When it comes to picking yoga mats there’s an overwhelming number of options. Do you buy high-end or go with a cheap one that you can just replace? It’s a hard question to answer but we’ll make it easy for you. In this Hugger Mugger yoga mat review, we review the Para Rubber, Tapas, and compare them to our other favorite yoga mats like the Jade and Manduka.
Let’s dive in…
Our top picks for Hugger Mugger & comparable yoga mats
- Best Overall: Manduka Pro
- Runner Up: Jade Fusion
- Best Hugger Mugger Yoga Mat: Para Rubber
Choosing a yoga mat
With so many amazing yoga mats, it can be hard to decide which one’s best. And there really isn’t one yoga mat that works for everyone so we can’t say which one’s going to be the ultimate one for you. However, we can recommend based on our experience and give you some points to consider while you’re shopping for your Hugger Mugger yoga mat.
Here are the things you should consider when making your decision…
Size
This one’s not as obvious as you might think. Many people think that yoga mats all come in pretty much the same size but there are actually several options available. For starters, the standard yoga mat size is around 68 x 24 inches. Which is fine if you’re an average-sized person under about 5’10”.
However, if you’re a slightly larger person, you’ll probably want something a little longer and wider. Many yoga mats now come in wider variations which are 26” and, believe it or not, that extra few inches can make a big difference when performing floor poses like the Pigeon pose.
Most yoga mats, including the Hugger Mugger yoga mats, come in several length options as well. My best advice is that, if you’re over about 5’10”, choose something that’s at least 71” in length.
Style of yoga
The style of yoga really only comes into play for two reasons:
- You do hot yoga exclusively or on a regular basis.
- You have sensitive joints and/or do active styles of yoga.
If you’re a regular hot yogi, you have two options, get a combination yoga mat or get a yoga towel. A yoga mat that’s only rubber may result in slipping without something on the surface to absorb the sweat.
And if you perform active yoga and/or have sensitive joints, you’ll want to consider a thicker yoga mat that’s a naturally dense material. In these cases, natural rubber yoga mats provide excellent cushioning.
Price
This kind of goes without saying but you don’t want to spend your last dollars on a yoga mat (unless you’re a yoga instructor and you don’t have one).
Thickness
Similar to what I said above, if you have sensitive joints or bad knees, you want to choose a thicker yoga mat. Now, don’t let the cheap ½” thick yoga mats draw you in. While they are thicker, they’re typically made from a cheaper foam that’s far less dense and doesn’t work for yoga.
When they’re that thick, they tend to sink in and interfere with your balance. Additionally, they stretch which can cause slipping in positions like Downward Dog.
In general, we’ve found that a yoga mat that’s between 6 and 8 mm and made from either natural rubber or dense PVC (like the Manduka Pro) offers the best support. It cushions your joints and remains dense enough so that it doesn’t ruin your balance.
Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat Review
Our Rating
The Para Rubber yoga mat is one of the higher-end yoga mats offered by Hugger Mugger. It’s made from a dense, natural rubber that’s ¼” thick (6.35 mm) offering exceptional cushioning and grip. It comes in a single, 70 x 24” size which makes it a great length for anyone up to about 6’ or a little over.
Being made from a natural tree rubber, it’s heavier than the Target yoga mat currently in your closet. That being said, it’s high-quality and you can feel that when you pick it up. It’s almost like buying a yoga mat that’s as durable as the tires on your car. It feels like it’ll last forever.
At the time of this writing its offered in two colors: River and storm which are both nice but nothing special. If you like understated style, it’s perfect. When it comes to functionality, it’s great for non-heated yoga practices and flow style yoga.
It’s not sweat absorbent so you’ll need a towel if performing hot yoga. For every other kind of yoga, the grip is great and the cushioning is on-point. The surface is open-celled which improves grip but can harbor bacteria so it requires a deeper cleaning every once in a while to keep things sanitary. The cushioning is also excellent and works for anyone with sensitive joints.
Overall, if you desire a high-quality yoga mat, this is a good choice. It’s not my favorite in this range but it is a good mat. I would consider purchasing the Para Rubber if:
- You have sensitive joints and like more cushioning
- Don’t mind the weight of a natural rubber yoga mat
- Practice mostly non-heated yoga
If you’re mostly into hot yoga, get a hot yoga mat or yoga towel to go over this one.
Important things to consider:
- It’s made from natural rubber so it has a rubbery smell. You can clean your yoga mat when you first get it to reduce most of that initial smell though.
