5 comments about ToeSox Yoga-Pilates Toe Socks with Grips.

1. Great idea, but poorly made. Material is thin and very restrictive. They seem to be sized for a very petite foot with long skeleton toes. The toes are tight, way too tight, and I bought both my "correct" size and a pair a size larger. I don't have fat feet, webs, or extra toes ;-), but I do have a wide footprint with short toes. The stiching doesn't "give" at all, there are seams at the toes, and they actually cut off circulation to the toes. Beware if you don't have "perfect" model's feet, or if foot care for a health issue like diabetes is a priority for you. I'm sure they probably fit perfect on some feet, but they didn't work out on mine.



2. I actually use these to get away with Vibram Five Finger shoes during PT in the Army, they get me in regulation. =D And they're super comfortable. A little thin and weak though.



3. When I started getting rather largely pregnant, I needed something to improve my grip while doing prenatal yoga. Because I live in Miami, Florida, and it's humid here all year 'round, mats do not work for yoga unless the space is heavily air conditioned. Even towels on mats do not work. The slippage and sliding is constant, and when you're pregnant, that's kinda unacceptable. Somewhere I stumbled across these things and they solved the problem for me. I still use these while practicing on a thick oriental rug.
   
   Drawbacks:
   - As other reviewers have mentioned, the way the material is knit the part between the toes can get tight and cut in uncomfortably when doing poses that move weight across the feet, like Triangle or Warrior. I also have slight webbing between my 2nd and 3rd toe, so that exacerbated the problem, but I snipped the very middle of the fabric there to accomodate my toes and that also solved the pressure problem.
   - I primarily purchased these b/c DownDog is such an integral part of the various routines I follow(ed), and that's also when I was sliding the most b/c of the weight distribution. It didn't take long, however, for the nubbies on the big toe (my key grip in this position) to start to wear off. Fifteen bucks is a lot to pay just for big-toe nubbies.
   
   Successes:
   - The nubbies actually work. They helped me grip whatever surface I was practicing on. And unlike other brands, the nubbies cover the entire underside of the toe, not just the pad, and when my feet are flexed in DownDog I need that entire surface gripping for me.
   - They're highly breathable and comfortable (once I snipped between the toes). My feet don't over heat. I forget I have them on.
   
   So, while I wish the nubbies lasted longer, the fact that they do the job they're supposed to while they last will spur me to continue to purchase this brand.



4. These look so weird and also feel weird when you first put them on but they are so much fun. I love them for my yoga class, and sometimes wear them at night watching TV because the separation they give your toes is good for your feet overall. Try them... you'll become a fan too!



5. I was looking forward to carrying these on trips and not carry a mat. These socks slip too much and actually mess up my balance! Don't waste your $!

5 comments about Manduka BlackMat PRO Yoga Mat.

1. I'm 6'3", and I practice yoga 3x a week. Looking for a good mat, I was recommended to get this one from my instructor.
   
   My mat is horrible... I paid $98 and all I do is slide all over the place! I cannot hold a pose nor do I feel comfortable holding a pose because my hands slide, my feet slide.. just horrible. I called manuduka and they said "we get this a lot from our clients, and tell them all to wash the mat, scrub the mat, and give it time to break in" well, folks... I've had my mat for SEVEN months and still, I slide all over the place!
   
   I compared my mat to my instructors mat and they are different - she has had her mat for many years, where mine is new, the manufacturing of the manduka mat has changed, and the mat that I have is HORRIBLE!!! Manduka gave me a bag and a cloth that I can use on top of my mat because of the inconvienence, but when my cloth is dirty and I do not have it in class with me, I slip and slide all over the damn thing. it's not worth the furstration, time, or energy! DO NOT BUY THIS MAT!!! And if you do, get ready to slip all over the place!
   
   Manduka, you once had a nice mat (my instructors old one is fabulous) but that mat I bought in 10/2009 IS HORRIBLE!!!! I'm sick of hearing "You have to wait for it to break in" - screw that, it should be ready to go for $98! why should I have to wait??
   
