31 of the Dopest Yoga Mats on the Planet
Yoga is an expression of life. And our yoga mat (potentially) can be an expression of ourselves. Our personality, our mood and our inner beauty, our flava ... now to just find the right one.
Here's a list of the dopest yoga mats on the planet.
TRIBAL
Wildlings Haleakala
This outta-this-world yoga mat was inspired by the otherworldly landscape of Maui's Haleakala crater at sunrise. This "space" mat combines tribal (and almost alien-like) symbols – perfect for transcending in your yoga practice.
wildlingsyoga.com, $75
La Vie Boheme Yoga Dreamer
How sweet is it to practice yoga on a dream catcher? This water color design, extra thick, latex-free yoga mat will let your good dreams pass on through to the other side...
laviebohemeyoga.com, $86
GAIAM Be Free Reversible
Not sure you can pick just one mat? With this reversible yoga mat you can change the "look" depending on if your vibin' with the Sun & Moon or perhaps the OM Lotus symbol. It's like getting two yoga mats for the price of one!
gaiam.com, $34.98
Wildlings Teton Yoga Mat Towel
This yoga mat towel fits right on top of any yoga mat to seriously spice it up. It's made of recycled materials (including eight recycled water bottles) and has a textured grippy underside to help it stay put on your yoga mat. Wildlings Yoga also donates $2 to charity for every mat sold ... score!
urbanoutfitters.com, $64
Southwest Magic Carpet Yoga Mat
There are few things more beautiful thnn Magic Carpet Yoga Mats. This is one of Sophie Leginger's (the creator's) original designs. All MCYM are inspired by traditional carpet weavings and patterns, taken to a whole new contemporary and innovative level.
This particular mat was inspired by the American Southwest weaving tradition and is a phthalate-free, non-Latex PVC mat with sustainable UV-cured inks.
magiccarpetym.com, $98
Hi-Tech
Tera by Lunar Fitness Mat
I'm not totally convinced that the words "hi-tech" and "yoga" should go together, but I will admit that this concept is pretty darn cool. Wouldn't mind stepping onto this yoga spaceship to see what lights up.
Tera is a crazy dope rug that's also an innovative exercise mat. This creation by design firm Lunar is made of wool and laced with sensors that track your movements and see where you may need some balance and adjustments.
Connect this baby to its designated app and it will walk you through guided yoga routine LED lights as prompts to where it suggests your placement should be. Yogis worldwide have been patiently waiting for the Tera to come on the market since 2014.
tera.lunar-europe.com (TBA)
TERA fitness mat from LUNAR Europe on Vimeo.
SmartMat
SmartMat is an "intelligent" yoga mat with advanced sensor technology that detects when you're out of alignment and gives you real-time feedback on how to correct your pose. It connects to your smartphone, tablet, iPad or iPhone.
Spiritual Revolution The "Transcendence" Mat
This gorgeous photo (believe it or not) was taken by Dore’ Vorum of the New York harbor and an exploding abstract sunset. All mats are PVC and phtalate free and use a recyclable, biodegradable, eco-friendly, natural tree rubber base that is bonded to an ultra-absorbent suede cloth top made from recycled water bottles.
FOR DUDES
Yoga Design Lab Combo Mat – Aegean
This premium Eco-friendly Mat/Towel Combination was designed to be the ultimate yoga companion. Not only is it machine washable, but it's also non-slip for even the hottest yoga class (no need to drag along a yoga towel). The faded turquoise design is reminiscent of the ancient art, statues and architecture from the East.
yogadesignlab.com, $68
Brogamats Quiver of Arrows
Are we the only ones who think this mat is freakin' dope? Seriously doubt it. I mean a quiver of arrows? Ingenious.
Brogamats.com, $55
Yoga Design Lab Combo Mat Collage
I love that this simple geometric design is so classy and vibrant, and I don't know a man (or woman, for that matter) who wouldn't love it too.
yogadesignlab.com, $68
Lululemon The Towel by Heather Hansen
What's even doper than this actual yoga towel, is how it was made. Check out the video below about the artist and how the design was created.
lululemon.com, $42
Aurorae Synergy Yoga Mat/Towel
If you're into hot yoga, but not the slipperiness that comes along with it, try this mat. It's the consistency of a towel on one side (to absorb sweat and avoid a potential catastrophe) and on the other side, it's a regular yoga mat that will easily stay put when you're doing inversions in 90-plus degrees. (unlike a cumbersome towel). Don't you just love a 2-in-1?
Aurorae, $49.95
Manduka eKO Lite Limited Edition
The eKO Mat is a trailblazer in the eco-friendly yoga mat category. In short, it leaves no footprint behind in landfills and uses a natural rubber and toxic-free softening process. The top layer of the mat is a natural sealed-cell surface that keeps out moisture and sweat from seeping into the mat and breeding bacteria. The deep forrest colors are so beautiful yet perfect for a dude.
manduka.com, ($68)
GEOMETRIC
Yoga Design Lab Combo Mat – Geo
I just love this eco-friendly Mat/Towel combo, built specifically to reduce slipping, injuries and to be an all-in-one product. What a perfect blend of colors!
yogadesignlab.com, $68
Yoga Design Lab
Like a breathtaking sunset/night sky, but seen through a kaleidoscope lens. Simply swooning over this mat.
yogadesignlab.com, $68
MANDALAS
TheFoxAndTheMermaid Green Ombre
Though not "technically" a yoga mat, what better way to practice yoga on the beach than with this beauty? This round mandala blanket is so incredibly gorgeous and can be used for anything from a yoga towel, picnic blanket, wall hanging, meditation blanket, throw blanket ... you name it!