- If you have a latex allergy, natural rubber mats should be avoided.
Highlights
- High end look and feel
- Made from natural rubber
- Great grip and thick enough for those with sensitive joints
Specs
- Weight: 6.1 lbs
- One size: 70 x 24
- Thickness: 6.35 mm
- Grip: Good
Hugger Mugger Tapas Yoga Mat Review
Our Rating
The Hugger Mugger Tapas yoga mat is, at the time of this writing, what you would consider an affordable but still good quality yoga mat. It’s offered in two lengths of 68” and 74” with a standard 24” width. Hugger Mugger seems to stick with this width in most of their mats.
It’s also currently offered in about 6 solid colors that admittedly look pretty nice. It’s made from a durable PVC that’s similar to many of the other yoga mats you’ve probably seen or felt throughout your life. It’s important to note that the PVC used is heavy metal and phthalate-free so it’s not poisoning your body when you’re using it.
It’s very sticky which can be a bit of a hindrance while you’re breaking it in. It stays in place on the floor when you put it down but your palms really cling to it for the first little bit. This may or may not be an issue for you. If you’re in an active flow style yoga, it could interfere a bit.
The top does have an open-celled surface that helps it retain its stickiness and antimicrobial properties to prevent bacteria development.
When it comes to cushioning for your joints, it’s not going to work for anyone with sensitive joints. The material is dense but at only 3.175 mm thick, you’re going to get a lot of the floor feel beneath you.
Overall, it’s a good affordable mat that will last. If you’re a yogi that likes the floor feel, needs something sticky, and doesn’t do hot yoga, this is a good choice. It would also work very well as a yoga mat for carpet since you have that padding underneath you.
However, if you practice hot yoga or need more padding, this probably isn’t the ideal yoga mat.
Highlights
- At the time of this writing it’s the most affordable option
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Very sticky surface with high grip
Specs
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
- Two sizes: 68 x 24 and 74 x 24
- Thickness: 3.175 mm
- Grip: Good
Hugger Mugger Vs Jade Yoga Mats
We’ve written quite a bit about the Jade Harmony Yoga Mat before and its always at the top of our list for highly recommended yoga mats. Many professional yogis and instructors swear by the Jade and won’t even entertain anything else.
However, there are key differences between the two.
Jade Harmony Vs Hugger Mugger Para Rubber
|
Specs |
Para Rubber |
Jade Harmony |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural Rubber | Natural Rubber |
| Styles | At time of writing 2 colors available | At time of writing 16 colors available |
| Grip | Great | Great |
| Weight | 6.1 lbs | 4.5 lbs |
| Size | 70 x 24″ | Two options: 68 x 24 and 74 x 24″ |
| Thickness | 6 mm | 5 mm |
| Cleanliness | Open-cell surface. Takes a little more care. | Open-cell surface. Takes a little more care. |
| Warranty | Unclear | 30 day |
Differences:
- The Hugger Mugger is 1 mm thicker than the Jade Harmony. The Para Rubber comes in at just over 6 mm thick while the Harmony comes in at just under 5 mm thick.
- The Jade Weighs 4.5 lbs while the Para Rubber is 6.1 lbs making it almost 1.5 lbs heavier.
- Jade Harmony comes in two sizes: 68 x 24 and 74 x 24 inches. The Hugger Mugger Para Rubber comes in one size: 70 x 24
- Jade Harmony currently comes in many more colors.
- Jade made in the USA while Hugger Mugger Para Rubber’s made in Taiwan.
Similarities:
- Both made from naturally sourced, non-amazon harvested rubber.
- Both have an open-cell surface and a very sticky grip.
- Neither would work if you have a latex allergy.
So who’s the winner when comparing the Harmony vs the Para Rubber? Well, it’s a hard choice. If you need a little more cushioning, go with the Para Rubber. If you prefer a lighter yoga mat that’s made in the USA and comes in several lengths, go with the Jade Harmony. Other than that, it’s a toss-up and comes down to personal preference.
Winner by a thin margin: Para Rubber
Our Rating
Winner
Para Rubber
This was a tough choice and it really comes down to preference. The Para Rubber is thicker providing better joint support but only comes in one size and less color options than the Jade Harmony.
