A thick, cushioned mat sounds like an upgrade until it starts sliding out from under you mid-pose. We read through 69,925 reviews on the Amazon Basics Extra Thick mat and 46,337 on the Gaiam Thick mat to see how often reviewers report grip problems, and whether it's tied to the mat's extra thickness itself.
What the reviews actually say
We read through both the critical and positive reviews specifically mentioning grip and sliding, on both mats.
Where grip holds up fine
Plenty of reviewers on both mats report no sliding issues at all. On the Amazon Basics: "Doesn't slide around, stays put and rolls out flat," and another buyer specifically checked for slippage on hardwood and hard wood deck and found none. Gaiam owners echo this too: "you don't have to worry about slipping around everywhere on the yoga mat," and one hot-yoga user reported "the surface has provided enough grip for my workouts, and it's held up well with regular use."
Where it slides mid-pose
The complaints are specific to certain poses and floor types. One Gaiam reviewer: "it is one of the slipperiest mats I own... the mat slides ALL OVER the floor. So if I'm doing standing work, it's deadly. I have almost fallen while on this mat." Another described it as "squeaky, stretchy, and slippery on the floor," and a third noted "I can feel the mat starting to slide after a few breaths" during downward dog. Amazon Basics reviewers describe a related problem — the mat stretching rather than sliding: "if you're doing downward dog, your ankles and wrists will be stretched apart, making it hard to find balance."
The reviewed products
Amazon Basics Extra Thick Yoga Mat
Most reviewers report the mat staying put on the floor, including on hardwood. The grip issue that does come up is different — the mat's surface stretching under load during poses like downward dog, which several reviewers found threw off their balance.
Check price on Amazon →Gaiam Thick Yoga Mat (10mm)
Reviews split clearly here: many report solid grip through regular and hot-yoga use, while others report the mat itself sliding across hardwood and gym floors during standing poses, with one reviewer describing a near-fall.
Check price on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
Why does my yoga mat keep sliding during class?
Based on the reviews, it depends on which kind of sliding you mean. On the Gaiam mat, several reviewers report the whole mat sliding across the floor, especially on hardwood, during standing poses. On the Amazon Basics mat, the more common issue is the mat's surface stretching under pressure during poses like downward dog, which can throw off balance even though the mat itself isn't moving.
Is a thicker yoga mat more likely to slide?
The reviews suggest a connection, though not a guaranteed one. Extra-thick, cushioned mats can feel less stable under standing poses because there's more give in the material — one Amazon Basics reviewer described exactly this, saying the mat felt "too stretchy and unsupportive for anything with movement." Not every reviewer experiences this, but it comes up often enough on both mats to be a real pattern.
Does the floor type make sliding worse?
Yes, based on multiple reviews. Gaiam reviewers specifically call out hardwood and gym floors as where sliding happens most; the same reviewers who had sliding problems don't mention issues on carpet. If you're set up on a hard, smooth floor, expect more risk of the mat itself moving during standing work.
Can I fix a slippery yoga mat?
The reviews don't test specific fixes, but reviewers who had grip problems generally didn't report a resolution beyond switching mats or adjusting practice — one Gaiam reviewer said she was "looking for either another mat to place this on top of, or another mat entirely." A non-slip rug pad or yoga towel underneath is a common workaround for hardwood floors, though it isn't something these specific reviewers tested.
Which mat has fewer sliding complaints, Amazon Basics or Gaiam?
The Gaiam mat has more reviews specifically describing the mat itself sliding across the floor. The Amazon Basics mat's grip complaints are more often about the surface stretching under pressure rather than the mat moving. Neither issue is universal — both mats also have reviewers reporting solid, stable grip.
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Prices, ratings and review counts change on Amazon in real time — figures above were accurate as of the data-capture date and may have shifted since. Always check the current price on the product page before buying.