Crossrope Jump Rope Mat Review: Do You Need a Mat?

Updated: October 31, 2026 · By René Schmidt

Check the current mat and price here: ☞ Crossrope Jump Rope Mat on crossrope.com.

What this review is based on: I bought an oval Crossrope mat with my own money in 2020 and used it alongside mats from Pallid Falcon, PROspeedrope and other brands, mostly outdoors on my terrace. The standard Crossrope mat sold today is rectangular, so it is not the same product I used. Facts about the current mats are according to Crossrope (product pages and FAQ on crossrope.com, checked on October 31, 2026).

Crossrope's current mats

On October 31, 2026, crossrope.com listed these mats:

Source: mat product pages on crossrope.com, checked on October 31, 2026. A $9 non-refundable handling fee applies to all mat orders according to Crossrope. Prices can change; the price at checkout applies.

According to Crossrope, the standard Jump Rope Mat is made of a proprietary PVC material, rolls up for storage, works indoors and outdoors, is also suitable for bodyweight exercises, and is made and shipped from the USA. Crossrope describes it as a portable jump rope surface for lighter ropes. The oval mats, according to Crossrope, have a tapered edge for stability and a strap that keeps them rolled up.

My experience with a Crossrope mat

My Crossrope mat was oval and noticeably smaller than the rectangular mats I owned. That had two effects. First, you have to jump on the spot. If you drift forward or sideways, you land next to the mat. For beginners that can be frustrating; for me it was a good way to keep my jumps clean. Second, a smaller mat takes up less space when rolled up. Crossovers worked fine on it.

My mats lived outdoors on the terrace for years, in sun, rain, snow and wind. What I learned from that:

• Weight matters outdoors. Lighter rectangular mats were sometimes blown over by the wind. The thick, heavy Pallid Falcon mat stayed put.
• Prints fade. On my PROspeedrope mat, the logo faded over time in the sun.
• Shoes still matter. With decent training shoes, longer sessions on a thin mat were fine for me. A mat is not a substitute for proper footwear.

I can't tell you whether Crossrope's current oval mats are made exactly like the one I bought in 2020, so treat my experience as a guide to oval mats in general, not as a test of today's models.

Which surfaces call for a mat?

What a mat does, and what it doesn't

What it does: protects the rope coating and the floor, gives you a defined jumping area, and, according to Crossrope, reduces stress on your joints. I can't measure joint stress, so I'll leave that as Crossrope's claim. What I can say is that a mat made outdoor jumping on stone more pleasant for me.

What it doesn't do:

• It doesn't make jumping quiet. The rope sound gets softer, but the impact of your landings can still reach the neighbours below.
• It doesn't create space. Crossrope recommends about 10 ft front to back, 7 ft side to side and a ceiling roughly as high as your rope is long. A mat doesn't change that.
• It doesn't fix technique. Jumping too high or landing on your heels stays a problem with or without a mat.

The honest downsides of the Crossrope mat

• Price. $99.95 plus a $9 handling fee is a lot for a 1/4 in PVC mat. You are paying for the shape, the material and the brand.
• Lighter ropes. Crossrope itself positions the standard mat for lighter ropes.
• Thin. At 1/4 in, it is a protective layer, not a cushion.
• Returns outside the US. According to Crossrope, free returns apply to US customers only, and the handling fee is non-refundable.
• Size discipline. The smaller and oval mats need you to stay on the spot. Good training, but not for everyone.

Who the Crossrope mat is for, and who should skip it

It makes sense if you jump with Crossrope ropes on concrete, tiles or a floor you want to protect, you like a clean, defined jumping area, and you want a mat that rolls up and comes with you.

You can skip it if you jump on gym rubber flooring, you are on a tight budget, or you mainly use heavy ropes. Also skip it if you hope a mat will make jumping in an apartment quiet enough for the neighbours; it won't.

Cheaper alternatives

I don't recommend specific budget mats here, because I haven't tested current models. But these categories are worth a look:

• Gym-style rubber floor tiles: robust, but heavier and not as easy to roll up.
• Dedicated jump rope mats from other brands: look at thickness, weight (outdoors, heavier is better) and the surface.
• A smooth, firm surface you already have: a garage floor with rubber flooring or a gym, for example.

Avoid soft yoga mats: they are usually too soft, can slip, and the rope can catch on the edges.

My verdict

A jump rope mat is not essential, but on rough or delicate surfaces it is one of the most useful accessories you can buy, mainly because it protects your ropes and your floor. Crossrope's mat does that job, but it is expensive for what it is, especially with the handling fee. If you already own Crossrope ropes and jump on hard floors, it is a reasonable choice: ☞ check the Crossrope Jump Rope Mat and its current price. If you still need a rope, start there; the mat can come later: ☞ Crossrope jump ropes and sets. For the ropes themselves, read my Crossrope review.

☞ Affiliate disclosure: links marked with ☞ are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.