you want a yoga mat to take on the go, consider a lightweight option.
Portability
When planning for travel, search for a travel mat that is designed for portability. Travel mats are very thin and light and should be a pack down smaller than traditional yoga mats so that they can be easy to take along in your belongings. Therefore, note that some cushioning must be sacrificed when using a travel mat.
Yoga Mat Material and Durability
When choosing the material for your yoga mat, choose anything that is from inexpensive PVC and environmentally friendly for example natural rubber. The material you chose will affect the price, weight, grip, and durability of the mat in one way or the other. In general thicker mats last longer as compared to thinner mats thus the durability of the mat is determined by the material it is made of.
PVC is a plastic-based material that is durable, easy to clean, and has good floor grip, though the PVC mats are non-absorbent and can easily become slippery when one sweats heavily. It is the best for people with latex allergies because it is latex-free, however, it is non-biodegradable.
Yoga mats can also be made from thermoplastic elastomer, TPE is a man-made blend, which is a blend of rubber and plastic polymers. The TPE mats are more environmentally friendly than PVC mats and some of the TPEs are fully recyclable. The TPE mats are generally less durable than PVC mats of the same thickness but can still deliver good traction.
Eco-natural mats come from different sources, including natural rubber, organic cotton, and jute. They are slightly less grip on the floor surfaces but due to their natural texture provide traction for your body. The eco mats lack the decade-long durability of PVC but are an option if sustainability is your priority.
Price
You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot to get a high-quality yoga mat. If you are just getting started, consider a budget-friendly option, to begin with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 6mm too thick for a yoga mat?
It is not too thick because it ensures the durability of the mats. It is also less likely to catch and get in your way when you flow from one pose to another.
Is a thicker or thinner yoga mat better?
Thicker mats provide extra cushioning and are best for more therapeutic practices. Thicker mats are also more comfortable for forearm and kneeling poses.
How often should I replace my yoga mat?
Materials that make up the yoga mats are durable and long-lasting. Most people replace their yoga mats are 6-12 months of use depending on the intensity of their workouts.
Can an extra thick yoga mat be used as a sleeping pad?
It is not advisable to use yoga mats as sleeping mats because it can result in back and neck pains. The thickness of the mat is only profitable when used for shorter periods.
Verdict
If you feel that your current yoga mat is too thin, it is good to invest in the best extra thick yoga mat and enjoy the best cushioning and support. The normal yoga mats have a thickness of 1/8 inch while thicker mats start from 5mm and above. The above extra thick yoga mats keep you comfortable and protect your joints when stretching. Additionally, they provide additional grip and support to help you focus on your practice.
