Merrithew Eco Yoga Mat

I exercise four to five times a week, alternating between yoga and high intensity interval training. I work out in our very small family room (to various exercise DVDs), and I always put a mat down on the hardwood floors, because they are so, well, hard.I like mats that are slightly thicker and have excellent grip. Luckily, this mat has both. It has more cushion than the mat I was using, and, amazingly, it barely moves. If you do a lot of aerobic hopping moves in one place (like skiers or side to side hops), the mat can sometimes start bunching up slightly, forming little pocket mountains of air. That is annoying, but once you stop the exercise, it is really easy to adjust the mat quickly so it lies flat again. For me, because I hate it when the mat moves around on the floor, I really don't mind if the mat is sometimes TOO grippy. That's a trade-off I'm willing to make.My only major gripe, and this is the reason I took off one star, is that the mat is really stinky. I've been airing the mat out for five days now (outside in a cool covered porch area), and the chemical/plastic smell is STILL there. It is definitely not as intense as it was, but it's also not gone yet. When I'm doing yoga moves that require my face to be close to the mat (like down dog), it is really obvious.Normally when a product smells this bad, I try not to use it, since I know it isn't good for my body to be breathing in those chemicals. But the mat is so perfect in every other way--so thick and grippy--I can't let it go. Hopefully, if I keep airing it out, that smell will go away soon.UPDATE: I aired this mat out for almost a month before the smell went away completely. That seems slightly ridiculous to me, but at least the mat doesn't smell anymore. Plus, I still really like working out on it.

This is a different take on the classic yoga mat. Some reviewers mentioned the smell - and yes, it has a smell of rubber right outside of the packaging but I think that one toss in the washing machine along with the passage of time should dissipate that smell.That is eco-friendly. It has no PVC or latex or rubber and this makes the mat ideal for people like me who have latex allergies or those who have sensitivities. It smells "rubbery" but it is not made of rubber. The mat provides excellent traction and some amount of shock absorption. It's attractive and is a step above an average mat.Easy to care for via washing machine or by spray bottle. The dimensions of this mat in inches: width 24", length 68" and thickness 0.125 (3 mm). Roomie and light.A great choice for a mat for someone who is a bit more eco minded or has rubber and latex sensitivities or allergies.

Mmmmm, don't you love an "Eco" yoga mat that's " free of PVC, latex, synthetic rubbers. . . and harmful glues" AND that stinks like an old tire? Better stick to the standing poses on this mat, unless you enjoy the scent of your local garage. This mat does have a virtue---excellent grip--and I wanted to love it. However, the stink was eye-watering right out of the wrapper, and two weeks later, while it has abated, it's still there. It's a mystery why a company that advertises itself as a leader in "mindful movement" wants to market a product that reminds you, every time you do a downward dog, that it's time to get the snow tires on. Back in Taiwan, where it's made, some company must have had an extra vat of the stuff that this mat is made of and decided to switch over from making door mats to making yoga mats.M. FeldmanUpdate: One month after I posted the above. The smell has mostly dissipated. And the mat has nice grip. So if you can put up with the aroma for 6 weeks, you'll like the mat.

Update: 12/04/15 Airing out has eliminated the strong odor.I've just started doing yoga this past summer; not especially good at it but I'm still in the game and now I've the opportunity to try out what I've been told is a good mat.Right off I was immediately concerned with the strong odor coming off it (like you might smell from a garage). And, as this mat is touted for it's being 'eco-friendly': non-toxic, recyclable, biodegradable with no latex or PVC, I couldn't imagine the cause. I'm assuming it won't persist as I've set it out a couple days and the odor is, thankfully, dissipating; 1 star removed due to that smell as I was tempted to discard it and I do think the mat a bit pricey.The mat itself is attractive, though, and at 72x24 inches it's a little larger than the 68 inches many consider standard. At 3 mm it's about right for yoga as it provides the user a sense of being grounded, and it's 'dry-stick surface' contributes to that, as well as preventing slips when changing positions.It's made of a closed cell construction which should provide longevity and I especially like that it's washable, too.

This is a terrific yoga mat. The proportions are generous: 68" by 24". It is thin (.125" ) but the cushioning is adequate. It is tacky enough without being too sticky. The maroon and charcoal color combination is attractive. It is machine washable and light enough to transport with ease. This is an excellent product that should withstand regular use.