The best thick yoga mats provide the ultimate support for a workout. With a minimum of 6mm, they feel cushioned and offer additional padding with a grippy underside to help improve your focus and comfort for your class.
Thick yoga mats sit among the best yoga mats. As well as being a good option for those with specific pain points, they're useful for anyone looking to get a bit more support in their practice. "Whether you're a newbie yogi or a decades-long devotee, thicker mats provide extra cushioning for tender knees, ankles, and hip joints," says yoga instructor Jamie Kent. "They also support inversion poses, where the neck muscles are weight-bearing, like headstand and shoulder-stand variations."
When choosing a thick yoga mat, a non-slip mat with great stabilising qualities is best - but many people worry about choosing a mat that goes too far the other way. A mat that's too thick may be unstable, heavy to carry, hard to store, and difficult to roll out. To find the happy medium, we've scoured a huge selection to bring you a tried-and-tested edit of the best thick yoga mats. We tested these mats over several sessions to review their thickness, grip, design, and weight, and we spoke to the experts to determine which ones were worth buying.
The best thick yoga mats as tested by us
Thickness: 6mm | Weight: 1.59kg
The Gaiam Premium 6mm Thick Yoga Mat isn't just premium by name - it delivers comfort, support, durability, and a design that's as pleasing to the eye as it is on the body. "I use this mat every week in my regular yoga class and when I occasionally do home workouts with resistance bands," says our tested Lucy, who's been practising yoga for over 10 years. "I love it because it's so grippy on the bottom, so it stays put through the whole workout and I don't have to worry about my hands sliding around when they get sweaty."
While 6mm is far from the thickest yoga mat we have on our list, it's supportive enough to relieve pressure from the knees, hips, and ankles during most yoga mat workouts. "During my slower sessions, when I'm holding one pose for a longer period, I feel the difference between this mat and some of my thinner options," says Lucy.
This thick yoga mat comes in various colourways and patterns, with price depending on the one you choose, so there's one to suit every budget. We're a fan of dark blue design for a low-key accessory, but there are bright and bold options too. The only downside, Lucy says, is that there's a strong PVC smell when you first take this mat out of the packaging. However, she said this subsided after airing the mat out for a few days.
Buy if: You're looking for a thick and durable yoga mat with plenty of colour choice
Avoid if: You don't want a PVC mat
Thickness: 8mm | Weight: 1kg
At 8mm thickness, the Strongtek Extra Thick Yoga Mat is ideal for keeping in the studio or in your home for a quick session of beginner's yoga or a home workout. It has a double-layer structure and is made from TPE, which our tester - Digital Health Editor Grace Walsh - says is responsible for the mat's durable and secure feel underfoot.
"I have three yoga mats in rotation at the moment. This one I use for everything from Pilates to my weekly resistance band leg workout as it's just the right blend of supportive and stable, being under 10mm," she says. "The material feels grippy underfoot, which could make it a good option for those who like yoga mat, but it doesn't feel sticky and feels soft without socks on. When I took it out of the packaging, I was happy to see the underside had a grippy bottom that meant you could use it on wooden or tile floors without an issue."
It's also very lightweight and cleans well, she says, making it suitable for sweater workouts or sharing with others. However, Grace says she did notice that the mat had a distinctive smell on the first opening and you have to lay it out for a couple of hours to make it lie flat. But, otherwise, for less than £30, it's an excellent buy. It's also Amazon's Choice at the moment too, with over 200 4 and 5-star ratings.
Buy if: You want to do lots of different workouts on your mat, you need to lay your mat on hard wooden or tile flooring
Avoid if: You just do stretching on your yoga mat
Thickness: 12.7mm | Weight: 816 g
Looking for one of the best yoga mats to buy on Amazon that's also very lightweight and ultra-thick? At 12.7mm and under £20, it doesn't get much better than the BalanceFrom GoYoga+ All-Purpose mat. Our tester Lucy says it feels at least triple the thickness of a regular mat, very soft to rest on, and pillowy underfoot. While it used to come in bright pink and green colours, only grey is left in stock at the time of writing.
Nevertheless, our tester Lucy ranks it among her favourites. "I was expecting it to hold shapes I pressed into the mat during my routine but it doesn't, which makes it feel durable and reliable during workouts where I'm moving around a lot or holding a pose for a longer period," she says.
For those who want maximum cushioning, this is a great option as the mat comes with an additional pad with a further 15mm of cushioning, which can be used as a knee pad for doing workouts with dumbbells or to support your hands, wrists, or feet during yoga, stretching, and Pilates. Despite its thickness, this mat is lightweight and portable. It also comes with a carry strap. However, our tester notes that it's not as grippy as others (such as the Yogamatters Everyday 8mm Thick Wellness Mat), even though it has thick grooves in the material. If you're doing hot yoga or are concerned about grip, consider another option - like the Yogamatters Everyday 8mm Mat or the Gaiam Premium 6mm Thick Yoga Mat.
