****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Foam tile still dominates the baby market, which I dislike b/c it doesn't blend in with my modern decor. I bought the Skip Hop foam tiles in grey/white which is the least obnoxious foam one out there, but still -- I knew there was a better option. I researched like crazy (hours!) for a play mat made of safe materials with a sleek, clean look (no cluttered graphics or patterns!).I asked my Korean mom friends (who also crazy-research, wanting the best too) for recommendations. "Folding Mats" are de rigeur in Korea--shock-absorbing, light, cushiony mats which fold up in seconds; tailor-made for apartment living. Alzipmat and Parklon are the top brands, but i chose Design Skin for the most "cool/design-conscious" colors.Why are these folding mats so much better than foam tiles?THICKNESS: Feel the difference on your feet--wow. It's like crocs vs. flip flops. DesignSkin's mat is 3 times thicker than foam tiles (see my 2nd pic comparing the two), and with 3 layers of springy, elasticized foam, it absorbs shock much better than tiles. Do you live in an apartment? Baby's thuds and thumps will be muffled, and neighbors won't call you complaining. Ever lay down on foam tiles? Ouch. My knees and body much prefer this soft, yet firm mat. Aging grandparents with weak joints will also enjoy the cushy thickness, allowing them to play on baby's level.MATERIALS: PVC-free, BPA-free, no VOC's, made of PU (polyurethane) and polyester as the "skin" while the inner core has 3 layers of shock absorbing polyurethane and polyethylene foam. Certifications from EU, Korea, and others (see the Design Skin website.)PORTABILITY: Foam tiles are difficult to move and fall apart easily (some have tons of interlocking pieces!), especially when vacuuming/cleaning. But Korean foldable play mats are superlight and fold up in seconds, with freedom of portability to move around into other areas.TRANSFORMING: The option to fold this mat into different sizes is like 3 different mats in one. Need a "bench"? Fold it up in 4ths. Want a square shaped, smaller mat? Fold it in half!SIZE: this mat is comparable to Skip Hop in area/footage, see pics comparing to foam tile. I have also included a standard yoga mat for size reference in some of the pics.CARE: Many foam tiles have a waffle-textured surface, which attracts dirt, gets dented/scratched, and is hard to wipe down quickly. Design Skin's playmat has a smooth surface which gets 100% of the surface area wiped down. Moreover, babies love to tear apart tiles, causing you more clean-up and back pain from the mess.PRICE: Ok, so foam tiles win on cheapness. I researched around and most folding mats are in the $200 range. But i think it's totally worth it for my needs.I think it's only a matter of time before the masses pick up on this awesome product that is truly superior to ugly foam tiles. Catch on now, before the early adopters do and give it a shot!
