2E Cork Affinity Alignment Mat
This natural rubber and cork mat is soft, buoyant, grippy, durable, hygienic, easy to clean and totally eco-friendly. What more could you ask for? “Maybe a complimentary jute carry strap?” Ok, we’ll throw that in too.
What gives the Second Earth cork mat the edge over the competition?
Second Earth wanted to set a new standard for cork mats, so they went a little further with the 2E ‘Affinity’. They decided it was worth the extra investment to use a super high-density and exceptionally fine cork grain which means the 2E ‘Affinity’ is far more durable and resilient than a typical cork mat. Similarly, they invested in a very high-density layer of natural rubber beneath the cork which again elevates the 2E ‘Affinity’s functionality and quality.
Extra Detail
Want more? Ok here are just a few reasons why you should welcome the 2E ‘Affinity’ into your practice.
Planet Friendly: The 2E ‘Affinity’ is 100% sustainable, eco-friendly and biodegradable. It’s completely free of nasty toxins and contains no PVC, plasticisers, glues or binding agents.
Bonus planetary information
The cork in the 2E ‘Affinity’ comes from the bark of the Cork Oak Tree in Portugal. It’s harvested sustainably from cork farms by stripping bark off the tree without damaging the tree itself. The bark starts to regenerate straight away and can be harvested every 9 years. Cork trees live for over 200 years and have an amazing ability to store a huge amount of carbon. Stripping the bark periodically enhances the tree’s ability to absorb carbon and therefore the Cork Oak Tree plays a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gasses.
The natural rubber is sourced ethically and sustainably from rubber tree farms located in Thailand and Malaysia. The trees are harvested sustainably and are not from tropical rainforests.
Naturally antibacterial: The surface of the 2E ‘Affinity’ is 100% cork. Cork is naturally antibacterial which means it resists the growth of mould, bacteria and odours. In fact, a recent study found that after 90 minutes, cork reduced 97% of the bacteria on its surface. Amaze. But what’s really awesome is that cork actually repels dirt and grease so it naturally stays clean and hygienic. I wish my house was made of cork...
Grip: The cork surface of the 2E ‘Affinity’ provides amazing grip for all types of yoga. The secret to this grip is a waxy substance called Suberin which occurs naturally in cork. When cork gets wet Suberin is released so the more you sweat, the more it grips. To maximise the grip before your practice you can spritz your mat with a clean water or cork mat spray. The cork and natural rubber work beautifully together to ensure any excess moisture won’t pool on the mat.
Look and Feel: The 2E ‘Affinity’ has a clean and elegant look with natural tones. It looks right at place in a beautiful natural home yoga space. The cork surface is super grippy but it’s also soft and smooth. And they've added some alignment lines to the mat to help guide your practice.
Every cubic centimetre of cork consists of approximately 40 million air-filled cells. That’s a cool fact. This makes cork great at absorbing pressure and shocks and therefore perfect for yoga.
The cork surface is backed by a high-density layer of natural rubber which means the mat rolls out flat every time and won’t slide around. The natural rubber backing works perfectly with the cork to provide a soft and cushioned feel that’s perfect for all styles of yoga.
Durability: The cork and natural rubber combination is incredibly durable and resilient. Cork naturally repels dirt and mould which keeps it in good condition for a very long time. Remember cork comes from the bark of the Cork Oak Tree which can live over 200 years, so it’s got to be tough! Second Earth also chose to use a high-density and very fine cork grain in our mats which means the 2E ‘Affinity’ is far more durable than a typical cork mat.
Strap: Because you deserve it, there's a complimentary jute carry strap with every mat. So after class you can sling your 2E ‘Affinity’ over your shoulder and free up your hands to receive all the high fives coming your way for having such a beautiful mat 😊.
Care Instructions
Cork is naturally antimicrobial which means it resists the growth of mould, bacteria and odours and therefore naturally stays hygienic which makes cleaning easy.
For optimum performance and long life, you should keep your mat dry and stored in a ventilated and shady place, ideally indoors. These mats don’t like to stay wet for long so if your mat is wet, let it completely air-dry naturally in a shady place and avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
If you want to keep it simple, you can wash the mat down with clean water and a soft cloth.
If you want something a little stronger I recommend our Cleanse yoga mat spray or you can use any of the natural cleaners available. I just don’t recommend using anything with harsh chemicals or soap. When washing the mat down please be gentle as regular vigorous washing may cause damage to the surface of the mat.
L: 183cm W: 61cm Thickness: 4.2 mm
Weight: 2.3kg
Product details
- 100% natural rubber and cork
- Naturally antibacterial. Cork resists the growth of micro-organisms like mould, bacteria and odours
- Eco-friendly, biodegradable and planet friendly
- Sustainably and ethically harvested raw materials
- Non-toxic: completely free of PVC, TPE, plasticisers, glues and binding agents
- Grippy. The more you sweat, the more the cork grips
- Alignment lines to guide your practice
- Safe for children and pregnant women
- Complimentary jute carry strap included.
