Whats Really Different About Calculated Terrain Mats
Go back in time a few thousand years and youll find our human ancestors were designed to stand and walk across a widely varied terrain from loamy soil to rocky hills. Fast forward to the modern-day era and youll find the exact opposite as humans in first world countries have become accustomed to walking across completely flat floors and sidewalks, in flat-soled shoes, for most of their adult existence.
In accordance with the law of unintended consequences, this has led to a variety of new health-related issuesincluding an assortment of foot maladies, and even premature loss of balance. The latter due to reduced stimulation of the proprioceptor nerves in our feet due to walking primarily on flat terrain, and leading to an inordinate propensity for premature hip fractures among our senior citizen population, among other things .
Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats With Drainage
Hospitality workers need comfort and support too. Areas that see liquid spills can be made double as safe with mats that make standing more comfortable and prevent water pooling all over the floor. Holes let water pass through without causing a slip hazard or making a mess.
For help deciding which anti fatigue mat is best for you, reach out to one of our friendly matxperts who will be happy to assist.
Anti Fatigue Mats
Use Comfort Floor Mats For Households Tasks
Standing floor mats work well for homes, as well as offices. Common sizes include 32″ x 20″ , 48″ x 20″ , and 72″ x 48″ , and additional sizes include 60″ x 36″ and 60″ x 48″ . The wide selection of dimensions makes it convenient for several rooms and workspaces. Surface material is typically 100 percent nitrile rubber or polyurethane fabric encasing 3/8 to 1/2-inch foam, with or without gel added for additional softness. Some are versatile between dry and wet elements, so you can set them in bathrooms. Even placed near task chairs, comfort mats provide relief by lessening foot stress while in a sitting position.
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Our Pick: Ergodriven Topo
*At the time of publishing, the price was $100.
The novel surface of the Ergodriven Topo provided the most comfort to the feet and legs of standing workers in our tests. Its varied, raised terrain encourages the sort of frequent movement that ergonomics experts recommend. The Topo is easy to slide under a desk and bring back out with one foot , keeping your hands unsoiled and your back pain-free. Its easy to clean and has held up over several years of testing. And because it isnt as wide and flat as standard anti-fatigue mats, it takes up less space under your desk.
Pretty much everyone who tested these mats was initially skeptical of the Topos design, but the benefits became evident within a few minutes of standing and were confirmed after months of use. The back edge and front corners of the Topo are higher than the sides, and the mat has a teardrop-shaped mound in the middle thats squishier than the rest of the materialgreat for massaging your feet. Without even thinking about it, you may end up standing on, pressing against, and heel-digging into all of those sections. I didnt know I had nervous legs, but Im glad this mat taught me that, one coworker said. Its nice because I cant stand straight and normal to save my life, but this made my usual slouching and foot fidgeting comfortable, said another.
Shop For Your Wellness
Work towards the balanced work lifestyle youve always dreamed of. Use it at work to avoid body stiffness from being stationary for too long. Pair your anti-fatigue mat with a standing table and complete your ideal office workspace. Or, use your anti-fatigue mat at home where you tend to stand for long hours, for example, in the kitchen. Fulfil all the possibilities when you shop with Ergoworks online today!
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The Best Standing Desk Mats
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After extended testing, weve removed our previous also great pick, the Imprint CumulusPro Commercial Couture Strata, from our recommendations because it slides around too easily under our feet.
Just as supportive insoles can make all the difference when you go for a walk, a standing desk mat can be a game-changer if you stand at work for even brief periods. A comfortable mat like the Ergodriven Topo supports your legs and back better than the floor will, and its varied terrain will keep you moving, which experts agree is crucial. This mat is easy to slide in and out of position, and six years of testing have shown its built to last.
Our pick
This mats varied terrain encourages movement, making standing less tedious and less achy. The Topo is also easy to move when you switch between standing and sitting.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $100.
The Last Standing Mat Youll Ever Need
This is the bold claim iMovR makes of its EcoLast Premium Standing Mat, so we put it to the test, and we can verify that the claim is indeed merited. iMovR has managed to combine value and quality with its EcoLast line of standing mats, chiefly by biting the bullet on material cost and making the product entirely out of polyurethane. The result is a product that stands up well enough to tearing, compression, curling, puncture, delamination, travel , and other common abuses that it should in fact last a lifetime. For more details about how materials and construction affect standing mat quality, and what makes the best standing desk mat, take a look at The Real Differences Between the Best Anti-Fatigue Mats and the Worst.
