Best Travel Yoga Mat UK: In the modern age, Yoga has become an effective practice to create peace, flexibility, and balanced mental and physical life. It provides a sense of relief from the tensions of our hectic routine life. Yoga mats make our practice easier. We found these mats helpful in the tough and stretchy movements due to their specific structure.

If you travel frequently and do not want to create a gap in your practice then it is necessary to have a reliable travel yoga mat. In this guide, we will deeply explore the best travel yoga mats and also provide sufficient information about the leading brands available in the UK.

Things to Consider Best Travel Yoga Mat UK

When you are moving towards choosing the best travel yoga mat uk, there are some important factors that you must keep in mind because all yoga mats are not of the same quality. Specially travel yoga mats have some important and different traits than the other ones.

1. Weight and Portability

When you are going to select your best travel yoga mat, the first and foremost thing is its weight. A travel mat must be lightweight so it becomes easy to carry it anywhere. If you have a lightweight and high quality travel mat then it is convenient to roll up and it will not take so much space in your luggage. Ideal travel yoga mats typically weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds which are basically in demand.

Now modern yoga mat companies designed them with a carrying strap or bag just to make them more reliable for you. This feature is not only useful in their easy transport but also remarkable in its protection. Its smart size prevents to create a mess in your suitcase.

2. Thickness and Cushioning

In the common observation, the thicker yoga mats offer more comfort and support as compare to the thinner ones. They are typically suitable for those who need extra padding for their joints on hard surfaces. On the other hand, the travel yoga mats are often thinner than the standard ones because of their different demands and needs.

As we already discussed the travel yoga mat must be thin and lightweight to resolve the problem of carrying it. The best travel yoga mats tend to range from 1.5mm to 5mm thick which makes them easy to transport without any discomfort.

3. Grip and Stability

Another important and considering factor about the best yoga mat is its grip. It must be provided with a stable and non slippery surface that can improve your performance even if you are drenched in sweat. This feature will be very effective in building up your confidence while you are practicing more dynamic or sweaty styles of yoga like Vinyasa or Ashtanga. It prevents us from the risk of injuries.

Most of the yoga mats are prepared from high-quality, non-toxic materials such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), natural rubber, or PVC that offer superior grip. These types of surfaces reduce the tension to slip and provide good and reliable support and grip to your feet and hands. You will feel secure during your practice, no matter the environment.

Often the best travel yoga mats feature textured surfaces to enhance grip, then it does not matter whether you are practicing on slick hotel floors or outdoor surfaces.

4. High quality material and Eco-friendliness

Another considerable factor about the travel yoga mat is that it must be made of high quality material and durable which must withstand for a long time. A traveling mat does not only face the frequent rolling and folding but also bears different environmental changes. When you have to carry on your yoga practice anywhere then you will prefer such types of mats that can be able to withstand the exposure to various climatic ups and downs.

As we are all well aware of the increasing environmental risk, in this condition we ought to choose mats made of eco friendly materials. We should avoid the traditional mats made from eco conscious materials like natural rubber, jute, or TPE. Many yoga mat companies offer mats prepared with biodegradable materials free from harmful chemicals. These mats are much better than PVC mats.

5. Easy to Clean

A travel yoga mat must have the quality to clean it easily and fastly. When you tend to practice yoga at various locations then its cleanliness might become challenging for you. To keep your concern in mind we just prefer to select the best travel yoga mats that can easily be washable in a machine or wipeable with a damp cloth. Such kind of mats can comfortably deals with dirt, dust, and sweat and will be helpful to save your time and effort.

Top Brands for Best Travel Yoga Mat UK

We have many yoga essentials brands that offer the best mats in the UK, but there are selective ones that do not compromise on quality. Here we will provide you with the details of the top brands:

1. Liforme

Liforme is a very popular and well reputed yoga mats brand which attract people due to the superb quality of its mats. It offers environmentally friendly and biodegradable mats that is the prime importance and demand of this age. These mats are absolutely free from toxic materials. This brand also perfectly meets the needs of travelers and provides them with their desirable yoga traveling mats.

2. Gaiam

Now we are going to move to another brand that is Gaiam. It has gained the priority and favor of the masses due to its budget friendly trait. It provides the best travel yoga mats that are well known for their lightweight and durability. These mats are made with PVC having features like easy to carry and clean. At just 1.5mm thick, it offers the perfect balance between portability and comfort.

