10 BEST ECO-FRIENDLY, NON-TOXIC YOGA MATS MADE WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

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This blog post is all about the best eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats & exercise mats! 

If you love working out or practicing yoga, I’m pretty sure that you care about your health and wellness.

There aren’t any doubts about how beneficial exercise is for our overall well-being, including our mental health!

Unfortunately, oftentimes, exercise gear isn’t produced with our health in mind.

That’s especially the case for yoga mats! 

Those are made with materials that are not only toxic to us, but that are also bad for the environment.  

If you’re ready to make the switch to healthier, more natural options, read on!

In this article, I’ve rounded up the 10 best eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats and exercise mats.

These are crafted with high-quality sustainable materials that are kind both to our health and the planet. 

This blog post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something through such links, I will get a small commission without any extra cost for you. Please read my Disclosure for more details. 

Why should we only buy eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats? 

Most conventional exercise mats are made of some kind of synthetic material, the most common ones being PVC, PER, synthetic rubber or latex, and TPE (which includes TPU and EVA). 

All of these are essentially plastic, meaning that they’re derived from petroleum and end up in a landfill at the end of their lives.

Not only are they very unsustainable, but they’re also incredibly toxic to use. 

While PVC and PER yoga mats are probably the worst options you can get, all plastic-based mats are problematic as they contain harmful substances you don’t want to be in contact with. 

One of the most commonly found chemicals is azodicarbonamide, which is predominantly used as a foaming agent (also used in the food industry). 

Exposure to this substance has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and may negatively impact the liver, the kidney, and the blood, as well as the respiratory and nervous systems. 

That’s not all! 

Conventional yoga mats may also emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and can contain a variety of other toxic chemicals, including phthalates. 

All of those can cause a wide variety of health issues!

Thankfully, we can still practice yoga or work out without exposing ourselves to those substances.

To do so, we just need to be careful and choose an eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mat. 

Read more: Detox your home: How to make your home healthy?

What makes a yoga mat non-toxic & eco-friendly? 

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mat, make sure to avoid all mats made of PVC, PER, TPE, or any other kind of synthetic material.

Only choose models made with 100% natural materials (check out the next section for more details).

Stay away from mats featuring “antimicrobial coatings” as those can be treated with harmful chemicals as well.

For an eco-friendly yoga mat, you also want to buy one produced using sustainable practices.

Prioritize brands that ship plastic-free and that carry third-party certifications such as B Corp, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Climate Neutral, or Fairtrade. 

Quality is another criterion to take into account.

Invest in a well-made exercise mat so that you can use it for many years to come. 

What is the best material for an eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mat?

You may be wondering: what is the safest material for yoga mats?

Well, the best chemical-free, sustainable yoga mats are made of natural materials such as cork, natural tree rubber, or organic cotton. 

You may also find great options made of natural latex, jute, hemp, or wool, though these are a bit trickier to find. 

Also, make sure that the backing is also made of one of these all-natural materials.

Sometimes, brands advertise their natural rubber or cork yoga mats as eco-friendly.

However, the backing is often made of some kind of synthetic material, which contains toxic substances. 

Always keep that in mind when shopping for a non-toxic yoga mat!

What’s more, try to find natural rubber or cork yoga mats certified by FSC to ensure the material is harvested sustainably.

If you’re opting for an organic cotton yoga mat, look for the Fairtrade or GOTS certifications.  

10 best eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats & exercise mats made with natural materials

1. Y O GAYO

Materials: Cork, Natural Rubber, Organic Cotton

Y O GAYO has this non-toxic, biodegradable cork yoga mat made with a natural rubber base.

Very versatile, it can be used for a wide range of yoga exercises, no matter whether you’re an experienced yogi or a beginner. 

Its non-slippery surface provides soft cushioning, grip, and traction, keeping you from sliding or slipping and ensuring stability during your yoga practice. 

You’ll also love the intuitive lines that are printed on it to help with alignment and positioning! 

Not to mention this cork yoga mat is very lightweight, durable, and very easy to clean. 

Y O GAYO also sells a thick, handwoven yoga mat made of 100% organic cotton with no dyes or harmful chemicals. 

2. Manduka (eKO series)

Materials: Natural Tree Rubber

Offering unmatched grip and higher joint protection, the Manduka eKo mat is designed to support your yoga, pilates, or exercise routine! 

This biodegradable, eco-friendly yoga mat is made of 100% natural tree rubber sourced from non-Amazon sources.

It’s crafted with non-toxic foaming agents and non-azo dyes and doesn’t contain any PVC or harmful plasticizers. 

The eKo yoga mat features a rippled surface texture to give you more traction and a closed-cell surface to prevent sweat from seeping into it.

Its tightly woven scrim is also made to resist stretching and tearing and lasts on average twice as long as other natural rubber mats. 

Plus, the brand reuses all its scrap materials to reduce waste!

3. Body by Yoga

Materials: Cork, Natural Rubber

Body by Yoga makes this large non-toxic yoga mat that has 20% more surface area than your standard exercise mat (it can fit your entire body). 

It’s crafted from high-quality Portuguese cork with a durable natural rubber bottom.

Created by yoga instructors, it offers extra thick padding with the perfect balance of cushion and support.

It’s easy on the joints and knees, but firm enough for standing postures and balancing. 

Its surface also provides a slip-resistant grip and is completely sweat-resistant, meaning that it’s more hygienic!

Not to mention it unrolls and stays flat and features helpful alignment lines to guide your practice.  

4. Live Well 360

Materials: Organic Cotton

Live Well 360 sells this 100% organic cotton yoga mat that is completely chemical-free and non-toxic.