   DO NOT BUY THIS MAT



2. If you're just starting yoga, start with a regular mat, but if you're committed, you'll want this product. Best yoga mat I've found on the market. A lot more firm, set responsive to kneeling and standing. Better grip, once you're using it, you'll never go back.



3. This is a great mat not only for yoga but also higher impact workouts. I bought two so that my husband and I could both use one when working out together. The first one I bought from Beachbody for the plyometrics workout. This is the second one I bought, this time from Amazon, and it is identical (and of course cheaper). Be sure to follow instructions for getting the initial slippery coating off and it will work great for you.



4. I can't take it anymore! I slip all over the place and it's getting dangerous. I've used the mat for 12 classes and have washed it twice. I also lay it in high traffic areas with hopes this will help break it in.
   
   When it's sticky, it's too sticky. I felt like my flesh on my toes was going to rip off when transitioning to up dog. When it's slippery, I can hold nothing! Like others have mentioned, I felt like I was practicing on an ice rink. It did teach me to be very precise and controlled with each transition because I was so afraid of hurting myself or others. So, this is a plus. It also stays in one place and NEVER wrinkles during my practice. Although, at the end of the day. I've decided to cut my loses and move on to another brand. It's just not worth the added stress.
   
   Sorry!



5. this is my 2nd manduka black pro mat. i have been a pilates teacher for over 15 years, i would never use anything else!

5 comments about ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series Self-Inflating Air pad.

1. Went camping with 2 of these and was pleasantly surprised by how comfy they were. I'm a big guy (6'0", 270 lbs), and this pad handled me. Was it nirvana? No, but it was more than acceptable. I'd recommend these to anyone, at what I paid (forty dollars) or even half again as much.



2. It was difficult to find the measurements online for the different sizes of these pads.
   Here are the details that come with the product when you buy it.
   
   Short: 20" x 48" x 1.5", 1 lb. 9 oz.
   Regular: 20" x 72" x 1.5", 2lbs. 5 oz.
   Long: 25" x 77" x 2", 3 lbs. 15 oz.
   XL: 30" x 77" x 3", 6 lbs. 10 0z.
   
   I purchased the Regular size and I love it so far (only used it once). Very comfortable and lightweight.



3. My husband and I purchased two of these for our church youth trek last week. I'm NOT an outdoors person and was dreading sleeping at night on the ground. We've tried lots of other camping pads through the years including Thermarest, but these XL size pads (77 x 30) meant my sleeping bag didn't slide off the pad during the night. The pads are remarkably comfortable and as a side sleeper I didn't once feel the ground on my hip or side. My husband's a big guy and he also loves this pad - tall enough and wide enough for him. It is easy to inflate (most of it inflates automatically) and easy to roll back into its compact size. Lightweight, durable materials too. Almost convinced me that sleeping in the great outdoors is worth it!



4. Seems to be very comfortable and durable. Haven't had a chance to use it out in the wild yet.



5. I loved this sleeping pad. I didn't want to spend too much money on one at the moment and was considering some really cheap sleeping pads from like walmart or meijers. I decided to look online and found these. It was more than I wanted to spend at the time (but still really cheap compared to the thermarest stuff) but I knew it'd be worth it in the long run. So I went for it.
   And loved it! I bought the lightweight series to take with us on our weekend hiking trips and used it for the first time this past weekend. Its super easy to inflate- just turn the knob and leave it there while you set up camp. With in minutes its inflated and ready to use with no effort. And the best part about it is its really comfortable. Me and my husband switched between this one and our old one, and I think we'll have to buy another one of these so that we don't fight over who gets to use this one :)
   Def. worth it, and it really is light weight

5 comments about Valeo Yoga Kit.

1. I purchased this yoga set because I needed a mat, but thought it would also be nice to have the blocks and the straps. I used the mat once, but it was so slippery that I found it distracting during my yoga classes, so I ended up getting a better, less slippery mat. It was more expensive but worth it. Instead of returning this set, I'm using the mat & blocks as a back up for my at home practices.



2. This product is great! It is of good quality and the price was amazing. I use it all of the time and would recommend it to others.



