I gotta say that I felt like I was rolling the dice on this, because I was not sure if it would be firm enough.  It is soft, but also firm, but not as firm as the commercial type blue mats used for things like gymnastics.  Really that is OK though since for a exercise and stretching mat it does not need to be that firm, and this mat is a good balance.  I think the quality is OK and there was only the faintest of odor up close which is not a minus, just an observation.  The size is also good, I doubt many people would need something bigger.