Buy if: You want a thick mat with Amazon delivery that's very lightweight
Avoid if: You do a lot of balance work
Thickness: 8mm | Weight: 3.2kg
The Jade Fusion 8mm Thick Yoga Mat may be the most expensive on the list but according to our tester, it's one of the best. Made from eco-friendly rubber, our tester says it feels sticky underfoot but without an overpowering smell (that normally comes with rubber mats). It blends thickness and comfort for the ultimate support during yoga sessions and higher-intensity workouts, including those with weights like kettlebells.
"I have sensitive knees from a running injury years ago and I find this mat made child's pose and Shavasana so comfortable. I almost couldn't feel the ground under me," she says. "It feels springy when I'm moving around on it though, so I never feel unstable on the mat."
The only downside of the mat was that it's heavier than most. At 3.2kg, it's heavier than others on the list, but still nowhere near the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat at 11kg. It also started to show some signs of wear and tear within six months of using the mat five times a week, she says, which is a little disappointing given the price. However, yours is likely to last longer if you're not using it very often.
Buy if: You want an eco-friendly option
Avoid if: You want a more affordable option with a guaranteed lifespan
Thickness: 6mm | Weight: 11kg
Looking for a durable yoga mat that will last a whole lifetime? If you can take the weight, the Manduka Pro Premium 6mm Thick Yoga Mat might be for you. It blends exceptionally high-quality materials with functional use, offering a great balance between cushioning and stability for all kinds of sessions. I tested this yoga mat in a month's worth of yoga classes and a couple of home workouts. The underside of the mat has great grip - I even felt secure on tile flooring - but it still allowed for easy movement with thick cushioning. At 6mm, like the Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat, it's not the thickest on the list but it was more than comfortable for me.
If you prefer a darker colour to complement your alternatives to black activewear, this is a great choice as it's only available in muted greens, reds, and blues. It also comes in different sizes to suit yogis of all heights (from 71" to 85"). Health Editor Grace Walsh also tested this mat - she went for 85" (at £144) as she's a little taller than average and prefers having more space on the mat.
The only downside - and this goes for most other premium mats too - is that the Manduka Pro Premium 6mm Thick Yoga Mat comes with a little extra weight. At 3kg, it's one of the heavier mats on the list - almost 2kg more, to be precise, than the Lululemon Foldable Mat (our lightweight option). This makes it a better choice, in my opinion, for those who prefer to practice at home rather than take their mat to the studio.
Buy if: You're looking for a latex-free luxury buy to last many years to come
Avoid if: You need to carry your mat around with you
Thickness: 10mm | Weight: 1.2kg
If you're just looking to buy one thick yoga mat for multiple workouts, the Yoga-Mad Core Fitness Mat is a great choice. Health Editor Grace Walsh tested this one out, doing various core exercises at home and lots of yoga stretches for beginners, to help loosen up after running. She says: "I've never been too fussy about yoga mats before - but I've actually stuck to just using this one for the last couple of weeks. For what I do, it's perfect. During ab workouts, you need a little more support to help prevent lower back discomfort while stretching. I found the 10mm to be more than enough for this, supporting my joints throughout each movement with stability. I also like the cool black colour, it's low-key and I can leave it out on my living room floor without it being jarring to look at."
At 10mm, this is one of the thickest yoga mats on the list but it's surprisingly lightweight at 1.2kg. Grace says she'd have no issues transporting this one in a bag or just in a strap over her shoulder. There are also deeper grooves on one side of the mat to stop it from sliding across tiled or wood floors, and texture on the other side that stops my hands from slipping. Even when the floor was damp underneath, the mat didn't move, she says. This makes it a good option for all kinds of workouts - from wall Pilates to HIIT.
It's a fuss-free option, versatile enough to support you in workouts from yoga flows to HIIT. But if colour really matters to you and you're not a fan of the discreet all-black, check out the options from YogaMatters and Adidas on the list.
Buy if: You want a mat above 8mm but still lightweight, good for a variety of workouts
Avoid if: You want lots of colours to choose from
Thickness: 6.5mm | Weight: 1.9kg
In many cases, thick yoga mats are heavier than others thanks to the extra materials in the construction. We have a couple of heavier mats on our list that have been rated 5 stars for their comfort and support - but these may not be suitable for those who need to carry their mat to and from the studio. So, enter Lululemon's Foldable Mat.
At 6.5mm, it's an averagely thick mat that offers cushioning and support during use but the folding design and 1.9kg weight makes it a packable and versatile option for all kinds of workouts away from home. While it's not as light as the BalanceFrom Go Yoga All Purpose Yoga Mat, it's still lighter than many on the list and combines comfort and support.
"It's super lightweight and you don't need a bulky bag to carry the mat, which I loved," says our tester. "I just fold this one up and put it in my normal gym bag. I think it's a great pick if you're taking it on the move. I also loved that it's non-slip, which gave me confidence in class to move around."
At 71" (about 6ft) in length, however, it's not the longest on the list. If you're under 5ft 7 inches (like our tester), then it shouldn't be a problem, but any taller yogis will benefit from a longer mat to get the most from their session.
