Alo Yoga · Yoga & Exercise Mats
Alo Yoga Grounded No-slip Mat Towel - Eclipse
Skip until brand discloses no-slip and waterproof treatment chemistry.
Yoga mat towels typically use waterproof and no-slip coatings that may contain PFAS, but Alo Yoga provides no transparency on treatment composition. Without lab testing or brand disclosure, risk level cannot be assessed.
The better-graded swap
Retrospec
Retrospec Solana Yoga Mat Thick w/Nylon Strap for Men & Women
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester/nylon blend with no-slip coating, waterproof treatment unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Flame retardants
No-slip coatings on polyester/nylon textiles sometimes contain brominated or organophosphate flame retardants to meet flammability standards. Alo Yoga has not disclosed whether this mat contains flame retardants, and direct skin contact during use creates a route for dermal absorption if present.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester/nylon blends may be treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins during dyeing or finishing to improve color fastness and wrinkle resistance. No disclosure is available for this product; formaldehyde exposure is most acute when the mat is new and off-gassing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
The Eclipse colorway (dark, likely black or dark gray) may contain azo dyes or heavy-metal pigment catalysts if not certified to OEKO-TEX or equivalent standards. Alo Yoga provides no third-party testing badge; unreacted dye molecules can migrate onto skin with perspiration during use.
Source, FDA ↗Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Synthetic no-slip coatings on yoga mats and towels are documented to shed microparticles over time, especially with friction and washing. These particles may be inhaled or ingested; composition depends on the unknown coating formulation, making risk assessment impossible without disclosure.
PFAS
The waterproof treatment is not specified and Alo Yoga has not disclosed its chemistry. Waterproofing on textiles is historically dominated by PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS, Gen-X alternatives); this mat's 'Poor' PFAS grade reflects likely reliance on these substances, which leach into skin and the environment during use and washing.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This mat is a polyester/nylon blend with a no-slip coating and waterproof treatment, but Alo Yoga has not disclosed the specific chemical formulations of either finish. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer with low inherent hazard, but the coatings applied to create grip and water resistance are where chemical risks concentrate. Without disclosure, the no-slip layer could contain flame retardants, silicones, or PFAS-based water repellents, all of which have known health and environmental concerns in textile applications.
The brand's record and disclosure
Alo Yoga has not publicly disclosed treatment chemistry for this product or similar lines, and maintains silence on PFAS use across its product range. The brand has no known third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) that would independently verify absence of restricted chemicals. This lack of transparency is a notable gap for a premium-priced brand in an increasingly chemical-conscious market.
How it compares in its category
Yoga towels and mats span a wide spectrum, natural-fiber blends (cotton, linen, jute) typically carry lower chemical treatment loads, while synthetic grips and coatings introduce more unknowns. This product's polyester/nylon base is common in performance textiles, but many competitors (Manduka, Lululemon, even some Amazon basics) provide either material transparency or third-party testing badges. Alo's premium positioning makes the absence of disclosure more conspicuous than in budget alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash before first use to remove manufacturing residues and loose dyes. Machine wash warm, lay flat to dry, and avoid high heat or prolonged sun exposure, which can accelerate degradation of synthetic coatings. Do not use near open flame or high-temperature surfaces. Replace if the no-slip coating begins to peel, crack, or flake, as ingestion of coating fragments during yoga practice is possible, particularly if the coating contains flame retardants or other additives.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Alo Yoga has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Yoga & Exercise Mats
Premium Yoga Cork Mat 5mm Thick Natural Tree Rubber Base and Bigger Mat for Extra Support
natural tree rubber, cork surface
Microbial growth (mold, mildew)
Limited concern
Latex protein allergenicity
Moderate concern
Cork dust inhalation (minor)
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural tree rubber and cork are not materials linked to PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Sticky Yoga Mat 3mm & 4.5mm With Mat Carry Strap - Blue - 3mm
PVC or natural rubber base, adhesive grip surface
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Bacterial and mold growth in grip surface
Limited concern
Surface degradation and microfiber/particle release
Limited concern
Yoga mats typically lower PFAS risk; no red flags identified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
All in Motion
Yoga Mat Rubber
Rubber (likely natural or synthetic rubber)
Natural rubber latex allergen (if natural rubber composition)
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from surface degradation
Limited concern
Lower concern; rubber mats rarely need PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More yoga & exercise mats grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.