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Yoga Mats Investigation–Best & Worst Brands For Humans & The Environment

Mamavation » Blog » Health | Mamavation » Yoga Mats Investigation–Best & Worst Brands For Humans & The Environment
Indoor shot of an African woman doing a forward bend yoga exercise.

January 28, 2020 //  by Leah Segedie

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When you are doing a downward dog after recommitting your life to fitness, the last thing you want to smell is chemicals off-gassing from your yoga mat, right? What’s the point of exercising and detoxing when you just inhale hormone-disrupting chemicals back into your body? Don’t worry, Mamavation can help sift through yoga mats! You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best & worst non-toxic small kitchen appliances, best & worst makeup, & best & worst probiotics, now join us as we bring you the best non-toxic yoga mats on the market that are good for you and the environment.

We know you don’t have the time needed to investigate the yoga mat industry, so Mamavation has done it for you! Scroll down to the very bottom for our product recommendations and if you would like to say thank you, you can donate here. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. 

Women in childs pose in yoga class in fitness studio

Table of Contents

  • Conventional Yoga Mats Contain Toxic Chemicals That Can Be Problematic of to the Environment & Us
  • PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) Yoga Mats
  • PER (Polymer Environmental Resin) Yoga Mats
  • PU (Polyurethane) Foam Yoga Mats
  • TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
  • NBR Foam or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber & Recycled Tree Rubber
  • Safe Materials for Yoga Mats
    • Cork Yoga Mats
      • Advantages of Cork
      • Disadvantages of Cork 
    • Natural Rubber or Recycled Virgin Rubber Yoga Mat
      • Advantages of Natural Rubber 
      • Disadvantages of Natural Rubber
    • Jute Yoga Mats
      • Advantages of Jute 
      • Disadvantages of Jute 
  • Featured Yoga Mat: Brentwood Home Organic Non-Slip Yoga Mat
  • Mamavation’s Investigation of Yoga Mats
    • Not Our Favorite Brands
    • Better Brands
    • Best Brands

Conventional Yoga Mats Contain Toxic Chemicals That Can Be Problematic of to the Environment & Us

When you pick up a yoga mat, I betcha you didn’t think that it would come with s side of endocrine disruption, but that’s exactly what is happening. Most of the yoga mats produced are created with materials that have the ability to off-gas, disrupt hormones, or are problematic to the environment.

  • PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
  • PER (Polymer Environmental Resin)
  • PU (Polyurethane)
  • NBR Foam (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber)
  • TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)

Indoor high-angle shot of woman lying on a yoga mat with her eyes closed

PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) Yoga Mats

Most yoga mats you will find are made of polyvinyl chloride or “vinyl” which are #3 plastic resin code. It’s incredibly toxic to humans and the environment. But when it comes to practicing yoga, exposure comes through inhalation and skin contact.

Vinyl is carcinogenic when inhaled, but it’s also incredibly toxic to the environment when it’s manufactured because it produces dioxins as a byproduct. Dioxins are classified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed as priority pollutants. They are also persistent in the environment and do not break down easily and they bioaccumulate in our bodies inside fat deposits.

Plasticizers are also added to PVC to make it soft and flexible for a yoga mat. Phthalates are an endocrine-disrupting chemical with the ability to disrupt hormones. One of the effects phthalates are linked to is weight gain, which is the opposite of what most people want when they are practicing yoga. Phthalates are also linked to birth defects, infertility, asthma, neurodevelopmental problems in infants and cancer.

woman walking with a yoga mat outside during sunset n a rural area wearing sports wear and doing yoga

PER (Polymer Environmental Resin) Yoga Mats

PER is produced from PVC and other materials, however, the extra processing steps make it cleaner than PVC and less toxic to humans.

To create PER, you first make PVC powder, then add a potentially toxic filling agent, light stabilizer and fireproof agent. Once combined, it turns into a cream-like finished product, put into a mold with a hydraulic press and then it’s baked at 170°C to become a usable polymer.

PER has less harmful emissions than PVC and is recyclable. The carcinogenic effects of PER are also minimized because it doesn’t require phthalates to give it a soft and rubbery texture.

