If you’re tired of doing your asanas and workouts on a synthetic mat, you can try to use a more eco-friendly cotton yoga mat. These yoga mats are made of 100% cotton fiber, which is breathable and odor-free. There are many choices to choose from, which can get overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner.
For your convenience, let me help you find the best cotton yoga mat to fit your style and needs.
Quick Answer:
Glamburg offers a black and white cotton mat that folds quickly into a bolster for easy transport. I love the striped patterns because it helps me get the proper alignment. Also, the mat has a non-slip surface to keep me steady the entire practice session, even when I sweat.
This Life By Cotton Yoga Mat features the same striped pattern as Glamburg. I like that the mat fits perfectly in my beach bag. The mat feels soft yet heavy-duty to stay on the ground.
3. Lotuscrafts Zabuton Meditation Mat
If you want more cushion, the Lotuscrafts Zabuton Meditation Mat fits the bill. This mat is made of cotton cover and cotton fleece filling, making it comfortable to kneel or sit on. I’m impressed that I still feel balanced when sitting despite the thickness.
Editor's Pick: The Best Cotton Yoga Mat
What Is A Cotton Yoga Mat?
A cotton yoga mat is made of natural cotton fibers, making it an eco-friendly choice. Typically, cotton yoga mats are handwoven rather than machine-made to preserve their purity. Cotton feels good on the skin and provides a nice texture that gets soft with each wash.
Usually, cotton yoga mats are thin and lightweight. They look lovely because of the handwoven fabrics, plus they’re machine washable.
Cotton Yoga Mat Pros And Cons
The main benefit of cotton yoga mats is that it helps you stay cool the entire workout process. Cotton is a breathable fabric, so it evaporates the sweat and makes your mat odor-free. Also, it’s hypoallergenic to prevent any skin allergies.
These eco-friendly mats tend to be versatile because they can be used both indoors and outdoors. They’re easy to bring anywhere because they’re lightweight and easy to roll up. More importantly, they’re easy to clean because most of them are machine washable.
However, these cotton yoga mats are usually thin, which might be a slight problem if you have sensitive joints and bones. Also, they’re not as durable as their PVC counterparts, and they tend to slip on smooth surfaces.
What To Look For On A Good Cotton Yoga Mat
Handwoven
If you don’t like your cotton yoga mat to shrink, make sure that it’s handwoven. A handwoven cotton yoga mat is made by a person instead of a machine, making it more sustainable.
100% Natural
You want your cotton yoga mat to be as organic as possible to reap the best benefits of cotton. Unlike regular cotton which is handpicked by machine, organic cotton is entirely handpicked to ensure the best quality. Organic cotton also tends to be softer than a regular one because it contains longer fibers.
Dimensions
Choose a cotton yoga mat that fits you- check the length, width, and thickness. Most cotton yoga mats are longer than 64 inches and have a standard width of 24 inches. Opt for a thicker mat if you have minor injuries and thinner mats for extra portability and stability.
5 Best Cotton Yoga Mat Reviews
1. Glamburg Cotton Yoga Mat
Measuring at 72 inches long, the Glamburg Cotton Yoga Mat is more extended than standard mats. The mat is made of 100% cotton, so it absorbs your sweat naturally and offers a superior grip for extra stability. Besides the black and white stripe pattern, you can choose from other color options, including grey and navy blue.
I like the black and white pattern because the stripes also help me with proper alignment. In addition, you can bring this mat outdoors because it has excellent traction on any ground. Since this mat is machine washable, I have no problem getting drenched with sweat and dirt every time.
However, the texture feels a bit rough. The width is also a bit narrow if you want to change positions frequently.
PROS:
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Longer than standard mats
- It provides excellent grip and traction
- Moisture-absorbent to keep you comfortable
- Easy to clean in the washing machine
- It stripes patterns help with proper alignment
CONS:
- It feels slightly rough on the skin
- A bit narrow to move around
Best For:
The Glamburg Cotton Yoga Mat is perfect for both indoor and outdoor purposes. This mat is also best for beginners as you can use the stripe design for proper alignment.
2. Life By Cotton Yoga Mat
The Life By Cotton Yoga Mat almost looks the same as Glamburg with the beautiful black and white pattern. This yoga mat has the same size and material, which is 100% cotton.
In addition, the coarse texture helps with the grip and traction. Best of all, it’s lightweight and easy to fit inside the bag for travel.
Unlike foam mats, this cotton mat doesn’t scrunch up when placed on carpets. Actually, the mat stays on any ground, even the sandy beach. Cleaning is a breeze because the mat can be put inside the washing machine.
However, there was a slight odor from the plastic package. Fortunately, the odor was gone after washing the mat. Also, the black color may fade over time.
