Well Fit | Eco-friendly Yoga Mats
It could be a presumptuous assumption to conclude that the majority of yogis are fairly eco-conscious people, most studios no longer sell single use plastic, the yoga sutras teach us to eat a plant based diet, and yoga is after all a form of exercise that encompasses wellness of the mind, body and planet… we won’t go into too much detail but, if you’re interested, research the 8 limbs (physical movement is only 1/8th of it!).
Being good yogis at Well Curated we wanted to curate the best environmentally friendly and sustainable options available. We tested them by practicing for at least an hour on each mat. Read on for our conclusions…
Cork Mats
If you are in the market for a chic yoga mat then cork is the answer. Cork yoga mats are harvested entirely by hand using living trees, and made using only the best ethical and sustainable technology. Cork is a natural raw material that is 100% biodegradable, recyclable and renewable. It is harvested by stripping the bark of the tree, and as the tree regrows its bark it absorbs up to 3 times more CO2 from the air. It is estimated that cork oak trees in Portugal alone help offset 10 million tons of carbon every year.
These mats are thick, absorbent and look beautiful. Cork provides natural cushioning as each cork cell contains millions of tiny air bubbles. As you sweat the cork releases a waxy compound called suberin which has incredible antimicrobial and anti-odour properties, killing germs and bacteria, making this mat incredibly easy to keep hygienically clean.
Cork mats are hard wearing, long lasting, keep their shape and are a very sustainable option. They are the most supportive mats we tried, the only negative being that they are quite heavy and we struggled to cram them into our backpacks. We practiced with both cork mats in a hot and a room temperature studio. They were brilliant in a hot class, whilst they were a bit slippery in a cooler room… sweat really does make them more grippy. An idea is to lightly spray or wipe down with salt water prior to practice. A cork mat is definitely our choice for a stay at home mat, they smell great even after prolonged use.
Traditional Rubber Mats
36 million yoga mats are purchased every year and most of them are made of PVC, which is one of the most environmentally damaging consumer materials ever produced. Its production requires more toxic additives than any other plastic. PVC is also extremely difficult to recycle, takes centuries to biodegrade and leads to the release of hazardous chemicals throughout its lifecycle.
Rubber mats tend to be lighter and more flexible than cork and now there are some great sustainable options that use natural tree rubber, biodegradable materials and still offer unrivalled support, grip, durability and style.
Cork Space
Cork space is small UK based brand with big ideas, they're on a mission to shake up the yoga industry with sustainable & beautiful yoga tools that support you & the planet.
This 100% natural yoga mat is made from beautifully soft cork and flexible rubber. It comes with a thick no fuss strap for easy carrying and they also sell cork yoga balls which are great for rolling around on to relieve those tight knots. Cork space are so confident that it will be the best yoga mat you have ever used that they offer a 90 day trial period. You can use your mat for 90 days straight and if you send it back they'll refund you in full the day they receive it, no questions asked.
Soft sustainable cork
10 trees planted for every mat made
Biodegradable packaging & materials
The strong durable construction lays flat without any corner rolling or sliding
A high-density cushioned base provides a sturdy, grounded feeling
Odor resistent
Dimensions 183cm x 61cm x 4mm
Weight 3.2kg
Manduka
An elegant mat that provoked the most “where is your mat from” enquiries in class. We went for the marbled blue which is a really good-looking mat. Thick enough to offer support whilst slim enough to roll up and fit in a backpack. This mat has good grip, we did have to use a yoga towel in a hot class as it got a bit slippery when sweaty. Our only negative is that the smell is quite strong for the first week of use however it does subside, spraying it with some essential oil spray made a big difference.
