Yea for the black mat! I have had mine for over 3 years and it still looks brand new!
I think the black mat provides a better eco solution as they last forever and that cuts down on the manufacturing process!
I had the agoy mat and it disintegrated under my feet in about 3 months. 
My only issue with them is that they all look alike!
Check out…mattags.com
Used to be all the eco-friendly mats were all up there in price but there are certainly less expensive options now (including from barefoot) so if that’s an important criteria keep looking.
But there’s several aspects to eco-friendly. One is whether the mat is good for you (PVC contains chemicals that are now widely considered to be bad for you.) Then there is how friendly the manufacturing process and material is to the environment. And durability matters, the mats made of natural materials from most accounts don’t last as long, so you’ll eventually buy more mats, not so eco friendly even if you find a reuse for the old one.
I have a Manduka black mat which is great. It’s not advertised as an eco mat but I think I read someplace they are mostly polyester and little PVC so maybe not too bad for you if that’s true. While it’s a man-made material they claim the manufacturing is relatively eco-friendly. And they are so durable they last practically forever and won’t wind up in the landfill anytime soon, so that’s good (and cheaper in the long term even though it’s another expensive mat.)
I also have a Manduka Eko Mat, which is pretty nice but I can already see it will wear out at some point, long before the black mat ever would. So eco-friendly in some ways but not necessarily all.
Every mat I’ve had has smelled somehow at first, but with a cleaning and airing it has always gone away after awhile. Actually I have an inexpensive PVC mat too that was a gift, it never smelled like my more expensive mats did when new.
I love my Jade Harmony fusion mat. A bit stickier than others, but I don’t move very quickly between poses, so it works well for me. No lingering rubber smell either.
Last year I purchased Hugger Mugger Earth Elements mats for my office, and for a few of my clients, and they have worn very poorly. I don’t recommend these particular mats, even their thicker Earth Elements at 10MM.
Thank you for the recommendations and feedback on the other eco mats.
Namaste,
Nichole
As far as eco-friendly yoga mats go, I recommend the Jade Harmony Professional. I love it! It’s thick and sturdy enough so it doesn’t slide or roll up around the edges, and I never slip at all.
I just wanted to follow up that I purchased the Manduka black mat and am ever-so grateful for it. I have been using it for a few months now and I would have nothing else. 
This morning, in a high spirit of exploration, I did my practice on carpeted floor without a mat. What a difference! I had to recruit muscles to keep my feet pressed into the mat, and my dog and warrior poses were shorter because I was working with less friction. I think I’ll keep doing this a couple times a month at least because there seemed to be something important for me to learn here.
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing “eco-friendly” mats. Unless the material is produced right next to the factory and the factory is right next to your house, they are NOT eco-friendly. They have oodles of embodied energy and you’re being sold a marketing ploy.
“But at least it’s made from biodegradable material. It’s a step in the right direction.”
No. It’s just a smaller step in the wrong direction.
[quote=David;23320]One thing to keep in mind when purchasing “eco-friendly” mats. Unless the material is produced right next to the factory and the factory is right next to your house, they are NOT eco-friendly. They have oodles of embodied energy and you’re being sold a marketing ploy.
“But at least it’s made from biodegradable material. It’s a step in the right direction.”
No. It’s just a smaller step in the wrong direction.[/quote]
these types of conversations sure do benefit from both expanding and focusing–my thanks to david and techne for delivering some of the focus.
*nichole
I found a great small company out of Mass. called Lotuspadyoga. Totally eco-friendly made of TPE and very reasonable. $35 - $70
I know they are pricy but Manduka mats are so so great! They stick, they are eco-friendly and they last so long! You will pay more but it will alst longer!
I love my Manduka mats - I have a black mat and a travel mat from them.
However, if I were to buy a mat now, I would get the prAna Revolution Mat. It’s super supportive, eco-friendly, wide, long - here, this video explains it nicely and is a fun watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvwkIADjoMA
I am looking for the best yoga mat in the UK or somewhere nearby in Europe for bikram yoga and I was recommended Manduka Yoga Mats from Allergy Liberation. Has anyone tried Manduka for Bikram ?
Definitely the Manduka black mat. I got mine 4 years ago when it was called ulti-mat. Use it almost everyday and its still new.
emilyjackson I find that what works best for hot yoga is to put a skidless by yogitoes on top of your mat.
I think Gaiam has good stuff, also they have good deals. ttp://savesave.net/?p=273
I’ve gone through two Prana Eco mats (the kitty wrecked the first one) and its been great. Just wish they made it in a 74 or 80 inch version since I’m taller than the mat.
One key aspect of mat care - keep it rolled and away from cats!
kiran look at the prana revolution. its 30" x 78". I checked it out after katrina’s reply and I’ m getting one as soon as prana new collection comes out (feb 1). Its only going to be available to buy from prana at that time. I love my black mat but always felt it was not wide enough.
Hello Everyone: I have enjoyed reading your reviews and found them very helpful. After reading your reviews, I purchased a new Black Pro Manduka yoga mat and its carrying case (designed to carry the Black Pro).
This mat is huge and heavy and I struggle with putting the mat into and taking it out of the bag. This may sound silly, but can ANYONE please give me suggestions as to how I can roll the mat in/out of the bag with ease? I don’t want to be the last person leaving the yoga studio! :lol:
Thank you.
What do you all think of the PrAna Revolution Yoga Mat?
I looked at the Black Mat you’ve all been discussing as I am looking for a thicker mat on which I can kneel and have less knee pain. The Black Mat sounds great, but considering the weight and how cumbersome it seems to be according to reviews on Amazon, I was guided to the above mat, which is a little easier to tote around. I’m willing to sacrifice a little thickness for ease of transport.
Anyone here tried this mat and like it? I am not concerned too much with slipping, so that’s not a huge factor for me.
Thanks!