Yoga mat FAQ: size, grip, materials and care
Everything about URCA natural rubber yoga mats, shipping and returns.
URCA is a European yoga mat brand that makes PVC-free yoga mats with a natural rubber base and four surface options: PU, coir-infused PU, natural cork and suede microfiber. The founders spent twenty years practicing and manufacturing between Asia and Europe. URCA ships to all EU countries.
Most URCA mats are 183 × 68 cm (72 × 26.8 in) and 4.5 mm thick. The RAW cork mats (GRRR and Sinapsys) are 183 × 66 cm and 4 mm thick. All are wider than the common 61 cm (24 in) standard, so you have more room for wide stances and transitions. The Da Mao Travel version is also full-length but only 1.5 mm thick.
URCA 4.5 mm mats weigh about 2.8 kg and the GRRR cork mat weighs 2.65 kg, heavy enough to stay flat on the floor without sliding. The Da Mao Travel 1.5 mm is much lighter and folds to fit in a backpack or carry-on.
4.5 mm is the right thickness for most yoga styles: enough cushioning for knees and wrists, but firm enough for balance poses. Most URCA mats are 4.5 mm; the RAW cork mats are 4 mm. If you travel often or want a hygienic layer over studio mats, choose the Da Mao Travel 1.5 mm.
Every URCA mat has a natural rubber base and one of four surfaces: PU (polyurethane) on the Breath collection, for strong, immediate grip that increases with sweat; coir-infused PU on Animates and ZERO, for raw, textured grip from the first touch, wet or dry; 100% natural cork on the RAW collection (GRRR, Sinapsys), for dry grip that improves with light moisture; suede microfiber on the Heat collection (Da Mao), whose grip activates with sweat. No PVC, no foam, no toxic additives. Every mat comes with a carry strap.
Yes, URCA mats contain natural rubber, which contains latex proteins. If you have a latex allergy, ask your doctor before using any natural rubber mat, including ours.
Yes. URCA mats are PVC-free and made with natural rubber, which biodegrades far faster than PVC. Designs are made with eco-printing and laser engraving, without polluting processes.
URCA mats use natural rubber instead of PVC or TPE. Compared with PVC, natural rubber is biodegradable and free of plasticizers. Compared with TPE, it is denser and heavier, so the mat stays flat and does not slide or bunch up during dynamic flows. The trade-off is the weight (about 2.8 kg) and the natural rubber smell when new.
Yes. PU, coir and cork surfaces grip from the first touch. The Da Mao microfiber surface grips best with moisture: for dry practice, a light water spray improves traction.
Natural rubber has a harmless characteristic scent when new, which fades within a few days or weeks. Unroll the mat and let it air out in the shade, away from direct sun.
Wipe it after each practice with a soft cloth and water or a gentle mat spray. For a deeper clean every few weeks, use mild natural soap diluted in water, then let it air dry completely before rolling it up. Avoid essential oils directly on the mat, harsh detergents, rough sponges and direct sun.
No. Machine washing damages natural rubber and PU. Clean it by hand only: it is quick and much better for the lifespan of the mat.
A light wipe after each practice is ideal, and a deeper clean every few weeks is enough for most people. If you practice outdoors or sweat heavily, clean it slightly more often.
With proper care, an URCA mat lasts for years of regular practice. Natural rubber ages naturally over time without losing performance. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which speeds up rubber ageing.
URCA mats are PVC-free and made with natural rubber, which is biodegradable. At the end of their life they can be reused as kneeling pads, pet mats or cushioning for DIY projects.
Which mat should I choose?
Find the right URCA mat for your practice.
For hot yoga, Bikram or very sweaty practice, choose the Da Mao microfiber mat (Heat collection) or a Breath mat (PU surface). Microfiber grips more the more you sweat; PU gives strong grip from the first pose and increases as you warm up.
For fast, dynamic flows choose Breath (PU) or Animates (coir-infused PU). Both give immediate non-slip grip, dry or sweaty, and the natural rubber base keeps the mat locked to the floor during jump-backs.
All URCA mats work well for beginners: they give strong grip, stable cushioning and stay flat on the floor. ZERO is a great first choice if you want one mat for everything: yoga, pilates, strength training and stretching, with a coir-infused surface that grips immediately, wet or dry, and a laser-engraved centre line to help alignment (€86). If you have dry hands, avoid starting with the Da Mao microfiber mat: its grip activates with sweat and moisture, so it can feel slippery at the beginning of a dry practice.
The RAW cork mats (GRRR and Sinapsys) are the most natural URCA option: a 100% natural cork surface on a natural rubber base, with no synthetic coating. Cork is renewable, naturally antibacterial and gives a warm, dry grip. They cost €84.50. Roll cork mats, do not fold them.
Yes. At 4.5 mm, URCA mats work well for mat pilates and core work, and ZERO is designed for yoga, pilates and strength training. For long kneeling work, add a folded towel or a cork block under the knees.
The Da Mao Travel 1.5 mm is the URCA travel mat: full-length, lightweight, and it folds flat to fit in a backpack or carry-on. It also works as a hygienic layer over gym or studio mats. It costs €76.
Yes. URCA sells natural cork yoga blocks measuring 23 × 15 × 7.5 cm: the URCA Natural Cork Block (€19) and the GRRR and Sinapsys blocks (€24), designed to match the RAW cork mats.
Yes. URCA rents yoga mats and blocks for events, retreats and corporate sessions. See the Rental page on urca.shop.
URCA mats cost from €76 to €118: Da Mao Travel €76, RAW cork mats €84.50, ZERO €86, Breath and Da Mao Classic €92, Animates €118.
Orders
Clear answers about orders, shipping times and what happens next.
You can change or cancel your order within 15 minutes of placing it by emailing hello@urca.shop. After that it may already be in processing, but contact us anyway and we will do our best.
Email hello@urca.shop immediately. If the order has not shipped yet, we can update the address.
Yes. URCA offers wholesale and studio partnerships for yoga studios, teachers, gyms and concept stores. Contact hello@urca.shop.
Shipping & Returns
How shipping and returns work. Simple and transparent.
URCA ships to all countries in the European Union.
Delivery in the EU usually takes 2–6 business days. Orders placed before 12:30 CET on a business day usually ship the same day, and you receive a tracking link by email. Shipping is currently free on all URCA products as a limited launch offer.
You can return unused items in their original condition and packaging within 30 days of delivery. Email hello@urca.shop with your order number to start a return. Return shipping is paid by the customer unless the item is defective or incorrect. Refunds go to the original payment method within 7–10 business days of receipt.
Email hello@urca.shop with your order number and photos of the damage, and we will resolve it quickly. In this case return shipping is on us.