I Spent 20 Years Searching For My Perfect Yoga Mat - and I Finally Found It

I've been practicing yoga for almost 20 years, so I've tried almost every yoga mat under the sun. I have a lot of thoughts about what makes an exceptional mat. The biggest thing is: it has to be grippy. If I'm slipping and sliding around on my mat every time I try to transition from one pose to another - or simply hold a pose like downward-facing dog - it completely takes me out of the moment. This is essentially 60 to 90 minutes of my life that I've just spent fuming with annoyance, rather than joyfully moving my body and challenging myself.I used to be a devotee of the Gaiam Dry Grip yoga mat. It's very sticky, even in the hottest of hot yoga classes. However, after about six to nine months, it would completely deteriorate. I'm talking, black flecks that looked like dirt covering my legs after sitting back into child's pose. After replacing the mat five-plus times, I had finally had enough. Then one day, when I had forgotten to take my mat to class, my teacher at my local studio insisted that I try this new mat they had just started carrying: the B, Mat Everyday ($96). I've been hooked ever since. Keep reading for my review of what I can only describe as a perfect mat. What I Like About the B, Mat Everyday Yoga MatI've tried a lot of yoga mats that claim to be sticky or grippy that turn out to either be . . . not even close to begin with, or lose the stick after a few months. I've had my B, Mat for over two years and it's still going strong. Yes, it's not quite as grippy as it was when I first got it - the areas where my feet and hands hit in a down dog are a little more slick than the middle. However, I've never felt like I'm slipping around despite the wear, and I haven't felt like I need to order a new one. Because I'm not worried about losing my grip on the mat during practice, it's allowed me to be much more focused on the actual movement. A good mat really does make a huge difference in the quality of your yoga practice - for me, I can actually get into the fun instead of getting annoyed that my hand are sliding forward in down dog. I've also done a lot of hot yoga on this mat, meaning, there's a lot of sweat being absorbed. With other mats that claim to stand up to sweaty workouts, I've found that while the sweat may get absorbed, over time a distinct funk emerges. I've never once noticed a stinky smell coming from the B, Mat, and I'm admittedly pretty lazy about cleaning it. What to Consider Before Trying the B, Mat EverydayThe main thing to note here is the length and thickness of this mat. The standard B, Mat Everyday is a pretty traditional thickness (4 mm), which is thin but still has some cushion. For most yoga practitioners, this is going to be your go-to for class or workouts at home. If you have any joint pain or are consistently practicing on a super-hard floor (say, polished concrete), you might want to try the B, Mat Strong ($114), which has another 2 mm of cushion. If you're on the taller side, you could try the B, Mat Everyday Long ($104). If you want something very thin, the B, Mat Traveller ($72) is the most lightweight, with only 2 mm of cushion. And finally, if you want something that's extra-cushiony, the soft and squishy 10 mm thick B, Mat Impact ($86) is for you.Who Is the B, Mat Everyday Yoga Mat Best For?The B, Mat Everyday is great for any level of yoga practitioner as well as people who are practicing hot yoga - the grip is that secure. It can also be used for other activities, from Pilates to barre to strength training.Additional DetailsThe B, Mat Everyday yoga mat is made with eco-friendly rubber, giving it extra grip.It is 4mm thick. The size of the mat is 71" x 26" x 0.2". The rubber is highly absorbent and easily cleaned with a mild detergent and water.The mat comes in 8 colors, and is also available in a long size, a thicker 6 mm version, a 2 mm travel version.Where Is the B, Mat Everyday Yoga Mat Available?The B, Mats are available on the B Halfmoon site, Amazon, FP Movement, Everyday Yoga, and Evolve. Some local studios carry them, too.Rating:Aviel Kanter is the director of branded content for Vox Media and oversees lifestyle content across the portfolio of brands. She manages a team of editors who write articles in the wellness, fitness, beauty, fashion, health, entertaining, pets, and finance categories. She is also a beauty enthusiast and contributes many articles to the POPSUGAR Beauty editorial site.