One of the most important things when choosing a yoga mat is figuring out which style is best for your body’s needs. So, what’s the difference between 3mm and 5mm yoga mats?
3mm vs 5mm Yoga Mat: Which is Better For You? The difference between the 3mm and 5mm yoga mat is the thickness of the mat itself. The 3mm is about half the thickness of the 5mm. The 3mm is often used for those who do a lot of standing or balancing poses. The 5mm yoga mat on the other hand, is great for those who need more cushion and those who do a lot of sitting poses.
» MORE: Is Your Yoga Mat Too Thin?
3mm Yoga Mat
The 3mm yoga mat is a great versatile yoga mat that is suitable for any type of yoga. It’s great if you’re practicing standing poses, balancing poses, and if you want to feel a little more connected with the floor. It’s thinner than the 5mm, so it’s ideal if you’re learning to achieve balancing poses or in a constant flowing class such as a Vinyasa yoga class. Transporting the mat to and from classes or the gym, you’ll find the 3mm to be lighter and easier to carry.
Our recommendation: YOGA DESIGN LAB Yoga Mat – This all-in-one eco-friendly yoga mat is a great universal 3mm mat that can be used for any type of class. The best part about this mat is it was designed to be the ultimate hot yoga and sweaty companion. It’s 2-in-1 design helps to improve grip so you won’t slip!
5mm Yoga Mat
If you need more padding and cushion, the 5mm mat is the better option. This mat provides more support for your joints such as your: wrists, hips, back, and knees. The 5mm mat is thicker which is great for seated poses, restorative classes, yin classes, and meditation. Thicker mats are great for classes that require a lot of sitting or kneeling such as Restorative yoga or Yin yoga.
Our recommendation: IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat – This eco-friendly 5mm yoga mat is great for everyday yoga, hot yoga, and everything in between. This is another mat made for non-slip so you’ll feel confident using it. The extra cushion in this 5mm mat makes all the difference for those who need it!
» MORE: The Ultimate List of Yoga Gifts Under $20
Conclusion
There’s no wrong or right answer to this question, only what works best for you. If you do mostly standing poses, you will want a 3mm mat because it’s thinner, which helps with stability and balance. If you do mostly sitting poses, meditation, restorative or yin yoga classes, you’ll want a 5mm mat because it has more cushion.
I hope this helps!
~Namaste