Car floor mats...rubber or carpet?

GinG · 8 Oct 2021 at 16:07

The original floor mats in the car are looking tatty with a hole in the heel area of the drivers mat.

These have lasted for the past 5 years of owning the car (original Skoda carpet) but just wonder if rubber is the better option now we have 2 kids.

We go caravanning, walks, football training etc and just wonder if rubber mats are just going to make my life easier cleaning out the car.

What are people's go to when it comes to mats? Mainly those with families!

Greebo · 8 Oct 2021 at 16:09

i always put rubber mats living where I do and going walking a lot. Saves me having to buy new mats every year.

IceBear · 8 Oct 2021 at 16:40

Rubber mats for me too.

Nasher · 8 Oct 2021 at 16:42

Rubber is waaaaay easier to clean (just hose them down) and wears better.

Conscript · 8 Oct 2021 at 16:51

Rubber for any car that's likely to get muddy and dirty. As above, take them out, hose down, done.

dlockers · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:06

Carpet unless it's a landrover. Rubber holds moisture beneath the mat too.

And · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:10

I've got cloth mats all round and a rubber mat on top of that on the driver's side. I spend a lot of time outdoors and even though I change into footwear just for the car you still drag loads on crap in off your feet.

Blackjack Davy · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:13

Rubber. They're not as thick are heavier and don't tend to shift/get stuck under the pedals so easily.

Carpets are cheaper though...

watercooledman · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:14

carpet looks better but rubber obviously lasts.

i have rubber.

ttaskmaster · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:18

Carpet soaks up the wet and scrubs some of the mud off your shoes when you've been out in the rain and dirt, so you're not driving with slippery feet on metal/rubber-faced pedals.
I thought that was the whole point?

Nasher · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:37

dLockers said:
Carpet unless it's a landrover. Rubber holds moisture beneath the mat too.

That's only a problem if it's directly on the metal floor. The floor carpets carpets are usually breathable.

Meatball · 8 Oct 2021 at 17:51

Rubber for me too. It’s the first thing I purchase after buying a new car. Carpet matts are annoying to keep clean!

rare · 8 Oct 2021 at 18:27

I have immaculate carpet mats covered with rubber mats. Yes I have a problem.

Stovehead · 8 Oct 2021 at 18:28

Carpet in Summer.
Rubber in Winter.

cuke2u · 8 Oct 2021 at 18:42

Rubber fronts, carpet rears - as I rarely carry rear passengers. I prefer rubber as my stilettos make holes in carpet too easily

rare · 8 Oct 2021 at 19:20

cuke2u said:
Rubber fronts, carpet rears - as I rarely carry rear passengers. I prefer rubber as my stilettos make holes in carpet too easily

Thats why I have rubber in the back

MatsyLR · 8 Oct 2021 at 20:00

Rubber.
Easy cleaning.

mjt · 8 Oct 2021 at 20:22

Stovehead said:
Carpet in Summer.
Rubber in Winter.

I used to do this but I don’t think I’ve bothered to put the carpets in for 4 years now. With kids there’s just no point. Sand and biscuits and other crap can be vacuumed out in no time from rubber mats.

Same for the rubber mat in the boot. They’re not cheap (official OEM ones anyway), but they last forever.

GinG · 9 Oct 2021 at 07:05

Thanks all...I'm actually surprised, I thought carpet would have been the main go to!

Any recommendations away from the OEM ones?

SDK^ · 9 Oct 2021 at 07:42

Stovehead said:
Carpet in Summer.
Rubber in Winter.

Yep - I do this