I purchased this mat to accompany me to my bikram yoga class on Mondays and it grips BEAUTIFULLY with the Manduka yoga towel. Even in a room heated to 105 degrees, this mat did not slip on the carpet.

However, I did try it once at my boyfriend's house, when my lotion seeped out of my skin from sweat, and I nearly slipped into Hanumanasana! I easily fixed that with, again, my yoga towel. No biggie.

Despite the claim that it folds to the size of a large sweatshirt, I managed to fold it down to a thick book, which makes traveling on a city bus much easier, since now I simply carry a duffel bag to bikram.

Absolutely awesome lightweight mat!

I have been looking for a lighter mat for lunchtime ashtanga, without looking like a ratty yogi if I have to go directly to a meeting afterwards. I chanced on this mat when I rented it at one of the places I practice at. Sold!

True, it does smell like rubber. Try airing it out before using and in between as much as possible.

Even my ashtanga instructor commented on my mat today -- and I'm sure she's seen a LOT of mats!

My love for my yoga mat cannot be expressed in words, sweat or prayer.

It does have a rubbery scent, but it doesn't bother me at all. I've already brought it to it's first class and christened it for a good hour.

On my last adventure to Long Island, I folded it up and put it nicely into my duffel bag, making it much easier to bring on the ferry from CT to NY. I practiced on the beach and it was perfect for unpacking and doing some asanas in the sunlight.

This is a great product! Especially if your a travel fanatic like myself, and don't like taking to long to put stuff in your Cessna!

5 Stars!

I travel frequently for work and wanted something I could pack in a carry-on that would be more effective than some old towels on the floor.

This mat is the ideal solution. The traction is great, it fits perfectly in my suitcase and has provided a great surface for me to do yoga and other body weight workouts.

Great job Manduka!

Nothing else like it on the market (trust me, I've looked). Folds up to about the size of a large sweatshirt (so it's not going to fit in a small purse - but a large purse, yes). Very grippy surface, which is great for yoga, but not so great for trying to stuff it into an already-snug backpack. I have to put it into a place bag first before sliding it into my bag - but that's not a problem for me.

Alas, no single mat is going to be perfect... while this mat is probably the best travel mat out there, it offers nearly no cushioning - but Manduka tells you this going in. I throw a blanket over the mat during my non-sweaty yoga classes to provide extra-cushioning.

Overall however, this mat does everything it advertises.

Warning - it does have a strong natural rubber smell - but again, I think if you read the reviews on this mat, you know that going in.

This mat is super awesome! Just bought one for my girlfriend, and she is in love with it! She folds it up into her bag. Now she's always prepared for an asana throwdown! :) I would've bought one too, except you only have it in regular size. 5 out 5 stars! Would give it 10 out of 5 stars if you had larger size. :)

I love love LOVE this mat! I take it with me to class and lay it on top of the studio/gym-provided mat. Not only does this give me a consistent, absolutely non-slip surface on which to practice but the mat acts as a hygienic barrier; I never have to be up close and personal with the odorous ghosts left by the multitude of yogis and yoginis who came and downward dogged before me.

I love the mat's lightness and that I can fold it up quite compactly, to about half the size shown here: 9" x 14", more or less. It fits perfectly in my bag, is way more practical than lugging around a rolled mat like a machine gun, and I can bop around town nicely in undetected yoga chick fashion. :)

Thank you for a fine product, Manduka!