Comparing Grappling Mat Materials and Surfaces

Grappling is a form of hand-to-hand combat that includes wrestling, judu, jiujitsu, BJJ, etc. Groundwork and throws are the main skills that comprise grappling skills. As this is the case, traction and shock absorption are important characteristics of proper grappling flooring. Here we will outline some of the most popular materials and construction techniques to provide you with a home training surface with which you will be happy.

wrestling mats

Core Material

When in the process of choosing grappling mats, the core material is the most important consideration as it's important to have flooring that provides the perfect combination of cushion, shock absorption, stability, and firmness.

The most common commercial core materials are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nitrile foam, cross-linked polyethylene (PE) foam or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, all of which are closed cell foams which are durable will not absorb water. While these foams are more expensive than open-cell foams like carpet padding, they have a longer lifespan and will not absorb moisture that can lead to mold and mildew. There are, however, high end grappling mats that use polyurethane foam, which is a open cell foam known for providing some of the best cushion available. This style of foam, must be contained by a durable cover material.

For areas where there will be a lot of throwing, thicker mats will provide the needed shock absorbtion that thinner mats won’t be able to provide. Some grappling mats, such as Greatmats Grappling MMA Mats 1-5/8 Inch, are even tested for fall heights and will give you an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fall height rating.

wrestling mat material

PVC nitrile foams are the traditional material used for competition wrestling mats. They are the most durable and heaviest option, and will also be the most expensive. This material is flexible enough to be double sided and still roll up for storage.

Cross-linked PE foam is a newer, less expensive and lightweight alternative to the PVC nitrile foams. This foam is firm in nature and introduces some bounce as well as shock absorption to the mat. PE foam is perfect for home grappling use. It is usually one-sided and scored on the back which allows it to be rolled up.

EVA foam is the least expensive option, providing most of the same benefits of the other materials without some of the cosmetic durability. It does not lose any of its functionally through extended use, there will just be visible wear and tear. These mats usually come in puzzle mat form (interlocking tiles) and can be double sided.

folding grappling mat

Surface texture and material

The surface of the grappling flooring in a space can make a big impact on the comfort and safety of athletes who are training. Grappling mats can have foam wrapped or bonded to vinyl or canvas. They can also, in the case of EVA foam mats, have the surface texture molded into the same material as the core. Smooth and tatami are the most common textures.

Smooth surfaced mats lend well to use with shoes, but can become slippery when training barefoot.

Due to their smooth nature, they are also less likely to cause burns on your skin than more textured surfaces.

Vinyl tatami or canvas surfaces provide extra grip when training barefoot, and are very durable, but are well known for causing mat burns.

EVA mats with tatami texture molded into the surface, provide the grip needed for barefoot grappling training without the risk of mat burns. EVA mats will scuff over time but it will not be detrimental to the performance of the mat.

Mat size and repair

Grappling mat material & surface

The larger the mat you get, the fewer seams you will have to deal with. Almost all wrestling and grappling mats offer a one year warranty.

Your PVC nitrile based mats usually come in the largest rolls (5+ feet wide and varying lengths), but can be cumbersome to install - especially in a home environment or by a single person. The factory can recondition or resurface the mats is they become damaged.

Cross-linked PE foam mats are often significantly smaller and more lightweight rolls (in the 5x10 foot range). They are lightweight and easy to install by a single person. A benefit of these mats is that they are lightweight and be installed by one person. It’s typical for multiple mat rolls to need to be taped together. Should they become damaged, cross-linked polyethylene foam grappling mats can be repaired with a patch, but can not be reconditioned or resurfaced.

EVA puzzle mats usually come in square tiles 2-4 feet in diameter that can connect together in any direct to achieve the desired floor coverage. While these mats cannot be repaired, they are typically double sided allowing for them to flipped if one side becomes damaged. Puzzle tiles are also easily replaced in as small as 4 square foot sections without the need for tearing up the entire grappling floor.

grappling mat

Generally vinyl-wrapped PU foam mats come in a 1x2 meter (~3.3x6.6 feet) size. The durable vinyl is extremely resistant to damage and can be patched if needed. The outer vinyl is extremely durable and we resistant, and can even be patched if needed. These mats usually cannot be connected together but their weight, combined with grippy non-slip underside do a good job of keeping mats in place and allow for multiple mats to be butted up next to each other to expand your grappling area.

Folding mats with a PE core and vinyl cover are available in a large array of sizes, generally from 4 to 6 feet wide and 8 to 12 feet long. When these mats are used for grappling purposes, it’ll be important to find folding mats with hook and loop connectors. This is because the connectors will help ensure all the mats remain help tightly together.

There is a lot to consider when shopping for grappling mats, but if you keep the above factors in mind, you are sure to find grappling mats that will fit you budgetary, space and performance needs.

Mat Thicknesses for Striking vs. Throwing or Ground Martial Arts

WIthin the market of martial arts flooring, there is a range of thicknesses for the mats. Mats for striking arts, such as Karate or Taekwondo, are much thicker than mats that are designed for Grappling or MMA. This is because each discipline needs varying levels of fall protection.

martial arts mat thickness

Generally, unless you are knocked out, you won't be falling much when participating in Karate or Taekwondo. As a rule, thicker mats are designed to absorb more impact from falls and throws.

Karate and Taekwondo training halls need flooring that will reduce impact on joints while jumping or running - as moves within these disciplines are meant to be executed from a standing or upright position,

For martial arts such as BJJ, Judo, Hapkido and Jujitsu, the body-to-floor impact level is significantly increased during the process of throwing and fallings. Because of this, foam flooring for these arts can often be up to twice the thickness of those intended for striking arts. In many cases, studios for the throwing arts will often use landing pads or crash pads during throw training. This adds significantly more cushion to the landing process, which can give needed cushion and forgiveness to beginners just learning to break their falls.

karate mat

High density foam is often the preferred material for martial arts flooring as it provides cushion without losing stability. 1 inch thick mats is commonly considered to be the crossover point between mats for striking and throwing arts.

Between 3/4 inch and 1 inch thick, most high density foam martial arts mats can provide the necessary joint protection for Karate and Taekwondo and are less expensive than the thicker varieties.

If the flooring is going to be used for throwing martial arts, the minimum thickness is 1.25 inches. Mats that are 1.5 inches thick or more are the prefered thickness for proper shock absorption without injury.

mma grappling mats

It is important that the flooring be made of closed cell foam which will not absorb moisture - or covered in a high quality vinyl - and is easy to clean and disinfect. Most foam martial arts flooring of this kind comes in interlocking, puzzle style tiles. The tiles are lightweight and are easy to install and remove. They are often times also reversible.

On the high end of the spectrum are hygienic vinyl covered foam mats. These mats are typically thicker and larger than the puzzle mat variety. They are commonly 1x2 meters in size with straight edges.

martial arts mats

Please note: if an interlocking martial arts puzzle tiles does become damaged at a seam, such as a missing tooth from the edge, the tile should be replace if the flooring is to be used for barefoot training. This is because toes can slip into these holes and become trapped during spins.

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