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Rubber vs. Carpet Floor Mats – Which is Best?

Wondering which is the best: Rubber or Carpet Floor Mats?
Wondering which is the best: Rubber or Carpet Floor Mats?

Choosing between rubber vs. carpet floor mats can be difficult task. Most customers know precisely what they want, but some have difficulty choosing between the two. All they have in mind is protecting the interiors of their vehicle. In this article we will compare the different mat types.

If you looking pull the trigger and buy, Check out our best f150 floor mats article for the best product on the market.

So how can you decide what type of floor mats you want for your car? Here at Beyond the Raptor, we are on a mission to answer all questions and clear up all doubts. So keep reading to find out whether rubber or carpet car mats are best for you.

Difference between rubber vs. carpet floor mats

There are a few fundamental differences between rubber mats and carpet mats that you have to keep in mind while buying one for yourself –

·   Rubber mats are made of rubber, and carpets are made of nylon or Berber material.

·   Rubber floor mats are cheaper than carpet mats.

·   Rubber mats are long-lasting in comparison to carpet floor mats.

·   Carpet car mats are available in many colors and can be personalized with logos, but rubber mats have very few color options and designs to offer.

About Rubber car floor mats in Detail

Rubber floor mats are made of heavy-duty rubberized material. These mats are designed to protect against all types of weather. This is why they are also called all-weather mats.

There are various types of textured rubber mats available in the market. For example, some companies out there offer custom-fit rubber mats that will fit your truck perfectly.

Pros of Rubber floor mats

·   The best feature of a rubber mat is that they are effortless to clean. If you splash mud or drop ice cream on your carpet, you can just use a garden hose to wash it off.

·   Rubber mats are known for lasting a long time. A good rubber mat will outlive your vehicle.

·   Rubber floor mats might wear over time, but the impact of the damage would be significantly less.

·   Finally, if you opt for all-weather mats, you can keep water and dirt away from your clothes. This is because all-weather mats have deep grooves that hold water and dirt.

Cons of Rubber floor mats

·   Rubber mats do offer a rugged look and might not be aesthetically pleasing if you want a great interior. All in all, they make your car interior look cheaper.

·   Rubber mats might get a little expensive if you are choosing custom-fit mats. Many after-market companies offer laser-cut custom rubber mats, which are costly.

·   The most significant con of rubber mats is that they are not available in very many different styles. Most of the rubber mats are made of black textured rubber with gray or tan color options.

·   Finally, rubber mats can get slippery when wet, compromising shoe grips.

carpet floor mat 2

About Carpet Floor Mats in Detail

Carpet floor mats are made of tough nylon or Berber material. This makes them durable, along with providing comfort and a high-end look. These mats are generally available in various sizes and thicknesses and can be easily customized in any color or design.

Rubber and carpet floor mats

Pros of Carpet floor mats

·   The most important feature of a carpet mat is that it can be customized to any style or color you want. You can get your company logo or favorite sports team logo printed on your carpet if you desire.

·   A Custom made carpet car mat will provide better protection and coverage than factory carpet mats.

·   You get to choose between various carpet fibers – from rugged to Berber carpeting to other plush luxury versions.

·   They do not get slippery when wet and provide better shoe grip. This is because carpet mats can absorb a decent amount of water.

Cons of Carpet floor mats

·   Carpet mats can wear out with time. Although they will last a long time with reasonable care and maintenance, they won’t last as long as rubber mats.

·   Carpet mats are a lot harder to clean. It is almost as if the dirt and mud stick to the carpet surface, and it can never be spotless.

·   Carpet mats are expensive and can be harder to replace once they wear out, particularly if you want the original manufacturer version.

·   Carpet mats can stain easily in case of mishaps like a coffee or food spill.

·   Carpet mats cannot be easily cleaned with methods like using a garden hose to water them down when dirty.

·   Carpet mats absorb water, but if they are exposed to rain and snow frequently, the moisture will penetrate the carpet and reach the floor pans leading to rust.

When to Choose Rubber Floor Mats?

Choose rubber floor mats when your looking to protect and have easy cleanup”

Choose rubber floor mats when :

  • If you and your family love to eat and drink inside the car, a rubber mat is your best friend. They can withstand all the food abuse without getting damaged.
  • Suppose you have to carry dirty cargo frequently, which can be anything from groceries to plants. In that case, rubber floor mats are a necessity.
  • If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions like sand, rain, sleet, and snow, it is better to go for rubber floor mats to protect your car from damage.
  • If you have animals like dogs or cats, their dirty paws can get the carpet mats dirty, and their nails might get stuck to the carpet fabric. Thus it is better to choose rubber floor mats in these situations.
  • Most importantly, if you frequently go on off-roading trips, you must have rubber mats.

When to Choose Carpet Floor Mats?

Choose carpet floor mats when a clean factory look is more important to you”

The points below will help you decide if you need carpet floor mats.

·   If you do not eat in your car or carry dirty cargo and there are no other chances of spoiling or staining the surface of your car mat, then you can go for carpet mats.

·   The best choice is carpet mats if you want a logo, your name, initials, or any design embroidered on your floor mat.

·   If you want a fancy car interior that matches your car’s color, you must choose carpet mats, as there are not many color options for rubber mats.

·   You can choose carpet floor mats if you want a luxurious and comfortable feel in your car.

·   If you want the custom binding to match seat piping, go for carpet mats.

Final Thoughts On which Material is Best For Car Mats?

From an overall point of view, both rubber and carpet are excellent materials for floor car mats. On one hand, rubber mats are very easy to clean. Thus they can withstand a dirty environment.

Carpet floor mats are available in custom colors and styles that can match the exterior and interior of your vehicle. Thus depending on the usage, both the carpet and rubber materials could  meet your needs.

Dont forget to check out our Favorite floor mats on our review page.

If you like our content, share this article with your travel buddies and if you do not like our content, feel free to leave a note in the comments on what you would instead read. For more automotive content on trucks and off-roading, check out our page, Beyond The Raptor.

Tony Farnsworth
The Man behind BeyondTheRaptor.com. Striving to share his obsession for product research and trucks with the world | Raised in Detroit | Studied Cars and Computers and Business | 25 years of Ford Family Employees