Manduka PROlite Yoga Mat – Best travel yoga mat

Simple the best travel yoga mat

Made from non-Amazon harvested, natural tree rubber
Most durable
Eco-friendly
Designed to provide the ultimate combination of cushion and grip
Developed over 3 years by yoga teachers
No PVC or toxic plasticizers
71 inches long, 26 inches wide, 5mm thick;
scent free (after initial break-in period)

Description
The Manduka PROLite yoga mat offers something new for eco-conscious yoga practitioners – a natural rubber, closed-cell mat that is designed for durability and comfort, and will decompose completely at the end of its useful life. The Manduka PROLite yoga mat is longer, wider and thicker than the average size yoga mat, providing more practice area. Free of toxic foaming agents and plasticizers commonly found in TPE, POE and other rubber mats, the eKO mat is designed to be kind to the earth and your practice. Note: Like any natural rubber mat there is an initial scent which will fade after an initial break in period. A new mat should be left unrolled when possible to accelerate the break-in period.

Yoga Mat Review

This is by far the best long travel yoga mat you can find. Featuring the high craftsmanship of the Manduka company, long-lasting durable natural material and less weight than most regular mats of this length, these mats can’t be praised more. Expect this yoga mat to be a little bulkier than your average travel mat due to its thicker material and bigger length.

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Last updated by admin at May 15, 2012.

{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

James E. White: Rating

This is an excellent mat. I recently bought mine and could feel the difference from the first practice. It is a tremendous step up from the garden variety $20 mat. There is another mat made that has more cushion than this one (I believe this company makes it too), but you may not need to shell out the extra $20 unless you have really sensitive joints/bones. With that in mind, I think this mat would suit most people’s needs. I practice on a hardwood floor using this mat and was completely comfortable. This mat is very effective for more sweat inducing forms of yoga. However, it is not fool proof. A person could still slip if he or she sweats profusely. I would then suggest the user to where a pair of socks (not the most “traditionally yogic” way of doing things but effective). Otherwise, this is a great mat for anyone who practices sweat inducing yoga regualarly.
Courtenay S. Brown: Rating

Is it possible to love a yoga mat? Indeed it is! I’ve been practicing yoga for 15 months (12 of which I spent on a Gaiam mat and 3 on a studio rental). While my Gaiam mat served me well at first, as a marathoner my knees are usually a bit sore. I dreaded any hands and knees poses. I purchased my Manduka mat on 3/11 as a birthday gift to self (and it arrived on 3/12 even with Amazon’s Super Saver Shipping – does it get any better?) and I’ve used it three times since. My knees, my hips, my spine are all singing the praises of the cushiness of this mat. I am sooooo glad I bought it, and thrilled to know it will last me two lifetimes. It is well worth the money yogis. I bought it in purple and I love the color. Namaste.
N. Iovino: Rating

I love my Manduka!!! It took an awful long time to get to me though… almost one month. If you’re in a rush to get one just go to your nearest yoga studio instead.. they all carry them just for not as cheap!! When I first got my mat my hands and feet were slipping while in Down Dog so I followed the care insturctions on the mat… I took a really heavy brush that I use to clean my shower and worked it in there until I could see it fading a little. Problem solved! This is by far though my best purchase from Amazon yet… I just wish it would have come as fast as the book do!
Aurore: Rating

I am very happy with my manduka purple lite mat…I had tried out a friend’s original black manduka mat and was hoping to get the same quality with a little less weight to carry around in the travel purple lite mat…I wasn’t dissapointed!

Manduka mats are so great because of their density…they provide the thicker cushioning other ‘thick’ mats do, but unlike other mats, they are also dense enough to support the wrists, which take alot of stress with a regular yoga practice. I recommend this mat to anyone who is regularly practicing yoga…the investment is worth it!
Freddie Barnes: Rating

This mat is great. My advice for all yogis that can’t keep their hands from slipping during downdog is to be a little patient or just creative. Rather than throwing your new (expensive) mat in the back corner of your closet. First, I recommend that you buy an organic degreaser. Give your mat a couple of sprays (not too much), give it a scrub with a brush, hose it off, and hang it out to dry. This should help. Option two is to put your mat in the washer on delicate cycle with cold water and baking soda. Don’t use soap unless you really want to be embarrassed the next time you start sweating in your sun salutes. I put my mat in the washer and haven’t had any problems, but I’m not sure if Manduka would actually endorse that. With that, and a little bit of wear and tear, you should end up with a solid mat.
D. Earles: Rating

I was new to yoga and shopped around to compare prices and ratings on yoga mats. I am impressed with Manduka’s quality and size and would recommend this mat to anyone. I wanted to start out with a good mat and this one did the trick.
Miguel A. Diez: Rating

