Yoga is more than just a way to exercise, it’s a discipline that involves the physical, the mental and the spiritual, but practicing it involves buying a few things, including a proper mat, so we wanted to take a look at the 10 most expensive yoga mats wondering if they’re worth it.
Generally speaking, when you start doing yoga you don’t really have a lot to invest in since you don’t need a million accessories. You get a subscription to a nice instructor, buy yourself some yoga pants (which don’t have to be the most expensive yoga pants on the market) and a top and a yoga mat. You’re all set after this since it’s a pretty low-cost hobby. You can cut costs further by doing it all in your own living room, although that’s not recommended for absolute beginners.
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When it comes to those yoga mats, there are a lot of things to take into account when buying one. On one hand, you have to consider the perfect length of the mat that you need, then, you need to consider just how thick the mat should be.
Their prices range from quite cheap to extremely expensive so you’re often left wondering why you should pay a lot of money when you can get something for only a fraction of the price. So, is it worth it to splurge on a yoga mat or not?
Well, those who are often doing some kind of body bending position filed under “yoga” swear by the expensive ones. According to various voices, when you pay a lot of money for a mat, you’re actually saving money because it won’t need to be replaced for a long while.
The more money you pay for a mat, the higher quality you’ll get, which means the mat won’t flake in just a few months, it will maintain its thickness for longer, and it will continue to be as smooth as it was in the beginning.
So, what it all boils down to is that in the span of, let’s say, five years, you won’t change as many mats and you’ll get to enjoy the one you splurged on when you first started out.
In order to create a list of the 10 most expensive yoga mats we took a look at Amazon’s offerings, noticing in the process that we met some of the options we also found as recommended by yoga fans. You should keep in mind, however, that the list seems to be ever-changing due to the price fluctuations depending on who’s giving out price cuts and who’s not.
10. Zest Yoga Mat
Price: $130
This mat is made with nano-foam technology, making it perfect for yoga and pilates. You can roll it or fold it for better storage and for whenever you’re traveling with it. It’s 3/16 inch thick, which means it’s going to be quite lovely for your joints. Basically, if you’re going to spend a lot of time exercising on your knees, or on your sides, including your hips and elbows, this is going to be great. Even the spine will be protected with this mat.
Those who have tried it out are quite happy with the fact that it doesn’t slip and that it’s comfortable for them to exercise on.
9. Yoloha Body Flow Cork Yoga Mat
Price: $130
Unlike other yoga mats out there, this one is made out of “100% eco-friendly cork.” Basically, no trees were harmed when making this mat, which is pretty nice if you’re trying to protect the nature. Another benefit of this is that it comes without the nasty rubber smell so many people complain about, it lays flat instantly, and it won’t slide.
The mat is non-slip which is great, especially if you’re a heavy sweater during your workout. It’s a 72-inch mat that’s 4mm thick and weighs 6 pounds, which you should obviously take into consideration when planning a trip.
8. Jade Fusion 74-inch Yoga Mat
Price: $135
The mat is supposedly made with natural rubber, which the producer claims it makes the Jade Fusion mat as the most comfortable of them all. The 74-inch mat is perfect for yoga, pilates or core fitness practice, so you can use it for more activities.
The Jade Fusion mat is quite thick, namely 5/16 inches, which provides extra cushion for those points where you put all your pressure on. What’s cool about this mat is that you’ll be doing your part in saving the world as the company claims to plant a tree with every mat sold. If true, that’s a pretty great incentive if you want to do your part in repopulating the Earth with trees.
Reviewers swear by this mat, saying that it recovers its shape better than other synthetic mats. Furthermore, it doesn’t slide on damp floors in case you’re practicing in one. On the downside, since the mat is made out of natural rubber, it comes with a heavy tire smell so you’ll need to air it out for quite a while before the smell is either gone or you’re desensitized to it, whichever comes first.
7. Manduka Black Mat Pro Deluxe Yoga Package
Price: $145.5
This is actually a package that includes not only the mat but also the matsak. The matsak comes with a damp article compartment so you can store your sweaty clothes and towel once your workout is done, and a padded shoulder strap.
