Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats
If You Are Looking To Buy The Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats, You Are On The Right Page. We Have Researched This Space For 38 Long Hours To Select Our Top 8 Collection. This Will Make Your Job A Lot Easier. So, Stay Tuned.
Yoga is a natural practice or way to rejuvenate our mind and body. Likewise, the process of performing it many like it to be natural or eco-friendly. Hence, the first thing that come to our mind is what is the best eco-friendly yoga mat that one can purchase for daily yoga sessions.
Today, whatever we do has a direct connection and impact on our environment.
Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats From Yoga Essentials
Today we all understand that should be very cautious and conscious about Nature, mostly in terms of the things we use. When it comes to yoga, we should opt for eco-friendly mats instead of the easier available options which are NOT recyclable or biodegradable.
This not only makes your yoga sessions worthwhile, but also adds a feel-good factor for you.
Like apparels and toothbrush, a yoga mat is something very personal to someone. People would hardly want to share or lend a yoga mat. So, why not invest in something which is both comfortable, durable and eco-friendly. Most importantly, something that you will LIKE using on a daily basis.
Here we have listed the 8 best eco-friendly yoga mats that you can consider while purchasing mats that are comfortable, sustainable and nature friendly.
Our researchers have gone through all available options and has come up with this list of top 8 after a long 38 hours of research and due diligence. So, we are pretty sure that if you buy any among the sleeted one you will never go wrong.
So, without wasting any time lets go through the list. But here comes, the winner…
What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats?
1. Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Yoga Mat
The Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Mat is made of 100% rubber, blended with other eco-friendly components. It has a thickness of around 6 mm and weighs 6 lbs.
The surface is very soft and quite cushiony compared to other mats of similar weight. It is very comfortable and feels good under your body.
Also read our popular post on Best Yoga Mats For Carpet
What we like in it?
- Natural elements- rubber and other
- Very soft and cushiony
- Excellent grip
Cons
- It has a strong smell of rubber
- It is quite heavy and absorbs sweat so needs to be cleaned regularly
2. Jade Fusion Yoga Mat
The Jade Fusion Eco-friendly Mat has everything that you are looking for. This is the first thing that should come to your mind when you wonder, what is the best eco-friendly mat. It has good cushioning, good grip and is eco-friendly at the same time.
It is 68 inches in length, but ae 74 inches taller version is also available. The thickness is around 8 mm so padding is good enough.
It is made of natural rubber and man-made materials with no toxic PVC. It also has a good grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Jade as a brand is known to plant a tree for every product that they sell which is a good initiative.
What we like in it?
- Eco-friendly material like natural rubber
- Good grip in both wet and dry conditions
- Good padding and durable
Cons
- For a weight of 8.5 lbs, it is really heavy
- Sweat absorption can be improved
3. MandukaEko Yoga Mat
This is made of natural tree rubber reinforced with polyester and cotton and manufactured without toxic glues or foaming agents.
The Manduka Yoga Mat has two layers of varying density which gives both a spongy and firm support.
It also has a closed cell pattern which keeps off moisture. It is around 71 inches long with a thickness of around 5 mm.
What we like in it?
- Usage of no toxic material
- Good grip in dry condition, it feels nice and comfortable
- Closed cell pattern to repel moisture
Cons
- It weighs 7 lbs which is relatively heavy
- It loses its grip in wet conditions and may not be suitable for people with sensitive joints
4. Urbivore All-Natural Cork Yoga Mat
Cork is a natural element and works well as a raw material for mats. The Urbivore Cork Yoga Mat is very comfortable and durable.
Cork gives a good grip and not slippery at all. It is mixed with natural rubber. It is 72 inches in length with a thickness of 4 mm.
The surface is smooth and is gets better with little moisture as well. It very durable and repels dirt and sweat.
Do check out our article on Yoga mats for toddlers too.
What we like in it?
- Only 100% natural elements are used- rubber and cork
- Cork inhibits bacteria, mold, fungal growth and odor free
- The surface is smooth and feels nice
Cons
- Some people might not feel comfortable with the grip and go for a stickier mat
5. Yoloha Cork Yoga Mats
If you are still thinking about what is the best eco-friendly yoga mat, then Yoloha Cork Mats are yet another option.
There are two variants – Auro (6 mm thick and 2.8 lbs in weight) and Native (4 mm thick and 4 lb in weight). They come in beautiful designs and can be customized as well.
They blend handcrafted cork and recycled rubber to make the mats. The stickiness factor is optimum both in dry and wet conditions because of cork.
