Head to head
KaoShan Roll-Out Mat vs IncStores Tatami Tiles (2027): Seamless Surface or Tile Flexibility?
KaoShan 5 by 10 roll-out mat and IncStores tatami tiles compared on seams, room fit, grip, storage, and which home grappling room each suits.
KaoShan Wrestling Mat 5x10 ft (Flexi Roll) vs IncStores Tatami Interlocking Foam Tiles: the specs, side by side
| Spec | KaoShan Wrestling Mat 5x10 ft (Flexi Roll) | IncStores Tatami Interlocking Foam Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Home grappling foam class (see listing for current figure) | Thickness options in the line, grappling variants at the thick end |
| Surface / texture | Smooth training vinyl surface | Tatami textured EVA surface |
| Coverage | 5 x 10 ft mat, 50 sq ft per mat | 2 x 2 ft tile, 4 sq ft per tile, sold in packs |
| Density / firmness | Closed cell athletic foam, firm grappling feel | EVA foam, martial arts firmness on grappling variants |
| Format | Flexi-Roll style roll out with chevron-cut flexible back, stores rolled | Interlocking puzzle tile with detachable borders |
KaoShanKaoShan Wrestling Mat 5x10 ft (Flexi Roll)
A 5x10 roll out training mat with a chevron-cut flexible back, at a fraction of academy brand money.
- Thickness: Home grappling foam class (see listing for current figure)
- Surface / texture: Smooth training vinyl surface
Sources: KaoShan wrestling mat product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cart
IncStoresIncStores Tatami Interlocking Foam Tiles
Thick tatami puzzle tiles in a 2 by 2 foot format that suits spare rooms and garage corners.
- Thickness: Thickness options in the line, grappling variants at the thick end
- Surface / texture: Tatami textured EVA surface
Sources: IncStores tatami tile product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Check price on Amazonor add to your Amazon cartOur recommendation
Buy the KaoShan roll-out mat if your room fits a 5 by 10 foot rectangle and you want a near seamless rolling surface with no tile gaps. Buy the IncStores tatami tiles if your room is odd shaped, shared, or larger than one mat, because tiles cut, rearrange and expand where a single mat cannot. Seamless rolling beats flexible fitting only when the rectangle already fits.
Seams against flexibility
The KaoShan mat's whole case is the absence of gaps: one smooth vinyl surface with no tile seams to separate mid-session, which owners praise for home drilling. The IncStores tiles trade that seamlessness for flexibility, covering corners, closets and larger rooms in 2 by 2 foot pieces. A grappler who rolls hard daily should weight seams first; a grappler fitting a real room should weight shape first.
Grip and surface feel
Tatami texture on the IncStores tiles gives recognizable grappling grip that owners say punches above the price for drilling. The KaoShan surface is smooth training vinyl over closed cell foam, firm and consistent, but without the tatami bite. For grip-first drilling, tiles win. For a consistent roll-out surface that feels right under the body, the mat wins.
Storage and the shared room
Both store in a shared room, differently. The KaoShan mat rolls tight on its chevron-cut flexi-roll back, though edge curl after long storage annoys owners. The tiles stack flat and lose border strips during moves, which owners also report. A room that must vanish daily suits the rolled mat; a room that must change shape suits stacked tiles.
Choose KaoShan Wrestling Mat 5x10 ft (Flexi Roll) if…
- Your room fits a 5 by 10 foot rectangle
- Seamless rolling matters more than room shape
- You want storage by rolling, not stacking
Choose IncStores Tatami Interlocking Foam Tiles if…
- Your room is odd shaped or larger than one mat
- Tatami grip is a priority for drilling
- You want to cut around closets and corners
FAQ
Grappling and Gym Mats questions, answered straight
Which is better for daily drilling with a partner?
The KaoShan mat, if it fits. A seamless 50 square foot surface with no gaps is the better daily drilling floor. Tiles catch up only when the room shape forces them.
Can tiles handle takedowns?
At the thick grappling variant and fitted wall to wall, yes for home drilling. Hard throws at full intensity still want a crash pad on top, on either surface.
Which is easier to expand later?
Tiles, by far. Buy another pack and the floor grows. The KaoShan mat expands only by buying a second mat and managing the join between them.