Are you trying to take steps towards being more eco-friendly?
It can be hard to know where to start when there are so many helpful changes you can make to your life that would help out the natural world.
But as yoga lovers you might think that there is nothing you can do to help the ecosystem. But, there actually is.
By purchasing a yoga may that is eco-friendly you can make a big difference with just one small purchase.
In this article we are going to look at the best eco-friendly mats on the market so that you do not have to wade through the sub-par products that have flooded the market.
So, without further ado, let us get started!
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
If you are looking for a good quality large jute yoga mat that is also eco-friendly then look no further than this amazing product.
It has been designed to be comfortable, durable and to help with your performance.
You know that the manufacturer cares because the designer of this product is a real life yoga teacher who knows all the ins and outs of this form of activity.
On top of being incredibly comfortable and well-designed, this mat is lightweight and easy to carry around due to the weight of the fabric and the handy organic carrying stray is included with the product.
To make this product even more impressive it does not include any toxic materials or finishes.
So you can rest assured that it will not contain any lead, cadmium, phthalates, dioxin, furan and heavy metals.
We really loved this product, it is well-made, easy to use and very comfortable to use for yoga.
While there were a few controversial customer reviews on what this product was actually made of, we did not find anything about that when we did our search.
Perhaps they changed how the product was made or it was simply not true to begin with.
Who knows. At the end of the day, this is a really well-made product and one that you will enjoy for its quality and because it is a 100% eco-friendly and non-toxic yoga mat.
Pros
- Reinforced - The practice side of this yoga mat is reinforced, so there will be minimal shedding and degradation of the yoga mat over time.
- Grip - This yoga mat has excellent grip, so you will be able to use it more easily even for the more complicated yoga moves without slipping.
- Lightweight - This yoga mat is lightweight and easy to carry around. It also comes with a free organic strap to help you carry it to and from your favorite yoga location.
- Non-Toxic - This product is non-toxic so you can rest assured that there is no lead, cadmium, phthalates, dioxin, furan and heavy metals.
Cons
- Shedding - Some customers found that this yoga mat sheds after a short amount of time. This was not true for all customers.
- Questionable Advertising - Some customers reported that this product was made from PVC after research they did on their own. How true this is we do not know.
- Slippery - Some customers found that this yoga mat was slippery when they used it. This was not true for all customers.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website make sure to check it out at AJNA Wellbeing’s Store.
EDITORS CHOICE
Are you looking for a well-made, durable and eco-friendly yoga mat? If you are then make sure to check out this amazing yoga mat.
It is made from material that is recycled, PVC free, and eco-friendly so you can rest assured that you will be having a good impact on the environment with this yoga mat.
We really liked this product, it is well-made, durable and very comfortable to use during yoga.
We particularly liked the fact that it had body alignment lines so those of us that are new to yoga can easily find their positioning.
Overall, this is a great product and one that we highly recommend to those of you that are looking for a budget-friendly eco-friendly yoga mat.
Pros
Body Alignment Lines - This product comes with body alignment marks on the yoga mat. So you can have an easy time getting your positions right.
Anti-Skid - This product has a matrix skid pattern which helps the mat to not shift while you are performing yoga movies.
Included Accessories - This product comes with a carrying strap and a mesh bag so you will be able to carry around your yoga mat without any extra cost.
Colors - This product comes in a variety of colors so you can pick an option that suits your aesthetic tendencies.
Cons
Not Heat-Resistant - There was one customer who found that their yoga mat melted in their car at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Smell - Some customers found that this yoga mat had an awful smell which made it harder to get used to and unpleasant to use.
BEST VALUE
This product is extremely well-made and durable. It is made from natural cork and rubber both of which are vegan and 100% renewable.
On top of that this product is quite lightweight and easy to carry around so you can do yoga wherever you need to without breaking a sweat.
This product is one of the eco-friendly yoga mats that really impressed us.
Not only does it have a stunning natural look it is a very good yoga mat.
We found that it was comfortable even on hardwood floors and it provided more than enough grip despite some of the reviews that stated otherwise.
It is the kind of product that we highly recommend you take a look at because it is truly one of the best eco-friendly yoga mats we have come across to date.
Pros
Durable - This product has been designed to be durable and provide you with all the grip you need to do just about any yoga move with ease.
Natural and Organic - This product is made from only natural and renewable materials like cork and natural rubber so you can rest assured that your yoga mat is eco-friendly.
Texture - The natural fibers and textures used for this mat are very useful for yoga as they help you to keep your group without any additives, sprays or other finishes.
Highly Recommended - There was an overwhelming amount of positive reviews for this product which just goes to show you that there have been an overwhelming amount of customers that highly recommend this product for others that do yoga or workout.
Cons
Smell - Some customers found that when they opened their product it had an awful rubbery smell which did not go away after an extended period of time using it.
Heavy - Some customers found that this may be heavier than they expected which made it very taxing to carry from place to place.
Slippery - Some customers found that this product was a little more slippery than advertised which made it harder to use for yoga and other workouts.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website make sure to check it out at The Cork Collective’s Store.
RUNNER UP
This eco-friendly yoga mat comes in several fun colors which is really great if you are looking for a yoga mat that will suit your aesthetic preferences.
It is made from good quality materials and does not have any toxic chemicals added to it.
While it does not come with a carrying strap, the lightweight nature of this product makes it easy to tote around from place to place.
We really loved this product and highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for an eco-friendly yoga mat that is well-made, comes in a variety of colors and is both waterproof and tear resistant.
Pros
Tear Resistant - This product is advertised as being tear resistant so you can rest assured that it will stand up to the rigors of yoga.
