Holding poses in a hot yoga class can be challenging, especially when you’re wearing tight clothes, sweat is stinging your eyes, and trying not to slip. That’s why choosing the right hot yoga mat is crucial for maintaining stability and safety. The ideal mat is one that allows you to “be so focused on your practice that you’re no longer paying attention to your mat,” Erin Archibald, a certified yoga instructor at CorePower Yoga in Denver, tells SELF.
But finding a yoga mat that won’t slip or bunch up when you sweat isn’t as easy as buying one at the store. To help you find the right hot yoga mat, we surveyed instructors and pored over tons of customer reviews. Below, you’ll find some of our recommended mats that are durable, supportive, and offer great traction.
A non-slip mat will reduce the risk of slipping due to heat and sweat during exercise. Archibald recommends choosing mats made of rubber—natural rubber (versus synthetic) is usually of higher quality. Cork is also a natural non-slip material.
Archibald noted that porous, open-cell mats are better at absorbing sweat and do not allow water to pool, creating a slip hazard. Many open-cell mats are made from natural rubber.
Remember: They need to be cleaned regularly to keep them from getting smelly. “If you prefer something that’s easier to clean, look for closed-cell, nonporous, easy-to-wipe models,” says Levy. When using these mats, you can also use a yoga towel for extra friction (we’ve listed some of our favorites below).
Yoga mats come in different thicknesses, and the right thickness is a matter of personal preference. A thinner yoga mat may be better for practicing balance poses, while a thicker mat may provide more cushioning for your joints. In general, Archibald recommends choosing a thinner mat (3 to 5 mm thick) for hot yoga to feel more supported, and a thicker mat (5 mm and up) for slower poses like yin yoga or restorative yoga.
According to Archibald, a standard yoga mat is 26 inches by 71 inches, which is a good size for most people. If you’re taller (over 6 feet 2 inches), you may find a wider, longer yoga mat more comfortable, according to Levy.
Talon Jacqueline, a certified yoga teacher and meditation instructor at Talon J Yoga, told SELF that yoga mats are difficult to recycle, so it’s important to find one that will last for several years. When shopping for a yoga mat, you can look for customer reviews about its durability.
Jacqueline recommends choosing a dark-colored mat for hot yoga, as light-colored mats tend to show sweat stains. “Your instinct may be to choose something you like, but be aware that you will sweat a lot on the surface of the mat, and it may discolor over time,” she says.
Your yoga practice and gear can be as simple or as complex as you want. You might want a set of yoga blocks to help you maintain proper alignment or posture, some yoga straps to help you perform or deepen stretches, and some pillows to support your knees or hips. Another great option: a yoga mat bag or a yoga strap (if your yoga mat doesn’t come with one) to make getting to and from class easier.
This model, which won a 2022 SELF Home Fitness Award and was a favorite among many of the experts we spoke to, features a rubber sole and grippy upper to keep you grounded. It’s sweat-wicking, too: “I always feel very stable and secure when I’m working out on the Lulu mat,” says Archibald, who’s been using the mat for more than three years.
If you alternate between Vinyasa and hot yoga, you’ll love the mat’s reversible design: You can use the high-traction side or the soft side depending on your class. Sarah Larson Levy, a certified yoga instructor and co-founder of Y7 Studio in New York City, tells SELF that it’s durable enough to use for other activities, too, like high-intensity interval training. That makes it a great choice for beginners who want to get the most bang for their buck.
The mat comes in two sizes, and Archibald says it provides “excellent traction, support, and stability.” Its closed-cell structure effectively repels moisture and bacteria, and it’s easy to wipe down and disinfect. The Manduka Pro is slightly thicker than Lululemon’s The Mat, at 6mm, making it ideal for those who need extra cushioning for their joints. Customers say the Manduka Pro is a great value, and while it’s pricey, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
While all the mats on this list have good traction, the Harmony Mat’s unique texture allowed our experts to confirm that it stands out from the rest. Levy described the natural rubber mat as “fantastic,” providing great cushioning. Archibald found it extremely grippy and supportive, and she also likes its porous, sweat-wicking surface, which she says makes it “grippier” than other mats.
