Ultimat Polycarbonate Square Chair Mat for Carpets up to 1/2" - 48 x 48"

This mat replaced an identical one I bought 2 years ago. A few months ago, it started to crack and shatter under the wheels of my chair until was definitely time to get a new one. I didn't hesitate to buy the same product (now at an inflated price, of course) because it's just better than the alternatives. After another 2 years, I'll probably buy the same again if it's available.

I bought this in (really, already?!) 2013. I knew I wanted a polycarbonate mat under my chair because I've worked in the sign industry; polycarb is sturdy and stiff, expensive for that reason. I had (at the time) a chair with "roller blade wheels", but it still was getting stuck rolling on the low-to-medium pile carpet and mat in my home office. This fixed the problem completely.Fast-forward to 2022... I now have a chair with "hybrid" wheels (hard flooring or carpet) that are smaller but wider than my last chair. COVID lockdown had me working from home for almost two solid years, but this mat has held up incredibly well until this month when I started getting a spreading crack near the middle of the mat. I would say that almost 10 years of use (2 of them near-constant for 12 hours/day) on carpet is worthy of an award.Though I'm a little bummed the price is now TWICE what I paid in 2013, in hindsight I got my money's worth out of the product. As long as the replacement I'm ordering today is built to the same tolerances, it should last quite a while. If it doesn't... I'll make sure to update this review. ;)For those who have never owned a polycarb mat... DO NOT try to fix a crack in it. This stuff is SHAAAAARP, like glass, and it poses a danger to anyone stepping on it. Not worth the risk, just break it up and send it to the trash (I'm 89% certain you can't recycle polycarbonate in most cities in the US). This isn't a failing of this particular product, just a fact about the material used. You're getting a high-end mat for $11/year, so I'd say that's a bargain. Treat yo self!

I was surprised when the mat arrived rolled up in a box instead of flat. I thought for sure it would have a bow that would take time to subside; this was not the case. The 48x48 mat was rolled to a diameter of about 12" and was secured with one nylon pallet type banding strap. I cut the strap with a utility knife and was not prepared for what happened next. The coiled mat was like a coiled spring held under immense pressure and exploded the instant the banding was cut and released. I would say the force of the mat springing from its coiled position to perfectly straight was enough to seriously hurt someone if it were to hit them. I cannot believe that someone has not been seriously injured. So... be very careful when cutting the banding!I was disappointed with the thickness of the material. This mat is thinner than any mat I have ever had. Thinner than the $15 mat from Costco it was replacing. The Costco mat would not allow my chair to roll on it easily as the casters on my chair would sink into it. Upon removing the old mat, I noted that the new mat was made from a much harder material. After one day, my chair rolls beautifully on it. Not sure how long that will be the case or how long it will last however. I'm hopeful that a year from now (if someone reminds me) I can update the review with good news.I was uncertain about the depth of my carpet and if this was the right mat. The spikes on the bottom are not quite as long as those on the generic (one size fits all) Costco mat. I believe it will work perfect for my application.One more thing: The description on the mat says "crystal clear"; this is not the case. Or at least not what I was expecting. Although the material is not cloudy, the finish on the top surface is textured with a nonslip sandpaper type of surface. It kind of reminds me of some shower doors I have seen, where you can see someone through it, but the image is blurred. Still, it looks great on the floor and I like the finish.

Needed to replace a very old cracked one and this fit the bill.

So at first, I bought this chair mat because the carpet underneath my chair was becoming a bit ruined, which worried me because I rent. A chair mat is one of those unsightly things that you simply must have if your chair is on carpet. I bought this one because of the good reviews, banking on the fact that the higher price meant that it was better quality. I've never seen a chair mat that I liked - they crack and discolor. I also liked the fact that this one was available in a square shape - I don't need the "tongue" that fits underneath the desk as I work at basically a table. I also liked that it's made of polycarbonate, a material not always used in these things, so I figured it was a little more special than most mats.When the box came, I was initially a tiny bit disappointed - it came rolled up and not flat. I thought this meant a week or so of waiting for it to flatten out, as with pretty much every other chair mat. Then I read the side of the box - there's actually a warning! The mat comes with a vinyl/plastic strap around it to keep it rolled up. The warning on the box read to be careful when cutting the strap, as the mat would immediately snap perfectly flat. True to what the box said, it did! I was amazed once I (carefully) cut the strap that the mat layed *perfectly* flat as a table.Already impressed by the mat, the time came to put it under my chair. I am amazed - my chair rolls across it like glass. There aren't indentations where the chair's casters are.So, here's the final part that makes this mat great: When it was delivered to my office, a coworker who has back problems ad saw the big box in my office remarked how her doctor had told her a chair mat is great for spinal support and the like. I hadn't known this. The day after laying this mat out in my apartment, I decided to get one for my office as well.So, I took one of the cheap-o chair mats laying around the office, which was pretty much brand new. I put it underneath my chair, and, UGH! It's sloppy, forms indentations from the chair's casters making it hard to move out of place, you can feel the little "spikes" which hold it to the carpet every time you move the chair, and many of the same model are cracked/yellowing.So, that horrible (compared to this one) chair mat at work is what actually prompted me to write this review, while also making me realize that this chair mat is definitely a cut above the rest.The only thing I worry about is potential cracking or discoloration later. I only just got this one, I'll update this review should I experience any of that down the line.

Seems to be just right. The trapezoid shape is very practical and items seems to be well made. Will report back on longer-term performance in six months..

It lay down flat after removing the strap. No corners or sides curved up. Its clear to allow the colour of the carpet to show through. Lighter than I thought it would be.