PROS:
- It has a lovely black and white pattern design
- It offers superior traction and grip, thanks to the coarse texture
- Lightweight and easy to travel inside the bag
- It stays still on carpets and any other type of ground
- Machine washable for easy cleaning
CONS:
- May have a slight odor after opening the package
- Color seems to fade after many washes
Best For:
The Life By Cotton Yoga Mat is perfect for travel because it’s lightweight and fits just right inside the bag. Because of its excellent traction, the mat can be used on any ground.
3. Lotuscrafts Zabuton Meditation Mat
The Lotuscrafts Zabuton Mat is built for comfort with its thick cushion and cotton softcover. Though thick, the cotton fleece filling helps me sit steadily. Best of all, the thick cushion is gentle on the knees and absorbs the energy’s impact very well.
More impressively, this Lotuscrafts is GOT-certified, meaning that it’s eco-friendly and only uses the best materials. It’s also easy to clean since the cotton cover Is removable and machine washable. I’m surprised that the color doesn’t bleed and no shrinkage.
However, the size is a bit small to practice other yoga styles. It’s also slightly difficult to roll up for storage.
PROS:
- Soft and comfortable to sit for a long time
- GOT-certified to use high-quality organic materials
- It offers excellent stability when sitting
- Easy to clean with its removable cover
- It won’t shrink and color doesn’t fade easily
CONS:
- A little too small to practice more active yoga styles
- Challenging to roll up
Best For:
The Lotuscrafts Zabuton Mat is suitable for Sadhana yoga as you sit most of the time for meditation. It can also serve as a comfortable seat pad anytime.
4. Suvinyas Luxurious Yoga Mat
Measuring around 25 x 72 inches, the Suvinyas yoga mat offers great length to offer a comfortable place to practice yoga. I love that the mat includes a yoga bag to make it easy to bring during travels. As usual, this cotton mat is easy to keep clean because it’s machine washable.
I like the rough texture of the mat because it serves as a good acupuncture massage on my back. The design is so beautiful because the cotton fabric is hand-loomed to provide a unique effect. Additionally, the mat rolls up and down easily for extra convenience when you want to bring it outdoors.
However, this mat is a little thin for comfort. It also takes time to get used to the rough surface of the cotton fabric material.
PROS:
- It includes a yoga bag for convenient storage
- It has a long length to give more space for practice
- Machine washable for easy maintenance
- It helps to reduce chronic back pain
- It has a beautiful hand-loomed cotton fabric design
- Easy to roll and lay flat on the floor
CONS:
- It feels a little rough on the skin
- It lacks padding for comfort
Best For:
The Suvinyas Yoga Mat is excellent for minor massage purposes. The rough texture can be good acupuncture to the spine to reduce chronic back pain.
5. Live Well 360 Handmade Organic Cotton Yoga Mat
Live Well 360 offers plenty of space with its handmade organic cotton yoga mat. The mat measures around 78 inches long and 27 inches wide. It’s quite water-absorbent, so it wicks away sweat and keeps you feel cool throughout the yoga practice.
I think this mat can last long because the cotton fabric is nicely handwoven. The thickness is around 3mm, which is perfect for providing support and stability. It looks great with its blue color, plus it’s easy to wash to keep clean.
However, the mat wasn’t sticky enough to remain stable on a polished floor. I also wish it was thicker to cushion my sensitive knees.
PROS:
- It provides plenty of space to move around
- Breathable and wicks away sweat to keep you cool
- Beautifully handwoven to reinforce durability
- A thin cushion provides excellent stability and balance
- It comes in a nice blue color
- Easy to clean in the washing machine
CONS:
- Not sticky enough to keep still on a polished floor
- It lacks a little bit of padding for extra comfort
Best For:
The Live Well 360 Organic Cotton Yoga Mat is the best for size as it tends to be slightly wider and longer than standard yoga mats.
FAQs:
Q: What are cotton yoga mats good for?
Cotton yoga mats are good for the environment because the cotton fabric is sustainable. Natural cotton is hypoallergenic, so it’s good for sensitive skin. They’re suitable for all yoga styles, including restorative and hot yoga, and perfect to bring outdoors.
Q: How to clean a cotton yoga mat?
Most cotton yoga mats are machine washable, so they’re easy to clean. Simply put the mat in the washing machine and wash it under a gentle cycle. Use cold water to prevent the mat from shrinking or fading.
Q: Is cotton good for your skin?
Yes, cotton is hypoallergenic, so it doesn’t cause any adverse effects to your skin. Hypoallergenic yoga mats can significantly increase your yoga experience, helping to minimize sneezing and irritation.
Conclusion
Cotton yoga mats are one of your excellent options when it comes to eco-friendly products. My top choice as the best cotton yoga mat is the Glamburg Cotton Yoga Mat because it provides many color options and a comfortable space to move around. Best of all, this Glamburg mat features non-fading black and white stripes to help with alignment.
If you want a more lightweight option, the Life By Cotton Yoga Mat might be a good alternative. This mat features the same black and white stripes, plus it’s easy to fit in your bag when rolled up.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