While practically ALL mat makers claim that theirs is the most durable, iMovR backs up their mat with a comprehensive ten-year full-performance warranty. Unlike other warranties weve seen that have plenty of small print exclusions, this one specifically guarantees that the product will not degrade and will continue to provide the same level of comfort as a new mat, for the duration. Moreover, this standing mat also features a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, ensuring that youll be standing in comfort for the rest of your days.
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Who This Is For
A standing desk mat is for anyone who wants to make standing while working more comfortable. Though theyre typically used at a standing desk or a standing desk converter, standing desk mats are also known as anti-fatigue mats, and they can be used in any situation where youll be standing and performing a task for a while: food prep, dishwashing, workbench projects, and the like. Standing on a well-made mat relieves pressure on your entire body and makes standing feel like less of a chore. And the best standing desk mats enable or even encourage you to move. If youre going to be standing while working for more than a few minutes at a time, youll feel an almost immediate difference and benefit from having a mat under your feet.
A standing desk mat is for anyone who wants to make standing while working more comfortable.
If you feel discomfort or fatigue in your legs or feet when you stand, Cornell Universitys Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group recommends that you either use an anti-fatigue mat, wear more comfortable footwear, use an angled foot rest, or sit down.
But sitting all day isnt the solution, either. Research has associated prolonged sitting with a higher risk of a host of problems, including heart disease and diabetes, certain cancers, and premature death.
Reduced Fatigue When Standing
The Basics kitchen comfort mat minimizes joint pain and reduces fatigue and discomfort in your feet, legs, and lower back by placing a supportive layer between you and unforgiving bare-floor surfaces like hardwood or linoleum. A little cushiony comfort can go a long way. Whether you’re chopping veggies, washing dishes, or slow-stirring candy recipes for Christmas, working in the kitchen can remain a relaxing and joyful endeavor thanks to the Basics kitchen comfort mat.
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Good Support For Short Standing Cycles
If you prefer a flat mat, this one is comfortable even if youre standing for a couple of hours at a time. Its attractive price, lifetime warranty, and responsive customer support make it a great value compared to other budget mats.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $37.
If youre new to standing at your desk, you stand infrequently, or youre looking for an anti-fatigue mat for other short tasks in the kitchen, laundry room, or workshop, we recommend the ComfiLife Anti Fatigue Floor Mat. Of the sub-$50 mats we tested, the ComfiLife provides the best balance of pressure-relieving support, comfort, and price. Its build quality doesnt feel as premium as the Ergodriven Topo, but if you frequently switch between sitting and standingas you shouldthis is an inexpensive way to satisfy your comfort and ergonomic needs.
Calculated Terrain Mats For Standing Desks
Lo and behold, theres a new wrinkle to the conventional anti-fatigue standing mat that goes beyond the usual expansion of colors, sizes, and designs. So-called calculated terrain mats are a subcategory of standing mats exploding onto the scene. Check out our new review category, Calculated Terrain Standing Mats to see how these mats stack up against one another.
The progenitor of this new style of mats for standing desks, the Topo Mat from Ergodriven, has quickly been knocked off its pedestal by the TerraMat from CubeFit, which offers more standing space and more engaging surface features for your feet. See our comprehensive round-up of all Non-Flat Standing Mat Reviews.
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How To Clean Anti Fatigue Mats
Foam Anti Fatigue Mats – Since foam mats are for dry only areas, we recommend using a damp cloth or mop to clean them. Be sure to let the mat dry before usage. Please refrain from using abrasive cleaning equipment as this can cause wear and tear.
Rubber Anti Fatigue Mats – Rubber mats can be cleaned with either the same method as foam anti-fatigue mars, or they can be pressure washed or hosed down.
Flaws But Not Dealbreakers
Most anti-fatigue mats are flat for good reason: trip prevention, ease of storage, and to facilitate a range of tasks at a workstation. If you want to pace or work at different ends of your desk without raised surfaces getting in your wayor to use it for other tasks where movement is important, such as cookingyoull want to stick with a flat mat like the ComfiLife Anti Fatigue Floor Mat we recommend.
Ergodriven states in its product FAQ that the Topo provides an almost perfect performance up to user weights of 240 pounds. Both the FAQ and an Ergodriven representative clarified that the Topo can still work for people who weigh more than 240 pounds. Even so, wed suggest that anyone significantly over that weight keep the return policy in mind .
A few testers who generally liked the Topos movement-inducing design thought the central button was too squishy. It seems to be meant more as an occasional foot stop, or a spot to press and stretch foot muscles, but it does have a different feel from the contoured, firmer edges.
The Topos $100 asking price may be too high if youve just started using a standing desk and arent sure youll stick with it. In that case, you may be better off starting out with a more affordable flat mat, which you can repurpose in the kitchen if the habit doesnt stick or you decide to upgrade to the Topo later.
