Pros Of The Manduka Eko Superlite Travel Mat Review
Weight: only 2 pounds makes this mat easy to throw in your duffle bag and not think twice.
Color: I can’t speak to the other colors, but the red is really vibrant and the color didn’t transfer to my clothing or feet.
Thickness: This is a really thin mat. Super, super thin. This is a plus if you don’t need extra cushion for your joints .
Stickiness: This is personal preference, but I love that this is very sticky. You will not slip and slide on this mat. See the third picture that shows the sheen of the stickiness.
Eco-friendly: This mat is made from non-Amazon harvested natural tree rubber. No PVC, toxic plasticizers or harmful dyes.
Packability: You can fold, roll or do a combination of both to fit this bad boy in your purse or carry-on bag. I love that!
Best Foldable Yoga Mat For Large People: Khataland Yofomat
The Khataland YoFoMat is the thickest foldable yoga mat you can buy from Amazon at 4mm thick. The mat is also extra-long, measuing 24 x 72. Most people looking for a foldable yoga mat want the convenient portability. The YoFoMat is not quite as portable as the Manduka eKO SuperLite, weighing about twice as much. However, what you get is extra length and thickness for large people or those wanting a little bit more cushioning. The YoFoMat is made from a synthetic polymer but is still free of phthalates and suitable for those with latex allergies. The grip is not excellent but serviceable for ordinary yoga. Those with extra sweaty hands may want to try the grippier foldable mats like the Manduka eKO SuperLite or the Jade Voyager Yoga Mat.
Yogo Ultralight Travel Mat
YOGO is the newest mat company on the block but theyve quickly won us over. The YOGO is our favorite yoga mat for travel! Its by far the stickiest travel mat on the market. We love how it folds up nicely which makes traveling a breeze. Although its super thin, it still has great support . Bonus points for YOGO planting a tree every time one is purchased .
Potential downside:
Read Also: How Many Calories Burned During Bikram Yoga
Worst Foldable Yoga Mats To Avoid
Dont bother with any of these foldable yoga mats.
The Natural Fitness Roam Folding Yoga Mat costs about $30 but has the durability of a much cheaper product. Check out the Amazon reviews if you dont believe us. One customer had the mat start falling apart after a couple uses, and another customer found that her toenails were gouging out pieces of the mat. Dont bother with this one.
The Sisyama Foldable Yoga Mat is another questionable product. It is quite cheap but doesnt tell you what material it is made from. Its also a bit bulky for a travel mat at 3.5 mm thick. Most large cheap mats are made from low quality materials, and we suggest you stay away from this questionable knock-off brand.
Cons Of The Manduka Eko Superlite Travel Mat
Smell: Because it’s made from rubber this mat smells like rubber. This was also the case with the Manduka eKO Lite Yoga Mat I reviewed, but the smell eventually went away a couple weeks later, so I’m sure this will, too.
Pricepoint: This mat costs just under $40.00, which is a lot for a mat when you consider you can get one at around $12.99 at Target…but those mats have PVC and this is eco-friendly, so you have to decide what’s important to you and if it’s worth it.
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Best Foldable Yoga Mat On A Budget: Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat
The Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat is a decent foldable yoga mat from a reputable company. Its main selling point is that it is cheap. You can regularly find this foldable yoga mat on sale for less than $20 on Amazon, while the other mats go for $30 or more. At 2mm thick, it is slightly thicker than the other premium foldable yoga mats, but quite light at under 2 pounds. The downsides are that it is not as sticky Manduka and Jade Yoga offerings, as some people will find it slick. This also a complaint for other Gaiam mats. Also, the material is not as durable as the more expensive foldable yoga mats. Still, if you just want something cheap and portable, the Gaiam mat is a good buy.
The Jadeyoga Travel Mat Comes From One Of The Most Reliable Brands On The Market Is 3mm Thick And Comes In Two Lengths To Accommodate Taller People
Pros: Natural materials, purchase benefits Trees for the Future, more cushioning
Cons: Heavier than many other travel mats, doesn’t pack down as small as others
Nearly all travel yoga mats are pretty thin, which is frustrating if you have knee of joint issues. This 3mm-thick mat from JadeYoga is the best you can get for a mat that’ll still roll up tight. What’s more, the JadeYoga Travel Mat is available in 68-inch and 74-inch lengths, which offers taller people adequate space on the mat.
JadeYoga puts special attention on sustainability, and its mats are made of natural rubber sourced from trees with no PVC or other synthetic materials added. For each one purchased, the brand ensures a new tree will be planted.
A no-slip, open-cell surface gives you a solid grip, and it features a much plusher cushioning compared to other travel mats. At approximately 3 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than others on this list, but that’s a small price for more support.
One downside is that, unlike most travel yoga mats, Jade’s rolls instead of folds, so it may be harder to fit in your luggage. On the other hand, the quality makes it a great multi-use pick for home practice as well as travel.