3. This was a good kit for me, as I'm new to yoga. The mat gets slippery easily, so I usually just put a towel over the mat, so I don't slip while doing the different poses. The blocks and belt are standard, no complaints there. It would have been nice if the kit came with a bolster or cushion mat also. The bag for the yoga mat looks very cheap and is pretty useless. Overall, I think this is a great price for what's included!



4. Great value for the price. The mat is nice and thick, which I needed for wood floors. It's also got great grip, so no sliding around. Very happy with this purchase!



5. Strong chemical smell from the mat causes my nose to run. I hope that wears off, or I can wash it away, otherwise it the mat will be useless. The bag is quite thin and will likely wear out quickly, the blocks and belt appear to be very durable and may be worth the money for the whole kit.
   
   Time will tell

5 comments about Harbinger 340303 Durafoam Exercise Mat 5/8" x 24" x 72" (Red).

1. I got this mat for yoga and it's way too thick for the standing postures. Balancing on the mat is very difficult. It also curls up at the ends.



2. I order this because it was thicker than the other mats. I have bad knees and kneeling on the floor is not comfortable. Using this mat allows me to do those parts of my new Yoga practice that requires being on the floor. I am grateful. If some of your padding has eroded with age, here's a partial helpful replacement.



3. This pad is actually very nice if you do not intend to do yoga or anything that requires balance. As soon as you get into balance poses this mat absolutely fails. It is 3/4" thick which compresses greatly with normal weight(140lbs).
   
   I really love this mat and it's very comfortable, but it makes any balance pose much more difficult. I would recommend a much thinner mat for the grip.



4. I was thinking the thicker pad would be more comfortable to work out on. I was wrong. My wife has a thinner pad and I prefer it much better. Think of the thicker one as working out on a bed mattress. OK, not quite that bad, but you get the idea. Get the thinner one.



5. Product was as described, new condition, delivered on-time as promised. Mat was high quality, thick and more comfortable than thinner mats advertised elsewhere. Would do business w/the firm again.

5 comments about Gaiam Thirsty Yoga Towel (Smokey Purple).

1. Need to continue adjusting throughout the practice until the towel gets a little wet. May start classes with wetting down the towel to alleviate the problem.



2. You need a yoga towel with the rubber backing or beads. And you have to wet down the towel to help with gripping. This towel does not have the backing.



3. I haven't tried other yoga towels. I have tried using two Aquis microfiber towels, and while those work well, they are too narrow to cover the whole mat. I tried the Gaiam because it is the least expensive of the yoga mat towels. I think it works very well. It is completely saturated with sweat (I do Bikram) about halfway through class but it doesn't feel soppy to me. They don't move around and get wrinkled while using them either. I have a Nike sweat-resistant mat - whether that makes a difference, I don't know. Anyhow, the Yogitoes mats are ridiculously expensive, and it seems pretty clear from the variation in price by color that they're just charging what they think they can get for them. They're probably priced at about 9 times the cost to make them. So I'm extremely hesitant to try that brand, and more than fine with purchasing another Gaiam towel because the cost is much more reasonable. I do wish they came in more colors though. I'm just not willing to pay up to $30 more for different colors.



4. i was sick of using my bath towels for hot yoga and didn't wanna cough up the money for a 'yogi toes' towel. this gaiam thirsty towel does the job! fits my mat perfectly, is very absorbent, and machine washable. i primarily take bikram style classes, so there is not a lot of movement involved and this towel works great. i prefer to wash in between uses, but typically i just air dry it outside and use it again the next day. it doesn't stink until the 2nd or 3rd use. when i use this towel for hot vinyasa style classes, the towel tends to move around a bit bc it doesn't have grippers on the bottom. definitely recommend for bikram/hatha hot yoga, but i think i'll have to invest in a yogi toes towel for hot classes with more movement.



