The best thick yoga mat will support your bones and joints during any workout. We try to test a wide range of products from leading retailers to bring you the best options.
When you buy something through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The specific transactions are as follows.
The best thick yoga mats will provide maximum support during your workout. The mats are at least 6mm thick, which not only provides cushioning but also extra padding and a grippy sole, helping to improve concentration and increase comfort during your workout.
The best yoga mats are thick ones. Not only are they a great choice for people with specific pain points, but they’re also great for those who want a little extra support during their practice. “Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned veteran, a thick yoga mat can provide extra cushioning for sensitive knees, ankles, and hips,” says yoga instructor Jamie Kent. “They can also support inversions that work the neck muscles, like headstand variations and shoulder stands.”
When choosing a thick yoga mat, the best choice is one that is non-slip and stable, but many people worry that a mat that is too thick may cause instability. A yoga mat that is too thick can be unstable, difficult to carry, difficult to store, and difficult to roll out. To find the right option, we have selected the tried and tested thickest yoga mats from a variety of yoga mats and compiled a collection for you. We have tested these yoga mats multiple times, evaluating their thickness, grip, design, and weight, and consulted experts to determine which mats are worth buying.
The Gaiam Premium 6mm Yoga Mat lives up to its name, combining comfort, support, durability, and an aesthetically pleasing design. “I use this mat in my regular yoga classes every week and sometimes at home with resistance bands,” said our tester Lucy, who has been doing yoga for more than 10 years. “I like it because the bottom has good grip, so it stays stable throughout the workout, and I don’t have to worry about it slipping off when my hands get sweaty.”
While 6mm isn’t the thickest yoga mat we recommend, it’s supportive enough to take the pressure off your knees, hips, and ankles during most yoga mat workouts. “During my slower workouts, where I’m holding a pose for a long time, I can feel the difference between this mat and some thinner mats,” says Lucy.
This thick yoga mat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and the price varies depending on the style you choose, so there’s an option to suit your budget. We prefer the understated navy design, but bright and bold options are also available. The only downside, Lucy says, is the strong PVC smell when you take it out of the packaging. However, she says the smell went away after letting the mats air out for a few days.
Buying Conditions: You are looking for a thick, durable yoga mat in rich colors. Conditions to Avoid: You don’t want a mat made of PVC.
The Strongtek 8mm thick yoga mat is ideal for the studio or home, allowing beginners to quickly get started with yoga or exercise at home. The mat has a dual-layer construction and is made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which our tester, Digital Wellbeing Editor Grace Walsh, says makes it durable and stable underfoot.
“I currently have three yoga mats in rotation. I use this one for everything from Pilates to my weekly resistance band leg workouts because it provides the support and stability I need and is less than 10mm thick,” she says. “The material has good grip, making it a great choice for people who prefer a yoga mat but don’t feel sticky and feel soft without socks. When I took it out of the packaging, I was pleased to see that it had good grip underneath, meaning you can use it on wood or tile floors without any issues.”
She said the mat was lightweight and easy to clean, making it suitable for use in activewear or for sharing with others. However, Grace said she noticed the mat had a distinct smell when she first unpacked it and it took a few hours to decompose. Overall, however, at under £30, it’s a great buy. It’s also currently an Amazon Choice product with over 200 reviews, with 4 and 5 star ratings.
Conditions to buy: You want to do a variety of exercises on your yoga mat and you need to lay the mat on a hardwood or tile floor. Conditions to avoid: You are simply stretching on your yoga mat.
Want a yoga mat on Amazon that’s both lightweight and super thick? The BalanceFrom GoYoga+ Multi-Purpose Yoga Mat is 12.7mm thick and under £20, so it’s hard to beat. Our tester Lucy said it’s at least three times thicker than a normal yoga mat, feels super soft to lie on and feels like a pillow under your feet. It used to be available in hot pink and green, but now only comes in grey.
Despite this, our tester Lucy called it one of her favorites. “I expected it to hold its shape when I pressed it into the mat during my daily workouts, but it didn’t. It does feel sturdy and durable for high-volume workouts or long periods of time in one position,” she said.
This is a good choice for those who want maximum cushioning during STOTT Pilates and similar exercises that require lower back support. This mat has an extra 15mm of cushioning and can be used as a knee pad during dumbbell exercises or to support your hands, wrists, or feet during yoga, stretching, and Pilates. Despite its thickness, this mat is lightweight and easy to carry. It also includes a carrying strap. However, our testers noted that despite the thick grooves in the material, it doesn’t provide as much grip as other products (like the 8mm Yogamatters Everyday Wellness Mat). If you do hot yoga or are concerned about your grip, consider other options like the 8mm Yogamatters Everyday Mat or the 6mm Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat.
