Lululemon The Mat Review | GearJunkie Tested

I’ve used more than a hundred different types of yoga mats over the course of the last 20 years and have yet to find a “perfect” mat. For me, an ideal mat combines grip and durability. I prefer a design with an easy-to-clean texture and material. I also appreciate comfortable cushioning and an attractive aesthetic. The Mat from Lululemon comes pretty close to checking those boxes.

That’s helpful since regular yoga practice exposes me to various styles of yoga: Not all styles of yoga are a great match for every mat design. For hot yoga, you should grab a mat with a high level of grip that is easy to clean. If you’re in a slower-paced class — like restorative or gentle yoga — try a thicker mat with more cushion.

That’s why The Mat from Lululemon is so compelling: It’s too heavy to work as a travel mat, but you can certainly bring it to a range of different classes — even ones held outdoors.

In short: The Mat from Lululemon has a hefty price tag ($98), and it’s not as portable as lighter versions. But the design offers several advantages for yogis who need a daily driver. The Mat is made from FSC-certified rubber and comes in seven different colors — with a dreamy, swirl-type pattern that fits the Zen vibe of yoga — and its top surface has a surprising amount of grip despite being very smooth.

Read the full review or scope out our top yoga mats in The Best Yoga Mats buyer’s guide.

Lululemon The Mat Review

I’ve taught and taken yoga classes for nearly 2 decades, so I’ve used a wide variety of mats. Looking back, I’ve borrowed mats from countless studios. While on my own hunt for the perfect mat, I’ve owned a huge range of designs from different brands. And I’ve tested out cheap dollar-store mats that fall apart after just a few classes. 

That cumulative experience has made me more aware of what makes a good yoga mat, and I can recognize what constitutes a great one. Although it has a few drawbacks, The Mat from Lululemon falls into that latter category. 

I dragged this mat through the mud at an outdoor yoga festival. I used it for very sweaty hot yoga classes. Most often, I rolled it out for home-based practice. Through it all, The Mat kept its shape and appeared to be durable. It was also easy to clean and quickly dried.

The appearance of this mat was another pleasant surprise. It’s available in several different colors and the graphic design is not distracting — it felt soothing to look at The Mat, much less practice yoga with it.

Grip

When I first rolled it out, the sleek top layer of The Mat from Lululemon reminded me of a backyard Slip ‘N Slide. I was skeptical of the material and how it would support me in poses. The smoothness and shininess made it seem like the grip would be weak, if not nonexistent. Poses like Downward-Facing Dog can be very challenging if your mat doesn’t help you stay in place. 

However, The Mat has surprisingly strong grippiness, even when you’re most of the way through a hot yoga class. Even more noteworthy, the grip is present right away, unlike other types of mats that have a break-in period.

Material 

The Mat from Lululemon uses a sustainably sourced, FSC-certified natural rubber base with a smooth top layer. The Lululemon site notes that The Mat may contain latex, so if you have rubber or latex allergies, this is not the mat for you.

The smooth side was comfortable, but the reverse side is designed to be used for practice, as well. That said, I didn’t like the feel of the natural rubber. This isn’t a drawback for the mat itself; it’s just a personal preference.

Length & Thickness

The standard size for a yoga mat is 68 inches long by 24 inches wide. The Mat from Lululemon is somewhat longer and wider at 71 inches by 26 inches. Having slightly more room tends to be nice in a class where you’re moving in different directions throughout the class. For example, going from Warrior II to the Horse pose requires more space.

The mat’s thickness is fairly standard at 5.24 mm. But it feels thicker when you’re standing on it or in tabletop poses. That’s helpful for supporting wrists and knees and placing less strain on the joints. 

Portability

If you’re looking for a lightweight mat that can be clipped to a backpack or folded into a square for airline travel, The Mat from Lululemon is not the right choice. It’s far too heavy and bulky for anything beyond a road trip. This is a great mat to keep in the car for drop-in classes at a studio or outdoors.

Cleaning

The smooth texture on the top layer of The Mat from Lululemon makes it very easy to clean, which is helpful if you’re trying to do a quick wipe-down after yoga class. The mat has an antimicrobial additive that helps prevent mildew and mold, which is great for the product’s longevity. Also, if you like to leave a rolled-up mat in the car between classes, this is a big selling point.

Unlike some other yoga mat manufacturers, Lululemon doesn’t sell a yoga mat cleaner on its site. However, I did use an option from another company, the Manduka Yoga Mat Wash & Refresh spray ($12), which worked nicely for keeping the mat refreshed between classes. 

Durability

While testing, I used the The Mat from Lululemon two to three times per week over 3 months. I stood on this mat in different scenarios including yoga sculpt and hot yoga. I even used this mat for kitten yoga (which is exactly what it sounds like): The mat held up.

It performed exceptionally well in hot yoga practice, which tends to cause the grip of mats to break down faster, in my experience. But this one remained grippy.

Critiques

This mat’s price tag is on the higher side compared to some more affordable mat options. The Mat from Lululemon also poses a challenge for portability because of its weight.

Also, I found the texture on the underside of the mat to be off-putting, which is my personal preference. Some students might not mind it.

Lululemon The Mat Review: Conclusion

In general, The Mat from Lululemon reviewed here checks many boxes for a yoga mat. This design can be taken to just about any type of yoga class. The attractive colors and cushion make it pleasant to use. The sleek top layer is easy to clean and has a surprising amount of grip. 

The Mat offers excellent grip alongside an attractive, smooth, easy-to-clean aesthetic. If you aren’t looking for a travel mat and crave one with more plush support, don’t overlook this option.