The Roots mat measures 72” by 25” and is versatile thanks to its cork top layer and rubber bottom layer. You can use this mat whichever way up you like, with the cork layer offering excellent grip for sweatier sessions and the rubber ideal for cooler, calmer practice. Cork naturally absorbs moisture, meaning that you won’t need to use a towel on top of this mat, making it even easier to take your practice with you when you travel. That said, the mat does weigh in at about 5 pounds, despite being quite thin. This is still much lighter than most regular rubber mats, though (the Manduka eKO is 7 pounds). Just a note here that recycled tires can contain Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. But from my research, Yoloha says that the mats go through a triple washing process to remove the heavy metals, and the recycled tires are also on the bottom layer of the mat. 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. 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.

It's sweat and slip resistant and is coated on the bottom with tree rubber. It's also naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. 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.

From raising money for breast cancer awareness and research to giving people who don't have the opportunity to practice yoga the chance to do so, their campaigns and charitable contributions do not go unnoticed. 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. Before you start searching and trawling through all the non-slip yoga mats, rubber yoga mats, yoga towels and exercise mats out there - including Sweaty Betty yoga mats and Nike yoga mats, obvs - we've answered all the relevant yoga mat questions you may have. Best yoga mats at a glance Between practices, be sure to wipe away any excess moisture and let your mat air dry before storing it away. Avoid putting the mat in direct sun or hot temperatures though. UV exposure can speed up degradation, whatever your mat is made of. PVC, rubber, TPE, and PER mats can become flaky, brittle, and extra toxic if exposed to high heat and direct sunlight. Other yoga mat considerations The top performers offered great grip, even when wet, and kept us comfortable as we flowed between poses. Those with the highest scores are featured below, identified by our trusty RW Lab logo.

The barrier to getting started in yoga is very low. All you need is patience, an open mind and a grippy, comfortable mat.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. One downside with this mat is the potential for a lingering rubber smell. Airing the mat out (not in direct sunlight) and cleaning the mat can help, but it may still take weeks or months for the smell to dissipate, and the smell may transfer to your hands and body. Thankfully, the natural rubber smell is not as bad as that of synthetic rubber, but it does seem to be more of an issue with the Manduka eKO than with the Prolana Rubber and Wool Mat and with the Hugger Mugger Para Rubber Mat. They have three variables of eco mats: the Combo and Infinity mats, both made of natural tree rubber and recycled microfiber from plastic bottles. The Cork mats are made of—you guessed it— cork. Those are 100% biodegradable. They even have an ultra-thin mat, which makes it the perfect sustainable travel yoga mat. 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. 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.