Jade Travel Yoga Mat Vs. Manduka Pro Lite: Best Portable Yoga Mats

If you’re a yoga practitioner who travels often, your life would be a whole lot easier with a decent travel mat. They’re not as tough and sturdy as classic mats you use at home, but it is a lot easier to walk around with a 3lb mat than one that weighs as much as a newborn baby.

And when you think about air travel and overweight baggage fees, a lightweight yoga mat suddenly becomes a sound investment. Especially since travel mats are thinner than standard ones, and can easily be folded to fit into your carry-on. But which travel mat do you get, and is it really a good substitute for your favorite heavy-duty one?

In this detailed comparison, we will take a look at two portable travel mats. One is from Jade Yoga and the other is from Manduka. Both brands have amazing products that rarely disappoint, so we are pretty confident that one of these portable yoga mats is just right for you!

Materials And Texture

The first things we’re going to look at are the materials these mats are made from and their surface texture. The Jade Yoga mat is made from natural rubber from rubber trees. It has an open-cell texture that offers great grip, but it does mean that the mat is slightly less stable. It has some give and you can feel it when you’re doing different poses. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is entirely a matter of personal preference.

The best thing about the material of the Jade Yoga mat is that it uses zero synthetic materials. Everything about it is completely natural, and the company even plants a tree for every mat they sell. If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, then definitely go with the Jade Yoga Travel Mat.

The Manduka Pro Lite features an entirely different composition. For one, it has a closed-cell texture that isn’t nearly as flexible as the one of the Jade mat. But I think that’s a good thing, as it makes the mat perfectly stable. It won’t budge an inch no matter how much you are moving on it – if that’s the performance you prefer, then the Manduka ProLite is the obvious option for you.

The benefit of the closed-cell texture is that it doesn’t absorb nearly as much moisture as the Jade mat, so you won’t have to clean it as often because it will stay fresh for longer.

Additionally, the Manduka ProLite mat is made from PVC and is 100% free from latex. It is eco-friendly but it’s not made from entirely natural materials like the Jade Yoga mats. But that’s precisely the reason why this mat feels sturdier and more stable. Ultimately, it’s down to your personal preference – do you want a springy mat that’s entirely eco-friendly or a stable yoga mat that’s made from PVC?

Padding And Thickness

The thickness of a yoga mat is very important for your comfort. Some people prefer thicker mats that are more comfortable when you’re exercising outside, as they provide a thicker layer of cushioning between you and debris on the ground. Other people prefer thinner mats because they want closer contact with the ground – which one are you?

The Jade Travel Yoga mat is 3.2 mm thick. That’s not a lot and it’s a great option if you normally prefer thinner mats that allow for close contact with the ground. On the other hand, the open-cell texture of the Jade mat feels very soft on your knees, which is great for seated poses and lunges. Even though it’s pretty thin, it is not uncomfortable and it feels really soft.

The Manduka ProLite has a thickness of 4.7 mm, so it’s the better option if you don’t want to feel the ground under the mat. However, keep in mind that the ProLite itself is not as soft as the Jade mat due to the closed-cell surface. Even though it’s thicker, it’s much less elastic and ultimately not as soft as the Jade Travel Yoga mat.

The two portable yoga mats are very similar in terms of cushioning, and it really comes down to the feel that you prefer. If it’s a thinner but softer mat, then go with the Jade Yoga option. But if you want a thicker and sturdier mat, then obviously get the Manduka ProLite.

Size And Dimensions

Another important thing we need to consider is the actual size of these mats. It’s worth noting that you can choose between two different lengths with both of the mats, so you some options at the very least.

The Jade Yoga mat is available in lengths of 68” and 74”, both of which are 24” wide. That should be enough for most people, provided you’re of average build. Taller people will likely need more space, especially when focusing on poses that have a lot of sideways movement.

In that sense, the Manduka ProLite might just be the better option. It is also 24” wide, but it’s longer than the Jade – you can choose between 71” and 74” lengths. The longer mat is heavier than the 71” option, so keep that in mind and consider how it will affect your commute and travels.

Another thing worth noting here is that the Jade Yoga mat isn’t necessarily the worse option just because it’s shorter. It is much more elastic than the Manduka mat, and you can actually feel it stretch along with your body when you’re doing that downward dog. Even though it’s not quite as long, it is more flexible so it performs almost just well.

Plus if you’re a short person, then it makes sense to get the shorter mat – why would you carry around something that’s bigger than you, when you can get a mat that’s perfect for your size?

But if you straight up just want the extra space for workouts, then the Manduka ProLite definitely has better options for you. The 79” mat is long enough to fit the average basketball player, which ultimately makes it the more convenient option for tall men and women.

What About Traction?

A great yoga mat will stick to the ground and it won’t move regardless of the moves you’re performing on it. But even more than that – a good yoga mate is able to handle your sweat and still stay sticky. The lower quality mats tend to turn into slip and slides when they’re wet, and that’s not something anyone wants.

The construction of these mats comes into play here – Jade Yoga mats tend to be spongier than the Manduka ones, which means that they absorb more sweat and are ultimately drier during workouts. However, this also means that the mat is absorbing all the nasty bacteria and that you will have to end up replacing it sooner.

At the same time, the Jade Yoga mats offer better traction on the surface, precisely because they absorb all of your sweat. You might have to clean them more often, but it’s pretty much guaranteed that you won’t slip around while you’re doing yoga on one of their mats.

Manduka mats, on the other hand, have a closed-cell surface that stops them from absorbing sweat as rapidly. They are cleaner even after really sweaty workouts, and they will last longer because of that. But that also means some of that sweat will stay on the top layer of the mat, so ultimately their traction is a bit worse.

