Gaiam Dry-Grip Yoga Mat - 5mm Thick Non-Slip Exercise & Fitness Mat for Standard or Hot Yoga, Pilates and Floor Workouts - Cushioned Support, Non-Slip Coat - 68 x 24 Inches

How about a ten year anniversary update? I’m back, to order a couple new mats. I’ve ordered five more since this earlier review in 2015, and I STILL love these these wonderful, low maintenance, grippy mats. I tried a Manduka. I really wanted to love it. I scrubbed it with salt (honestly- it was recommended in the owners manual that came with it!), did all the stuff, and hated it so much after nearly busting me arse, that I gave that expensive toy away after a week, and went right back to my Gaiam dry grip. Sorry Manduka, it was you, not me. Have used a Jade at a friend’s house, but unimpressed. It showed dirt, was crazy thin, and smelled. A couple of my Gaiam are easily five, six years old, and have no smell, but I do throw them in the washing machine with vinegar every six months or so, and hang dry them outside. Be aware, though, it will make the self balancing function on your washer sound like a drumline practicing in the laundry room, but it’s well worth it. I actually like the occasional “bubble” or small bit of delamination or scuffing on the mat surface as the mat ages. It doesn’t spread, become even grippier. and it makes the mats absorb sweat (and boy, am I ever a sweater…) I sometimes wish I could figure out how to make all of my stable of mats do that. Yeah, I’m weird, and super particular about my mat(s). The only time I’ve ever had any issue with the “shiny” pattern another reviewer mentioned is when the mats are brand spank new, and only for the first couple of uses. They break in quickly. Since I first ordered, they came out with the XL. Oh, JOY!!!!! In the past ten years, I’ve tremendously upped both my yoga game, and my health, too, losing a ton of weight. I keep three mats in constant rotation, and hang them over a small A-frame step ladder after each use. (I typically do hot yoga five or six times a week.). The oldest mat lives in my car, for use during cardio weight class at the gym. The thought of using a gym mat grosses me out, so I always bring my own. I walk long distances with my mat, but with a gain strap looped over my back, I forget I have it on til I try to go through a doorway. (You’ll eventually perfect the XL mat shimmy!) it’s not a heavy mat. (The Manduka, THAT was a heavy mat. ) Several people at my studio now use these mats because I sing their praises to anyone who will listen. Sorry, studio owner, I love you, I love your studio, and know you’re selling the hundred dollar mats out front. I’ll support you by buying other gear, but this is so much better of a mat. Yoga mats are wildly personal, but for the price, give this one a chance. No salt scrub required. ————————————— I love love love love this mat. Did I mention I love it? I had an old honeycomb foam Gaian mat from Target that wore like iron for a couple of years. Didn't loose a single crumb, but I wanted to upgrade to a better mat. Everyone in my classes uses the trendy brands, but I figured I was so happy with the quality of the first Gaiam, I'd take a chance with one of their better mats. I am so happy I did. The difference over the less expensive Gaiam was immediately noticeable. I'd heard about "grip" but had no idea what it meant. Imagine you are a lizard with those little suction cuppy things on your hands and toes. Yep. You can push your hands forward, your feet apart, and they will not move, no matter how sweaty they are. You can pull them back during Sphinx pose, and your mat does not move. It also sticks to the ground beautifully. No more inch worming mat bunching up between your feet. Because you grip the mat so well, it makes some poses- downward dog, warrior poses, triangle, etc actually more enjoyable. I don't feel like my mat is fixing to slide right out from under me. I have used this mat for about six months now, easily 100+ uses. No signs of wear whatsoever, other than faint scuff marks where I put my feet in down dog. No odor either, even though I sweat an embarrassing lot. The only thing I would NOT do with this mat is fold it. I was in the habit of folding my old mat double and then rolling it, so the part that I practice on never touches the part that's on the floor. I tried that the first day with this mat, and it rolled, but unhappily so. When I went to use it the next day, there was an unsightly crease down the middle. It's still there after months, although it's finally started to fade. I would buy this mat again in a heartbeat. This mat truly took my practice up a notch. My only complaint is, I wish it were about sixth inches wider and 6-12 inches longer. I'm not particularly tall, but I use all my mat and then some, and I loath touching studio floors. Would love one that had the extra wiggle room.

This mat is AMAZING -- I would recommend it to anyone looking for a supportive, slip resistant mat. Is it super squishy? No. And that's what I was looking for! For me, 5mm is enough to not feel the floor. I do yoga sculpt 3-4x a week, and this mat doesn't have me slipping or sliding out of poses, even when I'm covered in sweat at the end of a workout. It was easy to wipe down, didn't have a smell (it did need to lay flat to uncurl, but that's to be expected). It's heavier than my other mat, but the grip to the floor, and for my hands to the mat, is unmatched in any mat I've used. If you're looking for a high-quality mat that's easy to wipe down, supportive, and non-slip, this is your mat.

