hot yoga
Nothing to be messed with. This is an intensely-hot, super-sweaty form of yoga, and it requires only the best yoga gear. Below, we talk function, durability, design, and sustainability.
BEST MAT: Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm
Our resident hot yoga instructor loves this mat, and uses it exclusively for her practice. It’s reversible, with coordinating patterns on each side. One side has an extra layer that absorbs sweat, so your hands won’t slip (at all!) during downward facing dog, no matter how sweaty you or the mat become. The other side is great for less-sweaty practices, and has a little more cushion. The mat has an open-cell structure that creates the sweat-absorption and grip, so you’ll want to clean it with non-toxic, natural products. How we clean ours: fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of fragrance-free, bleach-free laundry detergent, and spray all over. Then take a soaking wet cloth and scrub it down. Air-dry, and it’s good to go. As for sustainability, it’s not wonderful. While we appreciate that it’s 61% natural rubber, the 15% polyurethane is what makes it so incredibly non-slip.
BEST TOWEL: Manduka Yogitoes Yoga Towel
No other yoga towel we’ve found compares to this one. We’ve used ours again and again and again and it STILL works just as well as the first time we used it! It’s seriously non-slip, meaning no matter how sweaty your mat, your hands, or the room around you becomes, you will hold that Downdog like a pro. It comes in lots of colors, is super easy to wash (like, just throw it in with your other towels) and lasts for a looong time.
Even better: this company has a big focus on sustainability. This towel is made from at least 8 recycled plastic water bottles, and is made with non-toxic dyes. Their products are largely recycled, plant-based, and organic. What’s not to love?
BEST DEODORANT: Primally Pure & Salt and Stone (it’s a tie!)
We’ve been using these two brands for YEARS, and have yet to find a fault. Both hold up incredibly well during hot yoga sessions (seriously, we didn’t stink after 75 straight minutes of sweating), although the overall scent of Salt and Stone lasts a little longer. Both are free of harmful ingredients, and stand for putting only pure, healthy things on and in our bodies. We’re addicted to both these brands, and love that they’re functional AND ethical.
BEST BOTTLE: Tempercraft 32oz Bottle
We chose this as our number one pick for a few reasons. First of all, it keeps cold beverages cold, even during long hot yoga sessions. Second, it has a large screw-top mouth, so it’s really easy to fill up, which means if you’re using the water fountain at your studio to fill up, you won’t have to worry about drenching yourself in the process. Bonus: there’s an additional, smaller spout to drink from, so you won’t slosh your drink all over you as you grab a sip between poses. And third, best of all, it’s got a WIDE, flat, bottom. So when you stretch out into Savasana at the end of class, yours won’t be the water bottle that topples over.
Tempercraft is a part of 1% For the Planet, meaning they also have a focus on sustainability. They acquire another cause each year to participate in, champion, and donate to (last year they joined Clean Water Fund, this year they’ve added on Friends of the Columbia George too). Clean water, clean bottle, clean planet.