Jade Fusion Vs Hugger Mugger Para Rubber
|
Specs |
Para Rubber |
Jade Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural Rubber | Natural Rubber |
| Styles | At time of writing 2 colors available | At time of writing 3 colors available |
| Grip | Great | Slightly Better |
| Weight | 6.1 lbs | 6.5 – 7.1 lbs |
| Size | 70 x 24″ | Two options: 68 x 24 and 74 x 24″ |
| Thickness | 6 mm | 8 mm |
| Cleanliness | Open-cell surface. Takes a little more care. | Open-cell surface. Takes a little more care. |
| Warranty | Unclear | 30 day |
Differences:
- Jade Fusion is Thicker than the Para Rubber. The Para Rubber is 6 mm while the Fusion is just under 8 mm.
- Jade made in the USA while Hugger Mugger Para Rubber’s made in Taiwan.
- Fusion is slightly heavier (6.5 – 7.1 lbs depending on the size). The Para Rubber is 6.1 lbs.
- The Fusion feels better and has a better grip. It’s also far more used and holds significantly higher ratings than the Para Rubber.
- Sizes: Jade Fusion comes in two sizes: 68 x 24 and 74 x 24. Para Rubber has one 70 x 24” option.
Similarities:
- Both come in limited colors.
- Both made from naturally sourced, non-amazon harvested rubber.
- Both have an open-cell surface and a very sticky grip.
- Neither would work if you have a latex allergy.
Who’s the winner between the Jade Fusion and Para Rubber? The Jade Fusion is hands down our favorite when it comes to this comparison. There’s a reason it’s used by so many pro-yogis and instructors. Its grip is better, it lasts forever, and it’s made in the USA. While they’re both great yoga mats, our top pick is the Fusion.
Winner: Jade Fusion
Our Rating
Winner
Jade Fusion
The Jade Fusion is overall our top pick here. It’s thicker which provides better joint support, comes in several sizes and has slightly better style options at the time of this writing.
Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Vs Manduka Pro
|
Specs |
Para Rubber |
Manduka Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural Rubber | Eco-friendly PVC |
| Styles | At time of writing 2 colors available | At time of writing 7 colors available |
| Grip | Great | Great |
| Weight | 6.1 lbs | 7.5 – 9.5 lbs |
| Size | 70 x 24″ | Two options: 71 x 26″ and 85 x 26″ |
| Thickness | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Cleanliness | Open-cell surface. Takes a little more care. | Closed-cell very easy to clean |
| Warranty | Unclear | Lifetime |
Differences:
- Material: The Para Rubber is made from rubber while the Manduka Pro is made from eco-friendly non-toxic PVC. This makes the Manduka ideal if you don’t have rubber allergies.
- Styles: Manduka is currently offered in more colors which we think look better.
- Grip: Very similar.
- Weight: Manduka is significantly heavier (7.5 – 9.5 lbs depending on the size).
- Size: Manduka Pro is offered in several sizes both length and width. It comes in a slightly over sized 71 x 26 or a whopping 85 x 26 meaning it’s both longer and wider than the Para Rubber.
- Cleanliness: Manduka pro has a closed-cell surface that doesn’t harbor bacteria and makes cleanup easier. The Para Rubber has an open-celled surface which takes a little more effort to clean.
- Warranty: The Manduka Pro has a lifetime warranty. You can request a manufacturer’s warranty on the Hugger Mugger but obviously the lifetime warranty is better.
Similarities:
- Both are high end yoga mats.
- Both are thick enough to provide great padding for those with sensitive knees.
- Both would need a yoga towel over them if using in hot yoga.
- Both are 6 mm thick
Who’s the winner of the two? Our top pick is the Manduka Pro. While we do like the Hugger Mugger yoga mat, we LOVE the Manduka Pro. It’s a heavier yoga mat so carrying it around can be a pain without a yoga mat bag or strap but the quality is unmatched in this comparison. The Manduka Pro has excellent grip, a lifetime warranty, and larger size options.
Winner: Manduka Pro
Our Rating
Winner & Our Top Pick
Manduka Pro
With a lifetime warranty, more sizes, and more styles, the Manduka Pro is our favorite pick in this match up and one of our favorite yoga mats overall.
Conclusion & Our Top Pick Overall
So what’s our top pick in this Hugger Mugger yoga mat review? If you’re a die hard Hugger Mugger fan, the Para Rubber is the best choice. However, if you’re looking for an excellent yoga mat that’s built to last a lifetime, our number one choice is the Manduka Pro. The quality is exceptional, the grip is perfect, and its built to last a lifetime (has a lifetime warranty) so you never have to buy another yoga mat. Overall, it’s our top choice by far.
