Help Center - Yoga Mats Overview | Manduka EU

FAQ'S

MEET THE MANDUKA YOGA MAT SERIES

We want to make it easy for you to understand our products! Learn more about the Manduka Yoga Mat Series here:

• Manduka PRO™ 6mm
• PROlite® 4.7mm
• GRP Adapt® 5mm
• eKO® 5mm
• eKO® Lite 4mm
• eKO® SuperLite 1.5
• Manduka X Mat 5mm
• Begin Mat 5mm

I AM NEW TO YOGA, WHICH PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND?

When you’re beginning your yoga journey it's hard to know what you really need. With all the guides and “advice” online it’s easy to think you need to spend hundreds before you reach your first Savasana!

The reality is you actually need very little and you probably already have everything to get you going for your first classes.

Please see our Blog on 'New to Yoga: First Essentials' and we’ll guide you through the first steps of your journey and what really are the essentials.

For even more information check out our blog post on what to consider before buying a mat!

WHICH MATS CAN I USE FOR FITNESS RELATED EXERCISE?

The Manduka X Yoga Mat is our go-to mat for any fitness related exercise in addition to yoga practices. This mat is for multi-purpose activities and is footwear-friendly due to its rough surface structure. It is lightweight and also perfect for beginners. However, please kindly note that this mat will show signs of wear over time with use due to its material.

Our PRO Series, can be an additional option for fitness related exercises. The PRO Series is designed to last and will withstand vigorous practice much better than any of our Series. However, we do not advise using footwear on this mat to minimize the chance of damage from external factors.

Both Series are closed-cell meaning no bacteria will absorb into the mat. Because of this, if you are warm/sweaty at all, the mat will feel slippery, so we always recommend pairing it with one of our hand towels to absorb moisture and provide extra traction. If you're practicing hot yoga, we recommend a mat towel for full mat coverage. For towel guidance read our guide to yoga towels and check out this blog post for more tips to decrease slip and increase grip.

eKO® Series and GRP® Series are only intended for yoga or similar activities and they are not intended for exercise requiring shoes or vigorous practice. These mats are made of more sensitive material and will show signs of wear over time with use faster than our PRO Series.

For an overview of the mat series in our product range please feel free to download our mat overview.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EKO® AND PRO SERIES MATS?

Both the eKO® Series and the PRO Series have been designed and engineered by yoga teachers to provide the ultimate surface to practice yoga. However, due to the different properties of the materials, they offer a different experience when practicing!

Our PRO Series has been known as the Taj Mahal of yoga mats for 10+ years.

• Backed by a Lifetime Guarantee, the closed-cell construction provides dense support while the performance surface allows optimal movement between poses.
• Designed to last a lifetime (or two), Manduka PRO series yoga mats curb the amount of PVC that enter landfills each year and reduces overall mat consumption.
• The PRO Series offers the ultimate durability, comfort and performance.
• All PRO Series mats offer strong and dense support, ideal for sensitive knees and joints.
• In terms of thickness, the PRO mat (6mm) is a bit thicker than the eKO mat (5mm).

The eKO® Series, made of all natural non-Amazon harvested tree rubber, is the next generation of eco-friendly yoga mats.

• Developed over four years of research, the closed-cell surface provides a stable practice with dry-grip.
• We are proud to say that Manduka’s eKO mat is manufactured without any toxic glues or foaming agents and is more durable than other natural rubber mats found in the marketplace.
• The eKO mat has two layers of different densities to simultaneously provide comfort and durability.
• The eKO Series offers a soft, spongy support, ideal for yogis who like a grounding experience.

Wondering why we keep mentioning cells? A closed-cell surface means your mat will not absorb sweat and moisture, where other mats might. If you sweat regularly in your practice, consider pairing any of our mats with yoga towel to keep your mat dry, and your practice in place.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OPEN-CELL (POROUS) AND CLOSED-CELL (NON-POROUS) SURFACE?

Closed-cell (non-porous / non-absorbent): Mats comprised of a closed-cell surface do not absorb moisture such as sweat and bacteria. This allows the mat to be kept very hygienic and last much longer over time with use compared to mats that do absorb moisture.

The downside of this material, if you are warm/sweaty at all, the mat will feel slippery, so we always recommend pairing it with one of our hand towels to absorb moisture and provide extra traction. If you're practicing hot yoga, we recommend a mat towel for full mat coverage.

