When comparing Manduka eKO vs Jade Harmony, the Slant community recommends Jade Harmony for most people. In the question“What are the best eco-friendly yoga mats?” Jade Harmony is ranked 1st while Manduka eKO is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Jade Harmony is:
At 3/16” thickness, the Harmony mat is not as thick as some other yoga mats (like Jade Fusion), but it still cushions your knees a lot more than lower-quality alternatives. The Jade Harmony yoga mat is likely to be soft enough for people who don't have any pre-existing problems with their knees.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Great for taller people
The mat is longer than standard, giving taller people plenty of room.
Pro Stays flat
The mat rolls out flat every time, and doesn't maintain a curl at the ends.
Pro Good for dry conditions
The Manduka eKO has a textured surface that repels sweat. This makes it good for use in dry conditions, because the sweat will sit on the surface of the mat, causing it to be more slippery than open-cell mats (open-cell surfaces absorb moisture). The closed-cell surface on the Manduka is easier to clean and reduces the risk of accumulating bacteria in its pores.
Pro Provides decent support for your knees
At 3/16” thickness, the Harmony mat is not as thick as some other yoga mats (like Jade Fusion), but it still cushions your knees a lot more than lower-quality alternatives. The Jade Harmony yoga mat is likely to be soft enough for people who don't have any pre-existing problems with their knees.
Pro Good for hot yoga
The Jade Harmony is made of open-cell rubber, which gives it the grip that's great for wet conditions such as hot yoga. The Harmony will dry out if left in direct sunlight or in the back of your car uncovered on hot days, which will ruin the grip and shorten the lifespan of your mat considerably.
Pro Socially/environmentally conscious company
Jade Yoga plants a tree for every mat sold, makes their mats in the US, and supports a variety of great causes.
Cons
Con Rubber smell
The rubber smell on this mat is most felt right out of the box, but it can be aerated and will dissipate after a few uses.
Con Very heavy
Not easily portable as 8 lbs is a lot to be carrying around, especially if you have other stuff to carry (like a gym bag or a laptop).
Con Rubber smell
The Harmony is made of natural tree rubber, so it will smell like rubber at least for the first few uses. It does air out after a while, but if you're really sensitive to smells, this mat might not be for you.
Con Biodegradable means shorter life span
The Jade Harmony yoga mat is biodegradable, and after about a year of every-day use you will start to notice grooves in the mat in the spots where your hands and feet usually are, and bits of rubber will start to come off. If you want a yoga mat that lasts for decades, then you should consider getting a non eco-friendly version.