Anyone who's dedicated to yoga knows the importance of quality when it comes to selecting a yoga mat. Not too many know though that which one you choose can impact your health.
The amount of time you spend with your face close to your mat's surface, lying on your stomach, and more... it's quite a lot. Your skin maintains contact with it about 99% of the time you're doing yoga. Therefore, the materials of your yoga mat do matter.
To combat the in-depth label reading, today we'll be taking a look at the best non-toxic, eco-friendly yoga mats.
IMAGE
PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
OUR #1 RATED
Heathyoga
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
TPE, no latex, no PVC, non-slip odorless cushioning eco-friendly, healthy and recyclable.
Manduka
EKO Lite Yoga Mat
Rubber imported, natural grip, biodegradable, non-harvested, natural tree rubber.
Ajna
Natural Jute Yoga Mat
Eco-friendly, natural, recyclable, vegan, and made from organic jute fiber and PER.
TOPLUS
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
TPE yoga mat with non-slip texture, odorless, cushioning, no PVC, non-toxic, eco-friendly.
IUGA
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
TPE eco-friendly, non-slip, all types of yoga, alignment lines, reversible design, extra large size.
Who Needs To Use A Non-Toxic Yoga Mat?
Anyone who plans on doing yoga should consider a non-toxic yoga mat. There are potentially harmful chemicals that can be found in many yoga mats out there. Many yoga mat brands use vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make the foamy structure supportive and flexible. As reported by Yoga Journal, research on other PVC products shows a possibility of polluting chemicals released into the environment during use.
To break it down nice and simple, you should use a non-toxic yoga mat if you:
- Have sensitive skin
- Suffer from a latex allergy
- Want to avoid potentially harmful chemicals
- Care about the environment
How Do I Choose A Non-Toxic Yoga Mat?
One of the most important parts to choosing a non-toxic yoga mat is to pick one with your desired materials. Keep in mind any allergies you may have and look through what materials are used before you buy your yoga mat. You may also want to consider the feel of the fabric based on what other people say in the reviews.
Buy a non-toxic yoga mat with the right color your want. The color options on mats tend to be quite diverse so you can get exactly what you want. This won't impact performance at all, yet it's always nice when you can get your favorite color pattern.
Choose an eco-friendly yoga mat that's well made so it lasts. This really goes for any yoga mat you buy as it's going to endure lots of wear and tear. How you store your mat can also affect how long it lasts. My recommendation is keep it in a cool and dry location after use. This way you can avoid any mildew buildup if you sweat at all, and avoid ruining it under intense heat.
Below is a checklist of things to look for when choosing a non-toxic yoga mat:
- Ensure the mat has the right materials for you.
- Buy an eco-friendly mat with your desired color pattern.
- Choose a non-toxic yoga mat that is well made.
What Is The Best Non-Toxic Yoga Mat?
We've looked at a range of non-toxic yoga mats and have selected five mats. The main things we've looked at are quality, price, size, and materials. We've reviewed these five non-toxic yoga mats and listed some pros and cons for each mat.
our #1 rated
Heathyoga
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Heathyoga eco-friendly yoga mat is available in six color options. The mat features TPE material that's non-slip, odor-less and excellent in cushioning. It also has no latex, PVC, or any heavy metal used.
Customers who purchased this yoga mat liked that it comes with a little Velcro strap and a carrier. People said that it offers plenty of cushioning for a wide variety of different yoga poses. Customers also said that symmetry alignment line is quite useful.
Some customers who used this said to be careful where you store it, as intense heat can cause it to melt. A few customers who used this mat said that they wished they had some more designs to choose from.
PROS
CONS
our #2 rated
Manduka
EKO Lite Yoga Mat
Quality
Price
Our rating
The EKO lite yoga mat from Manduka is an imported rubber mat, available in 16 designs to choose from. It also features biodegradable, non-harvested, natural tree rubber with non-toxic foaming agents and non-AZO dyes. The mat comes from post-industrial scrap that's collected and used in the production of other materials, creating a zero waste manufacturing process.
Customers who purchased this mat said that it's a great to be able to carry a lighter weight mat. Other people said that after airing it out for some time there was no more of the rubber smell. Some customers commented that it's very comfortable once worn in.
Some people who purchased this yoga mat said that there is a bit of a strong odor initially. Other people reported that Manduka mats can tend to get slippery if there is too much moisture in them. To combat this, many say it's important to be precise with the care.
PROS
CONS
our #3 rated
Ajna
Natural Jute Yoga Mat
Quality
Price
Our rating
This natural jute yoga mat made by Ajna is available in three design options. The mat features eco-friendly, natural, recyclable, and vegan materials. It also has an included strong cotton strap for easy and lightweight transport.
Customers who purchased this mat said that it is very comfortable. People said that they liked how it's reversible with a textured side, and a non-slip backing. Many customers also found that the mat is surprisingly light weight to carry.
A few customers who purchased this yoga mat said that it does not work well if you tend to sweat a lot. Other customers reported that it can shed a little bit of the jute material.
PROS
CONS
our #4 rated
TOPLUS
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
Quality
Price
Our rating
The TOPLUS eco friendly yoga mat comes in both a 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch option with 8 designs total to choose from. The mat features a double layer design for optimal grip and added cushioning. It also has TPE odor-less material that's non-toxic.
Customers who purchased this yoga mat said that it's very comfortable and the material isn't cheap or flimsy at all. People said that it stays right in place and does not slip while in use. Customers also commented that it comes with an included case.
Other people who used this mat said that it has a little bit of a natural smell when first opening it, although it does air out. Some customers also said that the thickness is a little thin depending on how long you plan to hold certain yoga poses.
PROS
CONS
our #5 rated
IUGA
Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
Quality
Price
Our rating
This eco friendly yoga mat made by IUGA is available in six color options. The mat features TPE foam material that's non slip and works for all types of yoga. In addition, the mat has a reversible design and alignment lines to help maintain correct body posture.
People who purchased this mat said that works everywhere - outdoors, studios, and at home. Customers said that it's sweat resistant and that it even holds up for hot yoga classes. Customers also noted that it has an easy and fast cleaning material.
Some customers who used this yoga mat said that it does not lay exactly flat when rolled out. Other people reported that the material is very sensitive to heat, and to never leave it in your car if it's hot outside.
PROS
CONS
To Conclude
Each non-toxic yoga mat we've reviewed works for those looking to do yoga without the risk of harmful chemicals. All the yoga mats feature eco-friendly materials, comfortable padding, and easy to clean surfaces.
After comparing all the products the best non-toxic yoga mat is the Heathyoga eco-friendly yoga mat.
This yoga mat is a decent size with plenty of grip for yoga poses. It can work well in a variety of environments, and it's very lightweight. We also like the fact that the mat has a symmetry alignment line for easier pose posture.
Gripyogamats
Thursday 29th of August 2019
Nice Blog and thank you for sharing such useful information through this blog.