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How We Picked And Tested
Building on the research by Wirecutter writers and editors that went into previous versions of this guide over the years, we narrowed the list of standing desk mats to test to eight models based on the following criteria:
- Ample cushion: A thick mat will more likely support a wide range of body weights and feel more notably comfortable than just standing on the floor. We targeted mats that were at least ¾-inch thick on the flat portion. Although the difference between ½ inch and ¾ inch might not seem huge, its like the difference between lying on a flat, 2-inch-thick pillow or a thicker, 4-inch one.
- Lengthy warranty: Most of the anti-fatigue mats we looked at offered at least a five-year warranty, which is a sign the manufacturer stands behind the mats durability. Some go further, offering lifetime warranties.
- Few negative owner reviews: In particular, we looked for red flags such as a substantial number of owner reviews that mentioned sliding, punctures or cracking, and other common issues.
We didnt consider standing desk mats that work like balance boards, the kind that wobble and make you feel like youre surfing or riding a subway train. Some people like them, but they take getting used to and could break your concentration while youre working.
During testing, we took stock of:
Buying Guide For Best Anti
Whether its behind a workbench, standing desk, or your kitchen counter, spending long hours on your feet every day can be tough on your body. To stay comfortable and reduce pain when you have to stand for long periods, you’ll want to use an anti-fatigue mat.
These rectangular floor coverings reduce fatigue by preventing the muscles in your legs from staying static, which keeps your blood flowing, even while you stand on hard floors. Anti-fatigue mats cause the leg muscles to lightly contract in response to the mat’s slightly flexible surface. If you want real relief, choosing the right anti-fatigue mat is key. That means determining what type of mat you prefer, what material will best suit your needs, and what other features will help you stay most comfortable on your feet.
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The Essential Support You Never Knew You Needed
Its not immediately apparent that you need proper support for standing up. After all, standing comes as naturally as breathing to us. However, your body often forgets the correct posture and is more likely to do so as the hours tick by on a long day.
The anti-fatigue mat seeks to correct all of your weariness from standing. It acts as an automatic prompt to your body to stand in the correct position with ergonomic properties. Particularly useful if youre indoors and standing barefoot, youll feel the difference in your feet, legs and back from the long-standing support and extra cushioning the mat offers.
Can You Put A Chair On An Anti
Most anti-fatigue mats are designed for standing and would be difficult to wheel an office chair on. Regular chair legs may also puncture or damage the cover on a mat. If you want a mat for an office desk or other area where you may sit and stand, look for a small mat that can go in front of your chair.
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Completing Your Ergonomic Workstation
Acquiring the best standing desk for your decor, budget and performance requirements is Step One. But making it a true ergonomic workstation involves adding the appropriate accessories youll need to keep your body in a correct posture, and have a neat and tidy setup. Check out our comprehensive guides to monitor arms, keyboard trays, anti-fatigue mats, ergonomic seats, cable management kits, power management modules, foot rests and under-desk treadmills for both expert advice and lab-tested product reviews of options in each of these categories.
Need more help? Read how to find your correct desk height, then check out 10 ways to improve your office ergonomics and answers to the most common standing desk questions.
Attractive And Easy To Clean
The stylish comfort mat, in a rich dark-brown color, coordinates easily with surrounding decor. Even more, its innovative design features a stain- and abrasion-resistant surface, which means spaghetti-sauce splatters clean up in a flash and the mat retains its like-new appearance even in high-traffic areas. To clean the Basics kitchen comfort mat, simply wipe it down with soap and water as needed.
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How To Check If Your Anti Fatigue Needs Replacing
To play it safe, check for wear and tear, chipped edges, and grazed surface texture. You can also check the mats cushion core by seeing if it leaves compression when weight is added. The mat should return back to its original shape. If not, this shows that the mat has run its course and needs replacing.
Why You Should Trust Us
In 2013, Wirecutter was the first publication to perform a hands-on, head-to-head test of the top standing desks, and weve been testing standing desk mats for nearly as long. The writers and editors of this guide have spent years working at standing desks, using different mats, and comparing them.
Wirecutter staff writer Melanie Pinola has been working out of her home office for over two decades, writing about technology and productivity for sites such as Lifehacker, PCWorld, and Laptop Mag. Shes researched and tested all sorts of office furniture and hardware, covering desk chairs, footrests, and ergonomic keyboards for Wirecutter.
We keep up to date on the research about the dangers and benefits of sitting, standing, and moving at worknot just because its part of our job, but because we have a vested interest in being more productive and healthy at our desks, and we want everyone else to be too.
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