This mat is excellent. At first it was a little slippery, but if you read the instructions and wash it and leave it in the sun, it comes alive. Recommend it to anyone who is tired of leaving little mat pieces on the floor.
Danielle Scher: Rating

This mat is great! The only downside to it for me is the weight. Although this mat is MUCH lighter than the Black Mat (which, though wonderful, is too large to be practical and too heavy to bring anywhere), it is still much heavier than the agoy eco mats that I am used to. Love it…not in purple, blue is best.! namaste
B. Whitsett: Rating

I recently purchased this mat, (as well as the manduka mat bag), based on recommendations from various people at my yoga studio. Truthfully, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. The mat feels solid during my practice, at the same time my knees and hips can feel the benefits of the extra padding. I was a little concerned that 3/8″ inch thickness wouldn’t provide enough cushioning, and that I should look for a mat 1/4″ thick. However, I’ve since tried some of these and though they are more dense they don’t feel as secure. Also, I don’t feel the need to carry around the extra weight inherent in the thicker mat. Finally, though I originally balked because this mat costs a bit more than others, when I considered how much athletic shoes cost, and how much I save by doing a barefoot workout, I went for it. I’m definately glad I did.
K. Anthony: Rating

What can you say about a Manduka? They are the best mats, especially the full size and weight mats. But they can be cumbersome. The Purple Lite is the perfect compromise: almost as cushy, almost as slip-proof, almost as roomy. Just, not quite. Alas, this makes the mat more portable!

I am a yoga fanatic, and have put my Manduka purple thru its paces. It is still in great shape, hundreds of classes later. And only during the sweatiest of hot classes does this mat get slippery. 9 months out of the year, no ashtanga rug or Yogitoes is needed. Brilliant!
Serena Lucchesi: Rating

I’ve been teaching for 1 1/2 years and this is my favorite mat so far. Four years ago I began with a Nike mat that I purchased at a sporting goods store. I appreciated the light weight and the measure marks; however when I kneeled I could feel the floor through it. My second mat was the black Manduka; I got very strong hauling that one around! The Purple Travel Manduka has been the best for me in terms of weight and density; I even took it to Bali and then to Chicago last year with no problem. I am now considering the eKO mat if it is not any heavier than the purple mat.
Amand Dorell: Rating

I love my new manduka mat, it is lighter then the black mat and seems to work as well.
Maria Ester Tavares: Rating

I loved it. It’s strong but light, and beautiful. It’s a pleasure to practice using it. I recommend for everyone, specially if you need to carry it.
B. Flores: Rating

I love the Manduka PurpleLite Mat. I debated between the thicker black Manduka mat (which is awesome) and the lighter purple one. I am happy with the purple one; it is much lighter and easier to carry to and from yoga. The purple mat is soft and comfy, I never need to use a towel to support my knees. It’s great and I would highly recomend it!
gwen: Rating

Honestly, the best mat ever and not too bulky! I bought one in 2003 and just now replacing it – lasted for 5 years!
OBM: Rating

This is my 1st Manduka and my 4th yoga mat. I will never own anything but the Manduka. I don’t slip during class, but more importantly, my knees and elbows do not hurt while on the floor. I just wish it was a little bit wider.
Gina M. Artese: Rating

This mat is very firm and dense and will last for years. Has excellent grip, but a little slippery when wet. Note to travelers; much heavier than most other mats…
Eric BVD: Rating

This mat hold up great. I just use it at the Yoga studio I teach and practice Yoga at. I have been practicing on it for about a year now and it hasn’t started to break up or stretch out, which is a common problem I’ve found over my years of practicing, even with other mats found in store that are priced about the same. Help build your practice with this great tool.
hollya: Rating

durable, lightweight, same texture as blackmat. I can barely notice a difference between this and the black mat. It is slightly less padded, but you can barely notice the difference. It is quite a bit skinnier as far as the width goes, but not a problem for me. Definitely better for using back and forth to class than the black mat would be. It is MUCH lighter! If you are doing downward dog correctly, you won’t really slip at all. If you aren’t in position correctly (too much weight in shoulders and hands), there will be a slight amount of slip when the mat is new. Once the coating wears off you’ll be good to go. I use the opposite side from the label (circular patterns) I find it less slippery from day one. This is as good as a mat will get! I’m a 5’7 female and the 71 inch works fine for me an my husband who is 6 ft. tall.
nancy brown: Rating

I have been a yoga student for 8 years and over time have used several different mats; nike, lululemon etc..