5. I've owned the Gaiam towel for over four years and used the towel for power yoga. Recently I've started hot yoga and the towel continues to perform wonderfully. I noticed that with the years, the towel becomes more absorbent and traction is amazing. I wash it with warm water and mild soap with a little bit of white vinegar for disinfection. I sometimes wash it in the sink and wring it out myself. I hang it over a chair and it's completely dry the next day. I NEVER use fabric softener, as this reduces the traction and absorbency. With time the color will fade to a light purple and will no longer bleed. I will purchase one more along with a hand towel, as I need an extra one for my daily hot yoga practice.

5 comments about Jade Harmony Professional 3/16-Inch Yoga Mat.

1. My beloved yogitoes went missing when I left it behind for a weekend at my yoga studio. I like to think that it found a better home, but this left me to do sweaty summer yoga on a cheap dollar-store variety mat that I have been toting around for a few years. Without some sweet stickiness my downward dogs turned into belly flops and I knew I needed an upgrade ASAP!
   
   I did a good deal of review-hunting and decided that the Harmony had the right features in a reasonable price range. I like the color choices, and everyone said that this one was grippy but not too heavy. The mat itself is lovely, there is a soft rubbery smell that is somehow not gross, which I understand will wear off if I leave it unrolled for awhile (booooo!) and it has just the right amount of cushion for my knees.
   
   As far as the stickiness goes, this mat is no comparison to a yogitoes towel. I still found myself budging out of poses millimeter by millimeter. In all fairness, it is July and my studio is well ventilated but not yet air conditioned. By November, when I am not sweating like a cold beer on a hot night, this mat will provide all of the traction that I need. Right now, my palms and feet (and everything else) sweat like I got lost and went to a bikram class instead.
   
   This is a terrific mat, I am happy to have it, but I did end up replacing my yogitoes as well.



2. Although I like the Jade Harmony mat, I found it to be a bit more slick than the mat I've been using for the past two years. Also provides a bit less cushioning, which could pose a problem for heads while in headstand, or for gentle knees.



3. This yoga mat is great. We've tried several and this is our favorite so far. It's actually sticky, whereas others aren't... and just the right thickness! Plus they come is beautiful colors. We have orange and slate blue.



4. I selected the JADE mat in an effort to be more eco-friendly, but what I did not realize is that if you SWEAT like I do a rubber mat may not be your best bet! :( As a result I have to re-adjust the placement of my palms during poses like Adho Mukha...none-the-less it seems like a strong durable mat!! :)



5. After much research and a lot of uncertainty about whether I should purchase this mat or the Manduka, I am so glad I chose the Jade! This mat has the perfect amount of dense padding for kneeling poses while still allowing you to feel grounded when doing arm balances. I was a little worried about the smell that some reviewers commented on but I have to admit, I kind of like the smell and do not find it overpowering in any way. As to the open-cell construction, I can see how that would be an issue for those who sweat heavily - if this is you, I would suggest the use of a yogitoes towel on the mat to avoid any issues with bacteria. The mat is not too heavy although it is best used with a sling as the rubber material makes it difficult to slip into a conventional mat bag. I also love that it is made of environmentally friendly materials. Several friends have given it a test drive and all agree that it is superior to any mat they've used in the past!

5 comments about Intex Prestige Downy Twin Airbed Kit.

1. 1st one leaked flat 1st nite.returned by ups while replacement was enroute.it has held up fine with daily use for past month.seems well made.i would recommend.this is re intex twin airbed.



2. I got this bed after my raised twin air-bed got messed. At first I didn't expect much since previously I used a big bed and now am using a smaller one, but it is as good as the previous one. It is excellent for outdoor use, though the battery operated pump takes some time to fully inflate it(I use an electric pump, which I ordered for a small price), it is an excellent product for the money and worth it.
   
   P.S: For those who are using air-beds for the first time I advice you not to fully inflate it, put the right amount of air into it, for a comfortable sleep. Atleast that was th mistake I did in the beginning.



3. If you're looking for an air mattress, you're probably not looking for the greatest sleep of your life, but for a cheap, practical and quick way to sleep.
   This mattress is just that.
   It comes with an air mattress pump which is great: it takes about a minute to inflate completely! I read in other reviews that batteries were included, but not in my mattress. I guess it was a packing error.
   I slept on the mattress for a full week and I only had to put air in on the 5th day because it had deflated a little bit, but nothing bad, ie; I never woke up with my body touching the ground, there was still plenty of support.
   