Layering - This product has several layers which work together to create a durable, non-stick and strong fabric that is perfect for yoga.
Double Sided Texture - This product is textured on both sides, so your yoga mat will not slip while you are using it and you won’t slip whether while doing yoga.
Waterproof - This product is waterproof which also means that it is sweat proof. There is nothing worse than sweat seeping into your yoga mat after all.
Cons
Thin - Despite all the layering, some customers found that this yoga mat was very thin and this made it less comfortable to use.
Color Transfer - Some customers found that the coloring from their yoga mat came off and transferred to their skin when they did several hot yoga sessions.
No Carrying Strap - This product did not come with a carrying strap which means that you might have to purchase one of your own in addition to the yoga mat itself.
If you like this product but would prefer to purchase it on an alternate website make sure to check it out at Bobo Banana’s Store.
Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat Buying Guide
In this section we are going to go over any features that you should pay particular attention to when you are shopping for an eco-friendly yoga mat. So, without further ado, let us get started!
What Surface Will You Be Practicing Yoga On?
Before you take the plunge and purchase your yoga mat you will need to consider where you will be doing yoga and what surface will be there.
It is important to know this because if you are practicing yoga in a sports hall for example you may want a yoga mat that is thicker so that you are more comfortable during the session.
On the other hand, you may want to practice yoga outdoors and in this case you will need to make sure that your yoga mat is made from a material that will do well in the outdoors and be comfortable to use for long periods of time.
It is these considerations that could make the difference between getting a yoga mat that is perfect for your needs and one that just doesn’t work as well as it should.
The Grip Of Your Yoga Mat
How much grip your yoga mat has will be an important feature to consider because it can impact your ability to do certain types of yoga.
For example if you are going to do hot yoga you will need a mat that allows you to grip the mat with your feet and hands while you are sweating.
On top of this you will need to consider the grip of your mat underneath as it can make a big difference while you are performing yoga moves as well.
Foiling Or Rolling Yoga Mats
The vast majority of yoga mats need to be rolled up when you are done using them.
But there are alternative storage options for some varieties of yoga mat. For example, a folding yoga mat. So make sure to consider what your needs are.
Do you need to go to and from the gym? What space do you have to store your yoga mat?
By understanding things like this you can decide what type of yoga mat will suit you and your needs better.
The Design
You would be surprised at how important the design of your yoga mat is.
For example, your alignment lines or alignment marks, which are normally located in the middle of your mat, can be beneficial for both experienced and inexperienced yoga practitioners.
These lines are helpful for beginners to get their bearings and make sense of the cues and adjustments that an instructor might use.
It is also a good tool to use for teachers who can guide a person more easily if there is a mark on the mat that they can tell their pupil to stretch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section we are going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions. So, without further ado, let us get started!
How Can You Stop A Yoga Mat From Slipping On A Carpet?
When you are purchasing your yoga mat you will need to make sure that you buy one that has a non-slip backing so that you do not slip all over the place while you are using it.
But if you do have a yoga mat that is still slipping on carpet despite a non-slip back then there are a few things that you can do to help alleviate that issue.
You could for example purchase an additional non-slip rug or mat to put under your yoga mat or you could use salt.
How Do You Clean A Yoga Mat?
When you are cleaning your yoga mat it is not recommended that you use soap as it is a slippery substance which can leave an irritating residue on your yoga mat even after you have wiped everything down.
You will be better off using a mixture of water and vinegar to clean your yoga mat as it will get rid of any bacteria, sweat and dirt without leaving a slippery residue.
You could also opt for using rubbing alcohol to get the same effect.
If you do not like the smell you can use a few drops of essential oils to get rid of any lingering smells.
What Is The Most Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat Material?
One of the best materials that you can have for an eco-friendly yoga mat would be natural rubber and jute.
Jute especially is a fantastic fabric which does not contain any additional chemicals and best of all it is 100% biodegradable.
What Can You Use Instead Of A Yoga Mat?
If you find yourself at a bit of an impasse and do not have the budget for a top of the range eco-friendly yoga mat there are alternatives that you will be able to make use of.
For example you could use an old beach towel, a thick blanket, a quilt, a rug, or a carpet.
While none of these can replace a good yoga mat they are good alternatives while you are waiting to purchase a good eco-friendly yoga mat.
Are Foam Yoga Mats Toxic?
The main reason that foam yoga mats might be toxic is because of the fire retardants that are added to them.
On their own they are just your run-of-the-mill mat but because foam is very flammable manufacturers have to put a fire retardant on them which can be terribly toxic.
Therefore, if these chemicals are present in your yoga mat you may be exposed to them over the course of your time using the yoga mat and while this will not kill you it may cause issues later on if you are allergic or intolerant of that particular toxin.
Can You Use A Yoga Towel Instead Of A Yoga Mat?
While you technically can use a yoga towel instead of a yoga mat. They are actually designed to be used on top of yoga mats.
But if you do not have the room to store a yoga mat you can use a yoga towel.
Just make sure that it is quite thick so that you can comfortably perform yoga on the towel without hurting yourself.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed this article and you have found an eco-friendly yoga mat that is sure to impress you.
If you are one of the unlucky few that did not find an eco-friendly yoga mat that meets your requirements, do not fret.
There are plenty of alternatives all over the internet that are sure to hit that spot just right.
Have a fantastic day and we wish you luck with your search or a new eco-friendly yoga mat if you have already not found one. Goodbye for now!
The positive effect yoga had on me was indescribable. Every aspect of my life improved, from social to mental, physical to emotional.
I want my website to help more people get into the world of yoga and teach them how to be present for themselves - even if that’s just for a few minutes a day.
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