I Put the B MAT Through Sweat, Stretch, and Subway Life

I’m Kayla, and yes, I’ve used this mat for months. My B MAT is the Everyday 4mm in Moss. I carry it to class, toss it on my living room floor, and sometimes leave it in my car by mistake (more on that). This is how it held up for real. If you’d like the quick-hit version I first posted, you can skim I Put the B MAT Through Sweat, Stretch, and Subway Life for the highlights.

Why I bought it (and who pushed me)

My hands get sweaty, fast. In hot yoga, I used to slide in Down Dog and feel my shoulders scream. My teacher saw me struggle and said, “Try the B MAT. It sticks.” So I did. I wanted strong grip without babying it. No powdering. No long break-in. Just roll and go.

First class, no slip… but a little squeak

I used it in a 90-minute hot flow at 6 p.m. I tested all my “trouble” moves:

  • Crow pose: my knees didn’t slip off my arms. Big win.
  • Plank to Chaturanga: hands stayed put. No drag.
  • Low lunge: it squeaked a bit when I pivoted my back foot. Not loud, but I noticed.

Grip-wise, this mat bites. Even with sweat dripping off my nose, my palms felt locked in. I could hold Down Dog without walking my hands forward. That has not been true on many mats.

The rubber smell? Yep. But it fades

Out of the box, it smelled like—not to be cute—rubber. I aired it out on my balcony overnight. By day three, it was fine. If you’re scent-sensitive, that first day may bug you. After a week, I didn’t smell it at all.

Home practice quirks: dust, cats, and knees

I practice on hardwood at home. The mat lays flat with no curls at the corners. But this mat does grab lint and cat hair. The texture is grippy, and dust sticks. I keep a small microfiber cloth nearby. Quick wipe, done.

For knees, 4mm is okay, not plush. On long holds, like Camel or low lunge with the back knee down, I fold the mat or slip a small towel under my patella. If you’ve got tender knees, the Strong 6mm version may suit you better.

Cleaning that actually works

After hot classes, I spray a mix of water with a tiny drop of dish soap (like one drop per cup). I wipe with a soft cloth. It dries in about 15 minutes. I tried a vinegar mix once. It worked, but it left a faint tang, so I went back to soap and water. Pro tip: lotions leave prints. Wipe your hands if you used body oil.

Also, don’t leave it in full sun. Rubber doesn’t love that. Ask me how I know—I left it near a sunny window, and the top felt tacky for an hour. If you’re also troubleshooting what to wear on top when the sweat pours, my no-filter take lives in Yoga Boobs: My Honest Hands-On Review.

Cold car test (not my best idea)

I forgot it in my trunk in January. The mat got stiff. Not ruined, just stiff. I unrolled it inside, made tea, and waited. After 20 minutes, the grip came back. Lesson learned: rubber likes warm, not cold.

Six-month wear check

I’ve used this mat 4–5 times a week for six months. Here’s what I see:

  • No peeling or flaking on the top.
  • Edges look clean, no curls.
  • Slight shine where my hands land, but grip still strong.
  • A tiny nail mark where I dragged my thumb in side plank. It didn’t spread.

I practice barefoot. If you wear rings or have long nails, be mindful. Rubber can scar. For an even longer horizon, this five-year follow-up review of the B MAT shows how the surface and edges fare after thousands of practices.

Carrying it around town

The 4mm Everyday isn’t feather-light, but it’s not a brick either. I’m 5'5" and carry it with a simple strap on the subway. The weight feels fine for a few blocks. For travel, it’s a bit bulky. I tried rolling it inside a carry-on once. It fit, but barely. If you fly often, the Travel (2mm) version makes more sense.

Random perk: lugging a yoga mat can be an instant ice-breaker if you’re darting from class to meet someone for coffee. If combining a sweat session with social vibes sounds like your speed, swing by this guide to planning memorable first dates for creative locations, conversational cues, and confidence-boosting tips that make saying “yes” after savasana a lot less awkward.

If you’re based in New Mexico and curious about meeting people in a setting that’s more grown-up than the local café scene, you can explore an adult-oriented listing platform in town—Adult Search Roswell where vetted profiles and location-based filters help you connect quickly and discreetly with like-minded companions.

Grip vs. the big names

I’ve owned or borrowed these:

  • Lululemon Reversible 5mm: amazing grip when dry, but it can get slick with sweat and needs regular wiping. Softer on knees though.
  • Manduka PRO: lasts forever, super stable, but it’s a break-in project. And it’s heavy.
  • Jade Harmony: great natural grip, similar feel to B MAT, but my Jade marked up faster.

For a deeper dive into how different mats stack up across all practice styles, check out the comprehensive guide on Its All About Yoga before you decide.

The B MAT feels like a sweet spot: grippy from day one, not crazy heavy, and durable so far. OutdoorGearLab’s lab-tested rundown of the B MAT Everyday backs up that balance of traction and longevity if you want a stat-heavy comparison.

What I love

  • Real grip even when I’m sweating hard
  • Lays flat, no corner fight
  • Easy wipe-down routine
  • Stable base for balance work—I feel grounded in Tree and Warrior III

What bugs me

  • Attracts dust and hair
  • Mild squeak on twisting moves
  • Not cushy for tender knees (in 4mm)
  • Don’t leave it in cold cars or hot sun

Real moments that sold me

  • My first clean jump-back without my hands sliding forward. I almost laughed on the mat.
  • Long plank holds. I could focus on my core instead of my palms shifting.
  • In Yin, I noticed the mat kept my hips from slowly creeping. Sounds small, but it kept me relaxed.

All that time settling into my hips also reminded me how much lower-body stability ties into energy flow; if you’re exploring that side of practice, take a peek at Yoga for the Sacral Chakra: My Honest, Sweaty, Slightly Messy Review.

Price and value

Mine was just under $100. For the grip and how it’s holding up, I’d buy it again. If you want a soft, pillow-like feel, go 6mm. If you sweat a lot and hate slipping, 4mm Everyday is a great start.

Final take: who should get it

  • Yes: Hot yoga fans, vinyasa lovers, sweaty-hand folks, people who want ready-to-go grip.
  • Maybe: Restorative or Yin-only students who want plush comfort—try 6mm.
  • No: Ultra-light travelers who want a fold-and-go mat—get the 2mm travel version.

You know what? This mat made my practice feel safer. Not perfect, but steady. And sometimes steady is the whole game.