Home to the first yoga mat recycling program, The LiveOn Program
Catch-Grip technology provides the perfect balance of grip and drag which allows you to flow effortlessly between poses
Natural rubber provides a semi-sticky grip, but since it won't absorb sweat, we recommend pairing with an eQua® hand towel during a warm/sweaty practice
Made from biodegradable, non-Amazon harvested, natural tree rubber with non-toxic foaming agents and non-AZO dyes
Made with a unique closed-cell top surface which prevents moisture from entering the mat, keeping it clean and in good condition longer than other natural rubber mats
Due to their biodegradable nature, eKO mats are not recommended for a daily vigorous practice
99% latex-free, not recommended for those with latex sensitivities
No PVC or harmful plasticisers
Manduka donates 1% of our global sales to organisations
Dimensions 180cm x 61cm x 4mm
Weight 2.1kg
Regeneration Yoga
Alignment Cork Yoga Mat - £84.99
Regeneration began in 2017 when founders Rhys and Katie needed a yoga mat for travelling the world that would be durable and hygienic throughout variable climate changes.
This mat features an alignment guideline to help you focus and adjust your body to a more symmetrical position, it’s a stylish hardwearing mat with a beautiful finish.
Premium Amadia Portuguese cork
Non-slip, from dry to excessive perspiration
Anti-microbial, naturally eliminating bacteria
Quick dry, does not absorb moisture
Ethically and sustainably sourced
Biodegradable
100% Vegan
100% natural rubber base
No PVC, BPA, latex or rubber smells
Lightweight and portable
Dimensions 183cm x 65cm x 5mm
Weight 3.2kg
Yogi Bare
Wild Paws - Natural rubber extreme grip yoga mat £68.00
Yogi Bare ‘Wild' Paws yoga mat is slightly longer and wider than your average yoga mat, great if you’re tall, both head and feet are on the mat in Shavasana. It is a great all round mat for hot and cold practice and is super grippy even in a hot studio, with no towel it help its traction whilst wet. A really good quality long lasting durable mat. I love the designs on it which are perfectly placed to enhance perfect alignment.
Yogi Bare believe that protecting the environment also begins in mental health and education. When people consumer consciously they buy for a genuine need or purpose as opposed to excessive consumption which is often triggered by low self esteem and consuming to mask feelings to inadequacy or comparison. Yogi Bare exists to combat those feelings with its supportive community, brand and social messaging.
Natural Rubber and PU
Non slip technology
Freight by water as this minimises carbon footprint
100% recyclable packaging
No animal testing
100% vegan
With every mat sold, one new tree is planted
Laser etched forest-inspired designs for perfect alignment
Biodegradable
Support the wider community through conservation education and community farming
Dimensions 180cm x 66cm x 4mm
Weight 2.5kg
Complete Unity Yoga
2mm Natural ecoYoga Mat - £39.00
Will Fisher and Malene Vedel started Complete Unity Yoga after being shocked that the majority of yoga and meditation equipment available was made from plastic, poorly made and lacking style! They sell a beautiful collection of eco friendly yoga & meditation equipment made using natural fibres and materials.
This is a super grippy lightweight yoga mat made from natural biodegradable materials and is definitely one of our favourites. It is the only mat we have seen that has a woven jute textile design, this makes it super grippy, dry or wet. We loved that it is very lightweight and rolls up really small. If you travel lots this is your perfect mat, it smells great and is available in a range of colours.
Made in the UK by ecoYoga
Sustainable plant-based materials, natural tree rubber & natural jute fibres
100% natural, eco-friendly & plastic-free
Biodegradable
Excellent grip, non-slip
Double-sided use
Non-toxic
Packaged beautifully in FSC certified craft paper
Ethically made using a zero-waste manufacturing process
Fragrance of natural rubber
Dimensions 183cm x 64cm x 2mm
Weight 1.2kg
M Life
M Life Linen Yoga Mat - £42.00
Previously called Manuka the M Life Linen Yoga Mat combines a cloth surface and sticky mat all in one. Designed for enduring performance and stability this slip resistant mat is suitable for all styles of practice.
Gripping the floor with a latex free PVC underside, this yoga mat provides a naturally sticky linen surface to practice on. All M Life mats are tested extensively to ensure they are free from latex and harmful phthalates, which have, in the past, been added to plastics and vinyl in order to increase their flexibility and softness. Not only do these chemicals harm the environment, but they are also linked to health issues.
Latex free
Non-slip & shock absorbent
Handy custom tie
No ozone depleting materials
Excellent grip, non-slip
Suitable for all styles & levels of yoga
Dimensions 61cm x 173cm x 5mm
Weight 1.95kg
