Swain Flexi-Roll Mat Review

**wildwills** · 09-09-2006, 12:41

At the behest of a certain dojo-mate, we all know as "rgoad" (Rich Goad) here's a review of Swain's new Flexi-Roll Mats that I purchased for home use in the garage. I purchased them through our dojo's pro-shop, but you can also order them directly from Swain's website.

I purchased the 5' x 10' x 2" tatami style mat. On the 2" mat, there is no free shipping, but there is free shipping on the 1.25" mat. My shipping from California to Dayton, OH was about $40 per mat. I first thought this was kinda expensive, but when I compared the total price plus shipping, they were cheaper than comparable Zebra folding mats. I preferred the roll-up mats to folding because they roll out flat and don't take up as much room in the garage.

Last night was the first time trying them out. I was a little apprehensive at first about doing some rigorous break-falls and rolls. No apprehension now, these mats have plenty of forgiveness/cushion, but are still firm enough to even run on, do kata, and use the free-standing kick-bag. I didn't do any high (i.e. jump in the air) break falls, but did do some from standing. Like I said, plenty of cushion. I imagine you could still be bruised and sore if you didn't break fall correctly, but I'm no worse for wear.

As for grappling, they're great. My son and I were just playing around and it was quite comfortable on the knees. I have bad knees and didn't use my kneepads. I'd probably use them though for rigorous grappling and take downs with the wife...

All in all, if you’re in the market for some mats for home use or even in the dojo take a serious look at Swain's Flex-roll mat. They're a good bang for the buck.

**rgoad** · 09-09-2006, 17:57

Glad to hear they work as well as they look like they would. Materials felt really good when I played with the box before you picked it up

Are you going to put anything under them when they are on the garage floor? I would think the petroleum products would eat up the foam backing.

**Cliff Hargrave** · 09-09-2006, 18:40

Thanks, I appreciate the review. One question, did they slide any on the concrete? I was wondering if they needed mat tape to stay together.

**kumite** · 09-09-2006, 18:48

What's the cost per mat? How long did shipping take?

**wildwills** · 09-11-2006, 06:40

Originally Posted by rgoad

Are you going to put anything under them when they are on the garage floor? I would think the petroleum products would eat up the foam backing.

I’m pretty good at cleaning up any oil stains, so I’m not too concerned about that. But thanks for the warning. I’ll just have to make sure to remain vigilant in clean-up.

Originally Posted by Cliff Hargrave

Thanks, I appreciate the review. One question, did they slide any on the concrete? I was wondering if they needed mat tape to stay together.

They didn’t slide on the concrete that much, maybe just an inch or so. I would recommend some mat tape if you’re considering getting more than one. That will help keep two or mats together. I kept the one side on the mats up against the wall in the garage, so there wasn’t any major sliding around.

When my son and I were grappling around on them the two mats would move apart a little when my son would really try to dig his feet-in during stand-up to do a take-down (me on my knees for the height difference).

Originally Posted by kumite

What's the cost per mat? How long did shipping take?

Cost per mat was $320 each when I bought them and $40 each for shipping. Now the website is showing $289 each (for 1) and $82.25 each (for 1) for shipping. You probably get a price break in the shipping as you order more. I'd call their customer service to get more specific shipping information.

The only thing that I was a little put-off about was the shipping time. One the website it states "Each 5 x 10 section weighs 20 pounds and can be ordered on line with a committed ship date of 3 to 5 days from order acceptance. " It think this may mean business-days beacuse it took about 2 weeks to get them.

**wildwills** · 09-11-2006, 06:45

Originally Posted by rgoad

Glad to hear they work as well as they look like they would. Materials felt really good when I played with the box before you picked it up

Coming from an Aikijutsuka, I'll take that as a thumbs-up.

**Brian R. VanCise** · 09-11-2006, 06:55

Thanks for the review!

**krhodes31** · 09-13-2006, 08:53

Sounds like a lot of money for foam and rubber but I bet price stategy is that "Hey, it is cheaper than broken bones!"

