The desk accessories market is dominated with cheap thin synthetic desk pads. And it’s never an easy and straight-forward path to find the best product for your case. You can be watching YouTube reviews, browsing through product review websites, amazon and so on. And there is no guarantee you won’t end up receiving a desk mat that will leave you with mixed feelings. So if you are looking for something more comfortable and practical, the best answer would be Sponge Rubber Mat. It may sound like something clumsy and ugly but it’s not. It looks like an aesthetically pleasant and professional looking desk mat, only that it’s thicker and softer.
Imagine a quality ergonomic yoga mat. Now imagine it has been reinvented to become the most ergonomic and comfortable desk mat that ever existed. This is the ideal solution for those who want to make sure their elbows and wrists will stay comfortable no matter how long they are at their desk. Here we will talk about sponge rubber desk mats, how they are made and how they came about.
What is a Sponge Rubber Desk Mat made from?
Every foam rubber type of desk mat is made from 3 main components: Foamed High-Density Rubber (the base), Laminated Fabric Top, and glue to hold them both together. The base can come with a grippy surface, which practically becomes unmovable on a desk. Some may come with 2 layers of fabric lamination, one on each side, making both sides usable, however this type of mat would not be anti-slip.
It may seem like not an environmentally friendly product (just like vast majority of desk pads and mats are anyway), and it really isn’t as the rubber is made from crude oil. We managed to source material that is made from a limestone. It is by far a more environmentally friendly method of manufacturing foamed rubber. The raw limestone is sourced from South Korea. The limestone based foamed rubber comes at a higher price tag than its more common oil-based option, but the quality speaks for itself. It is softer, has fuller texture, it’s more flexible and doesn’t have a lasting smell of petrol.
The fabric lamination is usually either cotton, milk fiber, polyester, or different variations of nylon such as Lycra, super-stretch, spandex. Each on its own is either softer and smoother or is better at resisting liquid spills.
What options are available?
There aren’t many options available out there, and all that you can find are relatively thin – between 1-3mm, which is not enough to provide ultimate comfort to elbows and wrists. The average arm weight and pressure a person applies on their desk, requires the thickness to be at least 6mm, otherwise you will feel hard surface of your desk through the mat. Fusionstrike offers a 7mm thick mat, which is also a perfect height to keep your wrist at a correct level if you are operating mouse behind the mat (as it is designed to be used).
So what are the advantages of a rubber foam desk mat?
Main advantage of a foam rubber desk mats is that their material is shock-absorbent, as well as it traps dust and small particles, not allowing them to move between the mat and the desk which causes scratches. thus protects your desk better than any other desk mat. It is perfect for glass desks and high polished wooden desks.
Here at Fusionstrike we decided to prioritize comfort over all other features, by increasing thickness to 7mm. The combination of thickness and density is calibrated to serve as a cushion to pressure points within wrists and elbows. The mat texture remains sturdy, meaning you can put cups and glasses on it without worrying about easily knocking them over. Think of an orange peel – that’s about how dense as a foam rubber desk mat.
- Ultimate Comfort: Foam sponge desk mats are soft and padded, which can help to reduce fatigue and discomfort in your wrists and elbows when working your desk for long periods of time. The material reflects temperature it receives upon contact, remaining cool in a warm environment and warm in a cold one. Special fabric laminated top eliminates tackiness in arms during hot days when working in an office without air conditioning.
- Protection: Foam sponge desk mats are great at protecting your desk from scratches, spills, and other damage. They are shock-absorbent, and the characteristics of the material are such that they get dust and small particles trapped it its texture, not letting them move under mat and scratch the desk.
- Durability: Foam sponge desk mats are made from durable materials that can withstand heavy use. The material has self-restoring capability (depending on how heavy is the damage). They are also relatively easy to clean (if done right), so you can keep them looking their best for years to come.
- Affordability: Foam sponge desk mats are generally affordable, compared to genuine leather and many ‘green’ options, making them a great value for your money.