Today’s yoga market presents a saturated array of accessories such yoga towels, yoga bags, blocks, bricks, straps, DVDs and music. It seems that every fitness equipment manufacturer is jumping on the bandwagon by presenting their own line of yoga products. Especially popular today is the eco-conscious theme that no respectable manufacturer can succeed without. There are countless yoga mats that boast about their own “green” features, but no standards exist and most companies make up their own certifications. Even a truly eco-friendly yoga practitioner would have a difficult time finding the most suitable yoga mat to fit with his or her lifestyle. This guide picks the most trusted and reliable yoga mats that are environmentally responsible. The following reviews are based on personal experiences and user reviews.
The best eco-friendly yoga mats
The Jade Yoga Mats
Jade Yoga makes their mats from sustainable natural rubber, a completely renewable resource tapped from trees. The company claims to be in compliance with all environmental laws of the United States, but this does not mean that their manufacturing is pollution-free. Don’t worry, though. For every yoga mat the Jade Yoga sells, they will plant a tree through the “Trees for The Future” program.
As for their performance, consumers consider Jade Yoga mats among the top 3 brands because of their exceptional combination of weight, cushioning and support, traction, slip protection and appearance. The natural rubber provides a high level of performance, especially when reinforced and specially manufactured for traction control during extreme yoga practice.
These mats are highly praised by customers on Amazon
The Manduka Mats
The Manduka company has earned great respect in the global yoga community. Many yoga teachers favor Manduka, currently the most reputable and innovative manufacturer of yoga gear, for their conscious approach to the industry and the environment. In our opinion, Manduka sets the mark for many yoga companies. Manduka claims to support fair work practice and non-toxic emission facilities. The company researches new technologies and constantly looks for better green manufacturing. The Manduka eKO line of products features sustainable biodegradable rubber and no gluing. The professional line of mats, like the BlackMat PRO, also have features to minimize their environmental impact. Manduka constructs its yoga props from sustainable cork, unbleached cotton and recycled fiber.
This company makes serious yoga mats, which are undoubtedly worth their high price tag. The completely biodegradable and light weight Manduka eKO and Manduka ProLite are also extremely affordable, featuring a perfect combination of being eco-friendly, durable, and affordable.
Hugger Mugger
While originally a manufacturer of yoga clothing, Hugger Mugger became famous for their original sticky mats that, for some time, were the only non-slip yoga mats on the market. Known for their reliability, Hugger Mugger products continue to be one of the top brands of yoga mats. The recent introduction of the Sattva Jute yoga mat is making Hugger Mugger even more popular. This yoga mat is made of natural jute fiber, harvested from India and Bangladesh, and backed with PER resin for additional traction and support. PER is a certified environmentally-friendly materials that has no toxic chemicals, formaldehydes, or heavy metals. The Sattva Jute mat is completely biodegradable and also very fun to practice on. The Jute gives excellent support and cushioning, while features something no other yoga mat has – breathability. This is a very neat yoga mat that is also biodegradable and natural.
There are many other companies manufacturing eco-friendly yoga mats. The people at top companies like Jade, Manduka, Hugger Mugger, Gaiam and others have realized that it takes high-quality materials to make a reliable fitness product. This material is obviously expensive, especially with an added cost of being sustainable. The price, however, is well worth it for a green approach to yoga.