Though these mats have a smooth surface, they are ultra-absorbent and anti-slip. If you are looking for a super-cushiony one, Yoloha Aura is better.
The usage of cork makes it more durable and tough. The brand uses zero plastic, not even for shipping.
What we like in it?
- Durable due to cork
- Cirk has antimicrobial property
- No usage of toic materials
- Solid grip, both in dry and wet conditions
Cons
- For some, it might be a bit heavy
6. The Liforme Yoga Mat
This is a slightly lighter and thinner version of yoga mat than its competitors in the same category.
The Liforme Yoga Mat is 72.8 inches in length with a 4.2 mm thickness. It is really durable and supportive to your body.
It has helpful alignment markers to help keep you balanced and aligned. The brand makes sustainable and eco-friendly mats with natural rubber and eco-polyurethane. These are low-odour, non-toxic and PVC free material, so extremely nature friendly.
What we like in it?
- Very light yet durable
- Has body alignment markers
- It repels dirt
- Made out of eco-friendly materials
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
- It is fairly sweat absorbent, so needs to be cleaned frequently
7. 2nd Wind Health Grippy Yoga Mat
This one is 72.8 inches tall with a 4.2 mm thickness. The surface is smooth which gives a better grip in both wet and dry conditions and is easy to move on.
The 2nd Wind Health Yoha Mat weighs around 5.5 lbs. The weight keeps it anchored to the ground for better grip. Also, the thickness gives a good padding for your joints.
It is also made of eco-friendly and biodegradable materials and the brand will soon do away with plastic for packaging and shipping.
Also, Do checkout our post on Best Non-Toxic Yoga Mats.
What we like in it?
- Recyclable and biodegradable material
- Good grip
- Smooth surface for a comfortable feel
Cons
- It is fairly absorbent so needs frequent cleaning
- It might be heavy for some people
8. Barefoot Original Eco Yoga Mat
Coming to our last suggestion for what is the best eco-friendly yoga mat, it is a unique one made of natural rubber and jute fibre. The Barefoot Original Eco Mat has no chemical additives.
The rubber underside adheres to the floor and the jute fabric/rubber mix on top gives superb traction, even in heavy sweat.
It is highly durable, tactile with a very comfortable surface to practice yoga. It is 72 inches by 25 inches with a 4mm thickness.
What we like in it?
- Eco-friendly materials
- Super grip for both wet and dry conditions
- Durability
- Smooth surface
Cons
- Two large creases in middle of mat
How to Choose an Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
While buying eco-friendly mats, here are a few parameters that you need to pay attention to and make sure they are correct. When you take of these parameters, chances are that you will be happy with your purchase.
Check for Right Size and Stability
Yoga mats need to be stable with a better grip so that you do not slip or slide. Secondly, the size is very important to that it can accommodate your body span during all stretches and forms.
It should also be made of non-toxic, eco-friendly material with a good sweat absorption mechanism.
Go for 100% Natural Materials and not the Mixed Ones
There are different types of natural elements that can be used for making mats. Opt for the ones which are made of 100% natural elements so that they are not harmful for the environment.
Also, they should be made of non-toxic materials. Raw materials like natural rubber, cork, jute etc. are the best choices for eco-friendly yoga mats.
It is an important factor for the durability and stability of the mat. Even the colour of the mat impacts the session. So, choose soothing one or the one which matches your personality and leaves a healing effect on you.
Check for Ethical Mode of making
Go for brands where the products are ethically made and depicts sustainability. Handmade mats are often preferred. They are also eco-friendlier. They might be a bit expensive but it is worth the money.
Always Go for PVC free
PVC mats should totally be avoided as it contains toxic and non-eco-friendly materials. They can also contain harmful chemicals which can affect your skin in heat and sweat. It should be made of materials which are recyclable.
Easy to maintain
Ease of maintenance should not be ignored. Since mats are almost used every day, they should have efficient sweat-absorption properties and should be easy to wash and dry.
Conclusion:
Yoga mats are not just accessories, they are an integral part of the practice. So, for a pleasant and productive experience, you choose mats which are the best fit for you and of course eco-friendly.
When you look for what is the best eco-friendly yoga mat, the above suggestions and tips will come in handy so that you always make an informed decision.
We will love it if you like something from our selection and find it useful. If you are looking for yoga mats, please check our most popular article on Best Yoga Mats, where we talk about best mats across user, usage and budget specifications.
Do not forget to check our collection of Best Yoga Mat For Hardwood Floors and Best Yoga Mats Under $50. & Best Bikram Yoga Mats You will love them too.