3. Manduka

Manduka is also a worth considering brand in UK that is actually popular due to its durability and cushioning. It offers mats that are made with natural rubber which provide excellent support while you are performing difficult and stretchy movements. These mats have a non slippery surface that is perfectly suitable for your good performance even if you are so sweaty. These mats are the best choice for those who need extra cushioning on rough and tough surfaces. They are easy to transport and roll up even if you travel frequently.

4. Jade Yoga

Jade Yoga mats are also become the interest and demand of many yoga lovers. They are made of non-toxic, sustainable, and natural rubber which provides extra and remarkable grip. They are so comfortable and lightweight. If you are looking for a washable and eco-friendly mat then Jade Yoga mats will be a good choice.

5. Lululemon

Lululemon does not need any introduction regards yoga products. It offers premium quality yoga essentials which is the major reason for its popularity. Its travel yoga mats are of top quality that not only provide grip and cushioning but are also lightweight, compact, and highly durable. They are so versatile that they are equally suitable and useful for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

Conclusion

At the sum up of these precious suggestions for the Best Travel Yoga Mat UK, we just want to say that the right understanding of the travel yoga mats is the key to the perfect choice. When you have found all the explained factors in your mat, then you must not waste your time thinking about its selection. It does not matter whether you are a frequent traveler or simply visit somewhere, choosing the right and perfect yoga mat is crucial to carrying on your practice.

All the above mentioned brands tried their best to meet your needs. Top ranked brands like Liforme, Gaiam, Manduka, Jade Yoga, and Lululemon provide high-quality Best Travel Yoga Mat UK that offers the perfect balance of comfort, ease, durability, weight, and portability and facilitates cleanliness.

Are Yoga Mats Toxic: We are all well aware of the importance of yoga mats for performing yoga practice daily as it has several benefits, especially gripping, cushioning, and comfort. However, there is a growing concern regarding the equipment that is used to support Yoga.

Understanding the Concern: Are Yoga Mats Toxic?

Most of the yoga mats are still being made with PVC material which raised questions regarding its toxicity. So, let’s take a look in detail at PVC Material.

What is PVC?

PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride. Basically, it is a cost-effective type of plastic polymer with the ability to release toxic chemicals or substances for example dioxins, phthalates, etc.

Phthalate chemicals are used during the formation of plastic in regards to enhance the flexible properties of plastic. These chemicals play a very toxic role in the disturbance of human body parts such as hormones and the respiratory system.

Secondly, dioxin compounds can be released during the manufacturing of PVC which play a role as a continuous environmental polluting agent. So these harmful substances leave multiple adverse effects on the human body just due to their continuous presence in the environment that causes the destruction of the environment as well as human health.

On the other hand, synthetic rubber is also found in Yoga Mats that may consist of some health’s unsafe components like VOCs that may diffuse gas into the air while used for Yoga. These are such health-sensitive things that lead cause of trouble for the public who have a plan to take long-term Yoga exercise.

Here we’re going to let you know about one of the leading brands with having Non toxic Yoga Mats.

Are Gaiam Yoga Mats Non Toxic?

Gaiam is one of the leading brands with almost all essential supplies regarding yoga and wellness including Yoga Mats. The most repeated question that is asked by the consumers is about its material’s toxicity and non toxicity.

Materials Used in Gaiam Yoga Mats

A wide variety of Yoga Mats is found in Gaiam for Yoga consumers which are made up of non toxic and eco-friendly materials, a few of them which are widely used in the preparation of Yoga Mats are as follows:

• PVC:

Though this material is cheap and budget-friendly for Gaiam the fact is that it’s considered toxic and not eco-friendly as mentioned before. As a result, the only controversial material is left just because of its preparation procedure. This makes PVC a non toxic and eco-friendly material and reduces the risk factor to its consumers.

• TPE

(Thermoplastic Elastomer): As It is a type of chemical-free recyclable plastic it’s considered safe and harmless environmentally as well as for human health. It’s also free from PVC and Latex. That’s why it’s considered eco-friendlier than PVC.

• Natural Rubber:

A naturally occurring substance that consists of a sustainable and biodegradable material. It is used in the preparation of premium Yoga Mats, also offered by Gaiam. So these kinds of Yoga Mats are totally toxins free and are a good option for Yoga Mat’s consumers.

The company markets itself as a sustainability maintainer and environmental-friendly lover. So the answer to the question “Are Gaiam yoga mats Non Toxic” is yes.

Are Lululemon Yoga Mats Toxic?

The debates are ongoing concerning “Are Lululemon Yoga Mats Toxic”. Lululemon is also a brand famous among people due to their yoga-related products’ quality including clothes. Lululemon yoga mats have several qualities or features like

• Durability
• Non toxicity
• Eco-friendliness
• Comfort
• Grip & Cushioning

Lululemon Yoga Mats Material

Lululemon uses two different materials, especially for their signature yoga mats, one of them is natural rubber and the second is polyurethane.