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Best Foldable Yoga Mat For Sticky Grips: Jade Voyager Yoga Mat
The Jade Voyager Yoga Mat is another foldable mat from a premium yoga mat maker Jade Yoga. Like the Manduka eKO SuperLite, the Jade Voyager is 1.5mm thick and ultraportable. Also like Manduka, Jade Yoga is a well-established quality brand. The key difference between the Manduka eKO SuperLite and Jade Voyager is that the Jade Voyager uses an open-cell rubber mat, while Manduka uses a closed-cell rubber mat. This makes the Jade Voyager very sticky and easy to grip.
If you want the stickiest grip on a foldable yoga mat, the Jade Voyager should be your best bet. However, the open-cell construction has the downside in that it absorbs sweat and bacteria. It takes more time to clean an open-cell mat, and it is also more important to clean regularly to prevent skin infections or degradation of the mat See our article on how to clean yoga mats for more information.
Manduka Eko Superlite Travel Mat 68
Manduka makes great yoga mats and the eKO SuperLite is no exception. Weighs 2lbs, only 1/16 thick which is a very thin yoga mat. Its very thin and only 68 long which makes it a great travel companion. The orange peel surface is extremely sticky even when it gets a little wet. Made from non-Amazon eco-friendly biodegradable tree rubber which wont flake or fade. Closed cell design will not absorb bacteria This mat can be easily folded or rolled to fit into your bag. Many colors to choose from.
2018 update: We love the Manduka travel mat and used it for several years but weve since retired it. Read on to see what Anne and I are using today.
Potential downside:
- Too sticky? Transitioning from Crescent Lunge to Warrior 2 can cause the mat to bunch up
- Too thin? Very minimal mat here. Add a towel for extra support
- Smells like rubber Not horrible and goes away with time
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The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat Is A Compact And Grippy Option With An Under
Pros: Affordable, very lightweight, meant to be folded
Cons: PVC material
If you only travel a couple of times a year, you don’t want to drop too much on a mat. Infrequent travelers will love the Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat.
This one-pound mat is even more lightweight than Manduka’s eKO Superlite but it’s slightly thicker at 2mm thick. The whole mat folds down to a 10-inch-wide and 12-inch-long rectangle for easy transportation in a carry-on or overnight duffel bag. It’s one of the most affordable options available, too.
I have a full-sized Gaiam yoga mat that’s lasted me for several years with regular use, so I can attest to the quality of the brand’s goods.
What Features I Researched For The Best Travel Yoga Mat
My Manduka travel mat in midnight blue on the right vs. my at-home yoga mat
The most important feature I wanted in a travel yoga mat was portability. The best travel yoga mat would be:
- foldable,
- durable,
- and packable.
Despite all of the above features, the best travel yoga mat would NOT compromise in usability. Thus, it would have to be sticky for a good grip, even through sweaty sessions.
After sifting through reviews and comparing various travel yoga mats, the Manduka travel mat had all the features I was looking for in a great travel mat.
As a very awesome bonus, the yoga mat is made from sustainably harvested tree rubber and no toxic chemicals are used to soften the rubber according to their website.
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Why You Should Consider Manduka Mats
But this is essentially the premise of the Manduka PRO series mats, with lifetime guarantees. When I first started yoga 20 years ago, I had one of those cheap PVC mats, but then I started a 5-6 day a week ashtanga Mysore-style practice – which is very vigorous, lots of jumping back and jumping through or in my case or especially when youre starting out shuffling back and shuffling through, so the mat starts to take a beating with all of that friction.
So I switched to the Manduka, they called it the Rolls Royce of yoga mats back in the day because of its solid construction, and Ive never looked back. My yoga practice has evolved from practising and teaching ashtanga yoga to vinyasa, hot, yin and yoga nidra. Theyre all varied styles, but essentially I need a durable mat, with thick enough cushioning, and because I get ultra-sweaty when I practice, it needs to be able to hold up without me slipping and sliding all over the mat.
Because I travel a lot too, either for my advertising producing job on shoots or to yoga and meditation retreats, I sometimes also need a light and versatile mat. So youll see why theres some method to my madness of why I own so many Manduka mats.
Manduka Eko Superlite Travel Yoga Mat
1 kg* 180 cm x 61 cm 1.5 mm thick
Exceptional for traveling folds to fit in any travel bag or purse.
Surface texture offers superior grip, even with light perspiration.
Tightly woven scrim resists tearing or stretching.
Closed cell design will not absorb bacteria.
Made from non-Amazon harvested, natural tree rubber.
No PVC, toxic plasticizers or harmful dyes.
99% latex free.
*Every product is unique, and naturally, there may be variances of up to 225 grams in the weight of each mat.
The eKO SuperLite Mat is a superior travel yoga mat that provides excellent grip. Wherever your practice takes you, the eKO SuperLite is the best yoga mat for yogis on the go!
USE AND CARE
To Clean: All eKO series mats can be cleaned by wiping down the mat with Mandukas Mat Natural Rubber Spray or a 50/50 mixture of water and organic apple cider vinegar. It is recommended that you DO NOT put your eKO mat in the washing machine, as it will encourage the material to break down. DO NOT soak or submerge in water and DO NOT use any type of soap for cleaning, as it will compromise the performance and integrity of the mat.
