Yoga straps are an often underestimated resource. They help you achieve deep stretching without the risk of injury or pulling any muscles and help you maintain full range of motion. There was a point in time when I couldn’t comfortably touch my toes. It hurt like crazy but the option was to either grab your toes or don’t stretch at all.
Then I discovered the yoga strap. It gives you something to grab onto without rounding your back and getting injured in the process. In this post we’ll show you the best yoga straps and give you some guidance on how to choose and use them to improve your yoga practice.
Quick Answer:
- Best Overall: Manduka Align Strap
- Best Budget: Hugger Mugger Quick Release
- Best Design: Yoga Design Lab Yoga Strap
- Most Loops For Gripping: Sport2People Yoga Strap for Stretching
- Most Basic: Reehut Yoga Strap
- Best Long Strap: Hugger Mugger D-Ring Yoga Strap 8′
- Best Elastic Strap: Yoga Evo Elastic Stretching Strap With Loops
Why do You Need Yoga Straps
If you’re new to yoga or trying to master complex positions, a quality yoga strap can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It helps you maintain proper form and spinal alignment while reducing the risk of overstretching and injury in your practice.
The yoga straps come in handy for poses as simple as touching your toes because, while many beginners can do it, their back is usually rounded which may cause injury. For more advanced yogis, a quality yoga strap can help you train for the elusive mermaid pose without pulling a muscle in the process.
Best Yoga Straps Reviewed
1. Manduka Unisex AligN Yoga Strap 8′
Our Rating
Manduka is one of our favorite brands for eco-friendly, high quality products. Their AligN strap is made from a lightweight and durable cotton. The buckle is a zinc alloy which is also lightweight and holds your strap in place under any circumstances.
The buckle doesn’t rattle or make any noise when using and the material of the strap is soft and thick so it won’t cut into your hands. This strap requires very little tension to hold in place so you won’t deal with it slipping or moving during any asanas.
Pros
- Durable and soft material
- Eco-friendly
- Buckle doesn’t rattle
- Earth conscious company
- 8′ length
- Stays in place with very little pressure
- Easy to change and adjust length for different positions
Cons
- Currently only a few colors to choose from
If you like the Manduka Yoga strap then you may consider getting the strap and blocks combo. The yoga blocks are cork which is naturally antimicrobial and maintains its qualities for years and years.
2. Hugger Mugger D-Ring Yoga Strap 8′
Our Rating
The Hugger Mugger D-ring strap is made from a durable and lightweight cotton webbing that’s rated to hold up to 500 lbs of pressure. It’s currently offered in 4 colors, features a lifetime warranty and it’s 8′ long. Some people have reported that the strap tends to bind and become more difficult to undo. However the overwhelming majority had no issues. The only concern we have is with the actual D-ring buckles. They require more pressure to stay in place and may slide around during positions that don’t need as much leverage.
Pros
- Durable cotton material rated to hold 500 lbs
- Several colors currently offered
- Lightweight metal buckle
- 8′ length
- Nice looking
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Some people have expressed slipping
- May bind and be hard to undo
3. Sport2People Yoga Strap for Stretching
Our Rating
The two toned Sport2People yoga strap is a variation of the straps above except without the buckle. It’s a great option for beginners looking to master basic stretches and poses but without the buckle it won’t work for poses that require your hands to be mobile.
Its built to withstand more pressure than you’ll ever exert on it. The weak point would be the stitching, which is a single line of extra thick thread separating each of the loops; But there have been no reports of anyone having problems with this and it comes with a money back guarantee if it ever does break down.
Pros
- Has 12 loops for different poses
- High quality nylon and durable stitching on the seams
- 8′ long
- Includes carrying bag
- Includes workout instructions
- Currently offer discounts for 2 or more straps
Cons
- Currently only one color option
- Does not have buckles
4. Reehut Yoga Strap
Our Rating
The Reehut yoga strap is currently available in 6′, 8′ and 10′ lengths to fit yogis of any height. Its constructed from a durable cotton web that maintains softness to prevent harsh rubbing. It doesn’t feel as thick as the Manduka and it can get slick in sweaty practices – becoming hard to hold unless wrapped around your wrists. This is (at the time of this writing) a very inexpensive yoga strap that meets the basic functionality but doesn’t have the same pizzazz as the others.
Pros
- Several colors currently available
- Available in 6, 8 and 10′ length
- Strong and soft cotton material
- High strength metal D-ring closure
- Currently very inexpensive
Cons
- May become slick
- Thin material
5. Hugger Mugger Quick Release Yoga Strap
Our Rating
The Hugger Mugger quick release strap is crafted from highly durable cotton webbing which is rated to hold up to 500 lbs. It measures 10 feet x 1.5 inches wide, weighs only 5.6 ounces and features a durable plastic clip for quick release. Many people find the quick release buckle to be the most convenient for changing positions and adjusting the slack needed. At the time of this writing its priced on par with most other yoga straps so it’s a good value for the money.
Pros
- Quick release buckle
- Rated to hold up to 500 lbs
- 10′ long
- Lightweight
- Convenient for changing positions
- Easy to adjust
- Quality brand
Cons
- Currently available in only 1 color
6. Yoga Design Lab Yoga Strap
Our Rating
The Yoga Design Lab strap is currently offered in three unique and vibrant styles. It’s made from cotton and an eco-friendly water based print which doesn’t fade. The strap itself is recyclable and non-toxic in every way and features a nice synthetic leather, double stitched cap on both ends to prevent fraying and add a touch style.
