I bought one of the mats even before getting started on the kitchen, and I'm very happy with it. It cleans very well with whatever spray I happen to be using for some task.

When I first bought it it looked sort of narrow, but I now think that the narrowness has an advantage in that I'm not always tripping over it - it's certainly wide enough to stand on comfortably when I'm washing dishes, but it doesn't jut out into the traffic. Also, the edge is slightly eased, so it's really OK

As for heels, I wouldn't know. If I'm wearing high heels I slip them off just as I walk through the front door :-). Seriously, the surface seems durable and doesn't seem like it would tear easily, but I've seen stiletto heels damage hard wood floors.

BWAH HAH HAH! I can't remember if my feet have ever technically seen stilettoes!

Seriously, though, thanks for the feedback. It's good to know the gel mats are user-friendly. I am still a little nervous about the tripping - DH can walk through 5 feet of unobstructed space and still manage to stub his toes on something, and I once tripped *blush* on a seam in the sidewalk.

BTW, don't know where you live, but the BB&B in NYC (and some others around the country, but by no means all the stores) have these in stock, so if you have one of the 20% coupons you can save a bunch of $$$ money that way. Once I finish the kitchen I'm planning to get another one (the longer one) and sort of have them make an L at the floor of my perimeter cabinets.

As for tripping, I happen to be the reigning champion, and I don't intend to give up my title. I've gone walking and in a mile long, 24 foot wide track, and I manged to find the one crack to step into and twist my ankle.

love mine - debated between cloth and gel - since gel was twice the price - but one tomato stain or grease splatter - the cloth carpets ruined...i bought 2 for sink area and rangetop area - no tripping issue....keep heels and ladders away though...they will get an indentation - but no biggie!

I was going to get gel mats, and then I discovered Croc's flip-flops for $21 at Costco (NOT the fake ones)
Now I have gels under my heels everywhere in the house!

c9pilot, that is too funny - I did the same thing. I wanted the mats but never got around to buying them and in the meantime wore my crocs when I'd be cooking for a long time and my feet feel great. Like having gel mats attached to our feet :)

Helou, we do have a BB&B fairly close; and I do think I just received a coupon. I'll check there. I hope your ankle's okay now! We trippers sure do get into some funny situations.

Chips, the alternative would be a washable fabric - although, come to think of it, my old rug does have a stain on both sides. Cheaper too, but I don't actually have one in mind. Thanks for the heels and ladders tip!

C9pilot, that's a good point. I've never tried Croc's.

OK, I'm definitely going to check the mats out. And maybe some crocs. Now to decide on a color...

BTW, the BB&B coupons don't really expire - I always save all of mine & use as needed.

I also bought the Crocs at Costco & wear them ON the Gel Mat. That's living.

Someone on this group said that you could go to Bed Bath and Beyond and order the gel mats and use the 20% off coupon. That is exactly what I did as my store did not carry them in stock. When checking out, I was told the mat would ship to my home. I asked if there was a shipping charge. The gal said $9.95. I looked shocked and asked if it could be shipped to the store so I could pick-up without the shipping charge. She said no, but then offered to take the shipping off. I thought that was real nice.

I have not received my mat yet so cannot give a thumbs up or down. I have had tile in my current kitchen for the last 15 years and always wondered why my feet and knees hurt when I stood and cooked for long periods of time. DUH! In my previous home, I had hardwood floors and certainly did not have the problem as much. I always just assumed I was getting older...which I am, and that's part of it. But, I do know it's not just my somewhat advanced feet and knee age. I need something to "cushion the blows" from the dad gum hard tile in my new lake place kitchen. I hope these gel mats help.

Whew! I'm not the only one. I think my Crocs are the greatest thing since sliced bread and they're pretty much the only shoes I've worn since I've bought them (I live in FL now so I can get away with this). My friend lent me some fake ones and they were just like every other rubber shoes I owned. So be sure you get the real things even though they are expensive. I went conservative with my first pair, just in case (beige and navy) but my new pair are hot pink & lime green. So many colors to choose from! ;)