If you’re looking for eco friendly yoga mats that are worth your practice and your penny, the Manduka eKO Yoga Mats may prove to be a good choice because of their comfort and durability. If you’re an eco-conscious yoga practitioner, you can rest easy that these yoga mats are earth – friendly: they are made of natural tree rubber, free from toxic foaming agents and plasticizers, and decompose completely.
Manduka has been an established yoga mat and accessories company for 10 years. It’s good to note that they spent three years developing the eKo yoga mat to be very yogi and earth – friendly. Being an eco-conscious practitioner, it would be good to know that the company you are purchasing from shares the same passion for the environment as you do. But being a pocket – conscious buyer, you would benefit from researching about a product’s pros and cons to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth too.
Pros
Wider. The Manduka eKO yoga mat is wider, longer and thicker than most eco friendly yoga mats. It’s 71 inches long and 26 inches wide which gives you more room to practice.- Durable and slip resistant. It features a closed cell durable surface and a sea grass texture on top making it slip – free.
- More cushion. The mat is 5mm thick with an open cell bottom giving your body more cushion.
- Stays flat. This mat doesn’t have “memory” from being rolled up so it lays flat on the floor.
- Chic colors. If you’re on the chic side, there are 9 available colors for you to choose from. Not necessary but stylish nevertheless.
- Durability. Most yogis who have used it for a long time attest to its durability which makes it a good value for money. Click on this link to purchase it from Amazon.com >>
Cons
- Rubbery smell. Of course, like most eco friendly yoga mats made of rubber, the Manduka eKO Yoga Mat initially has a distinct smell which might be pleasant or unpleasant depending on your scent tolerance. But this natural rubbery scent wears off quickly and you’ll find this yoga mat mostly scent free.
- Heavy. Others also find the eKO mat heavier than usual eco friendly yoga mats. This is because it was manufactured to be very durable while also providing a layer of cushion for the body thus adding to the mat’s weight.
Manduka eKO
Here are some reviews from people who bought the Manduka eKO mat:
Princess Peanut:
So I got the Manduka eKO mat after doing lots and lots of research on yoga mats. I’ve been getting serious with my yoga, so I wanted a mat that would last and provide me with the grip that I need. Please note that this mat is probably one of the heaviest mats out there (unless we are talking about the Manduka Black Mat, which is heavier), but it’s totally worth it. It feels like a thin mat, but it’s really cushy and supportive. Click here to read the full review >>
kdunn:
Several key points about this mat. 1) the odor was really bad at first so I left it outside on a covered porch for a couple of days to air out over a chair. The odor remained but was a bit less offensive. However, after several weeks in my studio, i no longer notice the smell, so it did in fact go away thankfully! 2) I like the surface of the mat, it’s a bit textured and not “sticky” but it works well for me and I don’t seem to slide as much in down dog. 3) love the green color! 3) it’s a little heavy to use as a travel mat so I keep it in my studio and use a lighter one for travel. Click here to read the full review >>
Who is this for?
While the eKO yoga mat is slip resistant, it is recommended for those who experience light to medium sweating. If you’re a heavy sweater, you may want to add a cotton towel on top of your mat or pick another yoga mat.
If you’re looking for a wider and longer eco friendly yoga mat with good cushion and a slip resistant surface, this mat is good for you.
Over – all, the Manduka eKO Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
