Thick Yoga Mats Buying Guide
Whether you are recovering from an injury or health condition, or simply need more comfort in order to concentrate on your practice, thick yoga mats can provide extra padding and protection for sensitive joints and pressure points.
When looking for a thick yoga mat, here are some things to look for.
Actual Thickness
If you want additional cushioning for whatever reason, a thicker yoga mat is the way to go.
They can be heavier than standard yoga mats, so keep that in mind if you are looking for a portable or lightweight option.
Many yoga mats are labeled as being 1 inch or ½ inch thick, others give thickness as 3, 5, or 6 millimeters.
Remember that 5-6 millimeters is about ¼ of an inch, so these yoga mats aren’t particularly “thick,” even when they are labeled that way.
A proper thick mat is normally around 9mm thick and is ideal when it comes to additional cushioning and durability, especially for longer workouts.
Materials
Padding isn’t just about thickness. Some foams and synthetic materials crush and collapse quickly, leaving temporary or permanent impressions at key pressure points on the mat.
Materials like rubber are more springy, and bounce back into shape after being compressed.
For that reason, a few millimeters of rubber can actually feel more padded and protective than a thicker memory foam material.
Portability
The thicker a yoga mat is, the heavier it is, and the larger it is when rolled up.
Many people love their thick yoga mats until it’s time to take them somewhere. Then they find that it’s bulky, heavy, and difficult to transport.
If you need a yoga mat that is thick and protective, but also portable, you may need to compromise and find a middle ground.
Durability
Some thick, cushy yoga mats have a grippy surface that is great when you need to hold a difficult pose.
However, the increased thickness of the mat can create lateral pressure in the mat itself, and be too sticky when moving pose-to-pose, or even tear the external surface of the mat.
Look for a high-quality mat with a durable exterior that will stand up to this kind of movement.
Stickiness
Don’t get stuck on the word… Stickiness is actually very important when it comes to choosing the right yoga mat.
Having a sticky mat will allow you to stop slipping and sliding all over the place when you are doing more intense yoga like hot yoga or Ashtanga yoga.
These types of yoga will definitely need you to use a slip resistant yoga mat, because you will get sweaty very quickly.
Ensure that the mat you select has a good, non-slip surface that will keep you safe and secure while posing.
The best surface for good stickiness is PVC, but some yogi’s prefer yoga mats with textured surfaces which improves the non-slip quality, even though others do not like this due to its texture being less comfortable for the user.
This all comes down to your personal preference. Either way, it is important to check that the yoga mat you select has non slip qualities.