Head-to-head · Best Thick Yoga Mats

Gaiam Premium 6mm Alignment Print vs Lululemon The Mat 5mm

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Lululemon The Mat 5mm comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Hot-yoga and high-sweat practitioners who prioritize grip and a reversible surface in a cushioned 5mm mat. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Thick Yoga Mats

Gaiam Premium 6mm Alignment Print

4.0

$35as of May 28

The Gaiam Premium 6mm is the budget-friendly entry in the thick-mat tier, scoring 62/100 at OutdoorGearLab. Its full 6mm of latex-free PVC foam delivers noticeable, joint-friendly cushioning that beginners and casual practitioners appreciate, and at around $35 and just 3.3 lbs it is both cheap and easy to carry. The trade-offs are real: the surface slickens when wet, the soft foam compresses and indents over time, and it is less stable than rubber mats in balance poses. As an affordable, cushioned mat for low-sweat home practice, though, it delivers clear value.

Strengths

— Generous 6mm cushioning that protects joints during seated and kneeling poses
— Very affordable, often around $35 or less
— Lightweight at 3.3 lbs, easy to roll up and carry to class

Watch-outs

— Surface gets slippery when wet, so it is not ideal for hot yoga
— Soft foam compresses over time, leaving visible indentations
— Less firm and stable than rubber mats in balance poses

$35 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Thick Yoga Mats

Lululemon The Mat 5mm

4.4

$98as of May 28

Lululemon The Mat 5mm is the grip champion of the thick-mat tier, scoring 81/100 at OutdoorGearLab and 4.2/5 at Garage Gym Reviews. Its polyurethane top layer keeps hands and feet planted even in heavy sweat, and the reversible construction lets you choose a grippy smooth side or a cushioned natural-rubber side. The 5mm thickness gives joint-friendly padding without sacrificing balance-pose stability. It is on the heavy side at 5.2 lbs and commands a premium, but for hot-yoga and high-sweat practitioners the traction is hard to beat.

Strengths

— Outstanding grip, especially in sweaty sessions, thanks to the polyurethane top layer
— Reversible design pairs a grippy smooth side with a cushioned natural-rubber side
— Antimicrobial additive helps prevent mold and mildew

Watch-outs

— At 5.2 lbs it is fairly heavy for daily carrying
— Natural rubber has a noticeable initial smell that fades over time
— Polyurethane top layer can absorb stains and needs careful cleaning

$98 · Buy at shop.lululemon.com Full review →

How they stack up

Gaiam Premium 6mm Alignment Print

The Gaiam Premium 6mm matches the Manduka PRO and Heathyoga 6mm on thickness but uses softer foam that lacks the PRO's density and the Heathyoga's wet-grip surface; it is the cheapest and lightest mat here, undercutting the natural-rubber JadeYoga Harmony and Lululemon The Mat 5mm on price while trailing all four on grip and durability.

Lululemon The Mat 5mm

Lululemon The Mat 5mm shares the natural-rubber, grip-focused approach of the JadeYoga Harmony but adds a polyurethane top layer that excels in sweat, where the closed-cell Manduka PRO struggles; it is slightly thinner than the 6mm Manduka PRO, Gaiam Premium 6mm, and Heathyoga 6mm but more grippy than all three.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Gaiam Premium 6mm Alignment Print	Lululemon The Mat 5mm
Thickness	6 mm	5 mm
Weight	3.3 lbs	5.2 lbs
Dimensions	68 x 24 in	71 x 26 in
Material	Latex-free PVC	Natural rubber + polyurethane
Surface	Textured, sticky	Reversible (grippy / cushioned)
Alignment Print	Yes (select prints)	—
Warranty	Lifetime guarantee	—
Best Use	Beginner / casual home	Hot yoga / sweaty practice
Antimicrobial	—	Yes
Sustainability	—	FSC-certified rubber

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