Reviewers consider this to be one of the best mats out there, saying it’s sturdy enough to fit great with a hard floor. Like most mats, this one will need to be broken into before it becomes what dreams are made of. It’s a 71-inch mat, so it should fit even the tallest of yoga practitioners. Some users complain that they can’t properly fold the mat to make it fit back in the sack, so you should consider this as well.
6. Jade Harmony Professional 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat
Price: $160
This is a premium 3/16 inch yoga mat that’s made out of natural rubber. It’s marketed as being slip-resistant even if you’ve sweat on it.
The 68-inch mat is $160 and the price increases with the length, which you should keep in mind if you need something that’s a few inches longer. Since this is a JadeYoga mat, if you buy one, they’ll plant a tree for you thanks to the partnership they have with Trees for the Future.
The mat is recommended by a lot of people, including yoga instructors. People claim that it offers great security for most exercises and that it doesn’t slip at all unless you’ve sweat buckets on it.
5. Manduka Unisex PRO Squared Yoga Mat
Price: $ 296 (down from $360)
We’re up to the expensive mats now. Manduka is one brand that’s quite well regarded among professionals and beyond. The price alone speaks of the higher quality the mat is supposed to have and the reviews are there to back up the claims.
The mat in question is a 78 by 78-inch square mat, giving you more room than the regular narrower versions that we all know and associate with the concept of “yoga mat.” The ¼ inch thick mattress offers plenty of support for your spine, hips, knees and elbows, even if it’s placed on hard floors. The premium mat is slip resistant, but it’s not sticky, unlike other similar products.
People who have bought and tried it are more than happy with their purchase. The fact that it has a square shape is praised by many of these yoga fans since they don’t have to rotate the mat depending on the direction they’re exercising in. They believe that while this is an expensive mat, once you try it out you’ll never want to do your exercises on a regular one again.
4. Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
Price: $326
This is by far one of the most expensive mats out there, but judging from the reviews, it’s all worth it. The mat is available in a multitude of colors so you should be able to find something that suits your likes among the many shades being offered, including various tones of black, gray, blue and more.
The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat is Oeko-Tex certified, offering superior wear and longevity. The ¼ inch thick mat provides a comfortable cushion for the spine, hips, knees and elbows even when placed on hard floors. Even when wet from heavy perspiration, the mat is slip resistant, which makes it a safe one to use for your exercises, no matter if you’re thinking of yoga or another type of mat-based activity.
Since this is a thick mat, rolling it up will make it quite massive, not to mention heavy. Then again, however, it won’t matter all that much if you’re going to fully enjoy your routine on this comfortable premium mat. The $326 price tag is reserved for the 71-inch version, although a longer, 85-inch version, is also available for purchase.
All in all, this is definitely one of the 10 most expensive yoga mats. In the end, it’s up to you whether you believe these mats are worth it or not, but there are thousands of people out there who swear by them so they should be good for something.
3. Airex Atlas Mat
Price: 3,672 for a 10 pack (about $367 for a piece)
We’ve generally excluded packs and long mats that you can cut on your own, but these are pretty expensive on their own. The Airex Atlas Mat comes in packages of ten, so it boils down so about $367 for a piece. The mat is lightweight and comfortable, and the manufacturer promises it won’t slide on the floor, which makes it a little bit safer. It’s made from closed-cell foam with “an integrally molded skin for extra toughness,” according to the description.
2. Exercise Mat 2″ Thick
Price: $384
If you’re only looking to exercise at home, then this might be one of the best options out there. It’s a non-folding exercise mat that features a vinyl coated nylon cover. It’s a pretty thick mat, since the measurements given by the manufacturer is 2 inches.
1. Yoga Watermat
Price: $699 (plus $99 shipping)
This is a pretty complex mat, but if you want to practice yoga while floating around in your pool or the nearby lake, then you’ll need one of these. The WaterMat is 84 by 36 inches, and 3.25 inches thick and it comes with a 12 ft strap with a snap hook for anchoring so you don’t just drift away.
Doing your yoga exercises in the pool or on the lake seems like a pretty nice thing, but you should keep in mind just how much extra careful you need to be about your balance so you don’t take unnecessary dives into the water. This is already a pretty expensive mat, and there’s a pretty expensive cost for getting it to you too, as we noted above. Overall, it’s one of the 10 most expensive yoga mats.