Instagram.com, $45
Vagabondyoga FreeBird
Inspired by the Native American Thunderbird and arrows, this handmade beautifully designed printed yoga mat will make you the envy of all your fellow yogis, and when you're done with class ... why not hang it up on your wall?
etsy.com, $79
OHMat Dutch Design ~ Sahred
7 chakras lotus flower mandalas were printed on this eco-friendly mat with the anahata chakra beaming green in the center. This mat is the perfect reminder to stay heart-centered during your whole practice.
etsy.com, $93
SANKALPA The Great Balance - Third Eye Chakra
This intriguing painting/yoga mat was created with different filters of color, 7 exactly, representing each chakra and inviting us to go deeper on the yoga path. It's so very unique, and eco-friendly, made from a recyclable, renewable, biodegradable, 100% natural tree rubber base.
livesankalpa.com, $135
SILLY
Roberlan "Darth Yoda" Star Wars Yoga Mat
Don't take your yoga class too seriously! Learn to embrace silliness along with the light and dark side of the force with "Darth Yoda" ... too funny just.
Houzz.com, $99
Grey Area Yoga Mat by Wim Delvoye
Mr. Clean will clean your home! Why is Mr. Clean on a yoga mat, you ask? Well, Grey Area commissioned 7 artists to use the yoga mat as their canvas. Wim Delvoye decided to use intricate patterns that recall the Eastern origins of yoga.
He also subverts these motifs by replacing ornamental decor with barbed wire, gun ammunition, chain-link and a Mr. Clean-inspired genie figure.
Grey Area, $80
ALIGNMENT
Liforme Yoga Mat
Liforme has made an innovative well-designed yoga mat to keep your practice strategically aligned. They spent years researching, re-designing, and re-developing to create the Liforme Yoga Mat, and their unique AlignForMe yoga asana alignment system.
Liforme, $140
Traditional Magic Carpet Yoga Mat
The Traditional Magic Carpet Yoga Mat is one of the oldest original MCYM designs, and it's rooted in old-world tradition. Fashioned after a Persian rug, it features ornate floral and diamond patterns to give your asanas structure and beauty.
The shapes are placed in strategic locations to assist in your postural alignment.
magiccarpetym.com, $98
MATS THAT GIVE BACK
Jade Yoga Fusion Mat
$ 124.95
The Fusion mat is extra thick for extra cushion. At 5/16” thick, the Fusion mat is great for your restorative yoga/pilates/core fitness practice or just for when you want that extra comfort. Fusion is available at 24" wide and in a variety of colors and two lengths (68” and 74”). The Fusion mat weighs about 8 ½ pounds.
Jade is everything you want in a yoga mat – cool colors, incredible grip, great comfort and eco-friendly. Jade mats are made sustainably with natural rubber tapped from rubber trees, a renewable resource and unlike other mats contains no PVC, EVA or other synthetic rubber, and are made in the United States in compliance with all US environmental, labor and consumer protection laws. Plus, Jade plants a tree for every mat sold – with over 850,000 trees planted so far!
With every Teal mat purchased, $5 will be donated to ovarian cancer charities.
Jade Yoga, $134.95.
Diwata Hand-Painted Sari - Peacock Design
This peacock hand-painted yoga mat was the design that started the brand. Part of the proceeds of all yoga mat sales goes towards EMPOWER, helping the advocacy group grow and reach more victims living in silence and fear through information, access to councilors, events and workshops on finding community.
diwatauniversal.com, $119.99
ANIMALS
Monika Strigel "Rainbow Giraffe"
Is there an animal more exotic and peaceful than a giraffe? I think not. Gaze into the eyes of this African beauty while absorbing the quality of serenity, peace and goodness during your yoga practice.
kessinhouse.com, $74.25
Yeti Yoga x Leah Duncan Collaboration Bird Mat
It was honestly really hard to select from Yeti Yoga's gorgeous collection of mats. This one, reminiscent of a phoenix rising, is particularly stunning and features the art of Leah Duncan.
etsy.com, ($60)
Padgett Mason "Wild One"
Why not let out your inner lion on this "king" of all mats? Feel the strength, courage and fierceness of simhasana in every pose. ROOOAAAAR!
kessishouse.com, $74.25
SANKALPA Mipham's Horse
This mat was created with the metaphor that the mind is like a horse. Therefore, the practice of meditation is like training a wild horse. What's even cooler than the design and symbolism, is the fact that every product is created by a different artist to represent a yogi, and every purchase made at Sankalpa Yoga Community directly supports an independent Yogi & Artist.
livesankalpa.com, $135
Love Passion "Bear in Grass" Brown Blue
The primary symbolism associated with the bear spirit animal is strength and confidence. Standing against adversity; taking action and leadership. The bear medicine emphasizes the importance of solitude, quiet time and rest. The spirit of the bear provides strong grounding forces.
kessinhouse.com, $74.25
Whuddya think? Super dope, right? Tag us on Insta, Facebook or Twitter.
Bess O'Connor is the founder of Urban Wellness Magazine. She has studied in many healing traditions, is a Certified Ayurvedic and Holistic Health Practitioner and worked as a Healing Arts Master for the Chopra Center for 8 years. A holistic, natural lifestyle is what she's all about. To her, WELLNESS is short for: Water, Exercise, Love, Light, Nourishment, Energy, Sun & Spirit. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.