The best yoga mats for post-run recovery and home workouts

There are yoga mats, and then there are lululemon yoga mats. Despite a plethora on offer, this 5mm offering is the mat one RW editor comes back to time and time again. Why? The grip is incredible, the patterns are gorgeously soothing, the cushioning is just right and it’s easy to keep clean too.

We've had ours for years and it’s still as grippy as the first day we unrolled it, plus the edges still lie flat on the ground despite it being stored rolled up.

It's made from quality materials (including natural FSC certified rubber) that offer exceptional durability, so you'll never have to replace it, and it doesn't slip around on hard or soft surfaces. Without a doubt worth the investment.

All our testers said it was very hard to find a negative with this mat. It's one of the thickest we tested, at 6mm offering excellent cushioning for run-weary joints, and has a bumpy texture to aid grip — particularly helpful if you find you need a bit of help in balances.

It lends itself well to yoga as well as higher intensity exercise, and will certainly see you through a post-run stretch with ease. It can also withstand trainers, and as cleaning it is a doddle (just give it a wipe) you don't have to worry about marking it as you exercise.

Being PVC rather than rubber, it can't quite match the grip of more expensive (and typically heavier) mats, so might not suit those who really want to go deep into their practice. But it's a great option for more casual yogis or those who want something with a bit more versatility.

It comes in a truly huge range of gorgeous designs, plus it won't break the bank either.

Every yoga mat claims to be grippy, and many are — but (as far as we think) none more so than this one from Yogi Bare. An upgrade on the old 'Extreme Grip' range, the Ever Grip mats are next level. The grip is truly phenomenal; no matter how much you sweat, hands and feet stay planted as if rooted to the ground.

These mats are also beautiful — pick it up in wild green, dusty rose or black — and feature a subtle design that acts as as basic alignment guide as well as looking chic.

The mat rolls up nice and compact for storage (and it comes with a carry bag to help keep dust off/aid your schlep to the studio) and it always lies when rolled out — no annoying curling edges here.

We use this regularly on a hard floor and have no problems, but if you're after more cushioning you might want to choose something a little thicker — or use it on a firm carpet or rug.

If you can't perform a runner's lunge without wincing, this is the mat for you. Designed for Pilates (which typically employs a lot of floor work), it's a whopping 20mm thick – yes, 2cm. And that thickness is delightfully squishy too, so it's a dream to use on hard floors to provide some give.

The grip is good enough for lighter work, but we have found that over time and a lot of use it has gotten a little slippier (likely the texture has worn down), so consider whether that aligns with the type of practice you'll be doing — and don't use with trainers as we have! But for deep stretching and restorative poses, it's hard to beat this one.

The Liforme travel mat gets a nod further up, but we couldn't not include the brand's original mat — it's that good.

Ideal whether you're in pursuit of great grip, an aesthetically-pleasing mat or you're simply someone who finds it tricky to stay centred, this natural rubber offering is thick enough to support joints and features alignment guides to keep you on track in downward dog, warrior and more. It's also sweat-resistant, so you can bring the heat, and comes with a yoga bag.

When the good people at Yogamatters described this mat as sticky, they were not lying. It's so tacky in fact, when rolled up it stays taught, and you don't really need a strap to hold it closed when carrying it.

Of course, the benefits of that stickiness transfer to your practice, and hands and feet stay glued down on the textured surface whether you're planking, piking or hanging out in downward dog.

Weighing in at just 1.2kg this is also a great portable option, but doesn't sacrifice cushioning, so you can rest assured knees will be protected on hard studio floors. At 61cm wide it is on the slightly smaller side so if you like to spread out, you may want to look elsewhere.

If you can afford it, our editors reckon this is one of the best yoga mats out there. Luxuriously thick for a comfortable practice, the mat comes with a lifetime guarantee, so if it begins to wear away, you can swap it for a new one.

This is one of the most padded mats on the market — at 6mm thick, it's good for joint protection and versatility on any surface. The dot pattern on the bottom of the mat prevents it from sliding or bunching underfoot and the closed-cell surface keeps bacteria from getting into the mat, so it won’t get smelly. The only downside we could find is the price tag, but for those who practise often, it’s worth it.

If you're after a mat you can easily take to the studio, park, garden, etc., then this may be it. It's incredibly light — less than a kilo — yet still offers 5mm cushioning. The grip, while good, does not rival that of more expensive options, so this is definitely a more casual use mat than one for dedicated yogis.

There's a central line and other markings to help align your practice, and the mat also happens to comes with one of the best carry straps we've ever tried — it's stretchy, durable and so easy to use. It's also necessary to keep the mat rolled up, as it's so light it tends to need the extra help.

