Yoga Design Lab Combo Mat review

People often ask us “what’s a good yoga mat for hot yoga?”. There are a number of options, and much of “what is good” depends on personal preferences. But the main thing you want to look for is a mat that has a good grip when wet (or you could use a yoga mat towel over an all purpose mat).

There are indeed mats that are made especially for hot yoga. We recently tried out the Combo Mat by Yoga Design Lab and it really fits the bill. Even better, Yoga Design Lab is a company that prides itself on “blending fashion-forward design elements with innovative functionality and bio-renewable consciousness.”

combo mat by yoga design lab

Yoga by design

First off, the company has definitely earned the right to have “design” in its name, as the mats themselves are quite aesthetically pleasing. These are some of the most Continue reading

Organic sports bra by Pure Karma and shorts by Capezio

In my continued search to find the perfect yoga shorts and top I shopped around again and came up with a couple of decent options. I decided to try Pure Karma’s organic sports bra, and some yoga shorts by Capezio.

Cotton please!

First and foremost, I want my yoga wear to be made from cotton. It’s okay if it’s a few percent Lycra or Spandex to keep its shape, but for me the fabric has to be mostly cotton. I prefer cotton because it breathes, it’s natural, and it feels good against my skin.

organic sports bra tag

Pure Karma’s organic sports bra

Not only is Pure Karma’s organic sports bra made of 88% cotton, but  Continue reading

Inexpensive yoga mats compared

The cost of yoga mats can vary quite a bit. The price is usually related to the materials, the quality of craftsmanship, and country of manufacture. But there are a number of inexpensive yoga mats out there that just might suit your needs.

Our guide below allows you to compare the features of some of the most popular affordable mats out there. Beneath the guide you’ll find in-depth descriptions and additional photos of the best sellers. Click on any column header to sort the table, for example by cost, thickness, or material:

MatSizeCostWeightColorsMaterialScore
Sivan NBR Yoga Mat1/2" thick
72"x24"
$19.991.8 pounds7 optionsFoam.4.5
ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat With Carrying Straps1/2" thick
71"x24"
$18.992.5 pounds8 optionsFoam.4.3
ProSource Premium 1/4-Inch Yoga Mat With Carrying Straps1/4" thick
68"x24"
$16.993.0 pounds7 optionsFoam.4.2
Spoga High Density Yoga Mat with Carrying Straps1/2" thick
71"x24"
$19.992.1 pounds6 optionsFoam.4.4
YogaAccessories 1/4" Yoga Mat1/4" thick
74"x24"
$17.993.3 pounds26 optionsUnknown material. Phthalate free inks and dyes. Free of latex and heavy metals.
4.2
Yes4All 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat w/ Carry Strap1/2" thick
68"x24"
$20.052.2 pounds
Black, blue, green or purpleFoam.
4.2
Yoga Monster Mat by Bean Products1/4" thick
72"x24"
$24.953.5 pounds18 optionsPER. Free of toxic phthalates, dioxins and furans, phenal, or heavy metals. SGS approved.3.8
Gaiam Solid Yoga Mats (3mm)1/8" thick
68"x24"
$19.992.0 pounds8 optionsPVC. Free of phthalates and other toxins.4.0
Bixle 1/2" Inch Extra Thick Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap1/2" thick
72"x24"
$22.952.3 pounds7 optionsFoam.4.3
YogaHola Super Soft Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat w/ Carry Cord1/8" thick
70"x24"
$13.952.5 pounds5 optionsFoam.3.6
Da Vinci Yoga Mat with Carry Strap, 1/4" Inch1/4" thick
72"x24"
$18.992.8 pounds12 optionsPVC. Free of phthalates.4.0
Da Vinci 2-Tone Yoga Mat with Carry Strap1/4" thick
72"x24"
$16.993.0 pounds8 different 2-tone optionsPVC. Free of phthalates.4.0
Milliard 1/4" Yoga Mat1/4" thick
72"x24"
$17.21NA10 optionsUnknown material. 4.3
Valeo Yoga Mat Blueless than
1/4" thick
68"x24"
$12.501.9 poundsBlueUnknown3.0
YogaDirect 1/4" Sticky Yoga Mat1/4" thick
72"x24"
$23.27NA12 optionsPVC4.2
BalanceFrom GoYoga Mat with Carrying Strap1/4" thick
72"x24"
$24.952.5 pounds9 optionsUnknown. PVC free, phthalates free, latex free.4.1

The 7 columns in the guide are:

  • Mat name & picture (click to view more details or to purchase).
  • Mat size dimensions in inches
  • Mat price – These are current prices on Amazon.com in U.S. dollars. Outside the U.S., click the price in dollars to see the price in your local currency. In some cases price will change depending on mat color and/or style.
  • Mat weight in pounds.
  • Color and/or style options.
  • Mat material (more on mat materials below). SGS is a private, independent laboratory that tests many types of products and makes recommendations regarding consumer safety.
  • Rating – This is the average user rating on Amazon.com, where 5 is the best possible rating. It can be very helpful in deciding whether people were satisfied with their purchase.

Shopping for inexpensive yoga mats

One popular brand of inexpensive yoga mats is YogaAccessories. The average price for a YogaAccessories mat is about $20, depending upon color. They have over 20 colors to choose from.

Inexpensive Yoga Mats YogaAccessories label

Even though they’re inexpensive yoga mats, they boast some appealing Continue reading

Yoga mat spray wash comparison

For obvious reasons, it’s really important to keep your yoga mat clean. Different mats have different washing instructions. Some you can throw right in the wash, and some you need to wash thoroughly by hand in a large sink or tub. Either way, if you do yoga frequently, you’re going to need to wash your mat frequently.

There’s no way I can feasibly wash my mat in the washer or tub every time I use it. It’s just not practical. But I am extremely fussy about keeping my mat clean and fresh. So, what I use is a yoga mat spray wash.

Aurorae Yoga Mat Spray Wash - 4 oz

There are a couple on the market that I really like. My go to one is the Aurorae yoga mat spray wash. I like it because it’s super easy to use and Continue reading

Aurorae Classic Yoga Mat review

When you read reviews of any mat (or just about anything for that matter), there are always people who love it, people who hate it, and many in between. Some want a mat that is not slippery, and those who don’t perspire much prefer one that’s not too sticky. Some want a lightweight mat to easily carry to and from class, and some want a mat that provides more cushion. So, just as in yoga itself, it’s really all about what you as an individual are looking for.

I recently shopped for a new yoga mat. My criteria were that it had to be environmentally friendly, biodegradable, non-toxic, not too thin, and free of any odors. I also wanted to spend under $40. I did loads and loads of online searches, read the pros and cons of the many mats out there and finally I decided on the Classic Yoga Mat from Aurorae. Continue reading