The phrase “most eco friendly yoga mat” gets splashed around a lot these days, but I’ve been wondering exactly what it means when it comes to yoga mats. So, I decided to hop to it and do some research and my results are below.
An “eco-friendly” yoga mat means that the mat’s designed to be kind to the environment right now. They’re usually made from materials that are natural or easy to recycle. The use of much less harmful chemicals and processing make these the ideal mats.
Using an eco-friendly yoga mat means you’re doing your part to reduce the impact on the planet today. It’s not only a great choice to make but it means being thoughful about your environment during your sessions too! Now I want to show you the top few eco-friendly yoga mats that I’ve discovered for you.
Top 4 Most Eco Friendly Yoga Mats of 2024
For each of these yoga mats, I’ll explain why they are eco friendly and also a bit about the material they’re made from.
Yoga Mat | Material | Thickness(mm) | Size(inch) | Customer Rating | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 HemingWeigh | Nitrile Butadiene Rubber | 25 | 70L x 23W | 4.7/5 | $55 |
#2 UMINEUX | Thermoplastic Elastomers | 6 | 72L x 24W | 4.6/5 | $32 |
#3 Manduka PRO | PVC | 6 | 71L x 26W | 4.7/5 | $112 |
#4 Gaiam Cork | Cork | 5 | 68L x 24W | 4.6/5 | $34 |
#1 HemingWeigh Yoga Mat
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber is the material HemingWeigh use to make this eco friendly mat. Nitrile, also known as Buna-N or NBR (nitrile-butadiene rubber) is a type of synthetic rubber polymer. Nitrile rubber is not toxic, which explains the popularity of this yoga mat.
One of our customers said “We unrolled our mat and decided to try it out this morning. There didn’t seem to be any smell that we could notice.
It unrolled mostly flat right from the start. It is sooo comfortable to the knees while you’re doing your workout. I had absolutely no problems with slipping and holding my positions”.
The carry strap seems fairly convenient because it doesn’t have to roll up tight to store it or transport it.
From my testing so far this mat ticks all the boxes. As for durability it seems well made, and looks like it will last a good while.
#2 UMINEUX Yoga Mat
Thermoplastic Elastomers (also known as TPE’s) create this modern and sleek looking yoga mat. Thermoplastic Elastomers are an very good choice from an environmental point of view. Thermoplastic elastomers are environmentally friendly because they are recyclable. TPE is made from a variety of non toxic, synthetic materials, including plastic and rubber.
Using this mat a few times allows me to see it’s exactly what it states. It’s thick enough to provide a decent amount of cushioning where we need it, especially my hands when doing a downward dog or a plank.
The material is quite soft on your skin and it’s very lightweight.
We didn’t think that the lines and decorations on the mat would be of much use but I’ve found myself lining up my feet and hands with the markings on the mat. It helps somehow – maybe it’s about the balance of staying on the lines.
Also, the mat seems pretty durable so far. The yoga mat provides friction on the surface so you don’t slip on your sweat and the mat hasn’t torn at all.
It’s also just super cute! Colors and patterns are true to pictures. It comes with a strap so you can carry it around and keep it rolled up. Super easy to use.
#3 Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
Look, the fact is Manduka yoga mats have an excellent reputation around the world. Each mat is handmade (yes, actually handmade) in an emissions-free German facility with 100% latex-free PVC that has been certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX. It truly does go above and beyond in the eco-friendly standards!
This mat’s dimensions are impressive, with a length of 71 inches, making it an excellent choice for anyone who’s tall or simply likes a bit more room during their yoga sessions.
The cost of this mat puts some people off, based on my experience – it’s worth it. It’s the most padded, supportive mat we’ve ever used and we haven’t found anything close.
One of the key highlights of the Manduka PRO mat is its superior grip.
The mat stayed secure and non-slippery even during intensive sessions or hot yoga classes that resulted in me dripping in sweating. This really put a stop to any concerns I had about slipping, letting me concentrate on my practice.
I love the idea of buying a product that will be the last of that one item you’ll ever need – less going into landfill.
#4 Gaiam Cork Yoga Mat
This little beauty reminds me of the 70’s (we had cork floors at home), it features an all-natural, sustainable cork on the top, and a non-toxic, lightweight TPE rubber on the bottom. The result is a top notch yoga mat for your workout.
At first when I tested this mat- the cork felt a bit slippery. Once I started my actual yoga session it was great! I think it only becomes grippy once your hands start sweating a little bit. The bottom of the mat stays in place nicely. The cork material does seem to suction to the skin which is good for avoiding any awkward sounds!
It’s really lightweight and so comfortable to use.
We recommend this yoga mat to beginners, it’s fairly inexpensive for a cork mat.
This mat meets my expectations, I find it holds together well, doesn’t slide around during my workouts, and the cork feels so soft on my skin.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve been able to make some decisions about which of these mats suits your needs best. It’s never an easy decision but it makes it easier to know that you have a team of people at Top Rated Yoga Mats. We take the time to fully test many mats that say they are the most eco friendly yoga mats to get to our top ticks.
Our yoga instructors and doctors of Science and Exercise Physiology are involved in all the testing. We take your decision making seriously and hope it’s useful.
Good luck with your purchase and Namaste.
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