Hot yoga is intense. The room is heated to 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, your body warms up quickly, and within minutes you'll feel the sweat rolling down your hands and feet. In these conditions, you don't want to be dealing with a slippery mat or a soaking surface. You want grip, stability, and hygiene—nothing more, nothing less.
In Bikram or other forms of hot yoga, your mat is your foundation. It should support you when wet, provide support in standing poses, and stay put while you challenge yourself in a series of powerful asanas. At Yogi Essentials, we have three mats in our collection that are perfectly suited to this.
What does hot yoga demand of your mat?
Unlike other yoga styles, hot yoga combines physical exertion with constant exposure to heat and moisture. You practice in a heated room, often without air circulation, and your body begins to sweat almost immediately.
This requires a mat with exceptionally good grip – even in wet conditions. The mat must continue to perform, even when your hands are dripping with sweat. Hygiene is crucial: a surface that is easy to clean, doesn't retain odors, and can withstand daily intensive use.
A good hot yoga mat is not soft and fluffy, but firm, non-slip and resistant to heat, moisture and friction.
PU rubber mats : absolute grip under all conditions
For hot yoga, we highly recommend PU rubber yoga mats. These mats are designed to maintain their grip even in wet conditions. The PU top layer remains grippy, even when your mat is wet – essential for poses like downward dog, warrior, or triangle.
The rubber base adds weight to the mat, keeping it securely in place, no matter how intense your session. It won't roll up, slip, or shift, even if you jump and sweat through a full set.
PU is also easy to clean. A damp cloth is often enough to remove sweat, odor, or bacteria. For those who regularly train in warm studios or do hot yoga several times a week, this is not only practical but also hygienically essential.
Cork yoga mats : natural alternative with grip
While some mats become slippery as soon as you start to sweat, cork mats do the exact opposite. Cork is naturally slightly rough and becomes more grippy when wet, keeping you steady even during an intense hot yoga session.
Our standard cork mats combine a soft TPE backing with a natural cork top layer – comfortable and functional. For those who expect a little more, there's our premium cork mat: with a coarser cork texture and a heavy, sturdy rubber backing for maximum stability.
Both are hygienic, odorless, and durable, and feel warm under your hands and feet. Just what you need in a warm room where grip and focus are important .
Mats that are less suitable for hot yoga
While some mats feel wonderful for gentler styles, they can be counterproductive in a hot room. Full TPE and velvet yoga mats can become slippery when wet and offer insufficient grip when sweating excessively.
Hot yoga isn't about softness or texture. It's about staying put, feeling, and not slipping. And that's precisely why grip and hygiene are more important than aesthetics or comfort.
Which mat is right for you?
Do you practice hot yoga several times a week and sweat a lot? Then the PU rubber mat is undoubtedly your best choice. Designed for these conditions, it supports your strength and offers peace of mind knowing it won't slip – even if you do.
If you prefer natural materials and your practice is a little less intense, you can choose cork mats. They offer grip, strength, and simplicity – and are perfect for those seeking strength from a place of tranquility.
Both mats are durable, reliable and designed for the intensity of hot yoga.