Natural Rubber:

As we have already discussed earlier in this article regarding the natural rubber material. So, in simple words, the natural rubber material is sustainable, non toxic, best for gripping and cushioning along with biodegradability.

Polyurethane:

Lululemon uses Polyurethane for the top layers of their yoga mats as this material is synthetic and increases the grip and durability of the mat. Generally, this material is considered safer than PVC, and Lululemon also claims that their yoga mats don’t have harmful chemicals.

Seller Picks Best Non toxic Yoga Mats:

We have compiled a list of a few best non toxic yoga mats built with eco-friendly materials that are the user’s choice.

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat

The yoga mat is built with PVC now the question is how this mat is Non toxic. It is a high-quality PVC material certified OEKO-TEX which means it is a certified non toxic yoga mat but not much eco-friendly. If I talk about its grip and cushioning, it is a recommended choice for yogis.

Read the comparison before decision on Manduka Pro vs Lululemon Yoga Mat.

Features:

• Non Toxic
• Eco-Friendly
• Certification of Non Harmful substances
• Excellent grip and cushioning.

Jade Yoga Harmony Mat

The yoga mat is built with 100% natural rubber which is a Non toxic material. We have already explained natural rubber material earlier in the article. We are going to list down its features only.

Features

• Synthetic
• Biodegradable
• Eco-friendly
• Durable & Sustainable
• Perfect for Bikram or Hot Yoga / sweaty sessions.

Liforme Yoga Mat

Liforme Yoga Mat is built with Non toxic materials such as natural rubber and eco-polyurethane.

Features

• Eco-Friendly
• Sustainable
• Non Toxic
• Biodegradable
• Excellent Grip and Cushioning
• Ideal choice for regular or serious yogis

Conclusion

Health is the most important factor that can’t be ignored. So, always pay attention to your healthy environment while choosing a yoga mat. Make sure the material is non toxic which has been used to build the yoga mat. In this way, you will remain healthy and get the real advantages of yoga means mindfulness. We have discussed the major materials that are used to build the mat.

Hopefully, I have explained the question are yoga mats toxic? Apart from that, I have also tried to share some of the best non toxic yoga mats and their brand options available in the market that usually we use in our studio.

Yoga is well-known for enhancing the muscle’s flexibility, activation, physical wellness, and mental peace. Many new yogis join yoga classes. The first issue that they face is how to choose a yoga mat for beginners. Choosing a yoga mat is essential especially for beginners to increase the support and stability during yoga practice. Several options are available in the market for this but the same mat is not a good fit for all.

In this scenario, it is most important to pay attention while choosing the right yoga mat as per your needs or requirements. Let’s explore how to pick a yoga mat:

Things to Consider While Choosing a Yoga Mat

Consider the key factors while picking a yoga mat. A perfect yoga mat has a good level of comfort, durable, long-lasting, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Let’s start to consider the key points for choosing a yoga mat for beginners.

Thickness

The yoga mat’s weight depends on its thickness. So it is most important to pay attention to thickness level as it plays a major role, especially in comfortability and cushioning. Thickness levels start from 1mm to onwards up to 15mm. Usually, a standard yoga mat is between 3mm to 5mm thick, and for most people, it is considered a perfect choice.

People who are suffering from joint issues will go for a high level of thickness for more support to their joints because a thicker mat can provide extra cushioning. But it can be the reason behind not balancing during yoga. So, that’s why we should pay attention to thickness. We discussed this matter in our blog post Best Yoga Mat Thickness.

Manufacturing Material

Nowadays, various materials are used in manufacturing like PVC, TPE, natural rubber, and cork. You can read the differences between them in detail in our article TPE vs EVA Yoga Mat & NBR vs PVC Yoga Mat.

Each material has its benefits and is used for different purposes. For excellent grip and durability along with budget-friend PVC material is perfect but it is not much eco-friendly. Comparatively, Rubber and TPE materials are eco-friendly but less durable over time. Lastly, cork mats have all these things along with antimicrobial properties but it is not a budget-friendly option.

So, an excellent choice depends on your needs and environment. If you have budget-related issues you should go for PVC or TPE material otherwise move towards natural rubber or cork material.

Grip

The texture of the yoga mat makes it an anti-skid or non-slippery mat. So, the mats having texture on them provide us extra grip that is required for balancing our body during dynamic poses of yoga such as Vinyasa, etc. For gripping cork and natural rubber materials are more effective.

