 This Product
Liforme Original | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Yogis on the Go |  Best Overall Yoga Mat | Most Comfortable for Every Style |  No-Brainer Bargain | Bargain Beater for Outdoor Play |
| Price | $140 List $127.46 at Amazon | $108.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $98 List | $67 List $37.99 at Amazon | $25 List $18.78 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A grippy and comfortable mat you can take on the go with a unique alignment system that can help yogis explore healthy form on the mat | This mat is a favorite for unmatched joint-friendly comfort, trustworthy stability for your most challenging practice, and unbelievable durability | Highly versatile, this comfortable and grippy mat is grippy for sweaty flows, stable for inversion practice, and cushiony on the joints for restorative stretching | At half the weight of most rubber mats, this grippy, portable mat is perfect for any yogi seeking high-quality cushioning at a bargain price | This lightweight and foldable mat tucks into a tote or backpack for yoga at the park, beach, or while on a hike |
| Rating Categories | Liforme Original | Manduka PRO | Lululemon The Mat | Iuga Eco Friendly N... | Primasole Foldable |
| Comfort and Support (35%) | |||||
| Grip (30%) | |||||
| Materials (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Liforme Original | Manduka PRO | Lululemon The Mat | Iuga Eco Friendly N... | Primasole Foldable |
| Materials | Top: proprietary eco-polyurethane top surface, bottom: natural rubber | PVC certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX | 55% natural rubber, 23% synthetic rubber, 15% polyurethane, 5% polyester, 2% nylon | Polyurethane, Rubber | Polyvinyl chloride |
| Measured Weight | 6.2 lbs | 7.5 lbs | 5.9 lbs | 2.1 lbs | 1.9 lbs |
| Thickness | 6 mm | 6 mm | 5 mm | 5 mm | 4 mm |
| Length | 72.8" | 71" | 71" | 72" | 68" |
| Width | 27" | 26" | 26" | 26" | 24" |
The Liforme Original is 73 inches long and just under 27 inches wide — a good two inches wider and four inches longer than typical mats. In arm balance practice and Chaturanga, that extra space can feel expansive in your chest and shoulders. The mat's surface is marked with alignment cues that support proper form to aid a yogi's proprioception on the mat. Liforme makes its mats from naturally sourced rubber with an eco-polyurethane top surface free from PVC. They claim the natural rubber is biodegradable in a landfill in 1-5 years. This mat also includes a fully enclosed travel bag with a padded shoulder strap.
Although it has a thinner profile, the Liforme Original provides an excellent cushion. It is comfortable on the knees, and its smooth surface feels delicious when you slide into poses. This mat also has a lot of thoughtful consideration put into the “AlignForMe” system printed on the surface, which helps cultivate proprioception or awareness of your body in space. Human bodies vary wildly in proportions and bone structure, but the alignment cues on this mat can help students explore more balanced and supportive alignment.
We love that Liforme supports the visual guidelines on the mat with accessible and easy-to-use tutorials on their website that explain how best to use the alignment cues. Liforme says, “The combination of intelligent markers gives you as much, or as little, guidance as you need.” It is a good reminder that there are sound alignment cues that support most practices. Because of factors like bone structure and flexibility, how yogis express a shape will look very different. We love that this mat empowers students to learn to give themselves “self-adjustments.”
Not to belabor this point, but the visual cues on this yoga mat help users map more supportive alignment into their muscle memory. One of our testers noticed from the central line and hand cues that she tended to put her right hand further up than the left, weighting her dominant hand more. The lines helped her recognize an imbalance and start working towards a healthy strengthening of the other side of her body. We also love that the Liforme is a few inches wider and longer than most yoga mats, which gives you more space to expand your stretch.
Even though this mat is thinner than other award winners, it provides excellent cushion. One tester took the Liforme on an international trip and practiced every day in her Airbnb; she was grateful that the superb cushion on this mat allowed her to fully commit to challenging moves even on unforgiving flooring like concrete and tile.
The smooth surface of the Lifeforme was one of the most comfortable on our skin, smooth and easy to slide, but also has a sticky grip perfect for sweaty hands or hot yoga. Because the surface appears smooth, our hands felt like geckos sticking their grip up a glass window; the connection feels solid.
The surface of the Liforme balances cushion and firmness so you can avoid overworking your wrists. This mat has an excellent wet grip and is a favorite for sweaty hands or hot yoga. The top layer absorbs and wicks moisture, while a waterproof middle layer protects the bottom from getting soaked with sweat.
We love this mat because it is thin, supportive, and grippy enough to do yoga on various surfaces. The underside has a textured tread, like trail running shoes, that grips well on carpet, slick wood studio floors, or glassy tile. The mat tends not to budge but can wrinkle slightly in the middle when you roll over your toes in down dog if you don't engage your core.
We traveled with the Liforme on road trips and airplanes, and it did not crease or dent. Some users say that it can start to lose its grip over time. Still, we talked with yoga teachers who have enjoyed several years of premium grip before anything began to break down. Roll the mat color side up to protect its ability to remain flat on the ground. Liforme points out that this mat is biodegradable, and high UV can cause it to break down more quickly. Prolong your mat's life by avoiding harsh sun exposure, like leaving it on a lawn chair to dry over the weekend or storing it in your car in high summer.
The mat's beautiful alignment markers are etched into the top material; you won't rub them off over time. The alignment cues have a subtle texture that you can begin to feel under your palms and sometimes on your feet, which can be a gentle reminder about finding a durable, healthy alignment for your body. The mat's surface is absorbent, and you can keep it looking fresh by not using oils or creams before practicing that could rub stains into the surface. Over time, your natural oils may leave marks in the spots your hands and feet typically ground — the signature of many beautiful sun salutations.
Most yoga mats are either open-celled (repel water and create puddles of sweat — easy to clean but slippery) or closed-celled (absorb moisture/ sweat — can get funky and unhygienic). Liforme innovated a design to accommodate for both wet and dry grip. They designed the top layer to absorb and wick away moisture, so wiping clean after a sweat bath is easy. A middle layer acts as a moisture barrier. This waterproof shield protects the foundational bottom layer of rubber (nearly impossible to clean) from getting soaked with body fluids. The base rubber cushion stays dry and can keep a solid grip on the floor.
Because of the waterproof shield, you only need to clean the top layer of this mat, and you won't need to hose it down for a deep clean like many sweat-absorbing mats. The top layer dries quickly, so you can air dry your Liforme quickly. Since body fluids only permeate the top layer and are easily cleaned, this is one of the most hygienic yoga mats we tested. After each yoga practice, allow the mat to air dry entirely. When you want a more substantial clean, Liforme offers a cleaning solution, or you can use soap and water and soak it into the mat surface for at least half a minute before wiping it down with a damp sponge. Allow it to air dry out of direct sunlight.
One of the reasons we love this mat is how portable it is. Despite being a bit broader and more spacious than most mats, it rolls up compactly (about 4.5 inches) and fits inside an included travel bag. The mat is resilient for traveling and doesn't scuff or dent easily, especially with the protective cover. One of our testers took it on a road trip, and it fits nicely in an airplane overhead bend. Although the mat has a mid-range weight of 6.25 pounds, it is easy to carry with the sling bag.
The Liforme is easy to zip into its bag and is unlikely to crease or fold when you bike across town or stash it in an airplane's overhead bin. It is an excellent choice for those on the road because it stores compactly while offering an outstanding balance of comfort and grip. Additionally, if you want to improve your muscle memory for healthy alignment, the alignment cues on this mat are a great way to deepen your practice. Its portability, comfort, grip, and spaciousness make it one of our favorites wherever we go to practice next.
