Best Non-Flat Standing Mats

There’s an interesting new wrinkle to the conventional non-flat standing desk mats that go beyond the usual expansion of colors, sizes, and designs. So-called calculated terrain mats (a.k.a. “non-flat standing mats” or “active standing mats”) are a new subcategory of standing mats that appears to be exploding onto the scene—with new competitors rushing in to nip at the heels of Topo Mat, the progenitor of this entire niche. We put these newfangled comfort mats to the test to see if they’re as game-changing as their makers say, or just a passing fad.

Each standing mat we tested bears very specific topographical features to promote interaction with its user. From angled slopes for stretching to massage mounds for plantar fasciitis relief, these calculated terrain mats offer something different for everyone.

While many of these mats can be visually attractive to potential users, the unique features they offer may not always perform as well as intended. In fact, some features can be so poorly designed or even gimmicky, that they may as well not be there. However, through our research, we have found that there are some quality options for you to choose from.

To help you decide, we’ve broken up these non-conventional standing mats into three different categories, with calculated terrain mats now referring exclusively to mats with earth-like topographic features. Since the Topo Mat, an emergent host of competing variations has made it necessary to split these mats up even further according to their surface features:

1. Calculated Terrain Mats. Originators. Also known as topographic mats. Imitating earth’s topographic features like ridges and rocks, these mats are best for promoting proprioception and active standing.
2. Non-flat mats. Providing too little topography to be considered ‘calculated terrain’ and offering no special features to promote activity, these mats are a more interesting-looking alternative to flat mats.
3. Active mats. Active standing mats don’t necessarily have to feature calculated terrain. Some models come with balls while others have integrated fidget bars.

What’s Really Different About “Calculated Terrain Mats”

Go back in time a few thousand years and you’ll find our human ancestors were designed to stand and walk across a widely varied terrain — from loamy soil to rocky hills. Fast forward to the modern-day era and you’ll find the exact opposite as humans in first world countries have become accustomed to walking across completely flat floors and sidewalks, in flat-soled shoes, for most of their adult existence.

In accordance with the law of unintended consequences, this has led to a variety of new health-related issues —including an assortment of foot maladies, and even premature loss of balance. The latter due to reduced stimulation of the proprioceptor nerves in our feet due to walking primarily on flat terrain, and leading to an inordinate propensity for premature hip fractures among our senior citizen population, among other things (as expounded upon in the bestseller Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen).

Even with the introduction of standing mats as stalwart companions to standing desks in the fight against sedentary office habits, many have found standing for too long to sometimes be just as bad as sitting for too long. Studies have shown that rigid standing for too long is causing people to experience circulation problems in the legs, joint pain, and most importantly compression of the spine leading to low back pain. Combined with the idea that our human ancestors were designed to walk across variable terrain, you can see how calculated terrain anti-fatigue mats make sense as a way to promote movement while standing, all in the effort to prevent those unwanted health consequences.

Things to Keep in Mind

As stated earlier, some mat features can be gimmicky and offer little to no use for the user, so it’s always good to keep in mind what it is that you want in a standing mat.

Another aspect to think about is where the mat is manufactured. There’s a huge difference in the environmental regulation compliance requirements of US-made versus Chinese made products when it comes to the materials typically found in comfort mats.

Organizations like ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and NFSI (National Floor Safety Institute) lab certify mats for quality, and we recommend only purchasing mats that have passed neutral third-party testing. While it costs more to buy a high quality, environmentally friendly mat, if you want durability, longevity, and clean air, these products are the wiser way to go for savvy consumers.

Less expensive mats also tend to exude odors that can make users nauseous, especially in closed spaces. We have noticed that some Chinese-made mats can reek of de-molding fluid, which also leaves them slick and prone to slippage, versus quality US-made mats that are thoroughly washed before shipping to the consumer. The biggest difference between makers, however, comes down to material formulation. There’s a vast difference in both the chemical formulation and the density of material used in imported versus domestic products, which affects their performance.

All that said, there are no calculated terrain mats made in the USA at this time. All the contenders, at least for now, hail from China. And their relative quality falls along a spectrum from reasonable quality (not as good as American-made flat mats, but good enough) to something that would smell up your home or office.

The best policy is to thoroughly read our expert staff’s reviews, coupled with user reviews from verifiable buyers (which we link to from each of our expert reviews), and not simply accept manufacturers’ marketing claims at face value. They often sound too good to be true, because they are.

Looking For Flat Standing Mats?

If you aren’t interested in Calculated Terrain Mats but you are interested in more of a standard but quality standing mat, check out our Standing Mat Guide or Standing Mat Comparison Review page for expert analysis on the most popular standing desk mats in the marketplace.

Want To Learn More About Standing Mats?

• Standing Mat Ergonomics

• Standing Mats For Foot Pain

• How To Choose The Right Standing Mat

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Anti-Fatigue Standing Mats