Buy if: You want a non-slip mat
Avoid if: If you're about 5'7 or want a longer mat
Thickness: 5mm | Weight: 800g
If you're a taller yogi, you'll naturally benefit from a longer mat. Grace Walsh, our health editor, is 6ft tall and tested this mat for a couple of weeks to see if it held up across yoga, HIIT, and full-body Pilates workouts.
"I loved everything about this yoga mat," she says. "While I don't normally go for bright colours in my workout leggings or activewear generally, I didn't mind the water-inspired design of this mat as it looks premium and isn't too bold in colour. The picture online looks brighter than it is."
"I also appreciated the longer length. At 190cm, I never found my toes stretching over the edge during a lunge or having to shuffle down to keep my head on the mat when lying down. The 5mm thickness didn't feel too thin either, it was just right for my weighted workouts and yoga sessions."
This mat does make compromises though, our tester notes. "It's not as wide as other yoga mats I've used, but I didn't find it to be a limiting problem. It's also very lightweight at 0.75kg, which makes it very easy to carry around."
Buy if: You're a tall yogi and you want something lightweight
Avoid if: You want something super thick
Thickness: 6mm
If you're more invested in a good grip and durability (along with comfort, of course) in your mat than anything else, a cork yoga mat might be a better option for you. The top layer feels smooth to the touch but it's still grippy when in use and the material deals with sweat quickly, hiding any marks, making it easy to clean your yoga mat. This also means the mat is a versatile option - as suitable for yoga as for heavier, sweatier workouts.
"I've had this mat for about six months now and I use it for a combination of stretching and weighted workouts every couple of days," says Grace. "When I first opened the box, the cork seemed quite thin and I was a little disappointed. But when I got going, I realised that it offered more than enough cushioning for stability exercises and my regular strength training workouts."
While the Mirafit Cork Yoga Mat does have a TPE foam backing and arrives in a plastic wrap, it is a more sustainable option than the PVC-only options on our list as cork is a natural material, so it's also biodegradable and renewable.
Buy if: You want a versatile mat with some sustainable credentials
Avoid if: You want a thicker mat or a 100% cork option
How we tested
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
How we tested the best thick yoga mats
The woman&home health team and our expert testers put all the thick yoga mats in this guide to the test through multiple yoga sessions, ranging from intense cardio-based Vinyasa yoga classes to gentle stretching sessions. We also tested the mats in HIIT classes and strength training workouts at home and even used one mat as a base for an indoor cycling set-up.
The mats were initially tested last year. However, we've reviewed them again in 2024 once again and can confirm these are the very best thick yoga mats to buy.
When reviewing the mats, we considered the following criteria:
- Thickness: Every yoga mat we tried had to be above 4mm thick as the minimum required to be a thick yoga mat. Anything above 6mm was great and all yoga mats above 8mm were prioritised as specialist mats.
- Grip: Was the mat non-slip? We noted whether each mat offered plenty of grip and support. After all, you don't want to be sliding around while trying to get into downward dog.
- Design: Not only did we look at the designs and colourways on offer, but we also evaluated the materials. We tested mats made from everything from natural rubber and man-made rubber to PVC.
- Weight: A weighty mat will feel luxe and durable, and it could help with stability, but for those who want a yoga mat for on-the-go, a lightweight option is best. We considered a range of weights to highlight the best ones in each category.
- Price: When testing, we also considered the price. Quality yoga mats don't have to be expensive, and sometimes it's best to opt for a budget option if you're new to the practice. Yoga should be an accessible activity for everyone, so as well as including luxury buys, we've included mats from across the market's price spectrum.
Ciara McGinley and Grace Walsh tried and tested many of the best thick yoga mats on this list.
How thick should a yoga mat be?
A yoga mat is about 3mm thick, while thicker options are usually 6mm or above. Anything thinner than 3mm and you risk not having adequate support for your back, feet, knees, and other parts of the body that come under pressure during the practice.
When figuring out how to choose a yoga mat you like, thickness should be a consideration. For maximum thickness, opt for a mat of at least 8mm, but a mat of at least 6mm should be enough to support the major joints in the body.
Ultimately, how thick your yoga mat should be is down to you and your practice. "There is no real ideal thickness for a yoga mat, it all depends on the person practising, style of yoga being practised and where the practice is taking place," Georgie Davies, a yoga teacher who teaches vinyasa yoga as well as gentler classes, tells us.
"For instance, you may not need as much padding in the mat if you're practising at home on carpet compared to the wooden floor of a studio," says Georgie, who also created an online yoga platform, Yogipod. "If the class you're taking explores a lot of postures on the hands and knees or if you have any conditions that make that uncomfortable then more padding would be ideal."
It's also worth noting that the extra padding of thicker mats may feel nice for certain poses, but you're less connected to the floor. This could impact your ability to balance or land correctly during higher energy movements.
"Thicker mats can make it harder to find balance in one-legged postures such as Vrksasana (tree pose) or stability in standing postures due to the depth of padding underneath the foot," explains Georgie. "This can be mitigated though by moving balancing postures off the mat so that the padding is there when required and also creating more stability and strength in the ankles, feet and legs."
Georgie Davies is a certified yoga teacher and founder of Yogipod, a business of handprinted yoga props and homewares.
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