Woman Yoga

The Best Yoga Mats in Canada

Choosing which yoga mat is right for you and your budget can be tricky if you don’t know where to start, so we’ve compiled this in-depth review below to help you on your journey to purchase a new top-rated yoga mat that will last you years! 

With winter weather here in Canada lasting most of the year, it can be difficult to get enough exercise in general, let alone indoors. If you’re wanting to center yourself, work up a sweat, and stretch your muscles for at least a few minutes a day, a good yoga mat is important. 

Our top yoga mat picks

How to choose a yoga mat

When you’re choosing a yoga mat, keep these factors in mind while shopping: 

  • Size – Most yoga mats are a standard size, but if you’re wanting a longer one they are available, as well as shorter ones for children. 
  • Thickness – Thickness is important for a yoga mat and for what kind of yoga you want to do. If you’re just starting out the basic 1/8th of an inch mats are great for getting enough support, while not being so thick that you lose balance doing certain poses. Thicker mats are available if you want a cushier base. 
  • Cost – Yoga mats can be found almost anywhere nowadays, with the cheapest being around $20, and upwards to specific brand names and types that cost a couple hundred. 
  • Material – Mats can be PVC plastic, TPE, organic rubbers and bamboo  it’s up to you what your preference is. Most mats are PVC or TPE. 

Why trust us

It can be daunting to choose a mat with so many on the market, let alone the price differences between them. Expensive doesn’t always mean better. Our team has spent over 10 hours reviewing and comparing the top-rated yoga mats available in Canada to bring you the best. 

The best yoga mat overall

TOMSHOO Yoga Mat

With multiple double-sided colour and pattern choices, this TPE yoga mat may be what you’ve been looking for to add to your routine. 

The eco-friendly TPE material is non-toxic, moisture and sweat resistant, and odour resistant, making it ideal for all types of yoga sessions including hot yoga. You can even recycle your mat if you decide to upgrade or get rid of it one day! 

It provides a strong grip and traction while still allowing movement and flow between poses without being too sticky. The closed-cell material surface blocks out any dirt, sweat, and bacteria, making it easy to simply wipe away and clean with some water and a soft brush or cloth without sacrificing any of the grippy texture or worrying about ruining it. 

A 72” x 24” wide dimension makes it suitable for nearly every user, and as it is the standard 1/4th of an inch thick, it’s great for any standing core and balance sessions, while providing enough comfort for kneeling and floorwork. Some users may find it still too thin and might want to opt for a thicker mat if they have joint issues or troubles with thin mats in general. 

All mats come in a double-sided colour scheme, giving you twice the colourway choices if you want different colour for a day. Both sides are the same material and will last for years if taken care of properly. The design does incorporate lines to let you know where you should position yourself correctly for certain poses and can work as a guide for making sure you’re in a correct position when moving between poses. 

Pros
  • Great quality. 
  • Multiple colours. 
Cons
  • Some users may want a thicker mat. 

Best yoga mat for beginners

Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat with Yoga Mat Carrier Sling

A classic and simple yoga mat for anyone looking to start into their yoga journey, most likely has seen Gaiman products around. 

Readily available and in multiple colour and pattern choices, Gaiman yoga mats are ideal for beginners. They’re relatively affordable without losing quality and turning you off of your exercise time by being uncomfortable or terrible as some other less expensive mats can do. 

Including a yoga carrier sling, you can take your mat with you anywhere. It weighs less than four pounds and is 72” x 24” wide, making it ideal for almost any height of user. It’s non-toxic and is made from PVC that is free of all harsh chemicals, making it an ideal eco option. It may however bring a clean chemical smell with it once you open your package, and Gaiman says to leave it unrolled somewhere to air out for a few days if that is the case. 

With a relatively good grip texture and non-slip material, it’s great for almost all yoga positions and flows. It may be too thin for some users, but in general it works well if you’re looking for a basic mat that will help you get into the swing of things without breaking the bank. 

Pros
  • Affordable.
  • Good quality.
Cons
  • May need to be aired out at first / may have a chemical smell. 

