This mat protects your toes and spine and knees and hands from the hardness of the floor underneath it. Plus, it will stay in place.

It did have a bit of a smell when I first opened it but that has disappeared completely now just through normal daily use. Most of the other mats I’ve used over the years from other companies have also had some sort of “new mat smell” (Hugger Mugger, Wai Lana, Gaiam, even a “Bally” my first mat before I knew anything about yoga). A note on the product information sleeve mentioned that there is a slight film on the mat. I don’t sweat very easily, and it happened only every so often so I think it may have been the oils in my hands.

Once you get it you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s thick unlike every other mat out there. I didn’t because I read it was too heavy, and I didn’t want to get in anyone’s way in Yoga class! It would have been fine.

It is very thick, which makes it much more comfortable than thinner mats. It is also very sturdy, which makes it a lot better for balancing poses than the typical squishier yoga mats. My new mat has light grey streaks on it. This is a thick, heavy mat similar to industrial floor matting. It’s a little wider than my other mats and I like that a lot for some of the asanas I do. It has never slipped on the floor and I feel really safe and confident using it. I was traveling last week and had to use a mat at the studio–the squishiness and thinness of the mat made my feet hurt a lot! I bought my boyfriend the purple travel one and he liked it, but thought it was too short so then I bought him the 85-inch black mat and he loves it!

So I practice both Bikram and regular flow based yoga. This is a great mat for both; I really appreciate the extra thickness/cushioning. But, with those products, I always had problems with buckling and the mat becoming slick once I started sweating. I am very glad that I stepped-up and bought this mat. Arrived ahead of schedule, exactly what was ordered. It arrived in perfect condition, no flaws, more cushioning that any mat that I have seen. It seems like the quality is above and beyond the rest of the mat world. Recommend for those who are looking for more than the basic ultra-thin yoga mat. Just received it today!

My hands and feet sweat a lot during class. Most mats I’ve tried turn into a slip-and-slide after the first 5 minutes.

I have no complaints about the mat – the smell isn’t too bad, and I leave the mat at the shala so I don’t carry it around. I have no problems recommending this to all my friends.