For over 25 years, Hugger Mugger has made innovative yoga products to serve yogis and yoga teachers all over the world. Hugger Mugger technically introduced the first nonskid yoga mat in 1990. Until then, Hugger Mugger had made several yoga mats to suit the varying needs of people.
We’ll explore more on these yoga mats in this Hugger Mugger yoga mat review. We’ll help you find the best yoga mat and answer common questions below.
Quick Answer:
1. Hugger Mugger Tapas Ultra Yoga Mat
This Tapas Ultra Yoga Mat is extra-cushiony to give more padded support in any yoga practice. It features a non-slip surface to keep your feet and hands safe for any yoga position. We like this mat because it has the right amount of grip and stickiness.
2. Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat (River)
The Para Rubber Yoga Mat is an eco-friendly mat with a nice cushion for your knees and wrists. Every side has a different texture, making it a great choice for any yoga practice. We love the streak pattern of this mat because it looks unique.
3. Hugger Mugger Nature Collection Ultra Yoga Mat
If you like fun patterns, the Natural Collection Ultra Yoga Mat might interest you. This mat is available in vibrant colors with unique streaks. You might need to use a separate yoga towel if you want to use it for heated classes.
Editor’s Pick Best Hugger Mugger Yoga Mat
Hugger Mugger Yoga Mats Buying Guide
Most yoga mats from Hugger Mugger are made from PVC. Not the dangerous kind of PVC but the safer type because these mats are free from toxic substances, like phthalates and heavy metals. They also offer eco-friendly options, like PER and natural rubber mats.
The size of Hugger Mugger mats is quite standard, 68” x 24” but they also offer 74 inches for those who want more space. The thickness varies from 1/8 -1/4 inch and the weight is roughly around 2.5 lbs. As for aesthetics, the colors are bright but they lack some fun patterns and design.
Hugger Mugger Vs Other Brands
Hugger Mugger has a natural rubber mat like the Manduka Pro. The Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat is more lightweight than the Manduka Pro but a bit smaller. Both have the same thickness of 6mm to give great support to the body.
Against Gaiam, Hugger Mugger has better traction and grip. Hugger Mugger open-cell mats absorb sweat and make them ideal for heated classes. Both brands are made of phthalate-free PVC making them safe for your health.
Choosing The Best Yoga Mat
- Size: Choose a size that you think will fit you. The standard size is 68 x 24 inches, which is good for people below 5’10”. If you’re taller, look for something bigger.
- Open Cell vs Closed Cell: If you have sweaty hands and practice a heated class, the open-cell mat is ideal as it absorbs moisture. The close- cell mat is ideal for those who practice a gentle yoga class.
- Thickness: The 1/4 inch yoga mat offers the best balance of comfort and stability. If you have minor injuries, look for something thicker. A thinner mat is great for practicing balancing poses.
5 Best Hugger Mugger Yoga Mats
1. Hugger Mugger Tapas Ultra Yoga Mat
The Tapas Ultra Yoga Mat is extra-cushiony with its thickness of 1/4 inch or 6.35 mm. This makes this mat soft and comfortable for sensitive joints and bones. We like its non-slip surface because it keeps you stable during Asana.
This regular mat is made of phthalate-free PVC making it eco-friendly and safe for your health. It’s 68 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 2.3 lb heavy. You can also get an extra-long mat at 74”.
Surprisingly, there’s no weird smell on the mat right out from the box. With its open-cell structure, you can perform your hot yoga safely as it absorbs moisture very well. It’s available in two vibrant colors: burgundy and indigo.
PROS:
- Can last for many years of hard beating
- Lightweight and portable
- Good nonslip surface
- Absorbs sweat and moisture
- Free of latex, phthalates, and heavy metals
CONS:
- Can be difficult to clean
- May leave fingerprints on the mat
Best For:
The Tapas Ultra Yoga Mat is ideal for Asana and hot yoga. Its extra padding is great support for people with weak bones and joints.
2. Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat (River)
Made of sustainable natural rubber, this yoga mat is eco-friendly and offers a superior grip. The topside is textured with small bumps to keep your hands and feet securely in place. The bottom has a rubbery grip to keep the mat from moving around during practice.
The Para Rubber Yoga Mat is longer and heavier than most standard mats. It’s 70 inches long, 24 inches wide, and roughly 6.6 in weight. The 1/4” or 6.35 thickness gives this mat comfort to anyone who has weak knees or wrists.
You might be surprised by the strong rubber smell of this mat right out from the box. To remove this obnoxious odor, simply air it out for a couple of hours. The river color is streaked with green and blue patterns making the mat look unique.
PROS:
- Superior grip and traction
- Made of eco-friendly material
- Longer for more space
- Has a nice streak pattern design
- Extra cushy for weak wrists and knees
CONS:
- A bit heavy to carry around
- Has a strong rubbery smell
Best For:
The Para Rubber Yoga Mat is ideal for hot yoga as the non-slip surface from both sides offer superior grip even when you get sweaty.
