Comparison of Yoga Mats

A yoga mat is a must-have for a safe and steady practice. Ranging in thickness from 1/16 to 1/4 inch, yoga mats are generally 24 inches wide and 68 inches long, though other sizes are available. While most yoga studios offer them for rent, you can also buy your own for between $15 and $90. Some popular yoga mat companies include Manduka, Jade, Barefoot Yoga, Hugger Mugger and prAna.

Sticky Mats

The most common style is the sticky mat, generally made of polyvinyl chloride, known as PVC. Benefits include low price, durability and ease of cleaning.

PVC is made of phthalates, a substance with possible adverse effects on the immune and respiratory systems, according to a 2008 study published in the medical journal "Environmental Health Perspectives." Because PVC is not biodegradable, many yoga mat manufacturers now recycle used yoga mats.

Eco-Friendly Mats

Some eco-friendly yoga mats are made with jute and natural rubber, two completely natural products. The rubber provides a non-slip surface and the jute absorbs sweat. If you are allergic to rubber or latex, do not use this style. Other eco-friendly mats use TPE, or thermoplastic polymer, which contains no PVC, chlorine or latex. TPE has a sticky surface and is biodegradable. Another decomposable mat material is PER, or polymer environmental resin, which blends with jute fibers.

Travel Mat

For those who practice while traveling, a thin travel mat, about 1/16 inch thick, can be made of PVC or natural rubber. While these mats don't offer thick cushioning, they're foldable and easy to pack. You can lay it over a rented yoga mat, or use it on the carpet in your hotel room.

Practice Rugs and Towels

Ideal for Bikram, Ashtanga or any type of yoga that induces sweat, practice rugs are made of tightly woven cotton and are meant to use over a yoga mat. Because they absorb the perspiration that makes a mat slippery, they create better traction for standing poses and extra cushioning for seated poses. Yoga towels are another option. These thin mats are often made of microfiber materials made to absorb sweat on one side and adhere to the mat on its underside.

Mat Care

For most yoga mats, you can rid their initial slipperiness by washing before your first use, either in the shower or a washing machine, and hang it to dry. Read care instructions first. To keep your yoga mat clean, regularly wipe it with a damp cloth or use a scented yoga mat spray.