Product Description

The Manduka eKO Lite yoga mat offers something new for eco-conscious yoga practitioners who are on the go - a natural rubber, closed-cell mat that is designed for durability and comfort, and will decompose completely at the end of its useful life without leaving a footprint in landfills. Intended for traveling ease, the eKO Lite is standard size and lightweight. Free of toxic foaming agents and plasticizers commonly found in TPE, POE and other rubber mats, the eKO mat is designed to be kind to the earth and your practice. Note: Like any natural rubber mat there is an initial scent which will fade after an initial break in period. A new mat should be left unrolled when possible to accelerate the break-in period.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2122 in Sports & Outdoors
• Brand: Manduka
• Model: EKO (3mm)
• Released on: 2007-10-01
• Dimensions: .12" h x 24.00" w x 68.00" l, 3.50 pounds

Features

• Eco-friendly 3mm yoga mat made from non-Amazon-harvested tree rubber
• Most durable, eco-friendly mat available today
• Free of oil-based products, toxic materials, foaming agents, PVC, and toxic plasticizers
• Developed over 3 years by yoga teachers
• Measures 68 inches long and 24 inches wide; scent-free after break-in period

Amazon.com Product Description
The Manduka eKO yoga mat offers something new for eco-conscious yoga practitioners--a natural-rubber, closed-cell mat that's designed for durability and comfort, yet decomposes completely at the end of its useful life without leaving a footprint in landfills. The 3mm thick eKO mat is made from non-Amazon-harvested tree rubber, and boasts a patented manufacturing process that's completely free of oil-based products, toxic materials, foaming agents, and the type of plasticizers commonly found in other eco mats, such as TPE and POE. At the same time, the natural rubber in the eKO mats is latex-free and non-allergenic, so you needn't worry about allergies hampering your yoga routine. This particular yoga mat is 71 inches long and 26 inches wide--4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than most yoga mats. Designed and manufactured with the same level of quality, attention to detail, and respect for the environment that sets apart all Manduka products, the eKO mat comes in four brilliant colors: moss, lava, aqua, and sand.

Customer Reviews

Love Manduka mats, but this one missed the mark.....
I purchased the thicker 5mm eKO mat by Manduka and I love it. I then purchased the light 3mm eKO mat to take to classes and I was very disappointed. I expected the mat to perform similar to the purple lite Manduka. Unfortunately, it didn't provide any support for my knees during poses. It is thinner than most "average" mats and actually provides less support. I was really disappointed. Lately, I've been using a studio mat under the 3mm eKO mat but I find it extremely frustrating and cumbersome. I've broken down and purchased another mat, the purple Manduka mat to take to class. I totally feel like I've wasted $40 on this purchase. I highly recommend the 5mm mat or the purple (lite) mat by Manduka, but not this one. It definitely missed the mark compared to other Manduka products. I gave it two stars because I don't slip....

This Mat Rocks!
I've practised on the Black & Purple Lite mats and this mat is right up there with the rest of them. The Black mat's too heavy for me as I travel frequently, and I find even the Purple Lite too heavy for shorter trips like hauling to & from the yoga studio. This Eko Lite's great for transporting/ travelling but still retains its heavy feel.

After a week of practice I can safely say it doesn't buckle like the other thin 3mm mats do. It sometimes looks as if the mat is uneven and doesn't sit flat on the floor smoothly, but when you're practicing you don't even feel it - it feels like a flat and solid mat. I practice in a heated room and after warming up, you do need a towel or yogitoes coz it gets slippery when wet (like most other rubber/ PVC mats too). But it grips well when doing a regular not-too-sweaty practice.

While researching this mat I couldn't find more close-up shots of what it looks like up-close, so I've taken some pictures here: http://skippettystreet.blogspot.com/2008/08/eko-lite-where-have-you-been-all-my.html

Overall, a highly recommended product, especially if weight is a consideration.

so slippery it's almost worthless
I bought this mat from my yoga studio and liked the ecofriendly quality as well as the light weight compared to the other mats. However, this mat is so slippery that my hands and feet slide everywhere, even when the studio is not too hot. This weekend was so hot, I practiced on the wooden studio floor because I was afraid of injuring myself due to the mat turning into a slip and slide. I tried washing it at the recommendation of my instructor to no avail. Still slipping everywhere....I hate this mat and am looking to buy another one.