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Old 01-22-17, 09:44 PM  
bex
 
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Shanghai, China
Talk to me about yoga mats

I've finally started a regular yoga practice and am starting to see that the quality of your mat might make a difference.

Right now I have a cheap mat that I picked up at Walmarts, and it's been ok but after more than a year it's starting to wear. Also it can be a little slippery under my feet. Not a lot, but it's definitely not what I would describe as 'sticky'.

There's such a HUGE range in prices on yoga mats, from the cheap chain store ones to the upscale specialists. While I don't mind paying for quality, some of them just seem like they're charging several times as much just for the brand.

For all you experienced yoginis - What should I be looking for in a new mat? What matters to you in your practice?

Thanks!
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Old 01-22-17, 09:52 PM  
daisyduke
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
I have a daily practice and I love my manduka pro. It is thick and stable and not slippery. I use it every day. For some reason I got a little tear in it and they sent me a new mat. So customer service is great.

I also have a lululemon the mat. It is not slippery at all either. It isn't thick the manduka pro. It's good but I prefer the manduka.


Enjoy your practice!
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Old 01-22-17, 11:07 PM  
beyond.omega
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Join Date: Dec 2006
When I lost my Manduka travel mat, I couldn't really afford to get a Jade or Manduka mat. But when I bought cheap mats, the offgassing as so strong I had to return them. Some on VF recommended the Aurorae mat, and it is working out great. Great price, no offgassing, and sufficient stickiness.

I used to have a yoga instructor who recommended Hugger Mugger Tapas mats. I'm not sure why I didn't buy one of these, but I remember them being more expensive than this in the past, so that might have been it when I was in the market.
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Old 01-22-17, 11:33 PM  
zraipel
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Raleigh, NC
I have now owned 4 of these Mandala Round Yoga Mats (I've owned every color ) :

http://mandalayogamat.com/Home.html

I can't go back to a rectangular mat after using these! They are 6' in diameter, so you are never off your mat during a practice. I use these mats for other workouts as well. They are usually $65 and shipping is usually $15 (they occasionally run sales when they have "ends" of the rolls that are potentially slightly irregular) so they are somewhat pricey, but worth it to me

ETA: I know there are 5' diameter round mats by other brands that are cheaper, but I feel like the 6' is the perfect size. I am 5'5", so I can lay flat and still be completely on the mat.
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Old 01-23-17, 12:47 AM  
nschultz
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Midwest
I too have an Aurorae mat and I love it

I'm tall and it's longer and thicker than other mats I've tried and has never had a bad smell. Well worth the price IMO.
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Old 01-23-17, 06:52 AM  
txhsmom
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: TX Panhandle
Quote:
Originally Posted by nschultz View Post
I too have an Aurorae mat and I love it

I'm tall and it's longer and thicker than other mats I've tried and has never had a bad smell. Well worth the price IMO.
I also have an Aurorae mat and I love it. I have the "Sky" one and it's beautiful. I've also had the "Wilderness" one and it was beautiful too. It lasted for about 3 years of daily use before it started to show some wear.

Carol
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Old 01-23-17, 06:56 AM  
starbelly
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Netherlands
I also balked at the price of a Manduka mat, but a favorite instructor asked me how often I replaced my low cost mats (every few months with daily practice, especially with hot yoga), and it made sense to upgrade.

My first was the Manduka pro and it was a great investment. I now have the Pro Squared (2m x 2m) and have a hard time using a regular mat when I travel. The feel of the pro mat is very different (quite firm), but it never moves around and it's not slippery.

Some people prefer a natural rubber mat; they are quite sticky, but can also degrade faster than synthetic mats. Jade has a popular rubber mat and the EkoLite from Manduka is rubber but is super thin.
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Old 01-23-17, 07:16 AM  
PhyllisG
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Woodstock NY
I have no opinion on a particular brand but I have a large square mat from Walmart that I like. It is the size. Having a large mat is really the best. So whatever brand you decide on, get a large round or square one. Makes all the difference.
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Old 01-23-17, 09:47 AM  
bex
 
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Shanghai, China
Thanks for all the responses - you've given me a lot to think about!

Since I live in Shanghai, finding the brands you mentioned is a bit of a challenge.

But I just tried a class at the local Pure Yoga studio and afterwards I was browsing the mats for sale. One was called the EkoLite. Does anyone know if Pure studios carry Manduka line?
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Old 01-23-17, 03:42 PM  
cherimac
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Georgia
Quote:
Originally Posted by bex View Post
Thanks for all the responses - you've given me a lot to think about!

Since I live in Shanghai, finding the brands you mentioned is a bit of a challenge.

But I just tried a class at the local Pure Yoga studio and afterwards I was browsing the mats for sale. One was called the EkoLite. Does anyone know if Pure studios carry Manduka line?
I just recently got an EkoLite and love it! I have a thicker Pilates mat too, but the EkoLite is perfect on my carpet-the thicker mats slide more on it.
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