Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats 2026: Natural Rubber, Cork & PVC-Free Picks
Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats 2026
Most yoga mats are made from PVC — a plastic that doesn't biodegrade and releases toxins during production. Eco-friendly mats use natural rubber, cork, or TPE instead. The good news: the best sustainable mats also perform better, with natural rubber delivering grip that synthetic materials rarely match.
Here's what to look for — and the five mats worth buying.
What Makes a Yoga Mat Eco-Friendly?
Natural rubber is the gold standard. Tapped from rubber trees (like latex), it's renewable, biodegradable, and produces outstanding grip. Look for FSC certification (Forest Stewardship Council), which verifies the rubber is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Cork is naturally antimicrobial, harvested without cutting down trees, and gets grippier when wet — ideal for hot yoga. Cork mats typically have a natural rubber base.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is PVC-free and recyclable, a solid mid-tier option. Avoid mats that just say "eco" without specifying materials — it's often greenwashing.
Quick Comparison
| Mat | Material | Thickness | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jade Harmony | Natural rubber | ~5mm | ~$100 | Best all-rounder |
| Manduka eKO 5mm | Natural rubber | 5mm | ~$88–$124 | Daily practice |
| Liforme Classic | Natural rubber | 4.2mm | ~$160 | Premium + alignment |
| Scoria Essential Cork | Cork + rubber | 3.5mm | ~$92–$99 | Cork / hot yoga |
| Yogi-Bare EverGrip | FSC rubber | 4mm | ~$92 | Best FSC-certified |
1. Jade Harmony — Best All-Rounder
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% natural rubber |
| Thickness | ~5mm |
| Size | 68" × 24" (74" also available) |
| Origin | USA-made |
| Price | ~$100 |
Jade Yoga has built its entire brand around sustainability since 2003. Every mat is made from natural rubber tapped from rubber trees — no PVC, no EVA. Jade plants a tree for every mat sold and has surpassed 2 million trees planted. The Harmony is their flagship: excellent open-cell grip, reliable cushioning, and a lifespan that outlasts cheaper alternatives.
Pros:
- Exceptional grip straight out of the bag
- Made in the USA with no compromise materials
- Tree-planting program adds genuine environmental impact
Cons:
- Contains latex (allergy consideration)
- Heavier than synthetic mats (~5 lbs)
Price: ~$100 · View Jade Harmony →
2. Manduka eKO 5mm — Best for Daily Practice
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Sustainably harvested natural rubber |
| Thickness | 5mm |
| Size | 71" × 26" |
| Certifications | Oeko-Tex certified |
| Price | ~$88–$124 |
Manduka's eKO line is their eco counterpart to the PVC-based PRO: natural rubber, sustainably sourced, and Oeko-Tex certified (meaning no harmful substances). At 5mm it's one of the thicker eco mats available, which makes it a practical everyday option rather than just a conscience purchase. The closed-cell surface resists moisture and is easy to wipe clean.
Pros:
- 5mm thickness — genuinely comfortable for floor work
- Oeko-Tex certified — no harmful chemicals
- Durable enough for daily practice over years
Cons:
- Heavier than travel alternatives (~5.4 lbs)
- Takes a few sessions to break in for peak grip
Price: ~$88–$124 · View Manduka eKO 5mm →
3. Liforme Classic — Best Premium Eco Mat
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Eco-polyurethane + natural rubber |
| Thickness | 4.2mm |
| Size | 73" × 27" (extra long + wide) |
| Certifications | PVC-free, biodegradable, non-toxic |
| Price | ~$160 |
Liforme builds every mat from natural rubber with a polyurethane top layer — PVC-free across their entire catalog. The Classic includes their signature AlignForMe system: subtle markers that guide hand, foot, and hip placement without being distracting. The GripForMe surface improves as you sweat, making it particularly good for vinyasa or heated classes. At 73" × 27" it's also noticeably roomier than standard sizing.
Pros:
- Alignment grid genuinely useful for developing consistent form
- GripForMe surface excels in sweaty conditions
- Extra-large dimensions (73" × 27")
- Biodegradable materials throughout
Cons:
- Premium price (~$160)
- Heavy at ~5.5 lbs
Price: ~$160 · View Liforme Classic →
4. Scoria Essential Cork — Best Cork Mat
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Cork top + natural rubber base |
| Thickness | 3.5mm |
| Size | 68" × 24" |
| Origin | Canadian brand |
| Price | ~$92–$99 |
Cork is harvested by stripping bark from living cork oak trees — the trees aren't cut down and the bark regenerates every 9 years. Scoria is a Canadian brand that builds exclusively cork mats with a natural rubber base. The cork surface is naturally antimicrobial (resists bacteria and mold), gets grippier when wet, and has a distinctively warm, organic feel underfoot. A strong pick for hot yoga or anyone who sweats heavily.
Pros:
- Cork is naturally antimicrobial — resists odor over time
- Gets grippier when wet (ideal for hot yoga)
- No PVC, no TPE, no synthetics
Cons:
- Firmer feel than pure rubber mats
- Cork can crack if folded — roll only
Price: ~$92–$99 · View Scoria Essential Cork →
5. Yogi-Bare EverGrip — Best FSC-Certified
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | FSC-certified natural rubber |
| Thickness | 4mm |
| Size | 183cm × 68cm |
| Certifications | FSC certified, non-toxic |
| Price | ~$92 |
FSC certification (Forest Stewardship Council) is the most rigorous third-party standard for sustainable rubber sourcing — and Yogi-Bare applies it across their entire range. The EverGrip has a matte, lightly textured surface that provides confident traction without being tacky, making transitions between poses feel smooth. At 4mm it works for most yoga styles without sacrificing portability.
Pros:
- FSC-certified rubber — the strongest sustainability credential here
- Matte texture gives reliable grip without stickiness
- Non-toxic, biodegradable
Cons:
- Smaller brand — less retailer availability than Jade or Manduka
- Matte finish shows marks more visibly than smooth mats
Price: ~$92 · View Yogi-Bare EverGrip →
How to Choose
If you want the best all-round mat: Jade Harmony. Proven materials, USA-made, strong sustainability track record.
If you practice daily and need durability: Manduka eKO. The 5mm thickness and Oeko-Tex certification make it a long-term investment.
If you practice hot yoga or sweat heavily: Scoria cork or Yogi-Bare. Cork gets grippier when wet; the EverGrip's matte rubber also handles moisture well.
If you want the strongest eco credentials: Yogi-Bare's FSC certification or Scoria's 100% cork construction are the most verifiable claims on this list.
One thing to avoid: mats that claim "eco-friendly" without specifying materials. Vague claims aren't the same as natural rubber, FSC certification, or cork.
Find Your Mat
Want a recommendation based on your yoga style, practice frequency, and budget? Take the Mat Finder Quiz — it matches you to the right mat in about 2 minutes.
Or browse all reviewed mats in the yoga mat collection.