To Store: When not traveling, the eKo Superlite is best stored rolled up. Do not leave the mat exposed to direct sunlight. If wet, allow the mat to dry before rolling up.
SUSTAINABILITY
THE STORY
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Yogo Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat
Weight: 2.1 poundsThickness: 1.5mmYogo’s Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat makes taking a yoga mat wherever you go a no brainerit’s designed to easily fold up into its attached clips, which keep it secure and roughly the size of a rolled newspaper when not in use. The straps can also be used to hang the mat to dry after rinsing it off, or to secure it to a bicycle if you’re really taking it on the go. Like the other mats, it has a sticky top layer to aid with grip it’s also made of eco-friendly materials . While on the thinner side, it gets points for its packability, and is flight attendant-approved, per reviews.
Buy Now:
Use My 10% Manduka Promo Code
Get all of these mats with a 10% discount with my promo code ENLIGHTENEDSPOON on eu.manduka.com – I help you with a sweet deal, Manduka gives me back a little sweet deal. So we both get the sweet deals and build a stronger practice while were at it. WIN-WIN! Go on and hit that like button if you like them sweet deals.
Stay tuned for my next video where Ill talk about yoga mat towels and which one might be right for you. to find out why you might need a yoga mat towel!
If you enjoyed this video, please give it a like, and check out my other videos for more nutrition, fitness and lifestyle tips on how to flow through your busy life with more grace, ease and flow, and Ill see you in the next one!
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New Addition: Jade Yoga Voyager Mat
Jade and Manduka are the most popular yoga mats in the world. No surprise that they both offer solid choices for traveling yoga mats. Comes in four colors, we love the Olive Green color. This mat is now the lightest yoga mat for travel and the best value . My favorite part about Jade mats is that they are extremely sticky from the beginning. Although I love Manduka mats, they takes time to break in before they reach their full potential. We love to support Jade because they plant a tree for every yoga mat sold!
After testing out the Jade Voyager, its safe to say its a contender for the best travel yoga mat 2018 award!
Potential downside:
- Too thin? At 1/16 its a pretty compact mat. More padding than the Manduka
How is the Jade Voyager different from the Jade Travel Mat? The short answer is the Jade Voyager weighs half as much and the new Voyager is a foldable yoga mat. Where as the Jade Traveler mat must be rolled. Heres a screenshot from amazon comparing the differences:
Cons Of The Manduka Travel Mat
Although the thinness of this travel yoga mat is what makes it so portable and lightweight, at only 1.5 mm thick, it might not be enough cushion for you. If this is the case for you, you could always put a towel underneath it to add cushion as other eKO yogis recommend.
Also, this yoga mat is quite sticky! Usually thats a great thing, especially for when youre super sweaty, but it may make some yoga transitions less ideal such as any that involves shifting your feet.
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Best Travel Yoga Mat Ive Found: Manduka Eko Superlite Yoga Mat Review
Overall, the Manduka eKO Superlite is the best travel yoga mat Ive found. The travel mat is lightweight, but still a great overall yoga mat. I couldnt recommend this product enough.
Jake Nomada
Travel junkie turned blogger. Location independent. From the Midwest, but often based in Latin America. Big on beaches, rumba, and rum. Addicted to the gym. Committed to showing a different style of travel – one that involves actually interacting with locals and exploring different cultures.
Honorable Mention: Lululemon Un Mat
Lululemon doesnt only sell yoga apparel they also dabble in accessories. They created the Un Mat to compete in the portable yoga mat market. The Un Mat is comparable in size to the Manduka super thin and super light weight . Comes with a different texture on each side allowing you to choose your preferred grip. Can be rolled or folded. Made with polyurethane and natural rubber.
Potential downside:
- Not enough padding? 1/16 may not be enough cushion
- Too Expensive? 2nd most expensive mat reviewed
Recommended Reading: 30 Min Yoga Calories
No Longer On The List: Khataland Yofomat Folding Yoga Mat
2018 update: Since we originally wrote this article , there have been many improvements to the travel yoga mats. This Khataland Yofo Mat no longer makes our cut as a top 5 yoga mat for travel. The biggest flaw from my perspective is its not durable enough.
Original review:
Khatalands YoFoMat is a newcomer to the market and has been getting great reviews. The 68 version weighs 2.7lbs which makes it the 2nd heaviest mat reviewed, that being said its not THAT heavy. Can be folded or rolled, bonus: there are folding lines to make folding it easier. This is the thickest mat at 1/6 which means more padding, more comfort but also more bulk. Priced at $33 USD which is towards the cheaper end. This eco friendly mat also comes with a eco friendly case.
Potential downside:
- Too heavy? As a stickler for lightweight travel, 2.7lbs is starting to get too heavy
- Too bulky? 1/6 thick is more than twice as thick as the Manduka and Lululemon
