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Head-to-head · Best Extra-Thick Yoga Mats

Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm) vs ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2-inch Mat

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm) is the only one of the two with a published score (5.0); ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2-inch Mat has none, so this is not a close call so much as an unmeasured one. Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm) is best for: Budget buyers who want a cushioned mat for gentle yoga, stretching and light floor or weight work at home. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm)
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Extra-Thick Yoga Mats
Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm)
1 source$24.98as of Oct 16

The Gaiam Essentials is a 10mm NBR foam mat with a carrying sling at a budget price. Best Products editor Cat Bowen, a daily runner with sore joints, bought one and found kneeling and seated poses comfortable on hardwood for the first time, and that it was thick enough to soften the noise of dropped weights. Her one complaint was the length.

Strengths
  • — Made kneeling and seated poses comfortable on hardwood floors for Best Products' tester
  • — Thick enough to absorb the sound of dropped weights, per Best Products
  • — Only a mild new-mat smell out of the box, per Best Products
Watch-outs
  • — Best Products' tester, who is the same length as the mat, said it could definitely be longer
  • — At 10mm it is the thinnest mat on this page, with less padding than the half-inch and 1-inch options
$24.98 · Buy at gaiam.comFull review →
ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2-inch Mat
Ranked #5 in Best Extra-Thick Yoga Mats
ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2-inch Mat
Unrated2 sources$30as of Oct 14

The ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2" lands between cushioning and stability: dense 13mm NBR foam that, per OutdoorGearLab, is 'a great all-around mat that we would recommend for anyone.' Its ribbed non-slip surface holds poses more securely than the plushest mats. Buyers who want extra-thick joint protection without sacrificing a firm, stable base should start here.

Strengths
  • — OutdoorGearLab found the dense 1/2-inch (13mm) NBR foam protects joints well while staying firm enough for stable poses
  • — Long 71-inch length plus an included carrying strap (sling) for travel
  • — Strong aggregate rating from 100+ ProsourceFit owner reviews
Watch-outs
  • — OutdoorGearLab notes the NBR foam can compress over heavy long-term use
$30 · Buy at prosourcefit.comFull review →

How they stack up

Gaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm)

At 10mm it is the thinnest mat on this page: a little thinner than the half-inch Amazon Basics (12.7mm) and ProsourceFit Extra Thick (13mm), and far thinner than the 1-inch BalanceFrom GoCloud. At 72 inches it is shorter than the 74-inch Amazon Basics.

ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2-inch Mat

The ProsourceFit Extra Thick is firmer and more stable than the 1-inch BalanceFrom GoCloud, giving up some pure cushioning in exchange for a better base for standing poses. It is closest in spirit to the Amazon Basics 1/2" but adds a more aggressive ribbed grip texture; it is slightly thicker than the 10mm Gaiam Essentials.

Specs side-by-side

SpecGaiam Essentials Fitness Mat & Sling (10mm)ProsourceFit Extra Thick 1/2-inch Mat
Thickness2/5 inch (10mm)1/2 inch (13mm)
MaterialNBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) foamHigh-density NBR foam
Dimensions72 x 24 in71 x 24 in
IncludesCarrying slingCarrying sling
Weight—2.55 lb
Surface—Ribbed non-slip, moisture-resistant
Care—Wipe clean, air dry
← See the full ranking of best extra-thick yoga mats