Best thick yoga mat

ProSource Extra Thick Yoga Mat

If you’re in the market for an extra thick yoga mat to help with bad joints or floorwork that won’t hurt your knees or wrists, the ProSource extra thick yoga mat might be just the ticket. 

At a very thick size of 25mm, you won’t have to worry about any sore joints or knees when doing floor poses again. The high-density foam makes it comfortable for most poses when you need it, though it might be too thick to properly give you balance when doing more advanced standing poses. 

Water-resistant, NBR naturally wicks away moisture and repels odours. Just simply wipe down with a cloth or sponge and allow to air dry. The lightly ribbed design ensures that you and your mat stay adhered to the floor without any slipping. The anti-slip material is fantastic for hardwood and other tough floor surfaces. 

It comes with a carrying strap as well and a limited lifetime warranty. It is more difficult to roll up and store due to the thickness, but all top-rated comments have loved this mat for yoga and other exercises such as doing crunches on hard surfaced floors. 

Pros
  • Great for sore joints.
  • Hardwood floors.
  • Anyone who needs extra cushioning during floorwork.
Cons
  • May not work as well for more intricate balance poses. 

Best yoga mat for hot yoga

MIKES STUDIO CANADA The Natural Cork Hot Yoga Mat

The ideal material for hot yoga is generally regarded to always be cork yoga mats as they get more grip when they start to get damp from sweat or heat. Mike’s Studio Cork Mat is top-rated and well liked for good reason. 

Becoming softer and grippier as it gets damp and the temperature rises, this eco-friendly and antibacterial cork mat will provide support and keep your sessions comfortable. The cork mat is also self-healing in case of any small indents, scrapes, or folds, and the fade-resistant water-based inks that the designs are printed from will hold up well in the sun without fading or wearing off from being worn down. 

Latex, PVC, and silicone-free ensures that there are no horrible plastic or rubber chemical smells when you first unfold it or during use when you’re close to your mat. No more distractions or annoying lingering smells to worry about, especially after a long hot yoga session. 

You can wipe it clean after sessions, or even throw it into the washing machine on a gentle cycle if you’d like to, it air dries extremely quickly. It comes with a mat covering bag / carrying bag as well with your purchase. 

It’s 70” x 24” wide, with a 4mm thickness, and depending on how tightly you can roll it back up, it’s around a four-to-five-inch diameter to store away or travel with. It has a lifetime warranty, covering fading, creasing, or tears for the entire lifetime of your new mat. It lays flat when rolled out and doesn’t tend to curl at the edges for long, if at all, when first rolled out for the first time. 

It is pricier than other mat options, but for the quality and lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong. 

Pros
  • Grip is fantastic, even when wet.
  • Multiple design options. 
Cons
  • Pricier. 

Best yoga mat for travel

Prima Sole Folding Yoga Mat

If you’re looking for a yoga mat that can travel well, the Prima Sole folding yoga mat might be exactly what you’re in search of. 

It’s 1/4th of an inch thick like most regular yoga mats and folds down into a 10” x 12” square to easily be tucked away into a suitcase or bag. Coming in multiple colours, you can pick and choose whichever one suits your routine and style best. 

Made of PVC, it has a decent grip and holds up well against moisture and sweat without losing much grippy texture. Ideal for core strength, balancing, and other sessions of that sort. It may be too thin for some users if you’re looking to do more floorwork or need extra cushioning for wrists and knees. 

It’s long enough for most users unless you’re well over six feet tall, and comfortably works for general yoga sessions. It may not hold up great for hot yoga or in high temperatures as well as other materials such as cork, but it shouldn’t be too easily damaged. 

Pros
  • Folds up well for easy travel and storage.
  • Decent quality and grip. 
Cons
  • May not be thick enough for some users. 

Best non-slip yoga mat

FrenzyBird Cork Yoga Mat

Like most cork mats, this one is fantastic for hot yoga and for being non-slip grippy for any position you need. 

It has alignment marks along with the design to ensure that you’re in the best position for any moves, and is PVC free, eco-friendly, and is 5mm thick for comfortable support and cushioning for any floorwork while staying firm enough to not interrupt your flow for balancing moves. 

