Thick folding gym mats earn their place when athletes start working skills that end in a hard landing — back handsprings, tucks, stunt dismounts. The UCS® Challenger 250 Series answers that with 2 3/8" of layered foam: a 1" soft polyurethane top over a 1.375" polyethylene crosslink base, under a 21 oz. knife-coated vinyl cover.
Key features and benefits
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2 3/8" total foam thickness — a full inch more cushion than a standard 1 3/8" folding mat.
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1" soft polyurethane top layer — absorbs the first impact so landings stay comfortable through a full practice.
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1.375" polyethylene crosslink base — dense support underneath keeps the mat from bottoming out.
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21 oz. leather-grain embossed vinyl — knife-coated cover resists scuffing and wipes down between sessions.
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207 high-tenacity thread — seams hold up to dragging, folding, and daily handling.
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Velcro on 2 or 4 sides — the four-side option joins mats into one continuous floor or protects a wall.
Thick folding gym mats specifications
| Available sizes |
4' x 4', 4' x 6', 4' x 8', 5' x 10', 6' x 12' |
| Total thickness |
2 3/8" |
| Foam construction |
1" soft polyurethane top over 1.375" polyethylene crosslink base |
| Cover material |
21 oz. leather-grain embossed, knife-coated vinyl |
| Panel configuration |
2' panels, accordion fold every 2' |
| Stitching |
207 high-tenacity thread |
| Fasteners |
2" velcro, 2 sides (V2) or 4 sides (V4) |
| Color options |
Solid or two-color |
| Mat weight |
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| Weight capacity |
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| Certifications / compliance |
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| Warranty |
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| Country of manufacture |
USA |
Who it's for
High school gymnastics and cheer programs order the 250 when the team has outgrown a 1 3/8" mat but doesn't need a dedicated landing pad. Club gyms use it as the general-purpose surface that can handle skill progressions without being pulled out of rotation for floor work.
For home setups, the extra inch is the difference between a mat a tumbler can actually train on and one that only works for stretching. It still folds into 2' panels and stores against a wall.
What's included
- One UCS Challenger 250 Series folding mat in the size and velcro configuration selected
- 2" velcro fasteners, factory sewn (2 or 4 sides per configuration)
Sold individually. Order multiple mats to build a connected floor.
Ordering and returns
Only Blue or Black solid colors are eligible for return. All other colors and two-color combinations are custom-made to order.
WARNING TO CA RESIDENTS: Due to Proposition 65 in the State of California, this product may contain a chemical or substance known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
UCS has built gymnastics matting in Lincolnton, NC for decades, and every Challenger 250 is made to the same spec whether you order one or outfit a full floor. Request a freight quote before ordering, or call 800-526-4856 to talk through sizing and layout.