Amazing mat for the price I was honestly shocked by how good this Gaiam mat is. It feels very similar to my Liforme mat in terms of grip and comfort, but at a fraction of the price. I don’t slip during practice, even when I’m sweating, and it has just the right amount of cushioning without feeling squishy. It lays flat, feels durable, and looks great too. If you love the feel of a high-end mat but don’t want to spend that much, this is an awesome alternative. I reach for this one just as often as my more expensive mat — sometimes more. Highly recommend!

I got it for heated classes and it works really well. It is comfortable, thick enough, traction is great, as long as I don't leave it in a hot summer car for days on end - it does not start smelling (It does in the car, despite me cleaning it off after each class). The only issue I had is cleaning with certain cleaners. After I sprayed it with Lysol - it started peeling, leaving pieces of top layer on the floor after every class.

Best. Mat. Ever. It's very much like Lulu The Mat. But a bit smaller in size, lighter & more beautiful. Lulu's The Mat wears down so fast & this one doesn't. Much lighter than manduka. Thicker/comfier than jade harmony which previously was my favorite. The surface is very absorbent. The grip is amazing - way better than traditional mats - I am so secure in warrior 2. I am able to go through half my hot power yoga class without a yoga towel. Then I lay down a towel during core when my sweat starts really dripping. It performs great when hot & damp, but also when dry. This mat is thick which is awesome for my knees in camel, and feels sturdy rather than squishy. I use chained hair elastics attached to a large button to hold it rolled when not in use. Any mat strap would work, I was just feeling creative & made my own. I used another thick mat before, but it was slippery. Then I used jade harmony but it was too thin. This is perfect. Update: I have had this yoga mat for 2 years now!!! I went through TWO yoga teacher trainings using this every day for hours, and often allowing other students to use it. I practice on it every single day. I do restorative yoga, drip-heavy heated power yoga and Bikram, as well as occasionally an outdoor class. It remains immaculate, as though I bought it yesterday! I cannot say enough good things about this mat. I clean it with JUST WATER and I think this is why it has retained its beauty. Occasionally, like every few weeks, I will clean it with either dish soap, vinegar, lemon juice-dilutred water with a drop of tea tree oil. Not consistent, just whatever is around. Usually it's water and let hang dry outside. It does not smell (I am a medium-sweater, not a huge dripper but not just a glower). I wish my yoga studio carried this mat, I think I am going to recommend that they do. I don't use it during my teaching only because I feel like I cannot "sell" it up, since we don't carry it. But if we carried it, I would tell every student to buy it. Especially that student who face-planted on her lulu mat. The surface is only slightly worn - it's almost as new looking as the day I bought it. It's a beautiful mat. It's thick and comfortable for those with knee issues, it has not matted down much at all - maybe just slightly after two years & only recently. I think I'll get it in purple next! UPDATE: Year 3 almost to the day. I am finally beginning to see wearing on my beautiful mat. I've been practicing at home regularly & just did a third yoga teacher training. I am starting to notice it wearing down at the top middle & top bottom of my mat. I think it's time for a replacement, but I'll never throw this one away. They'll have to bury it with me. UPDATE: It's STILL my favorite mat after 5 years. It is showing some love wear on the surface but it's not peeling, and i can see some of the threads around the top and bottom of the mat that are starting to be exposed. I kind of want to buy another identical mat but I kind of want this one to last forever and it's still 100% functional. Part of me wants another just to test how much better (or not) a brand new one is because I think this MUST have lost some of its cushioning. Right? Well, it is like the tarot deck I've had for 25 years, I could buy a new one but the old has become an extension of me, one of my favorite possessions in its perfection as it is not new but still exactly perfect.

Only been using mats purchased for my husband (6'2") for a couple weeks but so far LOVE them! I used to have issues with slipping on my mat, but this mat is super grippy and perfect size for my tall husband!

Absolute life saver! After buying cheap 20$ mats at local sports stores and either sinking into them, or sliding like on ice, found this gem! Very grippy, and great quality. Would buy more as gift once needed

This has been a great mat. I have been using it for about a couple of months now. The grip is really good and I use it for both a calming practice as well as a sweaty ashtanga practice. It does well with both. Soft and foamy too for my knees as I have had knee surgery, without being unstable. Love this mat and highly recommend it!

Great mat. I hate slipping on a yoga mat and this one holds tight! Pretty design and thick enough for comfort on knees.

Best and stickiest mat I've ever used, even for hot yoga. Love it.