Polyurethane

Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile synthetic polymer used across industries from furniture foam to skateboard wheels. In premium yoga mats, PU is applied as a thin coating or top layer over a natural rubber base, creating hybrid mats that combine superior surface grip with rubber's structural performance.

The PU + Rubber Combination

The most influential use of polyurethane in yoga mats is the PU-coated natural rubber mat, pioneered and perfected by Liforme. This construction provides:

• A smooth, slightly spongy surface that grips both dry and wet
• Superior grip compared to raw rubber in hot and sweaty conditions
• A thinner, more premium feel than foam-topped alternatives

Manduka, Liforme, and several high-end brands use variations of this construction in their flagship mats.

Performance Properties

PU-top mats offer some of the best all-around grip performance:

• Dry grip: Excellent — the PU surface has natural tackiness
• Wet/hot yoga grip: Very good — does not become as slippery as rubber when extremely sweaty
• Durability: High — PU is abrasion resistant
• Feel: Dense, smooth, slightly cushioned

Environmental Considerations

Polyurethane is a petroleum-derived synthetic material. However, because it is used only as a thin coating over a natural rubber base, the overall environmental impact of PU-top rubber mats is significantly better than all-synthetic alternatives. The rubber base remains biodegradable.