The Best Thick Yoga Mat

Yoga mats are a must-have accessory if you like practicing yoga. Well, maybe not a must-have, since it is technically possible to do yoga without them, but the risk of suffering from injuries is way higher if you come in direct contact with the floor, without having any sort of support or cushioning. Of course, there’s the question of how thick a yoga mat should be, so today we wanted to guide you through what a thick yoga mat means for those who practice yoga, and what are some really good and thick mats right now.

5 Best Thick Yoga Mat Comparisons

Choosing the Right Thickness

The main role of a yoga mat is to provide support and cushioning as you’re striking different yoga poses. As you probably already know, yoga mats are available in different sizes, different thickness levels, and different materials. In order to choose the right thickness, it’s important for you to first determine what type of surface you’ll be practicing on the most.

For instance, those of you who practice yoga at home and have a carpet to stand on don’t really need a very thick yoga mat. While you might be tempted to think that you could use all the cushioning you can get, and therefore opting for a thicker mat is always the intelligent move, you should also be able to maintain a correct position, and that can only be achieved if you have enough floor contact to maintain balance. Having more cushioning between your body and a floor might sound like a good idea, but not if it gets in the way of your stability.

If you aren’t practicing yoga on a carpet and the surface of the floor is hard, then you can absolutely use a thicker mat for extra cushioning. Also, keep in mind that location is important. If you travel frequently and need a lightweight and portable mat, the added thickness will contribute to its weight, making it more difficult to carry.

What is a Good Thickness for Yoga Mats?

• Mats that come with a ⅛-inch (3.175mm) thickness are generally the best ones if you’re looking for portability. They are light in weight and offer plenty of stability when you’re doing your poses.
• ¼-inch (6.35mm) mats are great for those who need more cushioning in order to protect sensitive joints and bones.
• 5/16-inch (7.937mm) mats are good for those who do floor workouts and means protection for their spine.

Top 5 Thick Yoga Mat Reviews

Curious to know what are some of the best thick yoga mats right now. Stick with us for a little longer, as we explore the top 5 options that have plenty to offer in terms of cushioning and support.

BalanceFrom GoYoga

Available at a really affordable price and with a thickness level that can support people in the most complicated poses, the BalanceFrom GoYoga has been chosen and praised by a considerable number of customers. It is a 24 x 71-inch mat that comes in seven different colors to match your personality. It can be used on either one of its sides as both of them are non-slip and promise stability when you are doing yoga.

Measuring 0.5 inches in thickness, the mat manages to provide plenty of cushioning, especially since it’s made from a high-density type of foam. While extremely comfortable, foam is a tricky material to use in yoga mats because it can easily get scratched or punctured. To prolong its lifespan, you might want to take off any jewelry when doing yoga, especially any rings. The mat is equipped with a carrying strap that can be adjusted thanks to the addition of Velcro.

Who Should Buy This?

Those of you that are mostly into best-selling products should know that the BalanceFrom GoYoga mat is an extremely popular product amongst yogis of all levels of expertise.

Pros:

• Good for extra cushioning.
• Good for those who bruise easily.
• Good for older yogis.
• Good for other workouts.
• Adjustable straps included.

Cons:

• Foam gets easily punctured.

Gaiam Essentials

Gaiam is a very respectable brand in the yoga mat business, but they also provide their customers with affordable mats, and this one right here is proof of that. Available in a wide variety of colors, this ⅖-inch mat may be just what you need if you’re looking for that extra padding that will keep your body protected during exercise. In fact, because of its extra cushioning, this mat is ideal for a variety of different floor exercises and isn’t limited just to yoga.

With 3.11 pounds in weight, it is not the lightest mat out there, but the weight is understandable considering the thickness of the product and how much the foam used to make it weighs in general. With the added straps, you should be able to take this yoga classes on a frequent basis, without having to worry about pain.

It is a dual-sided mat, which means that you can reverse it and use it either way. It offers a firm grip so that your hands and feet will have stability when you’re switching from one pose to another.

Who Should Buy This?

If you’re looking for an affordable yoga mat and have to stick within a very limited budget, this Gaiam Essential pad will provide you with a fair amount of cushioning available at a fair price.