Buying criteria: You want a thick mat, which you can buy through Amazon, that is very lightweight. Conditions to avoid: You do a lot of balance training.
The Jade Fusion 8mm Yoga Mat may be the most expensive on this list, but our testers think it’s one of the best. It’s made from eco-friendly rubber, and testers said it felt sticky when they stepped on it, but it didn’t have the strong odor typically associated with rubber mats. It combines thickness and comfort to provide maximum support for yoga and high-intensity workouts, including strength training like kettlebells.
“After a running injury a few years ago that left me with very sensitive knees, this mat made child’s pose and savasana very comfortable. I could barely feel the ground under my feet,” she said. “But as I moved across it, it was very springy, so I never felt unstable on the mat.”
The only downside to this mat is that it’s heavier than most. At 7 pounds, it’s heavier than some of the other mats on this list, but still not as heavy as the 25-pound Manduka Pro Yoga Mat. She said that after six months of five weeks of use, the padding was starting to show signs of wear, which is a bit disappointing considering the price. However, if you don’t use it often, the mat will likely last longer.
Buy if: You want an eco-friendly option. Avoid if: You want a more affordable option with a guaranteed lifespan.
Looking for a durable yoga mat that will last a lifetime? If you can handle the weight, the Manduka Pro Premium 6mm Yoga Mat may be for you. It combines exceptional high-quality materials with practical features, providing the perfect balance between cushioning and stability for all types of yoga practice. I tested this yoga mat for a month, including yoga classes and a few home workouts. The underside of the mat provides excellent traction – it’s stable even on tile floors, and the thick, soft construction makes it easy to move. The 6mm thickness of the mat is the same as the Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat, which isn’t the thickest on this list, but is very comfortable for me.
This mat is a great option if you prefer dark colours that go with something other than black gym clothes, as it’s currently only available in muted green, red and blue. It also comes in a range of sizes to suit yoga enthusiasts of all heights (from 71” to 85”). Health editor Grace Walsh also tested the mat – she chose the 85” (£144) because she’s slightly taller than average and prefers more space on her mat.
The only downside—and this is true for most other high-quality yoga mats—is that the Manduka Pro Premium Yoga Mat is a bit on the heavy side at 6mm thick. At 3kg, it’s one of the heaviest yoga mats on the list—to be exact, it’s almost 2kg heavier than the Lululemon Foldable Mat (our lightweight pick). In my opinion, this is a better option for those who prefer to practice at home rather than lugging a yoga mat to the gym.
Buy if: You’re looking for a luxurious, latex-free product that will last for years. Avoid if: You need to carry a pad around with you.
If you’re just looking for a thick yoga mat to use for a variety of exercises, the Yoga-Mad Core Fitness Mat is a great choice. Health editor Grace Walsh tried the mat out and did a range of core exercises at home, as well as a range of beginner yoga stretches to help you unwind after a run. She said: “I’ve never been too picky about yoga mats before, but I’ve only been using this one for the last few weeks and it’s been perfect for my workouts. When doing core exercises, you need a little extra support to prevent lower back discomfort during stretches. I found the 10mm mat was more than enough to keep my joints steady throughout each move. I also love the cool black colour – it’s discreet and I could leave it on my living room floor without it looking out of place.”
At just 10mm thick, this yoga mat is one of the thickest on this list, but it’s surprisingly lightweight at just 1.2kg. Grace said it’s easy to carry in a bag or hang from a shoulder strap. One side of the mat has deep grooves to keep it from sliding on tile or wood floors, and the other side is textured to keep my hands from slipping. She said the mats won’t move, even if the floor is wet, making it ideal for a variety of workout styles, from wall Pilates to HIIT.
This product is easy to use and versatile, and can meet your various workout needs, from yoga to HIIT. But if you really care about color and don’t like the subdued all-black look, you might want to check out the recommendations from YogaMatters and Adidas.
Buying criteria: You want a mat that is thicker than 8mm, but still light enough for a variety of workouts. Conditions to avoid: You want a variety of colors to choose from.
In many cases, thick yoga mats are heavier than other mats due to the extra material added to their construction. We’ve recommended a few heavier yoga mats that get five stars for comfort and support, but they may not be ideal for those who have to carry their mat to and from the gym. So, you might want to check out Lululemon’s Foldable Yoga Mat.