A month ago my yoga teacher suggested I buy a manduka travel-light mat for a firmer support under my feet; ILOVE IT! It is light and easy to carry and most importantly my balance has improved. It is firm but very comfortable! You will not be disappointed.
J. W. Pan: Rating

I absolutely love this mat. I’ve tried Manduka Pro, and it’s wonderful too. The only down side is the weight, so I decided to buy Prolite. The slightly decreased thickness of Prolite doesn’t compromise its comfortable level at all. Also I feel very sticky on it. But be careful, I guess the stickiness is variable among different persons. I have very dry hands, which makes me slippery on most mats at the beginning of my practice, including Lululemon The Mat. And I only sweat a little bit on my hands and feet when the practice prolongs, although my other body parts sweat like a pig. So Manduka mat is a perfect match for me. I feel very stable on it all along. But my husband also tried Manduka, and he complained at the beginning the mat felt sticky, but after his hands get wet by sweating, the mat became very slippery. Some reviewers below feel it’s very slippery like my husband, and some reviewers feel manduka is the best just like me. So I guess the differences in skin types bring in so polarized reviews on the stickiness of Manduka mat. My conclusion is: if you are a dry skin person, and you feel slippery on most mats before you sweat, Manduka probably will be the best mat you’ve ever had. But if you are an oily skin type, and you sweat a lot on your hands and feet, Manduka probably won’t fit you. Lululemon’s The Mat or Jade mat will be a better choice. If you could go to a yoga studio which provides Manduka mat for rental (like Yogaworks at New York) and try the mat for one yoga class, that’s the best way to tell.
Cindy: Rating

I couldn’t be happier with my Manduka PROlite mat. It offers comfortable and solid support to my Ashtanga practice. As they warn you, I slid a bit on my first few uses (so I suggest sticking to an easier class or working it in at home), but since then I’ve found it to be a very sticky mat and haven’t had any problems. While it is thicker and heavier than a lot of mats out there, I regularly carry it to and from the studio in my yoga bag (and I am very petite). I chose the Pinot color, which is a pretty red that leans more cherry/pink than poppy/orange.
sobepeace: Rating

i bought this mat in the hopes of enjoying the benefits of the high density “black mat” made by manduka without the bulkiness of that mat. first of all, either of the manduka mats is far better than the versions other companies have produced in response to the mat’s popularity. there is not the heavy industrial smell to the mat that can get in the air, your clothes, and skin. their density makes it far and away a completely different experience than the typical yoga mat. they are more stable and cushion without being squishy. they are very sturdy and resilient and will last a long time, so your yoga mats will not end up littering the environment over time. between the two manduka mats, i favor this one because it is much easier to transport and store and i do not notice any loss of comfort from the slight difference in thickness (3/16″ instead of 1/4″). if you are taller or heavier than average, do very vigorous yoga workouts, or have particularly sensitive joints, you might prefer the manduka black mat, particularly as it comes in an extra long style. but i found this mat at least as stable (perhaps more so), and more versatile, just the thing for a secure and comfortable support for yoga. another option in using this mat is to lay a cotton yoga rug on top of it. the cotton absorbs sweat and can be washed easily, so your mat will last even longer and you get a more natural feel against the skin during practice. cotton rugs are the traditional support for yoga, particularly ashtanga, and this mat and rug combination is often recommended by fine teachers as the best way to get the best of both worlds. if that’s not enough, the $45 price i paid through amazon is far better than i saw in stores or other websites. you just can’t go wrong with this mat.
Alise Frye: Rating

The Manduka purple travel mat is literally the best yoga mat available. It is worth every extra cent over your standard sticky mat. Not only will your practice benefit, you wont have to buy another mat for a long time, if ever, as opposed to shelling out for a sticky mat every 4 months. I have a very bony spine that does not allow me to roll comfortably on other mats; I don’t feel a thing on this mat. Plus the purple travel mat is significantly lighter than the orginal black Manduka, without a loss in performance. Don’t hesitate to buy this mat.
Wim Rumping: Rating

I found that this mat had a much longer break in period than any other mat that I’ve owned. However, now that it’s broken in, I am so happy with it! I honestly don’t think I’ll be buying a different brand again. It will probably be awhile before my next yoga mat purchase, but my next one will be a Manduka.
Brook: I think Khataland’s yofomat is a better travel mat, though I like Manduka mats too. Their mats are truly foldable, into a book-sized block, and are extra long and thick for real yoga pratitioners. The folding lines can be used to align your body, and when folded the side that touches the ground will not touch the other side. Very clean. It fits into a large hand bag conveniently. In a yoga studio, the stacking of these book-like mats will be much easier than the rolls. Just my 2 cents.