For yogis who are ready to level up their level to the majors, the Manduka PRO Yoga Mat might be the last mat they’ll ever have to get. I’d heard that this was the “Taj Mahal” of yoga mats from my yoga teachers— Manduka seems to have actually coined this term itself– as well as I wondered to see what that might perhaps suggest. Could this be the mat that obtained me right into a handstand? We bought Manduka PRO Mats so our expert customer might extensively test and also assess it. Keep reading for our full item evaluation.
Grip
When you get a brand-new Manduka PRO Mat, the mat you get back with is not precisely the mat you have actually paid money for. That legendary mat, the “Taj Mahal of mats,” comes at a later point, once you even could break it in. It’s going to take a lot of practice to obtain her there, though. When new, the substantial, closed–cell construction has virtually no grasp whatsoever.
While the ideal “barging in” is done with heavy usage, Manduka includes instructions for how to fast-track the process with a salt rub. I covered the mat in coarse salt and also allowed it to sit for 24 hours before removing it with a damp cloth, as directed. Manduka claims that you can repeat as required, but how much labor should a customer anticipate to take into a brand-new, costly yoga exercise mat to get it into useful form? Could Manduka possibly have done some of this job?
I proceeded to my first power yoga class after just one salt rub; however, I regretted it. The mat was so slippery that it was unusable without a yoga towel at both the mat’s head and foot. Once my hands and feet began to sweat, it felt hazardous, even with the towels. I couldn’t wait for class to be over. Could merely a couple of more salt scrubs make this tenable? In contrast to the Sharklet Yoga Mat, which has an excellent grasp on both its leading and bottom, whether hands are dry or soaked with sweat, can help get a strong presence. Maybe I should try to do hot yoga with Manduka PRO Mats.
For my testimonial, I begrudgingly exercised on the mat five even more times, and the slipping never boosted. My expectations were too high from the start; however, I was truly amazed by the total absence of grip. I’ve heard that it takes time to barge in the PRO– more than six sessions– yet that as soon as it’s been barged in, it’s sticky grippy happiness. To a much more informal yogi, that seems like a lot of diligence to request an unsafe mat, yet I think “pro” is in the name. Laid-back yogis wage caution.
Convenience: Thick, secure, and also incredibly dense.
The Manduka PRO lacks traction, it makes up for high-density, comfortable support. Of all the mats I reviewed, the PRO had the highest possible stability-to-comfort ratio. Ultra-dense cushioning provides superior support, stability, and joint protection. The 6 millimeters of extra padding cushioned without pressing, so it was terrific for poses that put a lot of strength on the arm joints and knees.
Portability.
Hauling around the 71-inch mat throughout the day made me pleased I had not opted for the 85-inch version. Truly. At 7.5 pounds of firm, 6 mm thick PVC, the 71-inch mat asks to be saved at a studio, used at home, or at the very least chauffeured around in a car and truck. And also the 85-inch mat is 2 pounds larger!
Sturdiness.
Created and assured to last a lifetime, I give the PRO the highest marks for Durability. It’s ensured not to flake, fade, or peel off with time over, regular usage, abuse, and salt rubs. It’s a pretty sure indication that it’s not going to fall apart quickly when you’re instructed to beat something up before use. My friend who’s shown yoga on this mat for years states hers still looks fresh as well.
A word concerning using PVC in yoga mats: PVC does not biodegrade in garbage dumps, and it can be infamously challenging, and even environmentally harmful, to recycle. Though PVC isn’t an excellent eco-friendly product, by constructing a mat to last a lifetime, Manduka aims to reduce total consumption and waste. You can undoubtedly make yoga mats from eco-friendly materials, such as sustainably sourced rubber or cork, like the Sharklet Yoga Mat and Jade Harmony Yoga Mat. It’s worth keeping in mind that this mat is latex-free and OEKO-TEX-certified, suggesting it consists of no hazardous chemicals.
Ease of Cleaning
The closed-cell construction prevents sweat and bacteria from seeping into the mat, however, you’ll still require to clean up the mat often– ideally after every use. Manduka recommends that you spray the mat with water after exercise, clean it with a damp towel, as well as allow it to air dry before rolling it. Soaking, immersing, and even bathing the PRO might harm it and also invalidate the lifetime service warranty, so remember to bring your mat in from the porch if the clouds roll in.
Cost
The Taj Mahal of yoga mats isn’t going to come low-cost. At around $120, this mat is a quite severe investment in your yoga practice. It’s dense, really reliable, as well as assured to last a lifetime.
However, if you aren’t prepared to spend much time practicing and breaking it in, you aren’t going to get a great return on your financial investment. The laid-back yogi, and even a semi-pro with sweatier hands, is just going to get discouraged with a slippery surface.
Manduka PRO vs. Manduka GRP.
Manduka GRP Yoga Mat: Resolving my main complaint with the PRO mat, the GRP mat from Manduka is developed with an excellent, immediate grip in mind. It has an upper layer that gives non-slip control, especially in perspiring conditions, and a lower charcoal-infused rubber layer that breathes soaks up, and gets rid of odors. The tradeoff for grip is sturdiness, though– the GRP isn’t included in Manduka’s lifetime guarantee.