Lightweight and easy to carry, it can be brought wherever you need it from the living room to a yoga studio session, to the outdoors on a deck or patio. A carrying strap is included with the mat, and Frenzy Bird has a one-year warranty included as well if anything goes wrong or if you’re not entirely satisfied. 

Cork is best when it’s warm and damp, making it perfect for hot yoga sessions. The cork will get softer, and the grip intensity will improve as well, making it the most anti-slip mat around. If you’re not into hotter yoga sessions, it still works great regularly, with the cork being easy to clean and able to stand up against sweat without retaining any odours. 

It is double sided, with both sides being anti-slip and made from eco-friendly materials. It may take a few uses before it unfolds to be completely flat. 

Pros
  • Non-slip grip on both sides. 
  • Good for hot yoga. 
Cons
  • May be too thick for some users.
  • Is a heavier mat. 

Best latex-free yoga mat

Yowen Yoga Mat

This double-layer eco-friendly TPE yoga mat will have you reaching for your mat every day. 

Coming in three colour variations with green, blue, and light purple you can choose what works best for you. No latex, free of PVC, and no harsh chemicals there won’t be any strange rubber or plastic smell when you unpack your yoga mat or do close to the mat moves. 

At 6mm thick, it works for comforting joints, knees, and wrists, while being stable enough to ensure that you still can handle balanced poses without losing traction or balance. It’s 72” long and 24” wide, making it longer than most average yoga mats, which is great news if you like more length or if you’re a taller user. 

The moisture resistant material makes cleaning it a snap with a gentle wipe down, and it can be cleaned fully with just soap and water without losing any of its grippy texture. It’s light and easy to carry as well for any travelling or outdoors sessions you’d like to take your mat to. 

Yowen guarantees that you’ll enjoy their products and has a 100% satisfaction guaranteed claim, so if you have any issues or questions their support team is available. 

Pros
  • Affordable.
  • Multiple colour choices.
  • Good grip.
Cons
  • May be too thin for some users. 

Best eco-friendly yoga mat

Yowen Yoga Mat

This double-layer eco-friendly TPE yoga mat will have you reaching for your mat every day. 

Coming in three colour variations with green, blue, and light purple you can choose what works best for you. No latex, free of PVC, and no harsh chemicals there won’t be any strange rubber or plastic smell when you unpack your yoga mat or do close to the mat moves. 

At 6mm thick, it works for comforting joints, knees, and wrists, while being stable enough to ensure that you still can handle balanced poses without losing traction or balance. It’s 72” long and 24” wide, making it longer than most average yoga mats, which is great news if you like more length or if you’re a taller user. 

The moisture resistant material makes cleaning it a snap with a gentle wipe down, and it can be cleaned fully with just soap and water without losing any of its grippy texture. It’s light and easy to carry as well for any travelling or outdoors sessions you’d like to take your mat to. 

Yowen guarantees that you’ll enjoy their products and has a 100% satisfaction guaranteed claim, so if you have any issues or questions their support team is available. 

Pros
  • Affordable.
  • Multiple colour choices.
  • Good grip. 
Cons
  • May be too thin for some users.

Best yoga mat for commuting

BalanceForm Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap

If you’re looking for an easy to carry mat that comes with its own carrying straps for yoga before or after work, the BalanceForm Yoga Mat is a wonderful option worth checking out. 

Available in a beautiful array of colours, this affordable PVC yoga mat fits the bill. It’s ¼” thick like most standard yoga mats and provides a decent grip. Some users may find it a bit too thin and slippery still, but if you’re just starting out or doing slower yoga sessions this mat is all you’ll need. 

It’s 68” long and 24” wide, which is a good size for most users. The double-sided non-slip surfaces allow you to use either side and always get a good grip when doing certain poses, while being thick enough to ensure comfort when doing any floorwork sessions. The additional carrying strap that comes with your purchase makes it easy to roll and carry to class or for outdoors practice, and with it weighing only 1.5lbs, transportation is a breeze. 

BalanceForm products are covered under their two-year warranty, so if you’re dissatisfied with your purchase or it breaks or falls apart you can be assured that you’re covered. 

Pros
  • Easy to pack up and carry.
  • Light. 
  • Easy to clean.
Cons
  • May be slippery to some users.

