The Lululemon Reversible (Un) is a thinner version of their original mat design, The Mat. Excellent for traveling, it's super lightweight but also retains the quality of their signature mat. It is only 1.5mm thick and weighs two pounds, three ounces, making it super easy to put into a small bag or suitcase. The (Un) makes for an exceptional travel mat, as it can be folded and placed in a suitcase or carry on. The quality is incredible; the polyurethane (slick side) for hot yoga is supper grippy when wet, and the latex (textured side) is ideal for non-heated yoga. While this mat is not the most cushiony, having a blanket close by solves the problem.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 4, 2022. Since our test cycle, the price on this mat has risen steeply, forcing us to reassess our Best Buy award. After some deliberation, we decided to remove the (Un) mat from the award pedestals, as we no longer feel it merits an award for its affordability.Lululemon Reversible (Un) Review
Cons: Thin
Manufacturer: Lululemon
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Lululemon Reversible (Un) | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $78 List | $70 List $69.95 at Amazon | $92 List | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $25 List $24.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Inexpensive, high-quality | Great traction when wet, easy to care for when doing hot yoga | Grid for alignment, non-slip, eco-friendly rubber | Great traction when dry, comfortable and stable | Lightweight, foldable, good traction, inexpensive |
Cons | Thin | Not as much cushion as a regular 5mm mat, somewhat slippery when dry | Expensive, slippery when too wet | A little heavy, not durable | Minimal padding |
Bottom Line | A great option not only for travelers, but for someone looking for a high-quality mat at a reasonable price | Great for hot yoga or people who like to use a towel over their mat | Features a grid for alignment; a great mat for a new or experienced yogi looking to improve their yoga | Great mat that works well for a variety of non-heated styles | Excellent choice for travelling yogis |
Rating Categories | Lululemon Reversibl... | Aurorae Synergy | GuruGrid Eco-Friend... | Manduka eKO | Gaiam Foldable |
Comfort & Stability (15%) | |||||
Portability (10%) | |||||
Durability (15%) | |||||
Traction Dry (20%) | |||||
Traction Wet (20%) | |||||
Ease of Care (20%) | |||||
Specs | Lululemon Reversibl... | Aurorae Synergy | GuruGrid Eco-Friend... | Manduka eKO | Gaiam Foldable |
Materials | Polyurethane | Bottom: Polymer Environmental Resin, Top: Microfiber towel | Natural Rubber and Polyurethane | Natural rubber | PVC |
Measured Weight | 2 lbs 3 oz | 3 lbs 10 oz | 4 lbs 7.5 oz | 5 lbs 15 oz | 1 lb |
Length | 71 in | 72 in | 72 in | 71 in | 68 in |
Width | 26 in | 24 in | 24 in | 26 in | 24 in |
Thickness | 1.5 mm | 5 mm | 3.5 mm | 5 mm | 2 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Mats that feature a polyurethane top are often much more expensive than the Lululemon (Un). It boasts excellent traction and is super compact. In most practices, traction is incredibly essential, as it allows you to go to your physical edge without worrying about slipping and falling. In the case you decide you don't like yoga, this mat is super compact and will not take up much space in your closet; just kidding, we know you'll love yoga!
Performance Comparison
Ease of Care
Unfortunately, the Reversible (Un) does have a lingering, strong rubber smell right out of the box. Lululemon's website claims that the rubber smell fades over time; while it fades, it never completely goes away.
When you sweat, the liquid beads up, and some of it is absorbed; the sweat that doesn't get absorbed is super easy to wipe away. The cleaning process after yoga is simple and straightforward because all you have to do is wipe it, roll it, and you're good to go. Because this mat is so thin, it dries much faster than Lulu's signature mat, making it even easier for someone living in a city or traveling.
If you have a consistent yoga practice (4-5 sweaty practices a week), Lululemon does recommend you give your mat a "bath" once every other week. Cleaning the mat consistently ensures longevity and helps preserve the antimicrobial additives in the mat. Cleaning your mat regularly will also help fade the stinky rubber smell.
Traction Dry
The Reversible (Un) has two sides; the more textured side is better for a practice in which you do not break a serious sweat.
Lululemon updated the design of this side, and it is more grippy than ever. Before, the material would wear away quickly, and the mat would lose some of its grip. The new latex material is exceptionally grippy and works great for a practice that is not too sweaty. However, once this material gets wet, it once again gets slippery.
Traction Wet
The second, slicker, side of the mat is better for a hot or sweaty class. When sweat drips on this mat, it beads up, making the excess water (not absorbed into the mat) easy to wipe up with a towel.
Since this mat is so thin and does not absorb as much liquid as the Lululemon Reversible, it's important to have a towel during practice, so you're able to wipe away excess sweat. Fortunately, despite the travel version not boasting the same absorption qualities as the regular, it's still plenty grippy.
Comfort and Stability
This mat was specifically designed to fit into a suitcase, and thus, there is not much cushion.
It's excellent for balancing poses, but less than ideal for a yin or pilates practice. If you need a little extra support, we recommend using a blanket or towel under your knees or hips, which can help provide more comfort.
Durability
Despite how lightweight this mat is, we find it to be durable and of high quality.
The material does not wear away quickly on the edges and keep its tackiness through all of our tests. However, when we left it out in the sun and it was wet, it left large stains, which did not affect the practicality of the mat.
Portability
Portability is what this mat was created for; it's super lightweight and flexible. It doesn't need to be rolled up and it easily folds to fit in your suitcase or carry on. It's an excellent mat if you live in a city because it can easily attach to any pack or on top of a purse.
Value
For this price point, you are getting an extremely high-quality mat. It's difficult to find a mat with this much traction (dry or wet) and durability. If you're just starting your practice or travel a good bit, this mat may be ideal for you. The Lululemon The Reversible doesn't cost much more and may be a more suitable option if you're after a grippy mat with more cushion.
Conclusion
The Lululemon Reversible (Un) is great for any yogi, but specifically a traveler seeking a high-quality yoga mat. It's effortless to care for, as it does not absorb much of your sweat and dries quickly. Traction is exceptional and allows you to choose from two different sides. Portability is the key component, as it can easily be rolled or folded. We highly recommend this mat if you are looking to start your yoga journey off right with a high-quality mat.
— Bo Outland
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