The mat has an average thickness of 6.5 mm, which provides cushioning and support during use, but its foldable design and 1.9 kg weight make it ideal for a variety of outdoor sports, making it easy to carry and versatile. While it’s not as lightweight as the BalanceFrom Go Yoga Multi-Purpose Yoga Mat, it’s still lighter than many of the products on this list and provides both comfort and support.
“I like that it’s very lightweight and doesn’t require a bulky bag,” said our tester. “I just fold it up and put it in my regular gym bag. I think it’s a great choice if you’re going to be taking it to the gym with you. I also like that it has a non-slip design, so I can move around safely while I’m working out.”
However, it’s 71 inches long (about 6 feet), so it’s not the longest on the list. If you’re shorter than 5 feet 7 inches (like our tester), this shouldn’t be a problem, but anyone taller will need a longer mat to get the most out of their practice.
If you’re taller, you’ll naturally benefit from a longer yoga mat. Our 6ft tall Health Editor Grace Walsh tested the mat for weeks to see if it would work for yoga, HIIT and full-body Pilates.
“I love this yoga mat,” she said. “While I’m not usually one for wearing brightly colored leggings or workout clothes, I didn’t mind the water pattern on this mat because it looks premium and the color isn’t too bright. The photos online make the colors look brighter than they actually are.”
I also really like the generous length. The 190cm length allows me to do lunges without my toes sticking out over the edge, and I don’t have to worry about my head hitting the mat when I lie down. The 5mm thickness is also just right for me and is perfect for strength training and yoga.
However, our testers noted that this mat has some drawbacks. “It’s not as wide as other yoga mats I’ve used, but I don’t find that to be a problem. It’s also very lightweight at 0.75kg, making it very easy to carry around.”
If you want to buy this: You are a tall yogi who needs a lightweight yoga mat. Conditions to avoid: You will need a very thick yoga mat.
If you value the grip and durability of your mat more (as well as comfort, of course), then a cork yoga mat may be the best choice for you. The surface is smooth to the touch but still provides a secure grip during use, and the material quickly absorbs sweat, hiding any sweat stains and making it easy to clean. This also means that cork yoga mats are very versatile – suitable for both yoga and intense, sweat-inducing sports.
“I’ve had this mat for about six months now and I use it every few days for stretching and strength training,” Grace said. “When I first opened the box, I was a little disappointed that the cork was very thin. But once I started using it, I found that the cushioning was more than enough for stability training and daily strength training.”
Although the Mirafit Cork Yoga Mat has a TPE foam backing and comes in plastic packaging, it is more eco-friendly than the PVC options on our list because cork is a natural material, meaning it is also biodegradable and renewable.
Buy if: You want a rug that is versatile and eco-friendly. Conditions to avoid: You want a thicker rug or one that is 100% cork.
Our team of women’s and family health experts and our professional testers put all the thick yoga mats featured in this guide to the test in a variety of yoga classes, from high-intensity cardio to gentle stretching. We also tested the mats in HIIT and at-home strength training, and even used one as the base for an at-home exercise bike.
The mats were originally tested last year. However, in 2024, we reviewed them again and confirmed that they are the best thick yoga mats you can buy.
Yoga mats are about 3mm thick, and thicker yoga mats are usually 6mm or more thick. If it is thinner than 3mm, you will not get enough support for your back, feet, knees, and other body parts that are subject to stress during exercise.
When choosing the right yoga mat, you should consider the thickness. For optimal thickness, it is recommended to choose a mat that is at least 8 mm thick, but 6 mm should be enough to support the major joints of the body.
Ultimately, the thickness of your yoga mat is up to you and your practice. “There is no ideal thickness for a yoga mat, it all depends on the practitioner, the style of yoga they practice, and the space they practice in,” Georgie Davis, a yoga teacher who teaches vinyasa and gentle yoga, told us.
“For example, if you’re practicing at home on a carpet rather than on a hardwood floor at the gym, you may not need as much padding on your mat,” said George, who also founded Yogipod, an online yoga platform. “If your class involves a lot of hand-and-knee poses or you have a condition that makes you uncomfortable, a little more padding on your mat may be ideal.”
It’s also worth noting that thicker mats, while they may provide extra cushioning and feel great in certain poses, will reduce your contact with the ground. This can impact your ability to maintain balance or land properly during vigorous activities.
“Thicker mats can make it difficult to maintain balance in single-leg poses like tree pose, and can also impact stability in standing due to the thicker mat under the feet,” explains George. “However, this can be mitigated by taking balance poses off the mat so that there is enough when needed, and by developing stability and strength in the ankles, feet and legs.”