This is not a best solution, but a better one from an environmental perspective.

Woman standing with yoga mat outdoors in mountains close up with copyspace getting ready for yoga exercise

PU (Polyurethane) Foam Yoga Mats

The last ‘chemical’ used for yoga mats is PU or polyurethane. It is considered “non-toxic” by the Feds, but that doesn’t mean the science demonstrates that. In fact, the science behind polyurethane says it offgasses over time, but can’t be recycled and is not biodegradable.

Polyurethane is created when methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) react with polyols. TDI is suspected to be carcinogenic, is classified as very toxic, and is a known respiratory and skin irritant.

But the biggest problem with polyurethane foam is its high flammability, and because of this fire retardants are typically added. Fire retardants are horribly toxic, so if they used in your yoga mat, you will be exposed to them over time.

Sporty yogi woman practicing yoga, doing bend exercise, standing pose, working out, wearing sportswear, black pants

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) is popular because it’s anti-microbial and easy to clean. But it’s controversial because it’s a mixture of rubber and plastic. However, TPE is free of bisphenols like BPA or BPS, phthalates, lead, PVC (vinyl), etc.

Thermoplastic elastomers generally soften and melt at elevated temperatures and lose their rubbery behavior over time meaning they have “poor chemical and heat resistance.” Although this material is better than vinyl, it’s not the best material you can use because over time it will break down. Therefore, it wouldn’t be advisable to ever leave out in the sun or bring to a yoga class that has high temperatures.

They are also not easily biodegradable. We don’t recommend this material as best, but because it doesn’t off-gas, it’s better.

Yoga Class, Group of People Relaxing and Doing Yoga. Childs Pose. Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle

NBR Foam or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber & Recycled Tree Rubber

NBR foam is a synthetic rubber copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. They are also referred to as Perbunan, Nipol, Krynac, Neoprene and Europrene.

Concerns with synthetic rubber are that it may contain PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and heavy metals, which are incredibly toxic.

When it’s natural recycled rubber, it’s held together with an unknown synthetic chemical that is a low-VOC binder.

This selection is a better option, but not best, however, we love natural rubber without synthetics.

women doing yoga pose during class

Safe Materials for Yoga Mats

Cork Yoga Mats

Cork is a natural, eco-friendly material that is very popular and easy to find. Its naturally antimicrobial so synthetic chemicals are not needed to treat the surface of the yoga mat. This also means it won’t get moldy or smelly, even if you sweat a great deal. It’s also naturally slip-proof and very durable, so it can be used for hot yoga as well.

Advantages of Cork

  • Eco-friendly
  • Antimicrobial
  • Excellent grip & slip-free
  • Durable
  • Naturally repels static
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Can be used in hot yoga

Disadvantages of Cork 

  • Weighs more than other mats
  • Not very much cushion, so not comfortable for some people
  • Typically expensive

Fit woman doing stretching pilates exercises in fitness studio

Natural Rubber or Recycled Virgin Rubber Yoga Mat

This is natural rubber, not synthetic rubber that we were talking about above. This rubber is collected from rubber trees, which are renewable and eco-friendly. This rubber is naturally soft and has lots of other advantages.

Advantages of Natural Rubber 

  • Eco-friendly & renewable
  • Recyclable
  • Very good cushioning so comfortable
  • Easy to clean
  • Great grip & slip-free

Disadvantages of Natural Rubber

  • Allergy warning: not suitable for people with latex allergy.
  • Heavy materials
  • Must take extra time to dry when it gets wet
  • Typically expensive

women resting on ground on yoga mats

Jute Yoga Mats

Jute is a rough fiber that is used in a wide range of textiles including hessian sacks, floor covering & rope. Jute comes from the plants Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis found in India. It’s very coarse and rough, so sometimes brands combine it with PER (Polymer Environmental Resin) to give it cushioning and grip. This is not always the case though, sometimes it’s just Jute. Jute also has a very hip & rustic look.