   Deflating was a little complicated but we managed to go through with it. It folds up nicely and fit in my suitcase for the trip home!
   
   Pros:
   -Very cheap
   -Reliable
   -Confortable
   -Electric Pump included
   
   I can't see any cons!
   
   I highly recommend, it is the perfect additional bed!



4. I needed a blow up matress for my 6 year old to sleep on for a week while on vacation. I was hesitant simply because of the low price, but was completely 'wowed' with the product.
   
   First, it comes with a pump to inflate the matress (make sure you have batteries to operate the pump), and blows up quickly. Ours did not leak air during a week of use. It was on the floor between two beds being used by a 2 and 3 year old...hence, was trampled on numerous times by both kids and parents. My son, 6 years old, slept on it for the entire week, without complaint.
   
   At the end of the week it was the same as the day we inflated it. We used the pump to deflate the matress (again, super super simple and fast). We will continue to use this for sleepovers and trips when we need an extra 'bed'.



5. We bought this for our 4-year old to sleep on as we stayed at her grandparent's house for the week. For $20 and free shipping, it is head above the couch. It does come with a battery-operated pump (Batteries not included). And needed a fill up only once through the week.
   
   My four-year old didn't complain. Maybe she thought of it as adventure sleeping.
   
   No, we don't feel guilty giving her the air mattress. After we relocated to our current home, me and the wife could only afford to sleep on air mattress for nearly two years! (We did bring our daughter's bed with us).
   
   This product is "good". Considering the price, its a 5-star "great". We'll use it again when we visit.

5 comments about Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat (84-Inch by 36-Inch).

1. This mat is perfect for under my exercise bike which is a heavy piece of equipment. I use it to protect the carpeting. The length and width are just right for this purpose. It can be folded by sections to use with other items that are not as long. I am very satisfied with this purchase.



2. I recently purchased this item to put beneath a recumbent exercise bicycle I just bought, to help me rehab my knee from a serious injury (torn meniscus and destroyed ACL). This mat is the perfect size, appears to be made of durable material, does not have any bad odor to it and seems like it will prevent the exercise bike from moving around or slipping. I highly recommend this product.



3. So, we have a very heavy treadmill, probably in the top 5% of treadmill size and weight, and this thing is being turned into a rag doll by the treadmill. However, the way this is made with the same materials as any other mat, so I'm not sure it's the mat's problem. The mat is also on carpet, which is harder. So net net --- this thing isn't perfect, but I'm struggling if it's a problem with the mat or if it would have happened regardless.



4. This was exactly what I needed. I wanted something to protect my hardwood floors from the pounding of my Sole treadmill. This mat is lightweight and easy to put in place.



5. I bought this mat since one of my clients was getting shin splints from the cardio in the garage. Now the client no longer has shin splints and exercise can continue. It works great. The guys love to use it as a stretching mat too.

5 comments about 1/4 Inch Ultra Thick Yoga Mat.

1. This mat is large, comfortable and the color we chose (dark blue) was as calming as we expected. The only thing I should have done differently was to purchase a carrier. Because it is thick, it can be a little bit unwieldy to carry under one's arm. A great deal!



2. This is my first yoga mat, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I've been enjoying using it and it works quite well. There was never any odor, and the stickiness seems just right. The color was, indeed, slightly different than advertised. I ordered dark blue, but I received a mat that's closer to turquoise; it is an attractive, bright color, though. If you're not too picky about the color, I recommend this yoga mat.



3. Have no complaints about this yoga mat! It rolls up very easy, and is the perfect length for my yoga workout. Just make sure if you have a cat that they don't use it as a scratching post!



4. Mat seems to have a slippery coating on it, hopefully that will wear off over time. All in all, a decent mat, but not the highest quality.



5. This yoga mat was very inexpensive, so decided to try it. The size and thickness is great, but it's very slippery.