Dick's Sporting Goods (house brand) · Yoga & Exercise Mats
CALIA 5mm Dry Grip Yoga Mat
Yoga mat with unspecified coating; PFAS risk unclear without lab testing.
CALIA yoga mat lacks public material disclosure or PFAS claims. Unknown grip coating composition creates moderate concern. No third-party verification available.
The better-graded swap
Retrospec
Retrospec Solana Yoga Mat Thick w/Nylon Strap for Men & Women
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Rubber base with dry-grip coating, composition unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Dry-grip coatings on rubber mats often contain polyurethane or acrylic resins that release VOCs during manufacturing and early use. Without chemical specification, you cannot rule out formaldehyde releasers or other respiratory irritants, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Unspecified coatings on rubber mats are prone to wear, flaking, and degradation with use and cleaning, especially if low-quality. Inhaling or ingesting shed microparticles from worn mats is a documented concern in the yoga mat category, though risk severity is not well quantified.
Rubber base off-gassing and allergenicity
Natural and synthetic rubber can off-gas organic compounds (e.g., from vulcanization residues or accelerators) that trigger respiratory or skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Quality and processing standards for the CALIA's rubber base are undisclosed.
PFAS
Dry-grip or non-slip coatings on yoga mats sometimes incorporate PFAS for water and oil repellency. The CALIA's PFAS grade (40/100) reflects this unresolved risk; direct contact and leaching into sweat are low but not zero, and manufacturing/disposal pathways pose broader environmental concern.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No published recalls or test results document heavy metal contamination in CALIA mats. Standard rubber mats may contain trace zinc, sulfur, or accelerators, but without compositional data, specific risk cannot be assessed.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The CALIA mat combines a rubber base (likely natural or synthetic rubber) with an unspecified dry-grip surface coating. The coating's chemical identity is the critical unknown, dry-grip finishes are commonly achieved with polyurethane, silicone, or acrylic compounds, each carrying different off-gassing and durability profiles. Without ingredient disclosure from Dick's Sporting Goods, you cannot confirm whether this coating contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde resins, or PFAS-based water repellents that could migrate during use or breakdown.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dick's Sporting Goods is a large retailer with house brands, but CALIA-specific material transparency is minimal; no published safety certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, GreenGuard) or ingredient lists are readily available for this mat. The brand has not publicly committed to PFAS elimination in yoga mats or athletic gear. No major product recalls or documented safety incidents specific to CALIA yoga mats appear in public records, but absence of disclosure does not confirm safety.
How it compares in its category
Yoga mats typically fall into three classes, PVC (higher toxin risk), TPE/EVA (lower VOC but variable quality), and natural rubber (more stable but less grip without coatings). The CALIA's rubber-based approach is a middle ground, but the unspecified dry-grip coating introduces uncertainty that branded premium alternatives (Manduka, Liforme) mitigate through published material specs and third-party testing. Budget mats often skimp on coating transparency, making CALIA representative of mid-market risk.
If you buy it
Air out the mat indoors for 24-48 hours before first use to allow VOCs to off-gas. Avoid exposing it to heat above 140F and direct sunlight for prolonged periods, as coatings can degrade and release particles or volatile compounds. Clean regularly with mild soap and water only; solvents or harsh cleaners can strip the grip coating and create leaching. Replace it if the surface becomes sticky, flakes, or develops odor, which may indicate coating breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Dick's Sporting Goods (house brand) has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Yoga & Exercise Mats
Premium Yoga Cork Mat 5mm Thick Natural Tree Rubber Base and Bigger Mat for Extra Support
natural tree rubber, cork surface
Microbial growth (mold, mildew)
Limited concern
Latex protein allergenicity
Moderate concern
Cork dust inhalation (minor)
Limited concern
Lower concern. Natural tree rubber and cork are not materials linked to PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Sticky Yoga Mat 3mm & 4.5mm With Mat Carry Strap - Blue - 3mm
PVC or natural rubber base, adhesive grip surface
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Bacterial and mold growth in grip surface
Limited concern
Surface degradation and microfiber/particle release
Limited concern
Yoga mats typically lower PFAS risk; no red flags identified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
All in Motion
Yoga Mat Rubber
Rubber (likely natural or synthetic rubber)
Natural rubber latex allergen (if natural rubber composition)
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from surface degradation
Limited concern
Lower concern; rubber mats rarely need PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More yoga & exercise mats grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.