gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat Review – Is It Worth It?

Quick Verdict

The gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat earns its spot as a sensible pick for anyone tired of fighting a too-narrow surface during floor work. At 72 by 36 inches, it delivers genuinely more room than standard mats — and that alone fixes one of the most common frustrations in home workouts. The dual-sided grip, eco-conscious Recfoam construction, and included carrying strap add real value. It is not perfect: joint-heavy exercisers may want thicker cushioning, and the strap will not win any durability awards. But for the price, this is a well-rounded extra wide yoga mat that holds up under regular use. I give it a 4.2 out of 5.

What Is the gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat?

The gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat is a 72-inch-long, 36-inch-wide fitness mat made from a material called Recfoam — a 100% recyclable closed-cell foam that the brand positions as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional PVC mats. It is 1/4 inch thick, weighs just 2.7 pounds, and ships with a yoga strap that works both as a carry handle and a stretching tool. The mat is dual-sided: each face has a slightly different texture and pattern, which the brand says lets you switch things up based on your workout mood.

I first unboxed this on a rainy Thursday evening after a long day at work. The packaging was modest — no excessive plastic, which already scored points with me. The mat unfurled with minimal curl at the edges, a pet peeve of mine with cheaper mats that arrive in tight rolls. Within ten minutes I had stretched it out flat and was ready to move.

Key Features

• 72x36 inch dimensions — 50% wider than standard 24-inch mats, giving taller and broader users more room to flow
• 100% recyclable Recfoam — environmentally conscious material that does not off-gas the sharp chemical smell common to new PVC mats
• Dual-sided non-slip surface — two different textures on each face for varied grip and visual appeal
• Center alignment line — a subtle raised ridge down the middle to help with symmetry and posture cues
• Lightweight build (2.7 lbs) — easy to carry, plus a yoga strap included for transport or assisted stretching
• 1/4 inch thickness — standard profile that balances portability with reasonable floor isolation
• Six colour options — neutral and vibrant choices to match different studio aesthetics

Hands-On Review

I used the gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat for three weeks across yoga sessions, HIIT circuits, and bodyweight strength work. The first thing I noticed was that extra width. My previous mat was a standard 24-inch model, and I had gotten used to angling my feet inward during wide-stance lunges or lateral squats. On day one with the gogoKIWI, I set up for a Warrior II and realized I had full room — no micro-adjustments, no accidental heel clips on the neighbour's rug. That sounds trivial, but it genuinely changed how I moved through the session.

The non-slip performance was solid on my hardwood floors. I did not experience any sliding during a 45-minute Vinyasa flow, even during faster transition sequences. The dual-sided design offers noticeably different grips — one side is slightly smoother, the other has a lighter texture pattern. I defaulted to the textured side for yoga and the smoother side for mat-based ab work, where I wanted less drag on my forearms during plank crawls.

What surprised me was the Recfoam scent. I expected the usual chemical new-mat smell, but it was barely there — a faint, almost neutral foam scent that dissipated after two days of airing out. That alone makes it easier to recommend to anyone sensitive to off-gassing.

Two things gave me pause. The 1/4 inch thickness is fine for yoga and general fitness, but after a week I noticed my knees feeling it during extended knee-tuck movements and higher-volume mat work. If you plan to do a lot of floor exercises that put pressure on your kneecaps, layering this with a second mat or a padded floor blanket is worth considering. The strap, too, feels like a bonus accessory rather than a primary carry solution — it works for the occasional trip to a park or studio, but I would not trust it as a daily commute carry.

Who Should Buy It?

The gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat is a strong match if you:

• Are taller than about 5'8" or have broader shoulders and find standard mats confining during floor work
• Prefer exercising at home and want more room for dynamic movements like spider crawls, lateral lunges, or wide-stance yoga flows
• Value eco-friendly materials and want to avoid PVC mats with strong chemical off-gassing
• Take classes at studios or parks and need a lightweight mat that is easy to carry with the included strap
• Are a plus-size exerciser who has been historically underserved by narrow mat widths — this genuinely solves that problem

Skip this mat if you primarily do joint-heavy floor work like extended knee push-ups, bear crawls, or low-cushion ab routines, and you do not want to add a second layer for padding. Also skip it if you need a travel mat — even at 2.7 lbs, the 72-inch length makes it awkward for airline carry-on packing.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If the gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat does not feel like the right fit, here are two alternatives that cover different needs:

• Liforme Original Yoga Mat — a premium rubber mat with alignment guides and superior grip. It costs significantly more, but if you are serious about yoga form and want a mat that performs well in hot yoga, the investment makes sense.
• BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Mat — a budget-friendly option with decent cushioning and a standard 68-inch length. It lacks the extra width but is widely available and under $25, making it a good starter mat for beginners.

FAQ

Final Verdict

After three weeks of real use, the gogoKIWI Extra Wide Yoga Mat earns a recommendation for anyone who has outgrown standard-width mats. The extra 12 inches of width genuinely change the experience for taller and broader users, and the eco-friendly Recfoam construction is a welcome change from smelly PVC alternatives. It is not the thickest mat on the market, and the included strap will not survive heavy daily use, but those are manageable trade-offs at this price point. If you want a wide, grippy, and conscience-friendly mat for yoga, Pilates, or general home fitness, this one delivers.