We use this mainly for outdoor workouts and stretching. It feels like you can throw it around a bit (quite literally) and it's easy to clean (just wipe down with warm soapy water), so we never feel trepidatious about taking it outside — particularly when it's such excellent value.

Liforme’s mats are loved by yogis the world over, and after testing the brand’s travel-friendly offering, we understand the hype. Not only does it offer unrivalled grip, but it also provides visual alignment markers to guide the placement of your hands and feet – helpful if you’re looking to improve your technique.

It feels super lightweight and comes with a handy travel case, making it a breeze to carry around. It’s on the thinner side so you can roll it up easily, but this means it’s not the most protective on hard floors. Look to one of our other options if you require more cushioning and back support, but for on-the-go yogis, beginners, and those who want to level up their practice, it’s hard to beat.

If sustainability is top priority, let us introduce you to Complete Unity, the brainchild of two experienced yoga teachers on a mission to create a mat that’s effective and kinder to the planet. It’s made from natural jute fibre and sustainably harvested tree rubber, the manufacturing process is zero waste, the packaging is plastic-free, and it’s biodegradable and non-toxic.

Eco creds aside, the mat earned top marks from our expert, who said it helped them take their practice to the next level. It was thick enough to keep their spine comfortable, they felt grounded during their flows, and weren’t worried about slipping at any point.

The jute material may not be the softest, but it is durable. So, if you’re after a design that will follow you on your yoga journey without flaking, ripping or denting, you’ve met your match. We would have liked a travel strap and the absence of care instructions was disappointing, but those were our only quibbles.

If you're experimenting with doing your yoga practice at home, instead of the studio, this is a good, affordable option. At 4mm thick it won't be the most comfortable mat on the market, but has a good amount of grip and won't break the bank if you're also investing in some other home gym equipment (such as these weights, exercise bikes and treadmills).

This Yogamatters mat is made using a unique combination of EVA foam and algae that has been separated from water in lakes and ponds, with the brand saying 64 litres of cleaned water is returned to natural environments for each mat made. It’s also vegan and uses materials certified by the Global Recycling Standard — impressive stuff.

The mat is wonderfully cushioned, offering an incredibly comfortable surface for slower flows. It’s remarkably lightweight too, especially considering its 5mm thickness, making it easy to take with you on the go. The material isn’t as grippy as many of its counterparts, so it’s not one for hot yoga or more dynamic practices, but it's a great match for more restorative sessions or a spot of stretching.

If you’re partial to hot yoga sessions and sweaty HIIT workouts, this plush mat is a worthy contender. It offers more grip as it gets wetter, allowing you to tackle the hottest of flows without fear of slipping. You needn't worry about the mat moving under your feet, either; on test, it stuck to the floor brilliantly when unfurled.

With a luxuriously soft top layer made from vegan suede, it will keep your spine and limbs comfortable as you move from pose to pose, and it comes with a nifty over-the-shoulder carry strap for al fresco ashtanga sessions. It’s machine washable and dries overnight, so you can keep your mat fresh and odour-free without any fuss.

Top tip: spray with water before using to maximise grip.

If you’re looking for a premium yoga mat but don’t want to spend loads, this could be your answer. The rubbery upper offered great grip, which improved when things got a little heated and our expert’s hands began to sweat.

It marks quite easily so we wouldn’t recommend it for home workouts, and it is on the heavier side. But it does come with free carry straps, which are a big help if you do choose a studio or alfresco session over at-home practice.

This Kati Kaia mat certainly doesn’t shy away from the spotlight, but we loved the uplifting splash of colour it brought to our yoga sessions. Its unique vegan suede surface (made from recycled plastic bottles) also earned our tester’s seal of approval, offering a soft and comfortable platform to lie on without compromising on grip.

It's even grippier when wet — ideal for sweaty hot yoga — so give it a quick spritz with water before getting started for optimal performance.

Available in a range of colours and designs.

Is there anything more annoying than lugging around a bulky yoga mat when you’re on the move? Fortunately, this elegant option can be folded up and stashed into your gym bag, making it the perfect travel companion.

It’s a sound choice for dynamic yoga sessions and high impact exercise as the soft rubbery material lays out completely flat and offers fantastic grip, even when things get sweaty. Given its minimal 2mm thickness, however, it’s not suitable for challenging yoga postures that require ample cushioning.

It’s also worth noting that this mat is likely to wear down quicker than PVC ones due to its less durable sustainable materials. Still, you can relax into child’s pose knowing you’re doing your bit for the planet.

Shop in natural or grey.