Additionally, the Manduka ProLite mat features a dot pattern on the bottom layer, which helps it stick to the ground. But it’s still not as sticky as the Jade Travel Yoga mat.

Now, if you are into hot yoga, neither of these mats is the best option for you. You want something that can handle a lot more sweat and which is easier to clean, so be sure to look at some other options first.

Maintenance And Cleaning

Another important feature that people often forget to talk about is how easy it is to clean a yoga mat. Ideally you’d be able to throw them in the washer and dryer, but we live in a world that is far from ideal.

Jade mats absorb everything, so it’s best not to use too much cleaner with them. In fact, you should clean it with water after every workout, and every so often give it a deep clean in the bathtub. But even then, be very carful that you use a mild cleaner, preferably something anti-bacterial and give it a really thorough rinse. And don’t leave them out in the sunlight for too long when they’re drying – it’s best to hang them to dry in your bathroom.

It’s different with Manduka mats. Because of the closed cell texture they have on the top layer, they aren’t nearly as absorbent. Which means that you’re free to clean them with whatever you want – I prefer regular household cleansers or even just a DIY water and vinegar cleanser to Manduka’s pricey brand option.

Weight And Portability

A good yoga mat should be lightweight, especially if you usually do yoga at the studio as opposed to your home. And in that aspect, the Jade mat is without a doubt the more convenient option. It weighs about 2.9 lbs, which is a pretty good weight – it is heavy enough to be a serious and sturdy mat, but not so heavy that you’re getting in a workout every time you lift it off the ground.

On the other hand, the Manduka ProLite weighs in at about 4 lbs, depending on the exact length you get. It’s not a massive difference, but it is one you are going to feel if we’re talking about a 20-minute walk to the studio. Obviously, the Jade Yoga mat is the better option for air travel, when every ounce matters due to airline weight restrictions.

Another thing to consider is how often you commute with the mat, and what mode of transport you’re using. If you just drive down to the studio and throw the mat in the car, the 1lb difference isn’t even that important. But if you have to ride the bike or use public transport while carrying the mat on your shoulders, then a lighter option will ultimately be more convenient.

If you’re mostly going to be doing yoga at home and want a mat that’s good for the occasional trip, then either one of these is a valid option. In fact, you might even want to consider some of the other options from these brands – they have a bunch of other mats that are much better for use at home due to their thickness and performance. The main reason why I didn’t feature them here is that they tend to be really heavy so they’re not very portable.

Drying And Sun Exposure

The Jade Yoga mat is made from natural biodegradable rubber. Because of that, you shouldn’t leave it out in the direct sunlight for too long – it can discolor the mat and significantly increase the rate at which it degrades. Leave it to dry out in the sunlight and you might have a permanently damaged yoga mat that is virtually useless.

It’s best to dry it indoors – although it might take longer than just throwing it out in the yard, it’s the only way to avoid permanently damaging your new fancy travel mat.

Manduka mats, on the other hand, love sunlight. They’re made from PVC that can easily handle the sun, and they are a lot more convenient in this aspect. In fact, it’s even recommended that you leave out the ProLite in the sun after you’ve sprayed it with sea salt, just to make the break-in process even shorter.

Breaking In The Mat

Getting a brand new yoga mat is exciting, but waiting for it to break in properly can be tiring. So, it’s important to consider the break-in period of a new yoga mat, just to know what to expect. This will also help you prepare for a trip – you can break in the mat before you travel somewhere with it,  so you won’t have to deal with that while you are away.

The Jade Yoga mat is very soft and flexible out of the box and it takes virtually no time to break it in. That is because of the spongy, open-cell texture that is ready for use as soon as it arrives on your doorstep. The one thing that might bother you is the scent when it’s brand new, but that will go away in a day or two.

The Manduka ProLite, on the other hand, is much more rigid. The texture does improve over time, but it will take some time to break in the mat. It will help if you spray the mat with sea salt and leave it like that for about 24 hours. Additionally, I would recommend doing some practice sessions on the mat to break it in, and alternating which way you are facing so that you can even break in the entire mat.

Jade Travel Yoga Mat Vs. Manduka ProLite: Is One Better?

Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference. Both of these travel mats are great options, and they both excel in different areas. The Jade Travel Yoga mat is amazing when it comes to traction. It is very sticky, and its open cell texture means that it will never turn into a slip and slide, even if you are doing hot yoga.

The Jade Yoga mat is made from biodegradable rubber that requires no time to break in but is sensitive to sunlight. It’s the more eco-friendly option out of the two, but it’s also not quite as durable as the Manduka ProLite.

The Manduka mat is pretty much stable like a tank. The dot texture at the bottom ensures that it sticks to the ground and doesn’t move an inch no matter what pose you’re doing on the mat. The closed-cell texture ensures that you have better traction when the mat is dry, but it also means that the ProLite doesn’t absorb any sweat at all.

If we’re talking just about portability, the Jade Travel Yoga mat is by far the better option. It’s more than a pound lighter, so it’s much easier to carry it places. This is very important for air travel, or just for people who are used to walking to the studio.

On the other hand, the heavier weight of the Manduka comes from its thicker construction and it makes the mat more stable overall. Extra thickness also means better cushioning and more comfort, so bear that in mind when making the final decision.

In the end, it really is up to you. Do you want a thin and light yoga mat that’s sticky and takes ages to dry, or a very stable and rigid one, which you can just leave out in the yard and forget about it?

You can see the prices and all the different color options of these mats on Amazon, so head over there once you’ve decided which travel mat is ultimately the better option for you!