It may not feel like your choice of yoga mat is that important and, in some ways, it’s not. In fact, that’s one of the best things about yoga; it can be done anywhere, by anyone, wearing anything. It just so happens that it has ended up being quite a specific strain of legging-clad, Insta-folk that have ended up figureheading this western boom.

That said, your choice of mat can make your practice, travelling around on the tube and your bank balance considerably more or less comfortable, so it’s worth having a think about how you’ll be using it because although there isn’t a ‘best yoga mat’, as such, there is a best yoga mat for you.

Hate using studio mats for fear of sweat and germs, but often find yourself on the move? A weighty mat probably isn’t ideal. Working on your headstands on a daily basis? A skinny mat won’t provide the padding you need. Is hot yoga more your thing? Slip-proof and sweat-wicking is essential. Open vs closed cell mat? The variations are endless.

It’s pretty simple stuff but with hundreds on the market, we’ve made it as easy as child’s pose and round up the best mats for your practice…