Manduka BlackMatPRO 71-Inch Yoga Mat Review
The Manduka BlackMatPro is my best yoga related purchase to date. I read the reviews and went with the 71 inch as I’m 5ft 5ins tall, it was a great choice. It is about 3 inches longer than my old mat and I find that I don’t need to reposition as often.
The mat comes with instructions to clean before the first use. It should be hung out of direct sunlight and is best to hang it out opposite way that it was packed. I found this helped to ‘relax’ the mat a little. It can be washed periodically too to maintain a good stickiness.
Product Features:
- Superior wear and longevity.
- Comfortably cushions spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors.
- Slip resistant, yet non-sticky, even when wet from perspiration; provides stability on hard or soft surfaces.
- Eco-responsible manufacturing.
- 7.0 lbs; 71 inches long; 26 inches wide; 1/4 inch thick.
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Manduka BlackMatPro have an up and a down side unlike cheaper reversible mats. Some reviewers have written great detail about figuring out which side is which, it’s easy – the Manduka label faces up. The side which lays on the floor has small textured bumps, it does a great job of gripping the floor. Even when switching poses with sticky hands and feet the mat doesn’t jump up with you and bunch up like some others. It lays flat and stays there, no riding, rolling or bunching. I hadn’t realized how much of a hassle this was with other mats until I tried this one, it really has improved my practice.
At 1/4 inch thick the mat is a little thicker than your average yoga mat but it is definitely worth it for the extra 
cushioning. I really notice a difference in certain poses between the Manduka and my old mat it’s especially kind to my knees and elbows. Of course the extra thickness adds to the weight but still it’s only 7lbs so not exactly heavy. If you need to carry it around before class you could use it to add some bicep curls to your warm up!
What Others think about this yoga mat?
Two Sides to All Yoga Mats; Know Which Side is Up….by L. Hawkins
Yoga mats come in three basic thicknesses. At 1/4″ this one tops even the thickest sticky mats. Roughly the thickness of two average mats together, this one will help cushion all those boney parts and not bunch up the way two mats together always seem to do. It’s not only thicker, it’s denser to boot. It’s cushion without mushiness. However…….(Read the rest)
