Yoga Mat Materials: The Ultimate Material for the Perfect Mat!

Discover the perfect yoga mat materials for your style and lifestyle with our expert guide. From thick and textured to sticky and eco-friendly, we’ll help you choose the best mat for your practice.” 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️

When you first start thinking yoga could be something you want to try, your next logical thought is….which mat do I buy?

It’s really important to choose the right gear for your yoga experience, because there are lots of options but only a few that will suit you.

The material of your yoga mat can impact so much of your experience including your comfort, stability and sustainability.

Let’s discover the details of what yoga mats are made from and how this can affect your choice.

We’ll give you the pro’s and con’s and shed some light on common mistakes when choosing a yoga mat.

By the end of this article you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed choice.

Eco friendly Yoga Mat Material Infographic

Here’s a nice easy infographic to show you ‘Eco Friendly Yoga Mat Material’.

Eco Friendly Yoga Mat Material – TopRatedYogaMats.com by Rebecca Cornthwaite

Pros and Cons of Yoga Mat Materials

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Pro’s

• Provides excellent grip
• Affordable and available everywhere
• Long lasting and durable
• Easy to clean

Con’s

• Not biodegradable and difficult to recycle
• Can be slippery when wet
• Can contain toxic chemicals (some dont – but most do)

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)

Pro’s

• Eco-friendly, it is generally biodegradable and recyclable
• Provides excellent grip
• Easy to clean and lightweight
• Non-toxic, doesn’t have any harmful chemicals

Con’s

• some brands mats don’t last long
• may not give as much cusioning as other materials

Rubber

Pro’s

• Biodegradable and eco-friendly
• Provides excellent grip
• Durable

Con’s

• Has a distinct stong smell for a while
• Anyone allergic to latex can’t buy this material
• More expensive and also heavy

Foam

Pro’s

• Foam is very lightweight and portable
• Great for cushioning of joints
• Budget friendly price range
• There are a variety of thicknesses offered

Con’s

• Not very durable and can tear
• Limited grip
• Not environmentally friendly
• Many contain harmful chemicals

Cork

Pro’s

• Biodegradable and eco-friendly
• Provides excellent grip
• Naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic

Con’s

• Less durable than other materials
• Can be more expensive than others
• Not as cushioned as some materials
• Can need cleaning to maintain hygiene

Jute

Pro’s

• Biodegradable and eco-friendly
• Has a natural textured surface
• Affordable and easily available

Con’s

• Prone to wear and tear
• Can feel rough and has less cushioning

Benefits of Using a Yoga Mat

Here are some benefit’s of using a yoga mat:

Firstly, we have the support of experts here. Gillian Lemermeyer from Research Gate says that “the yoga mat now seems to have become a nearly indispensable part of the practice”.

Cushions your joints – Depending on the material and thickness of your chosen yoga mat, they can give excellent shock absorbing for your joints. This becomes very important as you get older or if you have any injuries or bad knees.

Hygiene – Having your own yoga mat lets you have a clearly defined space to do your yoga poses and workout. It also makes sure you’re not sweating on something that’s not yours.

Improves grip – Using a yoga mat with texture allows you to grip when doing poses, preventing any slips.

Eco-friendly – It’s great to see that we can make a sustainable choice when choosing a yoga mat, making sure we’re not contributing to landfill.

Durability – There are mats now that even though they cost a bit upfront, will last you a long long time making them good value for money.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Yoga Mat

Not considering the material it’s made from – each different material has different pro’s and con’s as we’ve seen. Choosing the wrong one could result in an injury and a less than ideal yoga session.

Choosing the wrong thickness – thickness can affect your stability, but it can also impact the cushioning under your joints. So depending on your body and your style of yoga you need to choose carefully.

Neglecting grip – once again depending in the type of yoga you do will determine how grippy your mat needs to be. If you ever plan on doing hot yoga, grip is an essential consideration, and can prevent slips.

Forgetting portability – If you travel a lot or have trouble carrying things you really need to think about the weight of the mat and also does it fold up or have a carry strap. These items make yoga mats more easy to take around with you.

Overlooking allergies – We all know how many of us have allergies these days, the material could play a big part in making sure your allergies aren’t flared up.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s

How do I clean my yoga mat? 

You can clean your yoga mat with a mixture of water and vinegar or water and a couple of drops of mild soap/detergent. Try not to use chemicals, because some mats can be damaged by this. Also check the manufacturers instructions.

Is PVC safe for yoga mats?

PVC mats are very common, although most do contain toxic chemicals. These chemicals can be dangerous for some people, so if possible it would be best to consider another material.

What thickness should I choose for my yoga mat?

The thickness of your yoga mat depends on your individual needs and also your preference. A general average thickness is 1/4 inch thick and this seems sufficient for most people. If you have knee or back issues I would suggest getting a thicker mat for the extra cushioning.

How often should I replace my yoga mat?

There’s no hard and fast rule here but if you use it more than 3 times a week, we suggest replacing it every 12 months. If you do yoga/pilates once a week it might last 2 years. Just use your judgement. It’s about making sure it doesn’t have tears and also that the hygiene is maintained.

Can I use a yoga towel on top of my mat for better grip?

Yes, many people who do Hot yoga or other intensive yoga styles use a towel on top of the mat to soak up any sweat. It doesn’t seem to interfere with your poses and positions, so go ahead and use your towel on top.

Are there eco-friendly alternatives to traditional yoga mats?

Yes 100% there are quite a few eco-friendly options now, these are TPE, natural rubber, cork, and jute, they’re biodegradable or recyclable. These materials all reduce the environmental impact of your yoga practice.

Conclusion

So, as you can see there’s lots of choice out there for finding the ideal yoga mat material for you.

It’s essential that before you go and spend your money that you think about all the factors that might affect you and your yoga journey.

Have a read through the common mistakes and the FAQ’s so that you are a full bottle on how the material can impact your mat and experience.

Now you’ve done the hard work of the research, it’s time to make your choice.

To help you with this we have compared the Top Yoga Mats of 2024. Check them out and see if you find your ideal yoga mat.

Happy hunting and congratulations on getting all the information you need to make a better choice.