| Manduka Mats are the most expensive, highest quality | | | | a studio, but not for hauling around. Manduka people |
| mats available on the market today. In addition to being | | | | listened to this complain and created lighter travel |
| the most expensive, they are also the heaviest and | | | | versions, which are less expensive and definitely less |
| bulkiest mats ever made. Is the manduka product | | | | durable. |
| worth its price? Is it a good idea to haul this chunky | | | | Thickness |
| piece of natural rubber that weighs like a small tire to | | | | The Manduka mat is 1/4" thick, which is perfect for |
| class? | | | | almost anybody. This thickness is considered to be |
| We performed a detailed analysis of the BlackMat Pro | | | | above average, adding to the weight. Some people, |
| (the top of the line Manduka product) to assist people | | | | however, may prefer a thicker mat for extra |
| who are hesitant to part with almost $90 for a yoga | | | | cushioning. Those who are just getting started and |
| mat. | | | | those used to pilates may need some time to adjust |
| Setting for our review: | | | | to this thickness. To us, a 1/4" thick mat is perfectly |
| During our review we tested the Manduka Mat during | | | | fine. |
| regular beginners practice, during an advanced | | | | Slipping |
| ashtanga secondary series and in a hot and steamy | | | | Most regular mats on the market today suffer from |
| Bikram yoga class. Our reviewers are mostly yoga | | | | one fatal flaw - once they get wet they loose surface |
| practitioners with years of experience. In order to stay | | | | traction. This is especially noticeable in hot yoga |
| as objective as possible we surveyed a few | | | | classes where people sweat excessively. There is a |
| beginners (though owners of manduka mats were | | | | number of solutions - wiping your mat, using a special |
| hard to find among regular beginners). | | | | yoga towel that absorbs moisture, or finding a mat that |
| The review and testing were conducted over a | | | | has a natural fabric surface. The manduka mat almost |
| relatively long period of time. We were fortunate | | | | does not suffer from this problem, the material is |
| enough to find an owner who invested into Manduka | | | | porous enough to absorb most of the moisture. During |
| Mats for her studio - not only did she let us practice on | | | | a hot yoga class we found that the sponge-like |
| several different Manduka products, we were also | | | | surface of the mat has an absorption limit, and once |
| able to ask other users about their experience with the | | | | it's reached moisture will start accumulating on the |
| Manduka Mat. | | | | mat's surface, creating an uncomfortable situation for |
| The review: | | | | heavy sweaters. To this day we don't know of any |
| The short version reads - yes, this mat is worth every | | | | mats that are completely sweat-proof. The Manduka |
| penny, but it's not for everyone. | | | | products do a pretty good job, but they are also not |
| The longer version is as follows- | | | | 100% absorbent. We also found a small problem with |
| Grip | | | | the mat' material - it absorbs moisture, and if not |
| The Manduka Mat is made from high-quality natural | | | | cleaned regularly, it will eventually start harboring |
| rubber blend, that is extremely durable and sticky | | | | bacteria in it's pores. This mat needs maintenance, at |
| enough for 99% of surfaces. Most mats are | | | | least once a month. |
| double-sided - this means they can't be too sticky, | | | | Appearance, other issues. |
| otherwise they would stick to your skin and make your | | | | As its name implies the BlackMat Pro is black like a tire. |
| practice really uncomfortable. The Manduka Mats | | | | The look is classic, but may not attract many |
| have two distinct surfaces - one for practice and one | | | | customers. On the other hand, we don't know any |
| for the floor. The floor part is extremely sticky and | | | | other mats in this category that have the same |
| attaches to the floor firmly, the other side's grip is more | | | | appearance, so your mat is guaranteed to stand out. |
| relaxed making your practice more enjoyable. We | | | | The Company have recently released a limited edition |
| weren't able to get this mat to bunch up under any | | | | Cherry version of their popular Manduka Mat at the |
| circumstances, making it the most stable mat we've | | | | same price. We would stick to a classic black. |
| ever tried. | | | | The mat is made of natural rubber, which has a natural |
| Weight | | | | smell that most people find quite unpleasant. After |
| This mat is heavy, the 71" version weighs almost 7 | | | | washing the mat as the manual suggested we still |
| pounds. Weight is an important factor in durability - the | | | | found to be rather smelly. This is a problem with all |
| material is very dense and will not wear out, and in | | | | rubber mats tested by YogaMatReviews, and it is |
| stability - the mat stays on the floor no matter what | | | | something a customer has to live with for the first few |
| you do. While the mat is extremely stable, the extra | | | | weeks of practice. The smell eventually goes away |
| weight can be a factor when you carry it to the class. | | | | and does not come back. |
| We think this mat is perfect for keeping at home or at | | | | |