This Gaiam foldable yoga mat review covers the 2 mm Foldable: latex-free PVC that folds into a small square, backed by a lifetime guarantee.
The Gaiam Foldable 2mm ranks #1 in our best budget yoga mat guide and makes the top 5 of 1 more.
Gaiam Foldable 2mm Review: The Short Answer
Our verdict
FitScore 68.8/100
Gaiam Foldable 2mm
Buy it if you want a low-priced mat that folds flat for trips, small rooms or a gym bag. Skip it if you need cushion on a hard floor, sweat a lot or are tall.
- PVC, 2 mm
- 68 x 24 in, 3 lb
- Lifetime guarantee, latex-free
Best Usage
- Packing for travel and classes
- Yoga and stretching at home
- Low-impact cardio at home
Best For
- Users who travel often
- People with a latex allergy
- Users who carry the mat to class
Not For
- People who practice hot yoga
- Users with sensitive knees
- Users over 6 ft
Key Specs
- Material: PVC
- Thickness: 2 mm
- Size: 68 x 24 in
- Weight: 3 lb
- Warranty: Lifetime
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Folds for travel (3 lb)
- Latex-free
Cons
- Only 2 mm of padding
- Slippery when wet
- Short 68 in length
Gaiam Foldable 2mm Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Gaiam Foldable 2mm | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Travel mat | A travel mat made to fold. |
| Material | PVC | Latex-free PVC: easy to clean, slick when wet. |
| Thickness | 2 mm | 2 mm: little cushion; use it over a carpet or another mat for kneeling poses. |
| Size (length × width) | 68 × 24 in | A standard 68 by 24 inch surface, short for tall users. |
| Weight | 3 lb | Light enough to carry in a gym bag. |
| Latex | Latex-free | No natural rubber, so it suits people with a latex allergy. |
| Alignment marks | No | A plain surface with no printed guides. |
| Strap or bag | Not included | Sold without a strap or bag; it folds instead. |
| Folds | Yes | Stamped fold lines let it fold into a small square. |
| Warranty | Lifetime | A lifetime mat guarantee from the maker. |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Check the warranty terms before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty.
The CDC recommends muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a week for adults, and a regular yoga practice can count toward it. Harvard Health Publishing describes the physical and mental benefits of a regular yoga practice.
Gaiam Foldable 2mm FitScore
FitScore rates each yoga mat on its published specs, weighted for one buying intent (how we score). This review uses the weights of our best budget yoga mat guide, where the Gaiam Foldable 2mm ranks #1 with the same score. Affordability (30%) counts most, then performance and comfort (20% each), durability (15%), practicality (10%) and features (5%). A buyer on a tight budget wants a low price first, then grip and cushion, with durability behind.
FitScore for Budget Yoga Mats
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines 6 category scores using the weights of the buying intent above.
- Durability (90.26): a lifetime guarantee, a pvc build and the brand reliability score.
- Practicality (54): 3 lb, folds, no strap or bag and a surface that needs regular washing.
- Performance (50): pvc surface, a sealed top and grip best when dry.
- Comfort (48): 2 mm of cushion, a light build and soft support for floor work.
- Features (30): pvc, no named certification, latex-free and no alignment marks.
- Affordability (96): one of the highest affordability scores in the guide.
Folding and Packing
Stamped fold lines turn the 68 by 24 inch mat into a small square that fits in a suitcase or a drawer, and it weighs 3 lb.
Testers found it quick to fold and pack, and suggest rolling it between trips to avoid cracks along the folds.
Bottom line: folds flat in seconds.
Grip, Dry and Wet
Plain PVC grips once warm and dry, but it slides when hands sweat.
Testers found it surprisingly sticky for PVC when dry, with traction dropping once it got damp.
Bottom line: fine dry, slick when sweaty.
Cushion
Two millimeters give little padding on a hard floor; it works best on carpet or as a clean layer over a gym mat.
Testers noted minimal cushioning on hardwood.
Bottom line: thin by design.
Durability and Guarantee
Gaiam covers the mat with a lifetime guarantee, and the PVC wipes clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Testers rated PVC durable with care, though a thin mat may not last as long as a thicker one.
Bottom line: well covered for its price.
Gaiam Foldable 2mm vs Rivals
Here is how the Gaiam Foldable 2mm compares with three other yoga mats from our best budget yoga mat guide, using the same FitScore weights.
| Comparehead to head | THIS REVIEW | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | PVC | PVC | High-density foam | High-density foam |
| Thickness | 2 mm | 6 mm | 10 mm | 12.7 mm |
| Size (length × width) | 68 × 24 in | 68 × 24 in | 72 × 23.6 in | 74 × 24 in |
| Weight | 3 lb | 3.3 lb | Not stated | Not stated |
| Latex | Latex-free | Latex-free | Latex-free | Latex-free |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Not stated |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Alternatives to the Gaiam Foldable 2mm
More cushion: Choose the Gaiam Premium 6mm if you want 6 mm of cushion against 2 mm. It ranks #2 in our best budget yoga mat guide.
Bigger surface: Choose the Gaiam Essentials 10mm if you want a 72 x 23.6 in surface and a strap or bag in the box. It ranks #3 in our best budget yoga mat guide.
Strap or bag included: Choose the Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick if you want a strap or bag in the box. It ranks #4 in our best budget yoga mat guide.
Final Verdict
The Gaiam Foldable is a 2 mm latex-free PVC mat that folds flat, with a lifetime guarantee. Price, packing and the guarantee are the draw; the trade-offs are thin cushion, weak wet grip and a standard 68 inch length. If you would rather have 6 mm of cushion against 2 mm, the Gaiam Premium 6mm is the closer fit.
Gaiam Foldable 2mm FAQ
It ranks in 2 of our yoga mat guides: #1 in best budget yoga mat, #3 in best travel yoga mat. With the weights of our best budget yoga mat guide it scores 68.8 out of 100, with performance 50, durability 90.26, comfort 48, practicality 54, features 30.
It is 2 mm thick and weighs 3 lb.
It measures 68 x 24 in, against about 68 x 24 in for a standard mat.
No, it is latex-free.
Yes for packing: it folds quickly along stamped lines; roll it between trips to protect the folds.
At 2 mm it is thin: fine on carpet or over another mat, firm on a hard floor for kneeling poses.
No, it is PVC and latex-free.
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