Yoga mat sandals are cushioned casual flip-flops built with a soft memory-foam footbed that mimics the feel of a yoga mat — and the name comes from Sanuk’s Yoga Mat line, not from any use during yoga practice.
The name trips people up. A shopper pictures a grippy practice mat strapped to their feet, or a sandal meant for sun-salutation sessions on a studio floor. Neither is right. Yoga mat sandals are everyday, beach-ready, slip-on footwear whose defining part is a moldable, sponge-soft footbed — the cushioning under your sole, not a workout tool.
The clearest way to understand yoga mat material sandals is to separate the branding from the build. What follows covers what the footbed actually is, what the sandals cost, where the recycled content sits, and the claims you should not repeat.
What Does “Yoga Mat Material” Actually Mean In These Sandals?
“Yoga mat material” describes the footbed concept and branding, not the whole sandal. Sanuk markets the footbed as made with “real yoga mat-erials,” while retailer listings call that same layer memory foam inspired by a cushy yoga mat.
No source reviewed names a single standardized polymer for the footbed. So it is wrong to say the sandal is made of a conventional PVC, TPE, natural-rubber, or polyurethane yoga mat. The build is layered instead:
- A soft, moldable memory-foam footbed — the part that earns the yoga-mat name.
- Upper straps or synthetic upper material holding the foot in place.
- An EVA midsole and a separate rubber or sponge-rubber outsole under it all.
Treat “memory foam” as memory foam, not as proof of a disclosed yoga-mat polymer. That distinction matters when a product description leans hard on the yoga-mat phrasing.
What Do Yoga Mat Sandals Cost And Where Does The Recycled Content Sit?
Prices vary by model and swing sharply with retailer sales, so check the live listing before you buy. Sanuk lists the women’s Yoga Mat II at a $39.95 regular price, the youth Yoga Mat at $25.95 regular, and REI shows the women’s Yoga Mat II Flip-Flops at a $40.00 comparison price with a temporary $29.97 outlet price.
| Model | Listed Price | Notable Build Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga Mat II – Women | $39.95 regular (Sanuk) | Memory-foam footbed; Happy U wave-tread outsole with 53% recycled material |
| Yoga Mat II Flip-Flops – Women | $40.00 comparison, $29.97 outlet (REI) | Three-point upper straps; GRS-certified polyester jersey lining; EVA midsole |
| Yoga Mat – Youth | $25.95 regular, $11.68 sale (Sanuk) | Synthetic-leather strap; tie-dye jersey lining; 53% recycled sponge-rubber outsole |
Recycled content is model-specific, so do not generalize it. Sanuk specifies 53% recycled material in the Happy U wave-tread sponge-rubber outsole, and REI separately identifies GRS-certified polyester lining on the listed women’s flip-flop. That outsole figure is a single component, not the whole shoe. Sanuk’s Yoga Mat II product page spells out the full footbed and outsole description for the women’s model.
If you want to compare models side by side before committing, our tested roundup of yoga mat sandals lays out the options in one place.
Where Do Yoga Mat Sandals Fit — And What They Are Not?
Yoga mat sandals are casual footwear for the beach, travel, and everyday wear. REI categorizes the women’s Yoga Mat II as casual, with open toes and slip-on closure, and neither the manufacturer nor the retailer frames them as athletic, hiking, water-sport, or orthopedic shoes.
That means the open-toe, thong-style build gives less protection than a closed shoe. The available specs make no claim about toe protection, puncture resistance, industrial slip resistance, or suitability for running or technical trails. A “supportive arch cookie” is a comfort feature — not evidence of therapeutic or orthopedic support, and not a fix for a specific foot condition.
Care instructions, washing temperatures, warranty duration, and chemical-composition disclosures are not published in the sources reviewed. Do not assume the sandals are PVC-free, latex-free, or fully recyclable unless a model-specific official page confirms it.
Common Questions
Can You Wear Yoga Mat Sandals During Yoga?
They are not designed for that. The products are positioned as casual, beach, and everyday footwear, and the specs make no claim of grip or stability for a practice mat. For studio sessions, a dedicated yoga mat or bare feet works better. Think of these as comfy flip-flops that borrow a yoga mat’s softness, not workout gear.
Are All Yoga Mat Sandals Made Of The Same Material?
No. The footbed is a branded, memory-foam-style layer, not one standardized polymer, and builds vary by model. The women’s flip-flop and the youth sandal differ in upper, lining, and price. Check the specific model’s product page before assuming its composition or recycled-content figures match another version in the line.
Do These Sandals Offer Real Arch Support?
The arch cookie is a comfort feature, not orthopedic support. Neither Sanuk nor REI presents the sandals as corrective or therapeutic footwear. If you need medical-level arch support or have a specific foot condition, speak with a clinician and consider footwear built for that purpose. The cushioning here is soft, casual comfort.
Sources
- Sanuk. “Yoga Mat II – Women’s Flip-Flops and Sandals.” Source for the women’s $39.95 price and the 53% recycled outsole.
- Sanuk. “Yoga Mat – Kids’ Flip-Flops & Sandals.” Source for the youth price, synthetic-leather strap, and tie-dye lining.
- REI Co-op. “Sanuk Yoga Mat II Flip-Flops – Women’s.” Source for the comparison and outlet prices, EVA midsole, and GRS-certified lining.