Price Match Guarantee | Free Shipping $60+ | Easy Returns l Rewards Program
Price Match Guarantee | Free Shipping $60+ | Easy Returns l Rewards Program
Posted on • 02/16/2026 • Aimeé Durán Triujeque• Yoga
If you’ve been looking for an eco-friendly mat with great grip, chances are you’ve come across the Jade Harmony and the Manduka eKO. Both are natural-rubber mats with strong sustainability claims, but they feel quite different once you’re actually on them.
I haven’t owned these exact models, but I do practice on a Manduka eKO Superlite (the thinner travel version), and during my yoga teacher training in Mexico, Manduka eKO and PRO mats were everywhere. One of my classmates brought a Jade Harmony, and I still remember trying it after class and being surprised by how “locked in” my hands felt. That experience definitely shaped how I think about these two mats and who they might suit best.
Both brands market these mats as planet-conscious options. Here’s a closer look at how the Jade Harmony and Manduka eKO compare:
The Jade Harmony (about 3/16" or 5 mm thick) is famous for its “glued-to-the-mat” grip. The open-cell rubber surface absorbs a bit of moisture, so it tends to get grippier as you sweat—great for vinyasa or
slightly heated classes. Reviews often mention its excellent traction and supportive, not-too-squishy cushioning.
One Mukha Yoga customer put it this way:
“The Jade Harmony is the best yoga mat I've ever used. I practice heated power vinyasa daily and this mat offers firm grip, cushion, and durability. I used two Jade Harmony mats for almost 12 years before replacing them—with the same mat, of course.”
The Manduka eKO (commonly 4–5 mm, depending on the model) has a denser, more grounded feel with a textured, more closed-cell top layer. It’s still naturally grippy but a bit less “sticky” than the Jade when things get very sweaty. The upside of that closed-cell surface is that it doesn’t absorb much sweat, so it’s easier to wipe clean and feels more hygienic in studio settings.
As one Mukha Yoga customer said of the eKO:
“This is my second Manduka mat and I love it. The eKO has the thickness of the PRO mat with a slight bounce, and it’s much lighter. I also love the copper color—it was sold out everywhere, so I was happy to find it at Mukha.”
Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.
~ Siddhartha
For Jade Harmony, users consistently praise the grip and comfort but mention a few trade-offs: a strong rubber smell out of the box, the way the open-cell surface attracts dust, and some reports of wear (pilling or thinning) in high-contact areas over time. At the same time, there are plenty of long-term users who’ve practiced on a Harmony mat for years with good results.
For the Manduka eKO, feedback often highlights its durability and easy-to-clean surface, plus solid grip for most non–hot yoga practices. Some practitioners find it a bit firmer or less cushiony than Jade, and there are occasional mentions of scuffs or wear, particularly with very heavy use or if it’s stored rolled tightly in hot cars or sunny spots.
From what I’ve seen in my own practice and during YTT, Manduka tends to attract people who want a long-lasting, stable base, while Jade draws those who care most about feel and serious grip under sweaty hands and feet.
If you can, try a short flow on each. Your body will usually tell you which one feels like home.
PREVIOUS
Aimeé Durán Triujeque published 02/16/26
NEXT
Aimeé Durán Triujeque published 08/15/24
Expert outdoor writer, yoga teacher-in-training and artist born in Mexico. Aimee's personal practice has evolved into an eclectic and healing combination of Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Kundalini yoga.
All Rights Reserved @2026
