Thickness is the one thing people most often get wrong when buying a yoga mat. Thicker is not always better: it is a trade-off between cushioning and stability.
The short answer
- 3mm: best for balance and a grounded feel. Ideal for vinyasa, standing poses and travel.
- 6mm: best for comfort. Ideal if you have sensitive knees or wrists, do lots of floor work, pilates or restorative yoga, or practise on hard floors.
3mm yoga mats
A thinner mat keeps you close to the floor, so balancing poses like tree and warrior III feel more stable. Thin mats are also lighter to carry. Our cork and hemp mats are 3mm, and the natural tree rubber base adds more comfort than you would expect from the number.
6mm yoga mats
A 6mm mat cushions your knees in lunges and table top, and your spine in floor work. It is the better choice for pilates, yin and restorative yoga, or if you practise on tiles or wood. Our recycled PU and TPE mats are 6mm.
Which thickness is right for you?
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Practise vinyasa, ashtanga or power yoga | 3mm |
| Travel or walk to class | 3mm |
| Have sensitive knees or wrists | 6mm |
| Do pilates, yin or restorative yoga | 6mm |
| Are new to yoga | 6mm TPE is a comfortable, affordable start |
A tip for sensitive knees
Whatever mat you choose, a cork block or bolster under the knees or hips makes a big difference in kneeling and seated poses.
Next, compare materials in cork vs PU vs hemp vs TPE yoga mats, or browse all yoga mats.
