Breakdown of Four Popular Yoga Mat Brands: Jade, Manduka, Liforme, and Lululemon
How to Pick the Perfect Yoga Mat: Brand
When selecting a yoga mat, it’s essential to consider not only the material, thickness, and texture but also the brand. Each brand brings its own unique offerings, strengths, and philosophy behind its products. Below is a breakdown of four of the most popular yoga mat brands—Jade, Manduka, Liforme, and Lululemon—highlighting their key differences and what makes them stand out.
Jade Yoga
Jade Yoga is known for producing eco-friendly mats made primarily from natural rubber. The brand emphasizes sustainability and uses sustainable practices in manufacturing. For every mat sold, Jade plants a tree, reflecting its commitment to the environment.
Key Features
Material: Natural rubber, sourced sustainably from rubber trees, makes Jade mats eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Grip: Jade mats offer excellent grip due to their open-cell structure, which absorbs moisture and provides traction, even during sweaty sessions.
Comfort: Though the mats tend to be thinner, they provide a decent amount of cushioning, especially for balance-focused practices.
Durability: Jade mats are moderately durable but may wear down faster than synthetic mats, especially if used for hot yoga or exposed to harsh environments.
Best for: Eco-conscience yogis who prioritize sustainability and strong grip
Popular Models:
Jade Harmony Mat: This is the brand’s best-seller, offering great balance between grip and comfort. It’s 3/16 inch thick, providing enough cushioning without being too heavy.
Jade Travel Mat: A thinner and more portable version, ideal for travelers and yogis who are always on the move.
Cons:
Natural rubber mats tend to degrade faster over time.
May not be suitable for those with latex allergies.
Manduka
Manduka is famous for its durable, long-lasting yoga mats, particularly the Manduka PRO series. These mats are designed to withstand years of heavy use and are often preferred by serious yogis and yoga instructors. Manduka offers both PVC and eco-friendly mat options.
Key Features:
Material: The Manduka PRO mats are made from closed-cell PVC, which makes them incredibly durable and dense. The eKO series, however, is made from natural rubber for those seeking a more eco-conscious option.
Grip: Manduka PRO mats don’t absorb moisture (due to their closed-cell surface), which makes them easy to clean. However, they may be slippery during sweaty sessions unless paired with a yoga towel. Over time, the grip improves with use.
Comfort: Known for superior cushioning, the Manduka PRO mats provide excellent support for joints, making them great for practitioners with sensitive knees or wrists.
Durability: The Manduka PRO series is one of the most durable mats available, with many users reporting that the mat lasts for over a decade. The brand even offers a lifetime guarantee on the PRO series.
Best for: Practitioners who want long-term durability and great support for joints.
Popular Models:
Manduka PRO Mat: This mat is 6 mm thick, offering dense cushioning and is one of the most durable mats on the market.
Manduka PROlite: A lighter and slightly thinner version (4.7 mm) of the PRO mat, suitable for those who want a balance of comfort and portability.
Cons:
Can be slippery when new, and requires a “break-in” period.
Heavier and less portable compared to other brands.
Liforme
Liforme is known for its alignment-focused design, which sets it apart from other brands. The mats are made from eco-friendly materials, and they incorporate alignment markers to help users achieve proper positioning during their practice.
Key Features:
Material: Liforme mats are made from natural rubber and are biodegradable. They also feature a patented eco-polyurethane top layer for superior grip.
Grip: Liforme mats are praised for their exceptional grip, even in hot yoga sessions. The polyurethane layer provides a sticky surface, perfect for preventing slips.
Comfort: These mats are designed to offer good cushioning (around 4.2 mm thick), balancing support and comfort for various yoga styles.
Durability: While Liforme mats provide great grip and performance, they may wear down more quickly than PVC mats, particularly with frequent use in hot environments.
Best for: Yogis who want an alignment-focused mat with excellent grip and eco-conscious materials.
If grip is a priority, consider mats with a textured surface, like the Gaiam Classic Print Yoga Mat. These mats offer a better grip, even when you’re sweating.
Tip: If you practice hot yoga or have particularly sweaty palms, a textured mat will help prevent slipping.
Popular Models:
Liforme Yoga Mat: Known for its alignment markers and superior grip, this mat is a favorite among both beginners and advanced yogis.
Cons:
More expensive compared to other brands.
Slightly heavier than other natural rubber mats.
Lululemon
Lululemon’s yoga mats are designed for versatility and offer a sleek, high-performance design. The brand is well-known for its fashion-forward athletic wear, and this quality extends to its yoga mats.
Key Features:
Material: Lululemon mats, such as the Lululemon Reversible Mat, are made from a combination of polyurethane (for grip) and natural rubber (for cushioning). This hybrid design offers both eco-friendliness and performance.
Grip: Lululemon mats provide excellent grip due to the polyurethane top layer, which absorbs moisture and prevents slipping during practice.
Comfort: These mats offer good cushioning and support, with most mats falling in the medium-thickness range (5 mm), suitable for both gentle and intense practices.
Durability: Lululemon mats are quite durable, with the rubber base offering longevity and resilience against wear and tear.
Best for: Those who want a stylish yet functional mat with great grip for a variety of yoga styles, including hot yoga.
Popular Models:
Lululemon Reversible Mat: One side provides extra grip, while the other side offers more cushion, making it versatile for different types of practice.
Cons:
Some users find that Lululemon mats can absorb sweat stains, making them harder to clean.
Heavier than other brands, which may reduce portability.
Conclusion
Each of these four brands offers unique advantages depending on your specific needs:
Jade is perfect for eco-conscious users who prioritize sustainability and natural materials.
Manduka stands out for its durability and long-lasting comfort, particularly in its PRO series.
Liforme excels in alignment-focused design and grip, making it ideal for precision-focused practitioners.
Lululemon combines style and function with a versatile, moisture-wicking surface and comfortable cushioning.
Ultimately, the best mat for you will depend on your practice style, environmental preferences, and whether you value durability, grip, or eco-friendliness.
