Thinking of getting a cork yoga mat? Read this first.
A cork yoga mat may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

I recently switched to a cork yoga mat. Before that, I had a somewhat strained relationship with the Lululemon 5mm Arise Mat for years. It used to come in two thicknesses and I chose the thickest one for more comfort. I loved the sleek look of my black mat and with with the Lululemon logo in the corner. It exuded serious yoga person vibes. Right now it costs $88 and and with the $18 yoga strap, you’d be dropping $106.
Photo courtesy of Lululemon
At the time, I thought it was worth the investment if it meant getting a quality product. But I learned quickly that a higher priced item does not always meet your needs with equal magnitude.
The mat has two sides: a smooth shiny side and a softer sponge-like side that promotes better grip. Unfortunately, the sponge-like side is so sticky and difficult to wipe clean. A rag is necessary to wipe it down (and probably more sustainable) as paper towels provided at yoga studios and gyms disintegrate. However, it does keep the mat in place on smooth surfaces. Sweat soaks into the spongy side and the recommended solution is to immerse the mat in a bathtub with some bleach water and then hang it to dry. Who has the time for that? I was always the last one to leave the yoga studio after trying to wipe down the mat. The shiny side doesn’t quite have enough grip. The shiny side scratches really easily. It’s a concern, especially for those who selected a mat with a pretty pattern. It had a strong lingering smell that never quite went away even after years of use. Have fun in baby cobra pose. Additionally, the heavy weight made it difficult to bike, walk, or travel with the mat.
When I moved, I had to give the Lululemon yoga mat to a friend. While I’m grateful for the time I had with it, the Gaiam cork yoga mat is definitely an upgrade. Since cork is a biodegradable and renewable resource, cork yoga mats have been heralded as an environmentally conscious alternative to yoga mats manufactured from petrochemical materials. Cork is a a type of oak tree that is grown in Europe, North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula. They take 25 years to reach maturity. Around 34 percent of all cork produced comes from Portugal. Cork is seen as a sustainable product because of the way it is harvested. The bark is peeled and then the tree is left alone for 9 years to regenerate. The tree continues to grow without being cut down and can live up to 150 years.
Gaiam cork yoga mat
After two weeks of practice, my cork yoga mat from Gaiam (pictured above) has come through with the support I need. It is incredibly lightweight and I found out that cork is also naturally antibacterial. It provides just the right amount of grip and at $34.19, it is affordable. It does not have a lingering strong smell. After 4 weeks of daily indoor and outdoor use, the cork still looks beautiful and has held up well. I like it so much, this entire article was written while seated on the mat.
Back side of Gaiam cork yoga mat
As you can see, the mat is not solid cork all the way through, but rather has a thin top layer of cork that is about the same thickness as the shiny side of the Lululemon yoga mat. Part of me feels like the cork yoga mat trend is a bit gimmicky and more for aesthetics. However, the cork does replace a top layer that would otherwise come from petrochemicals. It does its job well and I love it.
I have seen cork yoga mats online retailing for over one hundred dollars so I would caution you against paying that much for a mat since they all feature that thin top layer of cork. I have not come across solid cork yoga mats.
I hope you found this article useful as you consider what kind of yoga mat is right for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have a different mat that you would highly recommend? Let me know!