Advantages of Jute 

  • Naturally anti-microbial
  • Naturally anti-static
  • Free from allergens like Latex
  • Strong fibers
  • Eco-friendly
  • Recyclable
  • Durable
  • When combined with PER it has a great grip

Disadvantages of Jute 

  • Can be scratchy and rough if not combined with PER (or similar)
  • Not easy to clean

Brentwood Home organic non-slip yoga mat

Featured Yoga Mat: Brentwood Home Organic Non-Slip Yoga Mat

According to Brentwood Home, this is one of the world’s only GOTS® certified organic yoga mats. Made from 100% organic certified cotton with a non-slip base of 100% natural latex for grip. 5mm thick. Super comfy, absorbent, foldable, sustainable, washable, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Also great for hot yoga, the tall yogi, and the traveler. It comes in sage green, midnight navy, pink rose water, gray all day, ocean blue, or smokey blush.

  • Brentwood Home Organic Non-Slip Yoga Mat

The fabric is woven so the top of the mat is textured and absorptive, wicking away moisture. That means you won’t slip or have to wipe down the mat — especially essential when it comes to hot yoga. We also use natural latex, made from real rubber trees, for the anti-skid bottom. It’s the ideal thickness and weight to ensure stability for styles of yoga with more active poses or balanced, focused poses. And it’s thick enough to be comfortable for forearm and kneeling poses and for yogis with tender knees or achy joints.

Close-up of yoga mats and yoga cushion in yoga studio

Mamavation’s Investigation of Yoga Mats

Mamavation took a look at the most popular yoga mats and some that were very popular on Amazon. We divided the quality of materials used into three separate categories: bad, better, & best.

Not Our Favorite Brands

These brands of yoga mats are made of PVC, polyurethane, unknown materials, or other materials that are not recyclable or off-gas toxic chemicals.

  • BalanceFrom GoYoga Yoga mat
  • Bodie Yogi Non-Slip Yoga Mat
  • Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga mat
  • IGUA Pro Non-Slip Yoga Mat
  • lululemon Reversible Mat
  • Sivan Extra Thick Yoga Mat
  • Spoga Extra Thick Yoga Mat
  • TOPLUS Yoga Mat

Yoga Mats on the beach

Better Brands

Brands considered better will have low VOC exposure but may contain materials that do not break down in the environment and will need to be recycled, if possible. We allowed TPE, NBR, PER and some combos here. We are also allowing use of recycled water bottles.

  • Affirmats Yoga Mats
  • Anja Natural Jute Yoga Mat
  • arteesol Non-Slip TPE Yoga Mat
  • DAWAY Eco-Friendly TPE Yoga Mat
  • DragonFly TPE Yoga Mat
  • Eden Amore TPE Yoga Mat
  • Ewedo0s Eco-Friendly TPE Yoga Mat
  • Gaiam Performance Jute Yoga Mat with PER
  • Healthyoga Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat with PER
  • Maty Mats Non-Slip TPE Yoga Mat
  • Node Fitness TPE Yoga Mat
  • Plyopic All In One Microsuede Yoga Mat (recycled waterbottles)
  • PrAna Eco Yoga Mat
  • REHUT Extra Thick NBR Yoga Mat
  • ThinkSport Yoga Mat
  • Trinity Hemp Yoga Mats with PER
  • TXK Non-Slip Yoga Mat
  • Yoloha Cork Yoga Mat

Children sitting on yoga mats meditating

Best Brands

These brands have materials that are natural and compostable and do not off-gas hormone-disrupting chemicals. Each yoga mat will eventually degrade and return to the earth, so they will not be a problem when you eventually throw them away.

  • ARC Fitness Cork Yoga Mat
  • Aurorae Classic Extra Thick Eco Yoga Mat
  • Barefoot Yoga Original Eco Yoga Mat
  • Brentwood Home Organic Non-Slip Yoga Mat
  • Earth Goods Eco Cork Mat
  • Hugger Mugger Sattva Jute Mat 
  • Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
  • Manduka eKO Light Mat
  • Natural Jute Yoga Mat
  • Repose Eco-Friendly Cork Yoga Mat
  • Scoria Cork Yoga Mats
  • Yogasana Cotton/Rubber Yoga Mat

Yoga Mats Investigation--Best & Worst Brands For Humans & The Environment

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    August 16, 2023 at 6:48 am

