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Jade vs Manduka: Which Yoga Mat Should You Buy

What will you choose from the set of two options given below?

“Audi or Lexus?”

“Coke or Pepsi?”

“Miami or Honolulu?”

Yeah, all are seemingly equally the best options and it is NOT always easy to choose from them. The same confusion is experienced when it comes to choosing between Jade and Manduka. Both are renowned and reliable brands of yoga mats across the world. 

Manduka is known for its top-notch mats that ensure the durability and comfort while Jade wins over the heart of the users with its eco-friendliness, portability, and budget-friendly options. Some yogis swear on the benefits of Jade mats while others are loyal fans of Manduka. That’s why it is not easy to choose between these two brands, especially if you are a beginner. 

While choosing between them can come down to comfort and preference, some characteristics give these mats an edge over each other. To help you deal with this common conundrum of choice, here is a brief comparison of both mats, testing them on various factors. I hope you will get your mat by the end of this article. Let’s get it started. 

Warranty

This round clearly belongs to Manduka Pro that comes with a lifetime warranty. 

It simply means that if any wear and tear happen on your Manduka yoga mat, you just have to return it and the company will send you a new one. Jade only offers a 30-day warranty. But that doesn’t mean that it fails to last long. With its high-quality material and detailed engineering, Jade yoga mats are designed to last long. 

If a warranty is still your preference, then Manduka Pro is all that you need. 

Sustainability

Choosing the yoga mats that are made from eco-friendly materials helps protect the environment. 

Yoga mats made from Poly Vinyl Rubber (PVR) add to the ever-increasing waste problem, and can even release toxic gas when in use, which can impact your health. That’s why many yogis prefer an eco-friendly option in yoga mats. 

The good thing is that both Jade and Manduka have bio-degradable, toxin-free options to offer but differently. The ingredient of the Jade mat is the sustainably harvested tree rubber, which means that the rubber is cultivated in a way that it cannot harm the environment. These mats are likely to get decomposed easily without leaving carbon footprints. While Manduka uses an eco-certified Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material that is emission-free, non-toxic, and completely latex-free. 

So, both brands are committed to offering an eco-friendly option to the yogis. 

Maintenance

Yoga mats tend to become the breeding ground of germs and bacteria over the years of use, thanks to the build-up of sweat and dirt on them.  That is why you need to clean them frequently.

Cleaning might be easy or tricky depending on the texture of your mat. Jade mats, for example, feel like a big sponge, sucking in the soapy cleaner or certain cleaning lotion used by you. So you need to wipe them only with water. 

One more word of caution: don’t leave them out in the sunlight for hours. Instead, let them dry in your bathroom. Manduka mats, on the other hand, can be cleaned easily with a gentle scrub and any ordinary cleaner. 

Portability for Traveling

If you are a yogi who travels a lot, your life would be easier with a lightweight yoga mat. When you consider the air travel and baggage fees, choosing a lightweight yoga mat becomes a great investment. 

Well, which mat can be your good travel mate–Jade or Manduka?

The Jade mat weighs around 4.5 pounds while the Manduka Pro weighs around 7 pounds. The Manduka mat is not only a bit heavier than the Jade mat but also looks creased when folded. 

Performance for Hot Yoga Sessions

Interestingly, neither of these yoga mats is the best option for hot yoga sessions or sweaty/humid conditions. Despite that fact that both Jade and Manduka absorb sweat and moisture, Jade has an upper hand when it comes to traction and stickiness in sweaty conditions.

But it comes with a trade-off. The porous and open-cell texture of Jade can absorb sweat and germs, contaminating the mat. No wonder why Jade mats are not easy to clean when compared with Manduka which has closed cells.

This is the only issue if you are doing a hot yoga several times a week. You can keep a hot yoga towel handy for a grip. 

Cushioning and Thickness

The thickness of a yoga mat is a key element to determine your comfort and balance during yoga poses.

Thicker yoga mats are good for kneeling and grounding positions, but they might not support the balancing poses. Thinner yoga mats are good for balancing, but they might not be ideal for your sensitive knees. 

The Manduka Pro is 4.7 mm thick, so it is a great choice for your grounding poses. However, the closed-cell texture makes it a little coarse. The Jade mat, on the other hand, is 3.2 mm thick. Plus, the open-cell surface will feel soft on your joints, making it an ideal mat for lunges and seated poses. 

These two mats have similar cushioning, and it all depends on your comfort. If you are looking for a thinner but softer yoga mat, Jade might serve your purpose. But if you prefer a studier and thicker mat, then go for the Manduka mat. 

Which Yoga Mat is Better: Jade or Manduka?

After going through the brief comparison between Jade and Manduka, it is time to tell which one should you choose.

But again, choosing a yoga mat comes down to one’s preferences. Each one has its pros and cons.

While Jade is a lightweight mat, it is not easy to clean it when compared to Manduka. Manduka comes with a lifetime warranty, but its thickness and weight can make it problematic for traveling. Both mats share some similar positives in terms of grip, cushioning, and eco-friendliness. 

In conclusion, both are incredible yoga mats. You can use them for different purposes and moods if you can afford them both. Otherwise, you can stick to the one that can serve you better. 

About the author

Arun Gupta