Best cork yoga mat

Gaiman Cork Mat

All-natural sustainable cork on top with a lightweight TPE rubber on the bottom makes this a non-slip eco-friendly mat that everyone in the family can enjoy. 

If you enjoy hot yoga, worry about water or sweat, or just want a mat that’s more sustainable and good for the environment, then Gaiman’s cork yoga mat has your needs covered. Cork is fantastic for resisting moisture, sweat, odours, and bacteria making it one of the best materials around to keep clean and keep fresh before and after your sessions. 

Cork is the best for hot yoga sessions as it will become softer and grippier as it gets damp and warm. It does weigh a bit more, at around five pounds, but is still an easy carry to the studio or for doing yoga at home. It’s 5mm thick, which is thicker than other mats but still offers enough stability to ensure a good balance, while being good for floorwork that can hurt knees and joints. 

It may take a few uses before the mat rolls out completely flat and the edges aren’t curled up, and the wear and tear that happens to other materials won’t be as much of an issue with the cork topper. Great for hardwood floors and tile floors, anywhere that you practice that has a harder floor. 

Pros
  • Great quality. 
  • Good grip.
  • Perfect for hot yoga.  
Cons
  • Pricier. 

How we picked the best yoga mats

For this particular buying guide, we compiled and researched the top-rated yoga mats within Canada, based on top Amazon user ratings, personal use, and other peer-reviewed sites to give you the best and easiest experience possible when choosing a mat for yourself, regardless of budget or style preferences. 

Frequently asked questions about yoga mats

How does a yoga mat work? 

Yoga mats help with balance and preventing your feet and hands from slipping while transitioning between different yoga poses. 

Do I need a yoga mat to practice yoga? 

No, a yoga mat isn’t necessary to practice yoga, but they do help quite a bit with comfort and safety. 

What’s the ideal thickness for a yoga mat?  

The ideal thickness for a yoga mat is down to preference, though a good thickness for beginners is 1/8 inch thick. It’s thin enough to help with a smooth flow between poses and adds some comfort for sitting positions. 

Can I use a yoga mat for other workouts?  

You can, though it’s recommended to get a separate exercise mat so that you don’t damage your yoga mat. 

How to clean a yoga mat?   

You can buy yoga mat cleaner or simply make your own by mixing water and some dish soap together in a spray bottle, spray your mat down, and lightly scrub/wipe with a microfiber cloth. You don’t want to scrub too intensely and disrupt the slight stickiness that should stay intact. 

Are exercise mats the same as yoga mats?  

No. Exercise mats are much thicker and meant for more than balancing and stretching. 

What are the most common yoga mat dimensions? 

Standard yoga mats are 24” x 68”, but the length can vary. Generally, the width stays the same at 24” for most models. 

Where to buy a yoga mat in Canada?  

Lululemon, Amazon, Canadian Tire, and Sportchek are safe bets. 

What are yoga mats made of? 

Yoga mats can be made of PVC plastic, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), and Eco/natural mats that are made of natural rubber, organic cotton, and jute. 

Other yoga mats

Amazon Basics

More of an all-around exercise mat than a yoga mat, this ½” thick mat can be used for yoga just as well. Included with a carrying strap, it’s easy to carry around. Made of durable foam, it has grip and traction on both sides, and with the thickness, it’s great for sensitive knees and joints. 

Available in multiple colours, with the dimensions being on par with other mats at 74” x 24” wide. 

VIEW PRICE

Tiiyar Yoga Mat

An eco-friendly budget yoga mat that has position lines in the design so that you know where to stand and adjust for proper positioning between poses. It comes with a carrying bag and is made from TPE, ensuring that moisture and sweat won’t get in your way while exercising. 

VIEW PRICE

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Updated date

January 12th, 2024

About the author

Nikki Lyka

Nikki Lyka is a reviewer and writer at Rank-It.ca that’s written about a variety of subjects from the best fantasy novels to travel guides and blogs. When she isn’t researching and typing up a storm, she’s generally found winding down with tea, video games, practicing aerial hoop, photography, and reading good horror novels.
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