Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat Review: The Best Mat?
By Ben Carter
8.2
Consumers Best Verdict: Gaiam Highlights
At Consumer's Best, we look for everyday wins, not just premium unicorns. The gaiam essentials yoga mat checks the right boxes for comfort, convenience, and price. It protects knees and wrists, cleans up fast, and doesn’t weigh you down. Durability is decent for casual to moderate use, though heavy, daily, sweaty flows will age it faster. All told, it’s a friendly first mat or reliable spare. If a friend asked me today, I’d say: if you want plush support without overthinking it, grab it and start moving—no fuss.
My honest take? The Gaiam Essentials Yoga Mat from Gaiam is a soft, budget-friendly workhorse that makes floor work feel kinder on your joints. It’s cushy, lightweight, and comes with a carry strap—so you’re set right out of the box. The trade-off is grip. When things heat up (hello, sweaty palms), it can feel slick. For gentle flows, stretching, Pilates, or at-home conditioning, it just works. If you’re chasing that locked-in, hot-yoga grip, you’ll want something grippier. But for the price, the value’s there—and then some.
In-Depth Look: Gaiam Features & Considerations
Core Features & Consumer Benefits
Here’s what stands out in real use—beyond the pretty product photos.
Thick, joint-friendly cushioning
The NBR foam is about 10 mm thick (varies by model), giving tender knees and wrists a nice break on hard floors.
Lightweight with strap included
Toss it over your shoulder and go; the included easy-cinch strap makes quick work of commuting to class.
Low-maintenance surface
Closed-cell foam resists moisture and wipes clean with a mild solution, so post-workout cleanup is quick.
Solid value for money
Priced accessibly, it’s a smart starter mat or backup—especially when you don’t want to baby your gear.
Versatile for home routines
Great for stretching, core work, Pilates, restorative and gentle yoga—basically, the everyday stuff most of us actually do.
Important Considerations & Potential Downsides
- Grip under sweat is limited
During hot or fast, sweaty sessions, it can feel slick—advanced balancing and hot yoga aren’t its sweet spot.
- Compression and wear over time
The plush foam can show imprints or small tears with heavy, daily use or shoes-on workouts.
- Material and odor
It’s synthetic (NBR), not natural rubber; a light factory scent may linger at first—air it out for a day or two.
- Stability trade-off
The extra thickness feels comfy but slightly bouncy; if you crave a super-grounded, thin-mat feel, this isn’t it.
Who Is the Gaiam Best For?
Beginners on a budget
You want a comfortable starter mat that doesn’t overcomplicate the purchase.
Home workout dabblers
You’re mixing light yoga, stretching, and floor strength without dripping sweat every session.
Sensitive knees and wrists
Extra cushioning makes kneeling poses, planks, and longer holds more doable.
Taller folks or those who sprawl
The 72" x 24" footprint gives a bit more room than shorter, compact mats.
Apartment dwellers
The plush foam softens sound and impact—nice when you’ve got neighbors below.
Who Might Want to Explore Other Options?
- Hot yoga regulars
Look for high-grip, sweat-activated natural rubber mats designed to stay tacky when wet.
- Eco-first shoppers
Prefer natural rubber, jute, or cork with more robust sustainability stories.
- Frequent travelers
A thin, foldable travel mat packs smaller and dries faster on the go.
- Advanced balance seekers
If you want max stability for standing series, a thinner, firmer mat will feel more grounded.
