Reviews Of Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats
Spending long periods standing on hard floors while cooking and preparing meals in the kitchen can take a toll on your feet, legs, and back. Using anti fatigue kitchen mats is an effective way to alleviate discomfort and fatigue.
Helpfulness of Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats
Anti fatigue mats provide a supportive surface that can reduce strain while standing. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Reduce Leg, Back and Feet Strain While Standing - Anti fatigue mats cushion your feet, knees, hips and back against the hardness of tile, concrete, or wood floors.
- Provide Support and Comfort on Hard Surfaces - They relieve pressure points on heels, balls of feet, and joints that can otherwise cause pain and swelling.
- Relieve Pressure on Joints and Muscles - The cushioning effect helps increase blood circulation, avoiding cramps and soreness.
- Improve Circulation and Increase Productivity - Better comfort means you can stand for longer periods while chopping vegetables, cooking, cleaning up without becoming overly tired.
Criteria For Choosing Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats
With many anti fatigue mat options on the market, choose based on factors like:
- Cushioning and Shock Absorbency - A thick, supportive mat with adequate compressibility keeps feet happy and joints cushioned.
- Durability and Easy to Clean - Spills are commonplace around stoves and sinks. Ensure the mat is water resistant with sealed edges and made of easy to clean materials.
- Size and Coverage Area - Measure your workflow area and get a mat large enough to stand on while prepping meals, washing dishes or waiting for food to cook.
- Style and Color Options - Anti fatigue kitchen mats come in various neutral colors and compressed raised circle or square designs that suit kitchen decors.
Cushioning Properties
The cushioning capability of a mat is vital for shock absorption. Anti fatigue kitchen mats typically use closed cell foam that compresses under body weight while still providing structural support. The best mats compress by approximately 2-4 mm when standing on them. This compression range adequately cushions heels, balls of feet and joints.
Overly soft mats compress excessively causing uneven balance. This strains muscles while standing for long periods. The perfect balance between softness and support is key.
Sizing Guidelines
Be sure to get a sized mat for properly for your workflow area:
- In front of kitchen sinks mats 36" x 24" are common.
- For sufficient prep workspace beside counters, consider 20" x 32" sizes or larger.
- Measure spaces between countertops and islands where foot traffic occurs frequently.
Mats that are too small will have people stepping off frequently while working. This defeats the purpose of using these mats. Getting accurate dimensions ensures full coverage while standing in key areas.
Durability and Water Resistance
Kitchens experience more spills than most rooms at home. Whether it's overflowing pots, spilled sauces or floor clean-up - kitchen mats get dirty.
Using closed cell foam cushioning prevents liquid absorption internally. However, the mat surface and edges should also be waterproof. Commonly used waterproof cover materials include:
- Vinyl
- Polyurethane
- Rubber
Mats made with these cover materials resist moisture, are easily cleaned and last for years. Their non-porous nature also minimizes bacterial growth.
Top Materials For Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats
Kitchen anti fatigue mats are commonly made from various materials that provide varying degrees of comfort and support.
This proprietary foam formula uses small, compact air bubbles that compress under pressure. The cells walls don't absorb moisture. Benefits include:
- Shock absorption
- Lightweight
- Resilient structure
- Range of densities for fine-tuning firmness
Vinyl
Flexible vinyl covers provide good water resistance. It can also be textured for improved traction. Downsides of vinyl include:
- Prone to punctures and tears
- Off-gassing chemical odors initially
- Not as naturally slip resistant
Rubber
Rubber offers supreme durability and inherently grippy texture. Compression set rubber has rebound characteristics. Considerations when using rubber mats:
- Density affects weight - thicker = heavier
- Can feel overly firm, offering less cushioning
- Vulnerable to UV damage and discoloration
Gel Pads
Gel packs super-soft cushioning. But gel is easily displaced when compressed continuously in the same spot. Other gel drawbacks are:
- Not as supportive as foam or rubber
- Usually require harder outer cover for structure
- Prone to bottoming out after prolonged standing
Cork
As a natural material, cork offers sustainability benefits. Reusable and recyclable cork can provide comfort, with some limitations:
- Loses resilience over time as cells fracture
- Relatively lightweight so mats shift easily
- Susceptible to moisture damage
Using layers of cork combined other materials offsets some of the weaknesses while promoting eco-friendly options.
Best Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mats Reviews
Hunting for the right anti fatigue kitchen mat can be tricky. We evaluate some top rated options below based on cushioning, support, sizing and ease of maintenance.
Sky Solutions Anti Fatigue Mat
Materials: 3/4" Polyurethane foam base, waterproof vinyl surface, beveled edges
- Available in long narrow sizes perfect for counter spaces
- Resists curling edges
- Textured finish provides traction
- Easy to clean surface
Kangaroo Original Standing Mat
Materials: High density closed cell foam base, non-toxic thermoplastic elastomer surface
- Multiple sizes up to 30" x 58" for generous coverage
- Textured pattern improves grip
- Angled bevel edges reduce trip risks
- Withstands drops and shifts without impacting cushioning
Gorilla Grip Premium Anti Fatigue Mat
Materials: Odorless premium EVA foam core, scratch and water resistant rigid polyurethane surface
- Thick 3/4" profile still rolls up neatly
- Beveled edges sit flush reducing obstruction
- Textured finish provides sure footing
- Durable closed cell foam offers reliable support