Open-cell (porous / absorbent): Mats comprised of an open-cell surface absorb moisture. This allows our open-cell mats to offer its exceptional grip.

The downside to this feature is that it will not last as long, in general closed-cell mats are more durable over time.

MAT CARE: Understanding the different materials used in our Manduka mats is important, as there are different methods needed to deep clean them.

PRO Series – PRO, PROlite, PRO Travel – These mats are made using a closed-cell material, meaning nothing can be absorbed into the mat, and the mat can be cleaned thoroughly on the surface every time.

• CLEAN WITH: Mat Wash & Refresh + Botanical Cleaner

eKO® Series – eKO, eKO Lite, eKO Superlite – These mats are made of a natural rubber, also a closed-cell material. These mats can also be easily cleaned, but need to be dried properly.

• CLEAN WITH: Mat Wash & Refresh + Natural Rubber Mat Restore + Botanical Cleaner

GRP® Series – GRP, GRP Lite, Adapt – These mats are made from an open-cell PU and rubber construction. Their goal is to absorb moisture and provide maximum grip as they get wet, so thoroughly cleaning these mats requires the most attention and care because this material is very absorbent.

• CLEAN WITH: Mat Wash & Refresh + GRP Restore

Foundation Series – Manduka X, Begin Mats – These mats are made using a TPE closed-cell material, meaning nothing can be absorbed into the mat, and the mat can be cleaned thoroughly on the surface every time.

• CLEAN WITH: Mat Wash & Refresh + Botanical Cleaner

HELPFUL TIPS: Check out the Manduka Blog

• New To Yoga: First Essentials
• Mat Care Guide
• Yoga Towel Guide
• A Guide To Less Slip
• A Few Things To Consider Before Buying A Mat
• How To Know When You've Found Your Soul Mat

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GRP® ADAPT AND THE GRP® - HOT YOGA?

Like the original GRP, the GRP Adapt is also made with absorbent PU on the top surface, and rubber on the bottom. The PU on the top is a different texture than the original GRP – on the Adapt, the PU is smooth. The Adapt can be used in dry and wet conditions – so it can be used in cool and hot classes alike.

Meet the GRP Series here!

DO THE PRO AND EKO® SERIES FEEL DIFFERENT WHEN PRACTICING?

Both the eKO® Series and the PRO Series have been designed and engineered by yoga teachers to provide the ultimate surface to practice yoga. However, due to the different properties of the materials, they offer a different experience when practicing!

The PRO Series offers the ultimate durability, comfort and performance. In terms of thickness, the PRO mat (6mm) is a bit thicker than the eKO mat (5mm). All PRO Series mats offer strong and dense support, ideal for sensitive knees and joints.

The eKO® Series has two layers of different densities to simultaneously provide comfort and durability. The eKO® Series offers a soft, spongy support, ideal for yogis who like a grounding experience.

I AM SLIPPING ON MY MAT, WHAT CAN I DO?

No matter which mat you're practicing on, hands and feet can slip from time to time, interrupting your flow and making hard poses, well, harder. Pair your practice with a hand towel when you start to sweat! Our hand towels are easily placed wherever extra traction is needed. If you practice hot yoga, we recommend a performance mat towel for full mat coverage.

If you want extra grip from the get-go or you're not a fan of using accessories such as towels in your practice, we can recommend our Manduka Yoga Grip Gel. Manduka Yoga Grip is a grip enhancer and evaporating gel that creates a moisture barrier between your skin and your yoga mat. It is specifically designed to support new yogis learning to develop their grip through regular practice.

For more tips and tricks check out our bog post for a complete guide to less slide in yoga.

NEED HELP CHOOSING A NEW MAT?

There comes a time in most yogis' lives when the need for your own mat comes. As with all purchases the options are seemingly endless so we have put together a quick guide on what to consider before you make that purchase: A few things to consider before buying a mat.

For an overview of the mat series in our product range please feel free to download our mat overview.

ARE ALL MAT SERIES COVERED BY THE LIFETIME GUARANTEE?

The Lifetime Guarantee only applies to our standard PRO Series. Our other Series (eKO®, GRP®, Foundation and Almost Perfect) are not covered by the Lifetime Guarantee.