If anyone in Florida has used mats for sale let me know. I need about 1800 square feet worth. Swain or Zebra Mats is what I am looking for.

**sbonder** · 01-12-2007, 14:20

They mentioned that they come with mat tape. what the heck is mat tape? i suppose i have two weeks to figure it out before they arrive.

thanks for the review.

**wildwills** · 01-16-2007, 07:03

Originally Posted by sbonder

They mentioned that they come with mat tape. what the heck is mat tape? i suppose i have two weeks to figure it out before they arrive.

thanks for the review.

Mine didn't come with mat tape. At the time, that was extra...Swain must be including now.

I just use good ole fashion duck tape.

I think you'll really like them. They fold up real easy and provide enough cushion even for light throws. My son loves grappling on them and trying to do uchi mata on me.

**sbonder** · 01-16-2007, 07:50

mat tape is just tape that goes on the top to keep them together? for some reason i thought it might be like carpet tape and go on the bottom.

i am still waiting on the delivery. six business days so far. ugh.

**Cliff Hargrave** · 01-16-2007, 09:58

Mat tape is a clear rubbery tape, 4" to 8" wide, that you can actually roll back up and re-use a few times. It does not leave any tape residue on the mats (at least it's not supposed to).

**sbonder** · 01-17-2007, 07:30

Appreciate it.

**Mekugi** · 01-17-2007, 09:59

Come back in a month or two and tell us how they hold up. The creases where they unfold seem like they would crack or deeply ridge on the face over time. I wonder how they would hold up in cold and heat?

**wildwills** · 01-17-2007, 12:47

Originally Posted by Mekugi

The creases where they unfold seem like they would crack or deeply ridge on the face over time. I wonder how they would hold up in cold and heat?

They may crack over time...only time will tell. I've had mine since September in both the heat and cold of my garage (not heated) and they're holding up very well so far (knocks on wood).

**HapkidOist** · 01-17-2007, 14:42

At the 2nd annual black belt seminar I met Matt Swain and was able to compaire his matts with Zebra's first hand. I preferred his to Zebra. Even the Flexi Roll mats. One thing with the regular matts, when the two (Swain & Zebra) bend, they both tend to wrinkle, but the Swain matts return back to normal quicker and seem to have a little more resiliance.

**wildwills** · 02-26-2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by sbonder

mat tape is just tape that goes on the top to keep them together? for some reason i thought it might be like carpet tape and go on the bottom.

i am still waiting on the delivery. six business days so far. ugh.

So Scott, how have the mats been working our for you?

**sbonder** · 02-27-2007, 07:56

The feel good, don't move around much, and are easy to roll up. I have not had any problems with them at all so far. I use Lysol wipes to clean them up and the color remains unblemished.

10 x 10 is a good size too. Bigger would be better, but occasionally moving back to center is no big deal. Also, I personally like having walls get in the way now and then. It limits me at times, but sometimes gives opportunities as well.

I do need to find a better mat tape. The stuff that comes with it does not seem to hold as well as it should. Still, I have not had to replace it yet -just press it down before each use.

**wildwills** · 02-27-2007, 10:22

Originally Posted by sbonder

The feel good, don't move around much, and are easy to roll up. I have not had any problems with them at all so far. I use Lysol wipes to clean them up and the color remains unblemished.

10 x 10 is a good size too. Bigger would be better, but occasionally moving back to center is no big deal. Also, I personally like having walls get in the way now and then. It limits me at times, but sometimes gives opportunities as well.

I do need to find a better mat tape. The stuff that comes with it does not seem to hold as well as it should. Still, I have not had to replace it yet -just press it down before each use.

I also use the lysol wipes, just because I only have 2 mats for 10 x 10. I too have to recenter, but like you said, it's not a biggie. I'm still using Gorilla Duck Tape for now in the colder/cooler weather. This coming summer I'll probably have to use mat tape because the Gorilla Duck tape might get too sticky and leave glue on mats.