JadeYoga Harmony Yoga Mat - Durable & Thick Gym Fitness Mat, Non-Slip Natural Rubber Yoga Mat - Home Exercise & Stretching Mat, Workout Mat - Yoga, Pilates & Meditation for Women & Men

So I do yoga 4 to 5 times per week with two classes being Vinyasa. This mat is amazing! It's thinner and lighter than the monstrous Prana Revolution or Manduka (fraking 9 pounds!). I'll sum up some of the pros in an easy to read list:Pros:-I carry the mat in a Prana mat bag with shoulder strap on a motorcycle, stays nicely rolled, doesn't fold in half-Weight is nice, not too light, just right, easy to carry on bike or moto-Construction is solid-Great grip, even when wet-Easy to clean-Great variety of colors-Good thickness, not thick like a fitness or pilates mat, thinner than Manduka-Eco-friendly construction and biodegradable-Solid, seamless grip, not open weave styleCons:-Gets slick if not cleaned often and properly (I clean once a week, or four uses on average; I still spray and wipe lightly after each use)-Smells when first used... goes away after awhile-Will absorb insane amounts of water, clean with spray bottle and soft cloth, air dry-Not as durable as MandukaSo expect to replace these mats every now and then, but that's the price to pay for this quality. Every mat wears out eventually, like running shoes. But at the price for this compared to Prana or Manduka, it's a steal!-----------Update: It's a couple of months in and I can't be happier. Even my instructor expressed admiration at my selection (though she has a Manduka - she doesn't have to lug it though!)Oh and I did purchase the longer mat. I don't know if it makes a difference to durability but I am a 5'11" guy about 155 lbs; my partner bought hers the same time and is much, much tinier than me (she's a lady so I won't give out her stats!); our mats are both in great shape, neither shows much wear. And we often jump from forward fold to plank or from downward dog to forward fold, so we definitely abuse them a bit.-------------Updated 10/5/2011Still using the mat 4 to 6 times per week and it is holding up well. There is a little wear where my feet normally go for downward dog (I think it gets more wear when I roll over my feet coming out of up dog). But once it wears a little more I plan on flipping the mat since you can use either side. Amazing durability. And I stress again... give it a couple of weeks to get properly broken in. And I also do not clean it with anything fancy. Usually I just roll it across two bar stools to air dry at home (sometimes pointing a fan at it). Or I do a once a week wipe down with the standard gym solution they have at the club. It hasn't caused any issues so far. (In nearly a year).

I adore this mat. I have a somewhat rigorous hot yoga practice, and I use the mat 5-6 times a week. I used to place those pricey yogitoes towels over my mats, and then spray liberally (to make the towel stick), so that I wouldn't slip and slide during practice, but with this mat, I don't even use the towel except maybe for core work where it just feels more "comfy" to have a towel underneath my back. I simply do not slip with this mat. If I'm dumping a ton of sweat in one particular area, it might get a little slippery, but otherwise, for a regular sweaty practice, this mat is wonderful. I've worn out my current mat, so I'm here to buy another one. In terms of weight (I lug mine all around the city by foot), color choices and sheer comfort, this is the best mat out there in my opinion.As for cons, yes, the mat will wear out. With my practice, I've started noticing some wearing at around 7-8 months. Basically, the rubber on the mat is breaking down right around the base of my mat where I typicaly stand. I wish that the mat would last at least a year for economic purposes, but I'm okay with it breaking down in general. There's something weird about a mat that doesn't break down with rigorous use - kind of like food that doesn't expire. I like to think of the break down of the mat as a sign of my use - and money's worth - of the mat. And honestly, I need a change in mat color every so often. I don't want to keep my green mat forever. Now I want purple. And maybe next time I'll get red. I like the change. I've looked in the Mandukas that last forever, and the appeal just isn't there for me. The sheer weight of the Manduka is ridiculous for someone who walks a mile or two to class nearly everyday like I do.As for the rubber smell, it doesn't bother me. After a couple of weeks, the smell faded, and now I just don't notice anything at all. I mean, maybe if I stick my nose in the mat and take a deep inhale and really think about it I'll get a rubber smell, but what do you expect from something that is made of rubber?As a word of warning, this mat is sticky enough that you'll feel the stickiness even lying down in savasana. I would suggest bringing a towel or putting on a sweatshirt or placing a blanket on the mat if you just want to lay there all comfy like. Also, because of the stickiness, you can't just slide the mat in and out of a yoga bag, you have to place it inside of a side zip bag (or use a strap).

This mat is excellent. I am not an advanced yogi, but I do an intermediate practice daily. For most poses, a cheap mat worked fine. There are a few poses, however, in which my hands or feet would always slip, sometimes dangerously. 3-legged dog and transitions from it were the biggest culprit. I tried the little grippy yoga gloves, but they didn't do much (the gloves would stick to the mat, but my hands would slip inside the gloves). This is a non-issue with this mat. I am totally stable in 3-legged dog with no slip in the hands or foot. I also notice a difference in a variety of standing poses, especially ones where my feet are far apart or I am shifting around a lot. The added stability has made it safer to practice, and possible to push my practice and improve my form.The mat doesn't look thick, but I have found that it provides the same amount of cushion as other thicker mats. It does seems to act as a magnet for dust and dirt-- I clean it with a minimal amount of water and rag. It's heavier than a foam mat, of course--might not be the best travel mat.The hefty price is certainly a consideration. It's all-natural rubber, so the price is what it is. If you're looking for grip, this is the one.