Amazon Basics TPE Yoga Mat, 1/4"

Product Information

The Manduka eKO series just makes the cut, though, because these mats are made with natural tree rubber, without the use of ‘harmful plasticizers’, and are manufactured in a zero-waste process (according to Manduka). All of Manduka’s rubber mats are said by the company to be free of toxic chemicals, dyes, and phthalates, made with rubber from sustainable sources, and manufactured using non-toxic foaming agents to make the rubber soft and pliable. These rubber mats are reinforced with a blend of polyester and cotton. The Manduka eKO has similar cushioning to the Manduka Pro. The mat weighs 7 pounds, making it a little lighter than many rubber mats. It also folds up pretty small for better portability and storage.

There is a variety of yoga mats that suits every priority and preference. Besides colors and patterns, you can now choose from a variety of lengths, textures, and many different materials which makes it even harder to choose the perfect yoga mat for you. To make it short, you will need a mat that is comfortable, keeps you stable in your poses, and doesn’t slip during your workout. Avoid PVC yoga mats: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most used materials in making yoga mats; however, it is a dangerous material as it leaks chlorine, carcinogens, and other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health. In addition, PVC cannot be recycled, but the good news is that there are now more eco-friendly options that include natural and recycled rubber, jute, cork, organic cotton, and other natural materials. Brentwood Home’s Dunlop latex is FSC® certified and comes from sustainably managed rubber tree plantations. The organic cotton is also certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard, meaning it’s grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers that harm the environment and human health. There’s a huge environmental impact from the chemicals used to make many PVC yoga mats. Manufacture isn’t the only consideration though. PVC mats have a considerable energy footprint and typically end up in a landfill once they wear out and get replaced. How regularly and how thoroughly you clean your yoga mat will depend on how often and how intensely you practice. For most people, it’s enough to clean your yoga mat once a week. This keeps stains at bay and prevents the build-up of bacteria and dirt. Follow manufacturers’ guidelines where given, and choose natural cleansers like lemon juice, dilute vinegar solution, or non-toxic dish soap to clean your mat.

What should I look for when buying a yoga mat?

So, if elaborate balancing poses, or even a simple tree pose, are more your thing, go for a thinner mat. Some travel mats are as thin as 1.5 mm! This makes them highly portable and gives you great connection to the ground, for extra stability. Durability: Your yoga mat won’t have to withstand intense HIIT workouts or dropped dumbbells, but it should emerge unscathed from dynamic practice, without any rips or dents. PVC off-gasses (or releases) Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs that we can inhale and that can have serious health implications. PVC is toxic and is used to make a whole bunch of household items, like shower curtains.

It’s worth noting that the rubber base of their mats is biodegradable, but the microfiber is only recyclable. The cork used in their mats is extracted from the outer bark of the cork oak in the Mediterranean area. However, they do not cut down a single tree. Instead, they debark the trees by hand every nine years. And the image on the mats is simply stunning! It will be hard to choose one. YDL believes that we can all start choosing products that are friendlier to our mother earth, which is why their products are vegan-friendly and eco-friendly. They've also recently invented a plant foam made from 55% ethically sourced sugar cane. Topped with the same cork surface, you will find several options, including the Original, the Aura, and the Nomad, for a more sustainable yoga mat made from 70% renewable materials.As the ancient discipline is all about mental stillness and feeling calm (sign us up), now is as good-a time as any to try it. Forget what you thought you already knew; yoga isn't about how bendy you can be or how long you can do a handstand for. No pressure to touch your toes without bending your knees here. Instead, it's all about reconnecting with your body and restoring your sense of inner peace. There’s nothing more irritating than buying a brand new yoga mat only for it to fall apart after a few vinyasa classes. Fortunately, there’s no such problem with this durable offering from the experts at Complete Unity. It’s crafted from sustainably harvested tree rubber and natural jute fibres, which means the surface isn’t the smoothest, but it is resistant to wear and tear and, crucially, it’s uber sturdy – trust us, it won’t budge, whether you’re flowing on carpet, hard wood or tiles.

I've highlighted some excellent alternatives to PVC in this post. A non-toxic yoga mat should be made of natural rubber, cotton, jute, or cork. These are all renewable resources that can be ethically manufactured. Natural rubber is still manufactured with chemicals but is way better than synthetic rubber. Some people do have allergies to rubber. If you like rustic-looking mats, you'll fall in love with the ones that Barefoot Yoga makes. You have a few to choose from. Fast-paced flows aside, it’s just as effective for chilled out sessions, even on the most unforgiving floors, thanks to the wonderfully cushioned rubber base. Our tester said it lay flat on the floor as soon as they rolled it out, it’s wide enough for users of all sizes, and cleaning the mat is a painless experience – just wipe it down with a cloth and you’re G2G (good to go). All of their mats are made in the United States except for their Mysore Yoga Rug, which is made in India, but they still ensure good working conditions and fair wages by following U.S. consumer and labor laws.They guarantee all U.S. environmental laws, and they do so since their founder, Dean Jerrehian, used to work as a lawyer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before joining the family business that is Jade Yoga. The grass is tropical and grows along the swamps and riversides, commonly found in the Deccan Indian region. It is an evergreen Perennial grass; its flowers, leaves, root, shoot, and stems are harvested and used. The fibers from this grass have been used to create these mats. They advocate zero waste, so any material leftover from the creation of their mats is used to make other cork products. Even cork dust is used as fuel. As you’ll see below, Prolana’s mats, Brentwood Home’s mats, and Green Earth’s yoga mats carry with them a ton of certifications, including from Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), GOTS, Fair Rubber, QUL, Eco Institut, kbA, and kbT.