Non-Slip Backing

A non-slip backing refers to the bottom surface of a yoga mat — the side that contacts the floor — designed to grip flooring and prevent the mat from sliding during practice. While the top surface grip (between you and the mat) gets most attention, the bottom grip is equally important for safety.

Why Bottom Grip Matters

A mat that slides across the floor creates a safety hazard — particularly when:

• Practicing on smooth hardwood, tile, or laminate floors
• Using dynamic movements that generate lateral force (Warriors, Triangle)
• Practicing in heated, humid environments where any moisture seeps under the mat
• Using a mat on carpet (a different challenge — mats can bunch up on carpet)

Materials Used for Non-Slip Backing

Natural rubber: Provides excellent floor grip due to rubber's high friction coefficient. Many premium mats use an all-rubber construction that grips the floor as effectively as the top surface.

Silicone dots or coating: Applied to the bottom of thinner mats (particularly travel mats), silicone provides high friction even on smooth floors.

TPE: Provides moderate floor grip, generally adequate for home practice on non-polished floors.

PVC: Standard PVC mats have adequate floor grip on most surfaces but may slide on very smooth flooring.

Carpet vs. Hard Floor

Mats behave differently on carpet — the backing can catch in carpet fibers, causing bunching. Some mats work better on one surface type than the other. If you practice on carpet, look for mats specifically mentioning carpet compatibility.