The D-ring buckles make the strap adjustable and heavy duty. Only one person reported that they wish it had more grip but no product is one size fits all. The only thing we don’t love about the strap is that D-ring buckles can require more pressure to keep in place and therefore may not work for all practices. However, we’ve seen no problems with this strap slipping. Other than that, its a very high quality strap that looks like it would cost more than it actually does.
Pros
- Currently available in 3 limited edition styles
- 8′ long
- Stylish synthetic leather to prevent fraying
- Eco-friendly and non toxic materials
- Recyclable
- The company gives back on every purchase
- Currently give a 10% discount on 2 or more straps
Cons
- One person reported wishing it had more grip
7. Yoga Evo Elastic Stretching Strap With Loops
Our Rating
The Evo Elastic yoga strap is made with a special cotton blend that’s stretchable and latex free. It is an elastic band which means that it won’t work if you need something firm to place your weight on (it will keep stretching). However, for beginners who want a very light resistance, this may be a viable option.
It’s lightweight and comes with its own carrying bag as well as online access to 2 hours of HD video workouts. It’s soft so it doesn’t hurt your hands and it’s currently offered in 4 different colors. If you want a typical yoga strap (one that’s firm with very little give) then this is not what you’re looking for. This is an alternative which is better for light stretching and warming up muscles.
Pros
- The elastic is durable and won’t break down anytime soon
- Currently 4 colors to choose from
- Friendly for beginners
- Free carrying bag
- Access to HD video showing you how to use the strap
Cons
- May be too stretchy for someone who wants a firm strap
Main Benefits of a Yoga Strap
Improves Alignment: A proper yoga strap helps you maintain ideal alignment in various asanas. With poses that require extending your legs out in front of you and touching your toes (either sitting, standing or lying on the ground) a strap gives you something to hold for leverage without having to grab your feet. In this way it helps you get the same stretch without rounding your back or overstretching.
Reduces Injury: The last thing you want is an injury right? In yoga it’s common, especially for new practitioners, to go too far in a pose and pull a muscle. When you’re just starting out, nearly every pose is somewhat painful so it’s hard to know when you’ve gone too far and hurt yourself until it’s too late.
This is especially true for less flexible individuals. If you’re hamstrings are tight but you’re doing positions that require you to hold your leg and grab your toes, you’ll end up trying really hard to do the poses – usually by rounding the lower back or stretching farther than you should. With a yoga strap you can comfortably perform those positions and maintain full range of motion without putting yourself at risk.
How to Choose The Best Straps For Yoga
Choosing a yoga strap is not a very difficult task but there are a few things to consider.
Material
Most yoga straps are made from a durable cotton webbing that’s very strong. While it’s not abrasive, it’s also not microfiber. You’ll be using your yoga strap for leverage so it needs to be thick and strong enough to withstand high pressure. The good news is that most straps are made from the same material so you don’t have to worry too much about this.
Buckle
The ring is a very important part of choosing your yoga strap because it can really determine whether or not you enjoy using it. If your rings slip and have trouble staying closed, you’ll end up frustrated and throwing them to the side. There’s a few primary types of closures:
- Metal D-Ring
- Belt Buckle Closure
- Quick Release
- No Buckle
- Cinch
Length
Yoga straps come in three lengths: 6, 8, and 10 feet. While the 6’ length is fine for smaller people, we like the 8’ the most. It gives you plenty of slack to achieve any position without having so much that it gets in the way. And if you’re a lot taller (like 6’5” range) you’ll want the 10’ strap.
Eco-friendly
With the huge surge in the popularity of yoga, there’s also been a huge surge in products. Unfortunately many of these yoga products are made from harmful materials such as PVC which are not recyclable and never break down in the landfill. While you don’t have to worry about your strap being PVC, you do want to pay attention to whether or not it contains harmful dyes that could be irritating to your skin.
Price
Yoga straps in general are relatively inexpensive. The only caveat here is to avoid going for the bottom dollar item since they usually slip and give you a bad impression of yoga straps. The average priced yoga strap won’t slip or create any problems for you. You’ll use your strap every day and likely never have to buy another one so it’s best to spend a few more dollars for something you like.
How to Use Yoga Straps
There’s almost no limit to how you can use your yoga straps. They’re great for Pilates, yogi’s and athletes alike. They can also be used for tying your shoulders back and improving posture or stretching your hamstrings. While you’ll most likely be using it while you follow along with your class or YouTube video, here’s a few easy ways to begin using your strap:
Here’s a quick video on tying your strap to improve posture. I like the Manduka AligN strap or Hugger Mugger quick release for this but all straps will work.
How to Tie Your Yoga Strap
While its relatively self explanatory, it can’t hurt to get a quick tutorial on how to to tie your strap:
Conclusion
As you can see, the best yoga strap for you depends on your level of experience and a number of other factors (see above). They can be used by anyone from advanced yogis to complete beginners with equal effectiveness and results. And they go a long way toward preventing injury and increasing mobility.
While we can’t say that one strap is the best for everyone, we like the Manduka AligN and Hugger Mugger Quick Release the most. They’re the easiest to use, don’t slip, made from very durable and soft material and they’re built to last a lifetime.