The only downside is that it’s a little tricky to clean. “It’s definitely not something you can just wipe down with a towel,” Levy said. For a thorough cleaning, she recommends using JadeYoga’s yoga mat cleaner.
“Cork is a naturally non-slip surface that stays in place even when wet, so you can use it even if you’re sweaty,” says Jacqueline. “It dries quickly, too.”
This ultra-light cork mat from Gaiam is just 5mm thick, and like many of the other items on this list, it’s also affordable (usually selling for under $30). Another plus: The bottom is coated with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), so it won’t move around on the floor. One happy Amazon customer wrote, “I like this mat more than any other I’ve ever used. It doesn’t smell, it’s non-slip, and you don’t have to put a towel on top of it while you work out. I give it a 10/10.”
Jacqueline praised this high-quality Manduka yoga mat because it’s “super durable” and stays rock solid no matter how much you sweat. The material allows water to penetrate from the surface of the mat into the inner foam layer, making it extremely absorbent. (That means you’ll never step in a puddle while doing downward dog again.)
“The handle will keep you in place, and the company also offers a service that allows you to reuse the mat at the end of its life, ensuring it doesn’t end up in landfill,” adds Jacqueline – a win if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option.
JadeYoga’s Elite S Textured Yoga Mat is built to last, and Jacqueline says it lives up to its reputation, especially for hot yoga (it feels similar to the Jade Harmony). “Jade has by far the best grip in the industry, and this mat is durable enough to withstand years of intense workouts,” she says.
The dense surface is durable and abrasion-resistant, making the Elite S ideal for gentle exercise (with lots of transitions) or mat-based classes like Pilates. One JadeYoga reviewer wrote, “I bought this in December 2011 and it’s still as comfortable as ever 12 years later.” Jacqueline also supports JadeYoga’s sustainability efforts: for every mat sold, the company plants a tree.
This attractive yoga mat from Reetual will not only add fun to your hot yoga practice, but it will also provide stability. It has a thick, non-slip rubber pad and a surface that increases grip as sweat flows (because moisture increases friction), making it both fun and practical.
Amazon reviewers call them “stunning” and “beautiful,” and praise them for being “definitely non-slip” even in the wettest conditions. This mat is a little smaller and thinner than the average one, so it might not be for taller people or those who like extra cushioning on their joints. But those who like a firm mat and don’t like to sink into it might want to give it a try.
If you’re looking for a quality yoga mat at a low price, consider this one from Gaiam. Its textured surface wicks away moisture, and the soft padding “makes hot yoga so much easier!” one Amazon user commented, adding that he can even stick his feet into the mat for extra stability. They also recommend pairing it with a sweat towel, as it wicks away moisture, not sweat.
FYI: This mat is smaller than standard, so taller people may want to consider choosing another product from this list.
This mat is a big investment, but reviewers say it’s worth the money. It’s slightly larger than a typical mat and made of biodegradable rubber, which one Amazon reviewer says makes it “a durable and super sticky mat.” Another reviewer said, “It holds up so well I don’t even need a towel.”
Customers also rave about the mat’s leveling system—basically a series of marks on the mat that help you figure out where to place your hands and feet while you practice. Oh, and it comes with a fancy carrying case, too.
If you know you’re going to sweat, it’s a good idea to bring a towel to dry your hands, face, or mat during your practice. You don’t need any special towels, though. “Honestly, if you buy a mat that’s already sweat-proof, you don’t need a mat towel,” says Jacqueline. “But if I need a towel for yoga, I’ll bring a small towel for a hot flow class and a large beach towel for a really hot yoga class. Chances are you already have these towels on hand, so start there!”
You can place this lightweight microfiber towel next to your yoga mat to prevent sweaty hands, or place it under your face on your mat to catch any drips. “It fits easily in my yoga bag and dries quickly, so I can use it for three to four classes at most,” said Jacqueline. “It’s great for wiping your face and even covering your eyes during savasana!”
A large, mat-sized towel like this one (with a textured bottom) can transform a regular yoga mat into a comfortable hot yoga mat. It also absorbs moisture during hot yoga sessions. “This is my go-to towel for hot, sweaty Bikram yoga classes,” says Jacqueline. “I’ve been using the pink Yogitoes towel for over 13 years and it still works great. I trust this brand and love the non-slip silicone grip!”
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