Anyone bought an “almost perfect” Manduka mat?

[OhRosalind]

My ancient mat has become unbearably stretchy and thin and is making my practice impossible. I need something thick and cushioned for Pilates and grippy and stable enough for dynamic yoga. Something that isn’t slippy when you sweat. I’d prefer to invest in something decent and I’m considering the Manduka Pro or Pro Lite.

I’m on a budget at the moment so the ‘almost perfect’ ones - factory seconds basically - are appealing as they’re significantly cheaper, but I’d be buying online so can’t know the ‘flaw’ in advance. Has anyone bought one and how imperfect was it? Or should I just invest in the full price option (with the guarantee)?

I can’t comment on the almost perfect condition as I haven’t bought one but with Manduka, they are known for quality so I doubt it would have damages that would affect performance, probably just little marks or colour imperfections.

I have a Manduka pro mat and whilst it is very cushioned I hate it for normal yoga as it isn’t grippy at all, my hands slide all over the place (downward dog is impossible!) and it’s even worse when sweaty. I only use this mat now with a towel on top for hot yoga.

It says it gets grippy overtime but I would disagree, even after months of use and even leaving it outside after scrubbing sea salt into it, it’s still terrible.

I would recommend this www.aloyoga.com/products/w7092r-warrior-mat-black?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_campaign=pdp

It’s unbelievably grippy and less than 2mm thinner than the Manduka pro so still very cushioned x

Your link doesn’t work.

Sorry, the top part works (third time lucky).

Sorry, not sure why the link doesn’t work.
If you just Google ‘Alo Yoga Warrior Mat’ you will find it 😊 x

Thanks for the recommendation!

Yeah I was all set on manduka but then I started reading about the slippiness issue, and I don’t really want something that needs months of breaking in or always needs to be used with a towel.

I was considering the Lululemon one as that is apparently very grippy, but the Alo one looks like a good alternative, thanks for the tip!

I have a cork one which I love and is not slippy at all.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07CXGWZ8B/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_inactive_ship_o0_img?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

Love my Lululemon one (DH has one too) as it’s still ‘grippy’ after 3 years and the colour is still vibrant.

What thickness is your Lululemon, Count? Looking at 5cm as I want cushioning and mostly use it at home, I think it might be a bit heavy to lug to classes.

I’ve never tried cork, interesting that it’s grippy enough for hot yoga. I’m not in the U.K. and can’t find that brand on our Amazon.it unfortunately.

I was hoping to spend closer to 50€ but all the mats with decent reviews for grip when sweaty are on the pricier side. I guess it’s worth it for something that will last and be fit for purpose though, my old agoy mat has suddenly got all stretchy and is barely usable.

I can’t remember, but looking at it would say 5mm. It’s a reversible in chalky white.