Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat review: Does it really get more sticky with each use?

Looking for a new yoga mat? The Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat – which is latex-free and machine washable – could be for you. How to be sure? We’ve put one through its paces from the moment it was unwrapped, so you can see if you think it’s worth the investment.

I tested a wide selection of the best yoga mats and considered comfort, grip, design and versatility. 

Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat specifications

Dimensions: 183cm x 61cm
Thickness: 4.5mm
Material: High-grade PVC
Weight: 1.2kg 

Who will the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat suit?

The Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat is ideal for fans of gentle yoga and anyone with a latex allergy.

What is the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat like to use?

This is a great mat to use every day – the choice of bright colours can give you a boost, especially when simply stretching in the morning. I’m 5ft 6in and found it to be a good standard size. Not only is this a really lightweight pick compared with a lot of the others on the market, but it rolls up tightly again afterwards. This is great for storing it away in the corner when not in use. However, I found this also meant that it doesn't lie completely flat when unrolled. You can really see where it has been tightly packed. If this annoys you, you may find storing it flat helps to stop this problem. It’s really light, so if you plan to take yours to the gym, then you can buy the Yogamatters Yoga Mat Strap to help carry it. 

The one downside is that this yoga mat has an artificial aroma to it, which does gradually lessen over time. However, it is quite strong and can cause headaches for some people. I found it quite distracting and off-putting, especially when I was using the mat to meditate.

The Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat material and design

Like to match your yoga mat to your outfit? Or your curtains? It’s possible with this pick, as the colour range feels almost endless. Yogamatters has more than 10 different ones to choose from in this style. I tried and tested one called Wisteria, which is a beautiful light purple colour, and it matched the swatch on the website exactly. The mat has raised bumps over the whole surface to help with grip, plus a small fabric Yogamatters logo on one end. Both the texture and colourful design is definitely appealing, especially for such a bargain price.

Made with high-grade PVC, which is known for its sticky properties, this does feel quite tacky when used, and makes a noise when you are placing your feet and hands. But one of the best things about choosing this brand is that they have really considered the materials used for their products, and this pick is free from latex. The mat doesn’t contain phthalates, so it’s non-toxic, plus it doesn’t have any DOP in it, which is considered to be a carcinogen. So, it’s just a shame that this mat has an artificial smell at first, which is off-putting and disappointing, considering all the other elements have been so well thought out.

Sharing your mat or taking it out and about? One brilliant thing about this budget buy is that it is machine washable at 40ºC, as long as you don’t put it through a spin cycle. You can then leave it to dry naturally. Although, be warned, I did find that when using it in the garden, the mat did become quite hot when the sun was shining, so don’t leave it in direct sunlight.

The grip of the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat

This is where the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat comes slightly unstuck. I found it held well on both carpet and wooden flooring, although it is very slippery when wet. I poured water over it and it would have been extremely dangerous to use, making it unsuitable for Hot Yoga or exercises that make you sweat a lot. However, Yogamatters is very open about this and there is even a note on the label warning that the mat becomes slippery when wet. 

I found many yoga positions were fine using this mat and both my hands and feet didn’t move too much. However, I don’t think the grip was quite as good as some of the more expensive mats but, for the money spent, it did perform well.

The downside is that Yogamatters also claims on the label that your grip will improve over time. To be honest, I don’t think I noticed much improvement and I still slipped slightly when trying anything more dynamic. 

Thickness and comfort of the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat

At 4.5mm, this yoga mat is pretty standard when it comes to thickness. It’s quite dense, instead of being super foamy. This means that although it does help take some pressure off joints, you can really feel the floor when using it, especially on a hard surface. 

This is great for standing poses, as you still have enough connection to the floor. But, if you have a particular issue with poses that involve putting knees on the floor or find your wrists get sore, you may want to upgrade to the Yogamatters Wellness Mat. It’s 8mm thick, but only around £15 more expensive, so it can offer some extra protection without blowing your budget.

How does the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat rate online?

Reviews online are mainly positive, with many people saying the mat is good value, durable and that the colour choice is extensive. 

However, some reviews mention the fact that this mat doesn’t offer quite enough grip for them, and that their hands and feet slip in certain dynamic positions. Yogamatters says this mat should grip better and better the more it is used, but most reviewers say this hasn’t been the experience for them.

Is the Yogamatters Sticky Yoga Mat worth buying?

Yes, this yoga mat is definitely worth buying. Not only is it a really good price, but it’s durable and machine washable, so it will last for ages and stay germ-free. However, if you want to try more dynamic moves or Hot Yoga, then it might be worth upgrading to something with more grip.