It’s handwoven by artisans in India following fair trade principles, so it’s a great sustainable and ethical choice! 

Since it’s made of an all-natural fabric, it is very breathable, wicks away moisture and sweat, and has great cooling properties.

Not to mention you can throw it in the washing machine whenever you need to. 

This eco-friendly yoga mat is perfect to use both indoors and outdoors and is lightweight so you can easily carry it around with you. 

It’s available in four lovely colors: blue, gray, maroon, and natural cotton (off-white). 

5. The Cork Collective

Materials: Cork, Natural Rubber

The Cork Collective’s cork yoga mat provides a solid grip and a durable non-slip surface, ensuring stability at all times.

It also offers optimal support and cushioning to protect your knees and joints. 

This non-toxic yoga mat has been developed in collaboration with professional yoga instructors and is designed for everyone, no matter your level or style of yoga/exercise. 

It’s made of organic, FSC-certified Portuguese cork (so it’s sustainably sourced!) with a natural rubber backing.

The materials make it suitable to use both indoors and outdoors, and the mat stays perfectly flat when you unroll it. 

6. Jade Yoga

Materials: Natural Tree Rubber, Organic Cotton

This Jade Yoga mat is the perfect travel mat you can get if you’re looking for something you can bring with you on the go or while traveling.

Very lightweight and portable, it folds up to fit easily into your luggage, backpack, or tote bag. 

You can choose between two different lengths and from four beautiful colors. 

The Jade Yoga mat is made in the USA (which is very rare to find!) from responsibly sourced natural tree rubber.

It’s entirely non-toxic as it does not contain any PVC, heavy metals, phthalates, or other harmful substances! 

It also provides a non-slip grip and just the right amount of cushioning.

I also love that for every mat sold, the brand plants a tree in partnership with Trees For The Future. 

Jade Yoga also has a model made of 100% organic cotton if you prefer something that’s machine-washable.

Plus, this one is dyed using all-natural vegetable dyes sourced from plants like turmeric or indigo! 

7. Ecoga

Materials: Cork, Natural Rubber

If you’re looking for a cork yoga mat that comes with its matching carry bag, check out this one from Ecoga! 

It is made of high-quality cork with a sustainably sourced natural rubber base and is completely non-toxic.

Its thick, bouncy base is non-slip and built with comfort in mind.  

The surface of the mat is also grippy and becomes even more so as you sweat, so it’s perfect for hot yoga and more active exercise.

The mat also rolls out completely flat and won’t move during your yoga session. 

Ecoga’s eco-friendly yoga mat is water and sweat-resistant and is super easy to clean.

It also features a purposefully designed center line to improve body alignment and positioning. 

Not to mention the beautiful cream canvas bag and matching carry strap it comes with! 

8. Yogasana

Materials: Organic Cotton

Yogasana offers this gorgeous organic yoga mat crafted from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton with chemical-free dyes. 

This handwoven piece is available in six lovely colors and is perfect for all yoga practices and for both indoor and outdoor use.

It’s also great for traveling as it’s very lightweight and can be folded or rolled. 

It is designed to be non-slip and become grippier as you sweat during your yoga/exercise session.

The Yogasana yoga mat is built to stand the test of time, and the brand offers a 15-year promise of durability.

It’s even sold with a handwoven cotton sleeve and a beautiful bookmark adorned with dried flowers! 

Plus, each purchase helps support the education of the artisans’ children! 

9. Larga Vitae

Materials: Cork, Natural Tree Rubber

Larga Vitae is a small family-owned business that has a great non-toxic cork yoga mat. 

Made of organic cork and sustainably harvested natural tree-tapped rubber, this mat is completely free of PVC, TPE, or toxic glues. 

It’s also of higher quality compared to most conventional mats (it doesn’t crack when creased) and always lies flat. 

You’ll like that this natural yoga mat has a portable design and that it’s odor-resistant and sweat-absorbing.

It’s also non-slip and grippy, especially when damp and during intensive exercise or yoga sessions. 

Committed to sustainability, Larga Vitae ships its mat plastic-free and donates a portion of its profits to reforestation projects! 

10. Jaipur Arts & Rugs

Materials: Organic Cotton

If you’re looking for a yoga mat that’s a bit more unique, you won’t be disappointed by Jaipur Arts & Rugs mats! 

This natural yoga mat is hand-loomed by artisans using organic cotton and features gorgeous details on both ends with lovely tassels, making them truly one-of-a-kind.

You also have multiple different colors to choose from, including neutral as well as bright bold hues. 

Not only are these non-toxic yoga mats beautiful, but they’re also great for your exercise or yoga routine: they provide excellent grip and won’t slip as you move.  

Plus, you can put them in the washing machine when they get dirty and sweaty. 

Final thoughts on the best eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats 

I hope you’ve found this article about the best eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats helpful! 

Thanks to these brands, we can now have an exercise mat that not only supports our yoga practice or workout sessions, but that is also completely chemical-free and healthy to use.

If you liked this article, you may also want to read: 

• 13 non-toxic & organic workout clothes & activewear brands for men and women
• 12 best non-toxic & organic sports bras for a healthier workout
• 7 organic cotton leggings you’ll want to live in
• 8 best sustainable running shoes for Earth-loving runners
• 11 organic cotton hoodies & sweatshirts combining comfort & style
• 12 organic cotton sweatpants & joggers that redefine comfort
• 13 organic cotton loungewear brands for non-toxic relaxation

Which non-toxic yoga mat have you chosen? 

Please leave a comment! 

Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can find a natural, eco-friendly yoga mat too. 

Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!

It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!

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