I’ve owned many yoga mats over the years and every single one of them has promised great grip – something that’s vital for any yoga practice if you want to maintain balance during asanas and stay grounded.
Sadly, not every mat has delivered on its promise. Which is frustrating because a lack of grip can distract you from maintaining correct alignment, take you out of my zen headspace, and ultimately affected your physical and mental performance.
So, when Yogi Bare announced the launch of their new Ever Grip Paws Yoga Mat featuring enhanced grip, increased durability, and a stain-free surface to elevate any yoga practice to new heights, I knew I had to give it a try. Launched in April 2024, the initial drop received an incredible response and sold out almost immediately. But would it live up to the hype and bag a spot in our best yoga mats guide? Read on to find out.
YOGI BARE EVER GRIP PAWS YOGA MAT REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Yogi Bare Ever Grip Paws Yoga Mat is now available to buy for a recommended retail price of £80 from Yogi Bare. When bought directly from Yogi Bare, it comes with a free Yoga Mat Carry Bag worth £20 as shown in this review.
Available in four colourways of Warm Sand, Desert Rose, Wild Forest Green and Midnight Black, you can also buy it for £80 (minus the free carry bag) from The Sports Edit and Healf if your preferred colour isn’t currently in stock at Yogi Bare.
YOGI BARE EVER GRIP PAWS YOGA MAT REVIEW: DESIGN
Founded in 2016 by yoga teacher Kat Pither, globally renowned eco-conscious yoga brand Yogi Bare is a trusted provider of high-performance yoga mats to some of the UK’s leading studios.
According to Pither, the new Ever Grip Paws Mat has sprung from ‘years of relentless innovation’ and ‘attentively listening to the needs of the yoga community’. The result, she says, is a ‘groundbreaking mat that truly outperforms every rubber mat at I’ve ever encountered in grip but does not mark’.
High praise indeed, but before I get into the mat’s design, let me talk a little about the unboxing. The mat comes tightly wrapped in paper inside a carboard box with the words ‘magic carpet inside’ which immediately got me excited. Once I removed the paper wrapping and sleeve featuring instructions for cleaning the mat, I did notice a whiff of natural rubber, but it wasn’t an overpowering smell, and it calms down dramatically once you start using the mat.
Free from plastic and PVC, the eco-friendly Ever Grip Paws Yoga Mat is made with FSC Certified PU Rubber to ensure sustainability. Bonded together using heat to prevent the use of toxic glues, it’s also biodegradable in correct landfill conditions or you can take advantage of Yogi Bare’s recycling scheme and get a discount on a new mat if you return it to them directly.
Inspired by the latest interior design trends, the mat is available in four bold colours to make a statement in any space. A minimalist alignment and orientation design is laser cut into the mat so that it won’t wear away with time and each colourway features a different affirmation plus symbols of serenity to promote a peaceful practice.
The mat offers 4mm of cushioning, which is usual for a professional grade mat, and it provides an optimal amount of comfort and protection under your joints without being too bouncy. Measuring in at 180cm x 66cm, it’s also good for most heights (I’m 5’6” and there was no danger of falling off).
YOGI BARE EVER GRIP PAWS YOGA MAT REVIEW: USABILITY AND GRIP
The new Ever Grip Technology featured in this mat has been invented specially for people who love the grip of a professional yoga mat but hate the marks that show up on the surface (along with the subsequent cleaning that comes with trying to remove them at home).
The result of this technology is a highly durable and long-lasting mat crafted to withstand the rigors of daily practice, thanks in part to the anti-sweat stain surface that reduces the appearance of sweat marks and makes cleaning quick and easy. But it’s the enhanced ‘ultra-grip’ that’s a total game-changer.
The surface texture is hard to explain and quite different to anything I’ve experienced in a yoga mat before. Somehow, it’s completely smooth yet slightly rough at the same time. It also doesn’t feel tacky or sticky even if you’re sweaty (if you know, you know), and I can only assume it’s the subtle ‘roughness’ that gives your hands and feet noticeably better grip, even though it’s 100% comfortable and imperceptible if you’re not looking for it.
I couldn’t help but compare the mat’s texture to that of a similarly priced professional mat I’ve been using for the past year, which I now realise has a smooth yet much silkier feel. I honestly thought it was great before, but there’s no doubting the grip on the Ever Grip Paws Yoga Mat is far superior. Moreover, you don’t get any of those squeaky sounds during movements if you, for example, pivot on your heel to rotate your ankle in a Warrior pose.
The Ever Grip Paws Yoga Mat is especially good for sweaty sessions including hot yoga classes and worked equally well for cooldowns after intense workouts. As a result of the impressive grip, my confidence, focus and performance on the mat improved, and doing downward dog without feeling my toes slipping backwards and my palms sliding forward was a joyful experience!
Even better, after a few weeks of using the mat on an almost-daily basis, I can confirm it looks as good as new, which is seriously impressive and helps, I think, to justify the price tag.
YOGI BARE EVER GRIP PAWS YOGA MAT REVIEW: CARE
In a nice touch, a care and cleaning guide for your mat is printed on the paper sleeve packaging so you don’t have to hunt for information on the website. To avoid a build-up of grease, natural oils and grime that can affect the mat’s performance and optimal grip, users are advised to clean it once a week or as needed if you’re regularly practicing yoga or using the mat for sweaty activities.
It is recommended that you avoid using washing up liquid or essential oils to clean the mat and instead wipe it down with warm water diluted with fresh lemon juice to clean away oils – a nice tip that certainly keeps your mat and senses feeling fresh!
YOGI BARE EVER GRIP PAWS YOGA MAT review: VERDICT
The Yogi Bare Ever Grip Paws Yoga Mat does exactly what is says on the tin, which is to say it provides incredible grip so you can feel stable and confident during your yoga practice, forget about slips, and focus fully on your alignment, performance and serenity.
Comfy and stylish with a minimalist alignment design, the price of the mat is reflected in its quality sustainable materials, studio-worthy performance, and amazing anti-sweat stain surface which is easy to clean and helps to keep your mat looking pristine for longer. A great investment for those who practice yoga regularly.
