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Public Safety · Buying Guide
Updated October 20262 min readMilitary & First Responders

Best Mat Flooring for Police Training Rooms

Defensive tactics and fall practice need a cushioned floor. This guide compares the four mat formats we sell and the test standard for wrestling mats.

Pro Command EditorialBased on our product pages and guides

In this article

  1. Two foam materials
  2. Four mat formats
  3. Sizes and test standards
  4. Keep shared mats clean

Key takeaways

  • Most mats use EVA foam or cross-linked polyethylene foam
  • Roll-out and folding mats connect to cover a larger room
  • Our wrestling mats meet ASTM F1081, except two home sizes
  • Disinfect shared mats after every use
Pick the mat for the drill: takedowns, ground work, or hard falls.

Two foam materials

Our martial arts guide says most mats use EVA foam or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) foam. Both absorb shock. XLPE is stiffer, but it is flexible and returns to its shape after heavy pressure. Our wrestling guide says our roll-out, folding, and landing mats are XLPE foam with a real vinyl top.

Four mat formats

FormatConstructionStrong pointLimit
Interlocking foam tilesClosed-cell EVA foamEasy to lay out and take apart. Non-porous.Can be punctured. Tiles can separate during advanced moves.
Roll-out matsNon-porous vinyl top over XLPE foamConnect with mat tape for a larger area.Weights can damage a foam mat.
Folding matsFoam in a vinyl cover, with Velcro tabs on all four sidesFold up for storage.Hard for one person to carry. Can separate under heavy use.
Landing mats8″ to 12″ compression foam in vinyl, with mesh that releases airThe most shock absorption.Heavy to move. Get help to move them.

Our martial arts guide does not suggest foam under large equipment, because the foam can show indentations. Keep weight equipment off the mat area.

Planning a mat room?

Tell us the room size and the drills you teach. We will suggest a mat layout.

Sizes and test standards

  • Test standard: ASTM F1081 is the "Specification for Competition Wrestling Mats". NCAA and NFHS rules require it for tournament mats.
  • Our wrestling mats: all meet the standard, except two home mat sizes: 4 ft x 6 ft at 1-5/8″ and 5 ft x 10 ft at 1-1/4″.
  • High school mat: 38 ft x 38 ft, with a wrestling circle of at least 28 ft.
  • College mat: 42 ft x 42 ft, with a wrestling circle of at least 32 ft.
⚠️ Our mat pages do not give the same thickness for the same use. Read the thickness on the product page before you order.

Keep shared mats clean

Liquids cannot go through the vinyl tops and covers. To remove dust and dirt, sweep the mat lightly or wipe it with a cloth. Both of our mat guides recommend a sanitizer made for exercise equipment. A mat that many people use must be disinfected after every use. Roll-out mats roll up, and folding mats fold up for storage.

Sources

Training matsPolice trainingBuying guide
Pro Command Editorial

Practical flooring guidance for commercial buyers, contractors, and facilities teams, written from FlooringInc product pages, category pages and guides.