3. Hugger Mugger Nature Collection Ultra Yoga Mat (Flame)
The Nature Collection Ultra Yoga Mat is made of polymer environmental resin (PER), which is basically PVC without the harmful phthalates. It’s a standard-sized mat measuring 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. The thickness is around 1/4 inches making it extra cushiony for your fragile bones.
This mat has a closed-cell structure, meaning that it can be slippery during heated classes. Use a yoga towel if you want to absorb moisture during hot yoga. The good news is that it tends to be more durable than open-cell mats, like the Para Rubber and Tapas Ultra yoga mats.
There’s no funky smell on this one when you first take it out from the box. It’s a bit slippery at first but you can wash it to remove the slippery coating. We like the flame color because it’s very warm and it can make your yoga extra exciting.
PROS:
- Easy to clean
- Has no awful smell right out from the packaging
- Made of eco-friendly PER material
- Seems to last very long
- Available in fun colors
CONS:
- Gets slippery when wet
- Too cushy to hold a pose
Best For:
The flame color Nature Collection Ultra Yoga Mat is best for non-heated yoga practices, like restorative and yin.
4. Hugger Mugger Nature Collection Ultra Yoga Mat (Ocean)
This sticky mat offers a durable non-stick surface for safe yoga practice. It’s 1/8 inch making it more lightweight and portable than other Hugger Mugger mats. It weighs around 2.2 lbs and measures around 68 inches x 24 inches.
The mat is made of PER, an eco-friendly material sourced from biodegradable plant secretions. The cell structure is closed meaning that it won’t absorb bacteria and can easily be cleaned.
This Nature Collection mat collection provides great insulation from cool floors making it very cozy during the winter. It’s very portable because you can either fold or roll it for storage. This mat is also available in sunset, niagara, and amethyst colors.
PROS:
- Easy to clean and store
- Available in nice colors and streaks
- Insulates cool floors
- More hygienic as it won’t absorb bacteria
- Made of eco-friendly PER material
CONS:
- Gets slicker when you sweat
- Not enough cushion
Best For:
This Nature Collection Ultra Yoga Mat is perfect for travel because it’s lightweight and easy to roll or fold.
5. Hugger Mugger Tapas Original Yoga Mat
The Tapas Original Yoga Mat is a great fusion of function and affordability. This mat is 68 inches long but it’s also available in 74 inches. The width is about 24 inches and the thickness is roughly 1/8 inches.
If you don’t know yet, this mat sets the standard for yoga mats around the world as it was the first mat every made particularly for yoga practice. It weighs around 2.4 lbs making it lightweight to carry around. As for the material, it’s made of PVC that’s free from heavy metal and phthalates.
This mat has an open-cell structure making it capable to absorb any moisture. Surprisingly, this mat doesn’t smell of chemicals when you take it out from the box.
PROS:
- Amazing non-slip surface
- Made of phthalate-free PVC
- Also available in 74 inches long
- Lightweight to carry around
- Absorbs sweat very well
CONS:
- A bit hard to clean
- Too thin for weak knees
Best For:
The Tapas Original Yoga Mat is perfect for all yoga levels. Its water resistance makes it ideal for heated classes.
FAQs:
Q: How to clean Hugger Mugger yoga mat?
For PVC mats, clean the mat with a mat wash or wipe it off with a solution of mild dish soap and water. Use one part of mild dish soap with 20 parts of water. Hang to dry.
For natural rubber mats, use a mat wash or wipe it down with a damp towel. Put it in direct sunlight to air dry. Never soak the rubber mat in water or machine wash.
Q: How do you make a yoga mat less slippery?
When the stickiness of the mat starts to disappear, the mat becomes slippery. What you can do is to sprinkle some baking soda or baby powder onto the surface to absorb any oil and moisture. Wipe it with a clean cloth afterward.
For closed-cell mats that get slippery when you sweat, place a yoga towel, or any standard towel on the surface. The towel will dry your sweaty hands or feet during the heated class.
Q: Which material is best for a yoga mat?
If you’re allergic to latex, avoid natural rubber and go for PVC mats. Just make sure that the PVC is free of heavy metals and phthalates. Eco-friendly options include natural cotton, jute, and natural rubber.
If you don’t want to slide all over the place, choose a sticky mat that’s usually made of PVC. A rubber mat is good for excellent grip and durability. PER is similar to PVC but contains no phthalates.
Conclusion
Our top pick in this Hugger Mugger yoga mat review is the Tapas Ultra Yoga Mat because it’s stable and comfortable. It’s extra thick and sticky to keep you safe in your Asana. This PVC mat is safe for your health is it contains no phthalates, latex, and heavy metals.
If you want something more eco-friendly, the Para Rubber Yoga Mat might be your best alternative. This mat is 72 inches long making it bigger than standard mats. It’s also gentle for your weak knees as it offers a 1/4 inch cushion.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
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