ridgeback yoga rug - No Microfiber

ridgeback® No Microfiber

While designing and developing a non-slipping alternative to the yoga towel that has grip, absorbency and distraction-free qualities – we consciously kept microfiber out the question, for 2 main reasons:

  1. It doesn’t work. Yes, it’s soft, snuggly, lightweight, and folds up great in your pack on the way to yoga class in all the colors of the pallet. Even with the 'grippy' dots, prints, they really don’t function well. They slip around (even the ones that say anti-slip), bunch up and twist when you flow or go to flip your dog, and there really is nothing to help you grip, and holds bacteria even through wash to make it stink – because of the synthetic microfiber. You’ll really come to appreciate that after using a ridgeback® as we have a 2-ply 100% cotton base that is ultra absorbent, tactile for grip, and doesn't stink and it won't move.
  2. Microfiber is not good for the planet. Really. We all want what’s best for the planet, and I’m certain that anyone reading this (or writing it) isn’t perfect. It’s a constant balance of decisions. The better alternative is using natural fibers that our intentionally designed and handwoven with such as the ridgeback® yoga rug.

Environmental and safety issues of Microfiber below for more info:

Microfiber yoga towels are made from petrochemicals (not a renewable resource and are not biodegradable) includes polyester and nylon. While microfiber made from polypropylene can be recyclable, they have the potential of entering the oceanic water supply and food chain similar to other micro-plastics. Yoga towels are washed after every use where they can release materials and travel to local wastewater treatment plants, contributing to plastic pollution in water.

There are serious environmental concerns about microfiber products entering the oceanic food chain similar to other micro-plastics. A study by Patagonia clothing and University of California, Santa Barbara, found that when synthetic jackets made of microfibers are washed, on average 1.7 grams (0.060 oz) of microfibers are released from the washing machine. These microfibers then travel to local wastewater treatment plants, where up to 40% of them enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans where they contribute to the overall plastic pollution. Microfibers account for 85% of man-made debris found on shorelines worldwide.

Microfiber environmental concerns:

  • Enter the oceanic food chain similar to other micro-plastics.
  • When washed, microfibers travel to local wastewater treatment plants.
  • Up to 40% of microfibers enter into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • Microfibers account for 85% of man-made debris found on shorelines worldwide.  

Multiple Towels per yogi

If you practice yoga in a heated environment and use a towel, chances are you have multiple. People have not just 1 or 2, regular yogis own many.  They are washed after every use. They are cheap, ranging from $20-$70, but we bought many. With a ridgeback® yoga rug, a yogi needs just 1.

Reality using yoga towel

Every yoga towel claims to be non-slip and super absorbent.  The mat won’t absorb any sweat, so any towel helps a little, but the reality is any yoga towel will slip around, move about your entire practice, be soaked with sweat and even pooled with sweat puddles on top after many uses and washes.  And, they stink and get washed after every use. The ridgeback® won’t move, won’t pool, won’t stink.