The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat is one of the top rated yoga mats on the market today. The company, Manduka, was founded on the simple idea that a better yoga mat could make a world of difference.
Manduka History
In 1997, Peter Sterios, an architect turned yogi, discovered a simple, elegantly designed black mat whose combination of firm grip and complete support revolutionized his yoga practice. In honor of the yoga masters who inspired him, he sought to share this amazing product with others.
The legendary Black Mat PRO (formerly known as the Black Mat) is celebrated as the world’s finest yoga mat. The Manduka Black Mat PRO and Manduka Pro are top notch yoga mats that ooze quality. The Manduka Pro line of yoga mats are about 2-3 times as think as most traditional Yoga mats. As far as we know and based on what we have seen, the Manduka is the thickest Yoga mat out there.
The retail price is $108 for the standard and $134 for the extra long, which might bring sticker shock to some, but if you want a yoga mat for life (It comes with a Lifetime Guarantee), you probably are not going to get a better one. It’s has a superior non-slip fabric-like finish unlike many less expensive yoga mats.
Is there a downside to the mat? Well IMO there is one. If you want a light yoga mat, this isn’t going to be it. The Pro weighs in at 7.5 lbs, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but try toting that around town on a bike and you will realize 7.5 lbs is more than you think.
Manduka also realized that people might want an even bigger mat, larger than 71″, so they created an extra long version, which translates into 85 inches vs 71. This bigger mat weighs 2 lbs more at 9.5 lbs.
Manduka Pro Yoga Mat Overview
- 7.5 lbs; 71″ long; 26″ wide; 1/4″ thick
- Zero-waste, sustainable yoga mat
- Backed by a Lifetime Guarantee
- Superior wear and longevity
- Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors
- Slip resistant, yet non-sticky, even when wet from light perspiration
- Provides stability on hard or soft surfaces
- Oeko-Tex certified, emissions-free manufacturing
- Available in two lengths, standard (71″) and long (85″)
Who is this mat for? The mat is for anyone who is a serious practitioner of yoga or someone who is looking for a mat that has a lot of cushioning. The mat is also great for doing at home workouts such as P90X.
Would we recommend the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat? Absolutely! So often people skimp on quality for price. With Yoga mats it’s no different, people often go for the cheaper model or brand, yet give them 6 months or a year and they end up having to replace theirs and spend even more money. With the Black Mat Pro, buy it and forget about needing another mat ever.
The only drawback we found to the larger size of this mat is that it can be cumbersome to carry, especial when traveling. There is however, an lighter alternative from Manduka, the eKO Lite Mat, which offers some of the same benefits but is thinner and half as heavy.
Basic Tips For Using The Manduka Mat
Let it Air-out: When you first get a Manduka mat, it will usually have a distinct smell that you may find a little overwhelming. Letting the mat air out for a few days will allow the smell to dissipate. Even though Manduka reports the mats are made from a zero-waste PVC, Oeko-Tex certified, and emissions-free, we feel it better to give the mat a little breathing room before use.
Give It A Scrub: Another way to help remove the odor and break in the new mat is to scrub both sides with coarse sea salt and then let it dry outside.
Transporting It: The Manduka mats are definitely high quality professional yoga mats. The downside is the mat is heavy, so getting a good yoga mat bag to transport you purchase is a great option. Not only will it make it easier to carry, it will also protect your investment. You can get bags directly from Manduka.
Where To Get The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
Find out more about the Manduka line of yoga mats
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