Pros:

• Provides extra cushioning.
• Great for wooden floors.
• Protects the back.
• Convenient carrying strap.
• Good for heavyweight people.
• Easy to clean.
• Good price.

Cons:

• Slight off-gassing.

ProsourceFit

If you want a really thick yoga mat (I mean,a REALLY thick yoga mat), how does one inch in thickness sound? That’s right, ProsourceFit has a mat that’s available in ½-inch and a one-inch thickness, giving you the possibility to opt for all the extra cushioning you could possibly need. Of course, there is the issue of being able to maintain balance on this height, but there are a few categories of people who practice yoga that might benefit from this.

Leaving the thickness aside, this yoga mat is made from the same type of foam as the others we’ve talked about today and offers a non-slip surface that you can rely on at any time. The texture of the material makes it so that you can get a firm grip when striking a pose, but also prevent the mat from sliding onto smooth surfaces, like wooden floors.

The NBR foam used to make this mat promises a water-resistant surface, which could raise the issue of sweat not being absorbed by the materials and causing your hands and feet to slip all over the place. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

Who Should Buy This?

As a general rule, a yoga mat that measures one inch in height is typically too thick for yoga. However, it is a good option for older people who have more sensitive bones and joints, for those who have suffered injuries or have medical conditions (such as arthritis) that require them to use more padding.

Pros:

• Multiuse mat.
• Easy to store.
• Good insulation on cold floors.
• Carrying sling included.
• Non-slip surface.

Cons:

• Pretty heavy (4.5 pounds).
• Not very stable for some.

Heathyoga

You might notice that this mat is a bit more expensive compared to the others we’ve shown you today, but that’s because it’s made with a more eco-friendly type of material. TPE is the new craze in the yoga world right now, and plenty of people who care about the environment and the toxins they come close to every day will buy one of these.

What can you expect from this mat? First of all, know that it’s made with biodegradable and certified material, which means that even once you’re done using it for good, it can be recycled. It measures ¼ inches in height, which doesn’t make it the thickest option, but it still managed to provide plenty more cushioning compared to the standard ⅛ inches that most yoga mats have.

Aside from being cushioning and eco-friendly, this mat also ticks all the boxes for being super durable as well. The material is very flexible and if you force it around a little bit, you will notice that it’s very resistant to wear and tear. That’s because it comes with a middle mesh layer and a design that makes it a solid product that can withstand plenty of kicking around.

Who Should Buy This?

If you’re concerned about the toxins that might be found in materials such as PVC or foam, you want an eco-friendly Pilates mat or yoga mat. The Heathyoga is a really good candidate for those who are looking to spend more money to buy a product that’s made with sustainable materials.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly material.
• Recyclable.
• Body alignment system.
• Good for all levels of expertise.
• Certified material.
• Resistant.

Cons:

• Shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight.

Jade Fusion

Jade Yoga is one of the best companies that currently produce yoga mats, there’s no doubt about it. The Fusion is their best and thickest mat, made from quality materials and with eco-friendly properties. It’s made from an open-cell rubber that comes from natural sources. Furthermore, Jade Yoga is a company that will plant a tree for every mat that it sells, because they believe in giving back what they take from Earth, and that’s how it should really be.

It is available in two different lengths and 3 colors, being good-looking aside from practical and thick. Even by reading customer reviews that talk about the experience of owning and working on this mat for years, you can tell that you’re dealing with a high-quality product.

Who Should Buy This?

Make no mistake, this yoga mat is far more expensive compared to what you may have seen so far, which is why we consider it a product for those who are really serious about practicing yoga and would much rather invest in a natural and professional mat rather than buy a less expensive one with questionable durability. This is also a great choice for those who are always on the go.

Pros:

• Made with natural rubber.
• Good grip.
• Very durable.
• Sustainable brand.
• Quality construction.

Cons:

• Expensive.
• It requires a break-in period.

Bottom Line

Thick yoga mats are generally a more popular choice amongst people who have medical conditions that require extra cushioning and protection of the muscles, bones, and joints. While extremely comfortable, thick yoga mats generally have one big downside: the thicker they are, the harder it is for a yogi to maintain balance. The good news is that thick yoga mats now come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, which should make it pretty easy for you to find one to your liking.