Why The Stakt Mat May Just Convince Me to Toss All My Other Yoga Mats

PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaAs a strength and conditioning coach with a long-standing love for yoga, I've been through a fair share of yoga mats over the years. The Manduka Pro Yoga Mat has been my tried-and-true go-to pick, and I love it for being both stable and durable. (Proof: I accidentally ran over it one time, and the alarming abuse from my tires actually didn't even leave a mark. Insert shocked emoji here.) But I've tried many, many mats, and have run into just as many problems, from thin mats that can't stand up to my puppy's nails to slick mats that make it hard to keep my feet from slipping.Even with all my yoga mat experience, though, I'd never tried a mat quite like the Stakt Mat ($88) (pronounced just like "stacked," per the FAQ), which is designed to easily fold up to double as a block to use under your knees, elbows, or hips during certain moves. Conceptualized by Taylor Borenstein and Millie Blumka, the two founders got sick of having to awkwardly roll up or fold over their yoga mats during classes when they needed extra support or padding, and quickly identified a missing link in the market. From there, they developed the Stakt Mat, a foldable yoga mat. Fast forward, the brand has amassed over two million views on TikTok and has even appeared on Shark Tank. But while a foldable yoga mat might be functional in the closet, could it really perform as well as a normal yoga mat during a flow or workout? The Stakt Mat claims yes: a rep for the brand told me that only 1 percent of the mats get returned by dissatisfied customers. That sounds impressive, but I wanted to put it to the test. The brand sent me a Stakt Mat of my own to try out. Read on for a run-down on what you need to know about this genius foldable design.PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaWhat's the Criteria For a Good Yoga Mat?When it comes to non-negotiables, a good yoga mat should be easy to use and durable enough to get you through a practice without creating any negative distractions. That means a solid yoga mat shouldn't make you slip, period. If you've ever face planted while attempting an inversion or bumped your head from slipping during downward dog, you certainly know - it's not fun. The last thing you want while trying to find peace of mind is an accident or an injury.Beyond that, what makes a great yoga mat depends at least somewhat on your preference and needs. Some might prefer extra cushion for additional joint support, for instance. Ideally, a good yoga mat should also be lightweight enough to be portable, particularly if you're a fan of in-person classes or travel frequently. If you prefer hot or outdoor classes, you'll also be on the lookout for a mat that can hold up well in rooms with higher temperatures or out in nature.PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaWhat I Like About the Stakt MatOverall, I enjoyed the unique, foldable design of the Stakt Mat and its versatility. As soon as I took it out of the box, I was surprised at how lightweight it was, and hyped about how quickly it could be folded up. And the Stakt Mat is clearly functional, as proven both by my test drive of the mat and also by the reactions of other people who've spotted me using it. The latter have included literal gasps of delight and extremely enthusiastic questions like,"Where did you get that!?" and "I want one, too!" The foldable yoga mat concept just makes sense, both for its ability to provide customizable levels of support and its ease of storage.PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaAnd the Stakt Mat does work as advertised. When coaching or working out on my own, sometimes I need to quickly provide additional support for the knee joint, particularly for exercises starting from a half-kneeling or tall-kneeling position or unilateral movements that focus on one leg at a time, such as the rear-foot elevated split squat. Usually, I'll grab an Airex pad, but the Stakt Mat eliminates the need to reach for something else. You can simply fold one or more segments over to create the perfect amount of cushion; it's so easy to use. And once folded, the layers don't slide around on each other or the floor. The mat works well as a regular yoga mat, too. I tried using the Stakt Mat for yoga indoors and out in the wild. I loved the fact that it was stable and didn't budge, whether I was working out on tile or grass. Finally, I admit, I love a fun colorway, pattern, or print on my yoga mats. Stakt Mat doesn't offer any patterns, but they do offer seven fresh, elevated colorways. The very cutesy Rosewater pink, very considerate mint-infused Seafoam green, and the very mindful soft tone of Dune in particular that are very demure - we think Jools Lebron would approve.PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaWhat to Consider Before Trying the Stakt MatClocking in at a mere three pounds with a thickness of 12 millimeters, the Stakt Mat provides ample support even when completed unfolded and used as a regular mat. The site notes that it's also 12 mm thick, but has a textured layer for additional durability; I'm interested to see how the newer design compares, and whether it might be a better fit for more intense workouts.I was using the light Dune colorway of the Stakt Mat, and it did attract dog hair particles when I was indoors and grass when outside. I could easily wipe away debris, but if you're a pet owner or this is something that might bug you, it's worth flagging. Additionally, the company recommends using their signature Stakt Cleanser Spray ($16) to clean the Stakt Mat and extend its longevity. But the FAQs notes that you can also wipe down the mat with warm water and oil-free soap after use to keep it clean. They also caution to "not leave the mat outdoors for extended periods" of time.And while the foldable design might make at-home storage easier for some, our health and fitness director, Mirel Zaman, noted that because of the unique shape, the Stakt Mat didn't fit into the yoga mat carrying straps built into her gym bag. However, Stakt sells a customized carrying bag, Stakt Bag ($49), specifically designed for travel with the Stakt Mat.PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaHow the Stakt Mat Compares to the Stakt Mat ProThe main differences between the Stakt Mat and the Stakt Mat Pro ($118) are:Thickness and support: The Stakt Mat is thinner and designed for general fitness activities like yoga or pilates, and lighter workouts, like core-focused sessions or low-impact workouts using simple bodyweight movements. The Stakt Mat offers good support but less cushioning overall. The Stakt Mat Pro is thicker, providing enhanced support for high-impact activities or high-intensity workouts. When trying movements like high planks or side planks, both mats felt equally supportive when folded for more cushioning. For exercises that start from a single bent knee position, or a tall kneeling position with both knees on the mat, the Stakt Mat Pro felt like it offered slightly more cushioning than the regular Stakt mat.Durability: The Pro version is made with more durable materials that makes it suitable for rigorous workouts, while the standard Stakt Mat is designed for lighter, everyday use. The Stakt Mat Pro also feels slightly heavier, making it feel more durable in the long run than the regular Stakt Mat. Both are portable, lightweight, and easy to fold away and pack to use on the go. For those with dogs, both mats attract dog hair, but it can be easily wiped away, and this may not be a deal breaker. My puppy enjoys running over any form of mat in my house, repeatedly, and Stakt Mat Pro proved to be a winner - completely unscathed by my dog's nails.Grip and Texture: The Stakt Mat Pro features a more textured surface for improved traction compared to the standard version. Functionality and Intended Use: Both the regular Stakt Mat and the Stakt Mat Pro are ideal gift ideas for someone of any fitness level, ranging from total beginners, to intermediate or more seasoned users, while the Stakt Mat Pro would be an ideal fit for someone who is looking for the same design, but slightly more durable and a long-term option that offers extra cushioning for support. Plus, the Stakt Weights ($98) make a great add-on to make an aesthetically pleasing matching set. (Find our full review of the adjustable Stakt hand weights here.)PS Photography / Jade EsmeraldaWho the Stakt Mat Is Best ForThe Stakt Mat would be best for any fitness enthusiast, avid yoga lover, or anyone in search of a portable, lightweight exercise mat. The foldable design makes things so simple for those that are constantly on the go. Most traditional yoga mat designs can be a bit fussy to roll up, but this design folds up super quickly and makes it very easy to store. Additional Details About the Stakt MatThe Stakt Mat weighs 3 lbs and is approximately 12 mm in thickness.When unfolded and lying flat, the dimensions for the Stakt Mat are approximately 69 inches in length by 24 inches in width.When folded, the Stakt Mat measures approximately 12 inches in length, 3 inches in height and 24 inches in width.The Stakt Mat comes in seven color options: Iron, Terracotta, Dune, Seafoam, Rosewater, Midnight, and Tide. The mat is constructed from an EVA Foam Blend, known to be a safer alternative to PVC Yoga Mats, according to the FAQs.The brand offers an upcycle program. When you're ready for a new mat, mail back your mat and you'll receive a credit to use towards the purchase of your next mat. Where Is the Stakt Mat Available?You can buy the Stakt Mat on ShopStakt.com and Amazon.RatingJade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.