*Note: Lotuspad mats are currently out of production. If you are looking for a TPE mat, check out the Kulae tpECOmat.
Why Use an Eco Yoga Mat
Until recently, I only knew about two kinds of yoga mats. Old school mats, which are made of PVC, are relatively cheap and easy to come by. While they function just fine, PVC is not biodegradable and may pose a health risk. The alternative was a natural rubber mat, which seems better for the environment and your health, but are more expensive, heavier, and tend to have a strong rubber odor. While rubber mats made by Jade Yoga and Manduka have their devotees, I have always had trouble with the smell, so I was very pleased to discover yoga mats made from a new material: TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).
Lotuspad Eco Yoga Mats
Though man-made, TPE is considered to be non toxic and is photodegradable (breaks down in sun light). It is lightweight, can be made into a cushy, textured mat, carries very little odor, and is priced right in the middle. The mat I tried is made by Lotuspad, a small company based in Somerville, Massachusetts and started by Katy Downey, who was worried about her infant daughter playing on her old school PVC mat. The popularity of her children's mats led to a line for adults. The mats are really a pleasure to use. Soft, grippy, and not smelly at all, they are reversible and come in beautiful colors. They are a little more delicate than other mats, in that they will get dents and dings if you accidentally throw your kid's bike on top of them in the trunk of your car (as I found out the hard way), but Downey reports that they have about the same lifespan as a PVC mat. If you have been looking for an alternative to PVC and rubber mats, a Lotuspad mat will serve you very well.
