Best Rated Yoga Mats - Manduka 71 and 85 Inch Yoga Mat

The Black Mat from Manduka is an innovative yoga mat, designed for performance, longevity, and comfort. Its surface resists slipping when wet from perspiration, its firmness resists bunching and remains flat even when practicing on carpet or with sticky feet. The Black Mat is exceptional for cushioning your spine, hip bones, knees and elbows from punishing hard floors and its durability is superior to any mat currently available. Unlike most other mats, the Black Mat has a specific top and bottom surface. These mats have been designed to last a lifetime (or two). The 71-inch Black Mat is 26-inches wide by 71-inches long by 1/4-inch thick and weighs approximately 7 pounds.

Click here to buy Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat Black)

Manduka 71-Inch Yoga Mat Reviews by Amazon.com customers

Best Yoga Mat I've Ever Used : M. JEFFREY MCMAHON
Amazingly, the Manduka, which is half as thick as my previous yoga mat, generates FEWER strain in my wrists during side planks and other yoga poses. Perhaps the thicker mat I had suffered from too much "give." The Manduka is easier on my wrists. Secondly, it doesn't slide like my previous mat. My workouts are safer and more effective. Had I known about the Manduka, I would have purchased it 3 years ago when I started yoga.

Happy that I bought the best : Glenn Pailthorp
I purchased this mat about a decade ago and still love it. At the time, I didn't want to spend that much money on a mat, but I'm so happy that I did. It's firmer, thicker, and more comfortable than other mats. (It works the best on hard surfaces like wood, concrete, or cheap carpeting.) It's by far the most durable...it doesn't stretch or bunch up like typical yoga mats.

There is one drawback if you have to carry it around a lot. It is pretty heavy. Students that run around with their mat attached to their backpack, for instance, will not want to tote this thing around.

I'm a little over six feet tall, so I may have been happier if I had purchased the 85-Inch mat, but the 72-inch is the standard...so, it fits in crowded studios the best.

If you are dedicated to your yoga practice and want the highest quality mat...this is it.

Very pleased : C. Jackson
I am so happy that I bought this mat. I had the hardest time deciding what new mat I should get. I ended up first getting a mat from hugger mugger and it had no grip at all (so I returned it), then I ended up sucking it up and paying the high price for this one and I have no regrets except I just wish I had gotten it sooner. It isn't really that heavy which some of the other reviews said. I can easily bring it to classes with me, it has awesome grip both on the ground and on my hands and feet, and it is the perfect width for my boney joints. My yoga experience is so much better now that I have this mat. The first day that I used it, I emailed my friend telling her that I had just fallen in love... with my new mat.

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Superior wear and longevity, Non-stick, grip prevents slippage due to perspiration, Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows from hard floors
Measures 26 inches wide by 85 inches long by 1/4-inch thick

Click here to buy Manduka 85-Inch Yoga Mat (Black)

Manduka 85-Inch Yoga Mat (Black) reviews by Amazon.com customers

If You're Tall or Like Extra Padding, this Mat Is for You! : Philippe Kennedy
I'm 6'6" 225 lbs. and have been doing yoga for a few years. This mat is nice and long as well as a little wider and thicker than the standard mat. Yes it's heavier than a standard mat and I found it to be unpleasantly slippery at first, but I recommend it highly. If you ever find yourself stacking one mat on top of another to get the padding you need, or running out of room on your mat, then please buy this mat now and you will thank yourself later.

Pros: Longer, thicker, wider

Cons: A bit expensive (I think it's worth it), slippery at first (goes away after a few classes).

NOTE: You might want to periodically roll the mat from a different end to get rid of the teacher-tripping curl that develops over time.

Yeah! Something as long as I am!, : Greg Keats
A great mat even though it is on the slightly heavyish side. So what, it's not THAT heavy. Slippery at first, that goes away. Bravo to Manduka for making this long mat which keeps my face away from the studio floor and my feet still on the mat.

Update: I really like this mat. It is living up to my expectations and allowing me to practice with more confidence. Balance poses are not an issue as the mat is dense enough and not squishy.

Update II: It's been about a year since I bought this mat. I practice 4 or more times a week and it's a vigorous Vinyassa practice. Not one mark on this mat, it's as pristine as the day I bought it. Others in my class have shredded their mats but this one looks and feels brand new. I am very hard on my mats and honestly, this one is so well made, there isn't any wear at all! The only gripe, and it's a tiny one, is that the Manduka label is coming off, now I won't be able to remember which end is which. I went through a Nike mat in 2 months. This was money well spent, I am very happy with this mat.

Great mat! I would recommend it for anyone who is 5'10"+ and serious about yoga : Michael Brabant
This mat provides that extra length for the person who is 5'10" or taller. I am 6' and it gives me the space to get into longer positions like warrior 2 and crescent pose without having to constantly center myself on the mat. Especially good for shavasana at the end of practice where I don't have to rest my heels on the wood floor of the studio. The thickness and durability are also great for sitting positions, especially ab positions where you are balancing on your tail bones. Great for bad knees as well. I have a long yoga mat topper because my hands get sweaty and lose grip in down dog, I would recommend washing the mat before use but other than that I love it and would recommend it in a heartbeat. Namaste.

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