What is the Best Yoga Mat for Beginners?

In simple words, the best yoga mat for beginners is that has all the features and should not be too high in price.

Best Yoga Mat for Beginners UK

Numerous brands are offering such mats that have all the features such as Liforme and Manduka and are not much costly compared to other brands.

Manduka PROLite Yoga Mat

Manduka PROLite yoga mat is a perfect choice for beginners and the reason of its comfortability and durability. Even for those with sensitive joints as it provides enough cushioning. The major reason for its acceptance is its non-toxic material which makes it eco-friendly.

Liforme Yoga Mat

The second better option is the Liforme yoga mat for beginners. It also has all the above features like a good level of grip, eco-friendly with non-toxic material and a good level of thickness for cushioning. Apart from that it also has alignment markers that help a lot to a newbie for alignment.

Best Yoga Mat for Obese Beginners

Now let’s start our conversation regarding yoga mats for obese beginners. As they have a certain condition we need to make little changes in our key factors to choose the best yoga mat for obese beginners.

Extra Thickness & Size

We should choose a little extra thick mat for obese beginners due to extra weight because we require extra cushioning in this case. It reduces the change of strain on sensitive joints. The recommended thickness for an obese beginner is between 6mm to 8mm. This will increase the comfort level during practice and less feel of a hard floor. In the same way, we need a little extra size mat from the standard.

Durability & Grip

A solid grip is very crucial to maintain balance and stability for an obese beginner. That’s why we should choose such a mat that can provide extra gripping along with durability. It is a better thing if a mat has texture on it because it will also provide extra gripping that is required for a newbie to maintain alignment during yoga. Always look for mats that offer strong gripping and can prevent slipping during poses. Usually, rubber or cork yoga mat material is preferable.

Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat:

Gaiam Premium yoga mat is an excellent choice for an obese newbie due to its durability and thickness level. It is 6mm thick having a texture on its surface.

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat:

A perfect choice as per my experience is Manduka PRO yoga mat due to its thickness and material. It offers a high level of thickness from a standard mat with durable and dense surface which is best for extra grip, support and cushioning.

How to Choose / Pick a Good Yoga Mat Based on Your Requirements

I have already shared some best yoga mats for beginners. If you have certain needs, you should choose a mat that can meet your needs. For example, do you have a plan to join a studio for yoga or at home? Do you have a plan for hot yoga or slow-paced yoga? Get the answers from yourself and you are ready to make right decision.

Yoga Style

Which type of yoga pose, you are planning to practice? Are you planning for slower-paced poses like Yin / Hatha Yoga? In this case, you need a little thicker mat that can provide cushioning and comfort. If you are planning for dynamic yoga poses like Vinyasa or Ashtanga, you should choose a well-textured surface mat for better gripping.

Portability

Are you planning to travel with a yoga mat from home to the studio? You should pay attention to its weight so that it can be easy to carry. It should be light in weight and can easily roll up. We already discussed these things how to roll up a mat. You should read it.

Environmental Impact

What kind of environment in which you are going to practice yoga? If your environment is not so good then you should choose an eco-friendly mat option that can be found in these sustainable materials like natural rubber and cork.

Price vs. Quality

If you are searching for a budget-friendly mat, the options will be different and if you are searching for quality then the options will be different depending on your requirement. You can see PVC material for a cost-effective mat and other materials like rubber or cork for extra high quality.

Allergy Considerations

Do you have an allergy to latex? If yes, you need to move towards natural rubber mats instead of other materials like PVC or TPE. Cork mats can also be used in this case.

Size

If you are taller you should choose a large-size mat otherwise standard yoga mat will work for you. Standard yoga mats are 68 inches long and 24 inches.

Picking a Yoga Mat for Special Practices

Lastly, if you are planning for certain poses to practice like Bikram / Hot yoga. In this case, we need such a mat material that can absorb sweat because in hot yoga we sweat a lot and prevent slipping. You can choose from these two options.

Liforme Yoga Mat:

The best option for hot yoga due to its superior grip and better absorption.

Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip Yoga Mat:

The second best option is Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip Yoga Mat as it provides better traction and can absorb more sweat during hot yoga sessions.

Final Words for How to Choose a Yoga Mat for Beginners

We have a huge range of yoga mats available and need to choose a right one that can fulfill our needs. Just finalize your needs and you can easily choose a good fit for you. The few things you need to consider like size, material, thickness, durability, longevity, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Choose as per your needs.

I have also shared some of the best yoga mats concerning how to choose a yoga mat for beginners even for the obese. You can choose any one of them. Share your thoughts in the comments section.