Gaiam 5mm Premium Dry-Grip Yoga Mat

I have used this mat for about a week and I am SOOO impressed. I did quite a bit of research before buying a yoga mat, and after reading many reviews for many different brands the Gaiam Sol Dry Grip mat kept popping up. I splurged on this more expensive mat (I am a college student) and I so happy I chose this mat! On my previous mats my palms always seem to slip in down dog. But, my hands do not move AT ALL with this mat. The grippy texture really holds you in place for a secure pose. This mat is exactly what I was looking for since I sweat a lot during class. I usually practice Vinyasa yoga and so far this mat could not be any better for my practice. This mat did smell very strongly when I first opened up my package, but the smell virtually disappeared after 3 days of airing out. Some of the reviews for this mat say that the design is slippery - and I found this to be true. However, I have not run into an issue with slipping on the design as long as I step or place my hands above/below the design. In fact, I actually kind of like the dual texture because the decreased grippy-ness in the center makes it really easy to change/adjust while in certain poses. The 5mm is thick enough to provide some extra cushion, but I do not feel that it is too heavy to travel with to class. Overall, I could not be happier with my purchase - excellent mat! Thanks for sticking with my long review, this mat is just so awesome I wanted to share my experience.

I bought this mat for myself for my birthday and I'm in love with it! It's completely perfect for hot yoga and I needed a latex free mat because I'm allergic and I couldn't be happier with this mat! And it's pretty cute too which is always a plus! Doesn't stink. Dries fast. Absolutely no slipping

I love me new mat and has been working out perfectly during my practice.  I have always slipped on previous mats and have to use a towel but I no longer have to. Only thing is that it smells the first few days so I recommend letting it air out and cleaning before using it heavily.  

I AM extremely picky about yoga mats, most I find I slip once my hands and feet get sweaty, NOT ON THIS MAT!! I have bought just about every yoga mat under the sun and am never happy with them. Even expensive yoga mats like the affirmat, Lulu etc. This mat by far tops them all and was priced comparatively. This could be used for any type of yoga and the thickness is perfect for my knees.

I'm in marketing so I'm a natural skeptic but the description matches the experience. I've used this in both yoga and Barre and found that during tough plank holds I can actually see the sweat beads disappear. I'm not sure how this happens but I've seen it with my own eye. The first class took getting used to because the mat really grips. I wasn't expecting it in some poses so I had to adjust but it was an easy change. The grip has allowed me to concentrate on form as opposed to trying to keep my hands from slipping out from under me. The thickness is a bonus and I never feel like I need to double up on a hardwood floor. Several people have asked if they could touch it and asked where I got it. I would highly recommend this mat and purchase it again in a heartbeat. While it is heavier than traditional mats, I can't see this being a problem unless you're carrying it for miles.

I am new to yoga and have always suffered from sweaty hands and feet. I had trouble slipping around on a regular mat. I bought this mat and used it for the first time this week. I can't say enough great things. It does show your sweaty prints for a few minutes, but then dries totally. I never slipped once. It was almost like I had more grip even though I was sweaty. I highly recommend this mat. Also bought the sling carrier for my mat and the balance ball chair. The products arrived quickly and are all awesome.

Love the grip and thickness of this slick-looking (no pun intended) mat. Also love the different size options; the regular is great for my wife and the longer/wider version works better for me at 6'1". Great great customer service at Gaiam; on my first mat the design faded in the middle and that area became less sticky after a few months of daily use, but they quickly replaced the mat when I sent pics. Too soon with the new one to determine if the design wear is a recurring issue, but overall I am satisfied with all featurea of the mat.

I have only had this mat for about two weeks, but it looks like I've been using for a year. The surface to practice on is non-slip and great overall, but I'm kinda grossed out by seeing my forehead print (probably oily/sweaty skin?) left on the mat, handprints, heel prints, pretty much everywhere I've been on there. Maybe this doesn't bother others, but I'm not loving it and already want to change to a different mat. It also seems to hold onto every hair and dirt speck on the floor around it, and maybe it just shows up more because the surface is smooth, unlike my old mats.

I loved this mat the first few months after purchasing it! However, in the last month or so (purchased 8 months ago), the coating has begun to rub off on me during my hot yoga practice, leaving me with purple stained elbows, hands, ankles. Additionally, it is stained and no longer one color. Also, the top layer has begun to separate from the actual mat, making for a slippery practice. Will need to buy another mat after only having this one for 8 months. Pretty bummed :(

I've had this mat for about three months, and it has not held up well at all. After about a month the top layer began peeling away from one corner. It has continued to pull away in many places, all over the mat. This causes many "bubbly" spots that scrunch up as I practice yoga. The "grippiness" didn't last long either. It's already slippery.