Omnana’s Glue yoga mat: how non-slip is it really?
I did some asanas on the new Omnana mat. According to the manufacturer, my hands should stick to the mat like glue. It’s not called Glue for nothing, right? RIGHT???
«The GLUE™ yoga mat takes your yoga practice to a new level. With its ultra-dense structure, it offers exceptional support, cushioning and durability, ideal for dynamic flows and challenging poses. The advanced adhesive technology ensures a secure grip.» That’s what Omnana has to say about its new product. As far as I’m concerned, those are two good reasons to try it out.
For one thing, I don’t trust marketing descriptions. And yet, my inner self feels magically drawn to it. After all, I’m less of a yoga bunny and more of a yoga elephant. I press a corresponding amount of force and weight into a mat when I swing through the asanas. The mat has to be able to withstand that.
First impression
My order arrives in a rectangular cardboard box. The mat itself is in a small black fabric bag. Or, as the manufacturer puts it: «Our high-quality yoga mat comes stylishly and sustainably packaged – in practical dust bags that combine protection and elegance.» Sounds more like a Rolex to me, but okay.
Source: Anika Schulz
After opening the bag, I have to wade through another layer of packaging, because the mat’s wrapped in paper too. Ooof. What was all that about being «sustainably packaged»? Three layers of packaging definitely isn’t sustainable for me. I’ve long had the feeling that the multiple layers probably serve primarily to fit in the brand logo as often as possible.
Source: Anika Schulz
Nevertheless, the mat’s surprisingly light. This is definitely a plus if you’re carrying it to your yoga studio and it’s further away than next door. Omnana lists the weight of the Glue as 1.9 kilogrammes. Other yoga mats average three kilogrammes.
And – another positive – despite its curve, the mat isn’t too short for me. I’m 1.72 metres tall, so I need room to stretch out completely. And nothing’s more annoying than having half my arm hanging over the edge of the mat during yoga. Overall, the mat is 1.90 metres long and 70 centimetres wide. Perfect for me. For taller people, however, it might be tight.
So Omnana knows about marketing and geometry. Haha. But what about the promised grip? Time to roll out the mat and do some asanas.
The mat in action: downward dog etc.
I start with the classic, downward dog. Hands and feet on the mat, bottom up, and then a pleasant stretch of my back. Ah, that feels so good… Erm, help! I’m slipping! The advertised «advanced grip technology» has me sliding as if my hands were made of butter. Bummer. Because for me – as for all other yogis – grip is the most important thing. Without support on the mat, I can’t be relaxed while I do my exercises, which causes cramping.
That’s why I don’t even attempt a sun salutation – a dynamic sequence of inverted and standing poses – on the Glue. I’m disappointed.
Next exercise: baby cobra. I lie on my stomach on the mat and lift my upper body slightly using just my back muscles with my nose hovering a few centimetres above the mat. I don’t slide (where would I slide anyway?), but I do notice a slight rubbery smell, because the Glue’s made of 100 per cent PVC. Or – as the manufacturer calls it – Eco-Elite PVC, which simply means plastic, but sounds somehow cooler and better for the environment.
Whether Omnana produces its mats in an environmentally friendly manner – as the name Eco-Elite PVC suggests – remains unclear. The company’s website is pretty vague about sustainability: «Our products are largely made from natural raw materials and the materials are mostly organic certified.» All Omnana mats are manufactured «in Asia». No further details are provided.
Back to the rubbery smell. I’m used to mats smelling. Others made of natural rubber in particular have a strong odour for the first few weeks, then it dissipates. I still don’t find it pleasant, as there are many other yoga exercises besides baby cobra that you do lying down, so my nose is (too) close to the unpleasant source of the smell.
And last but not least: Prasarita Padottanasana. Simply put: wide stance forward bend. But here, too, it’s the same disappointing result as with the downward dog. I slip, this time it’s my feet. And so does the mat when I apply pressure to the edges of my feet. The Glue wrinkles, which means it’s not properly attached to the floor. I stop before I inadvertently do the splits.
After the three asanas, I also notice a waxy film on my hands and soles. Is the Glue sticking to me? At least there’s no smell. I still feel like I need to wash my hands straight afterwards, though That’s the end of my first trial session.
Second attempt
A few days later, I roll out the mat again and turn it over. Maybe the underside will be less oily on my hands. You see, I’m really trying my best to warm to the mat and avoid giving it a bad review. But the second attempt also fails miserably, or rather, I slide and fall onto the mat. I’ve had enough.
Is it me or you, Glue?
Last attempt: bringing the mat to my yoga class for my friend K to try. She’s considerably smaller and lighter than me. Perhaps that’ll make all the difference and K will get on well with the Glue. Surely that «secure grip» that Omnana advertises so floridly has to be somewhere.
Source: Anika Schulz
K performs the warm-up asanas lying down in a relaxed manner. But as she begins her first downward dog, she silently folds up her mat and sets it aside. Her look says it all.
Our yoga teacher, who’d been watching the mat test with amusement, chimes in. «Almost all PVC mats are slippery. It’s worst when your hands are sweaty. No experienced yoga teacher would recommend a mat like that,» she explains. Rubber ones are the best. «They’re a bit more expensive, but they last forever and are non-slip.»
Looking for a rubber mat? Here’s a small selection.
Manufacturer tips to prevent slipping
At least Omnana has now recognised that the Glue’s slippery and is doing something about it. It’s posted instructions (in German) on its website for removing the greasy film. You’re supposed to rub the mat with diluted apple cider vinegar or salt water. Omnana also appeals to yogis’ patience. «Your yoga mat will get better over time,» the company claims. Honestly, Omnana, you’re just passing a material problem on to the customer, aren’t you?
For testing purposes, I still give the mat a quick wipe with a vinegar-water solution. I want to be fair. The result: it does a little bit. But not enough to reconsider my conclusion. If I’m buying a mat that will take my yoga practice to «a new level,» I’m not thinking about asanas à la «the cleaning fairy.»
Source: Anika Schulz
In a nutshell
Slippery, but not unusable
If I were to judge Glue by what the manufacturer promises, I’d have to give it one star. It’s not suitable for dynamic flows or simple asanas because it offers no support. Unless you want to clean it thoroughly first and have a lot of patience. However, since yoga has both active and passive styles, I’m giving Glue a generous two stars. I can easily imagine using it for Yin yoga, because Yin involves deep stretches while lying down. The mat’s quite big, so even yoga elephants like me will have plenty of room on it.
Pro
- Only weighs 1.9 kilogrammes
- OK for passive yoga styles
Contra
- Unsuitable for dynamic yoga as hands and feet slip
- Poor adhesion to the floor and wrinkling
- Leaves a greasy feeling on hands
- Cleaning only partly prevents greasy film
- Absurd amount of packaging
Header image: Jan Johannsen
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Anika Schulz
Teamleader Editorial
Anika.Schulz@galaxus.deAs a child, I was socialised with Mario Kart on SNES before ending up in journalism after graduating from high school. As a team leader at Galaxus, I'm responsible for news. I'm also a trekkie and an engineer.
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