    Hi there! Did you happen to test the Alo Warrior Mat? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Martina Tomsic

      January 13, 2024 at 3:51 pm

      ALO YOGA TOXIC!
      Hi I had this yoga mat for 5 years, and I have been practicing yoga for 25ysers. The chemicals they use to soften the rubber in the ALO Yoga mat dissolved the varnish on the parquet floor in my room! So there is just a question if this same chemicals are the reason of a very strong dermatological problem I had just after starting using this product?!
      Somebody should proof what sort of chemicals they use, as from my experience this product is extremely TOXIC! M

      Reply
  2. globle

    May 15, 2023 at 9:57 pm

    Thoughtfully I found this site while searching for sonnet blogs. I learned a lot from this post. I know you’ll keep going and give us useful information. Thank you for your post.

    Reply
  3. Bobbie Kearns

    May 15, 2023 at 6:50 pm

    I purchased a yoga mat from Solana and it has a warning saying this product can expose you to chemicals, including ACRYLON I,TRILE, which is known to the state of California to cause cancer. I can’t find it on the list in this article. I am not sure if I should return it or not. Any advice you can give me would be very appreciated.

    Reply
  4. Lulu

    January 24, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    I’d suggested labeling the categories as Options instead of Brands, i.e. Bad Options instead of Bad Brands as you list specific items by a brand and not brands, moreover same brands often end up in several categories. 🙂

    Reply
    • krachael00

      March 23, 2023 at 6:39 am

      I second this! Breaking down products within the same brand with a label, even something as simple as green, yellow or red dot next to it would be helpful, too

      Reply
  5. moto x3m

    December 1, 2022 at 5:55 pm

    Although PVC can theoretically be recycled, there must be a market for the raw material in order for it to be profitable.

    Reply
  6. Naomi Hunter

    October 20, 2021 at 3:18 am

    Amazing Post and great content. Thanks for sharing this article.Thanks Again!!

    Reply
  7. Cat Brockman

    February 13, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    I am so glad that you wrote this post! I have been trying to do research on the different materials used in yoga mats for my own online store, and you definitely pointed me in the right direction!

    Reply
  8. tara

    August 4, 2020 at 9:10 am

    if you are so concerned about the environment why are you linking to Amazon? Surely you can buy these mats somewhere else?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      April 30, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      I had the same thought

      Reply
  9. Dentist La Grange KY

    March 13, 2020 at 4:17 am

    Health is very important. Dealing with exercises, meditation, yoga etc. can be very beneficial for your health. The kind of products you use also matters a lot. It is our responsibility to give importance to those things which are good for our environment as well. Keep sharing!
    Dentist La Grange KY

    Reply
  10. 14:2 Media

    March 4, 2020 at 5:32 am

    Wow! you have shared nice information. It’s really helpful to buy and use yoga mats.

    Reply
  11. shell shockers

    February 27, 2020 at 4:33 am

    I have always used a Jade and LOVE it! Any thoughts on Liforme mats?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      August 24, 2020 at 1:29 am

      I’m surprised liforme isn’t on here.

      Reply
  12. Molly

    February 23, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Can you add popflex yoga mats to this list?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 18, 2023 at 8:25 pm

      I second this

      Reply
  13. Belinda

    February 9, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    You could also use a felted wool mat. Heartfelt makes one that is thick so it’s cushioned well. Since it’s felted wool, you can wash it, but I would still air dry it so it doesn’t shrink.

    Reply
  14. Anonymous

    January 30, 2020 at 7:33 am

    Would love to see how Pop Flex Active mats rate!

    Reply
  15. Emily Gregor

    January 29, 2020 at 4:51 am

    Hey Leah! Awesome info. I have always used a Jade and LOVE it! Any thoughts on Liforme mats?

    Reply
    • Amber S Battishill

      January 29, 2020 at 6:33 am

      I’d love to hear thoughts about Liforme as well. I know that they’re made with natural rubber, but also an eco-polyurethane.

      Reply
  16. Viviana

    January 28, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    You forgot Shakti Warrior’s cork and natural rubber yoga mats! They are incredibly grippy and Oh sooooo beautiful.

    Reply

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