bsmith0404
05-07-2014, 05:46 PM
I recently decided to try the Dura-Mat from Carefree of Colorado. Others make similar mats, I am not promoting one over the other, this just happens to be the one I bought. I used to carry several pieces of outdoor carpet an 8x20 piece for in front of the door an another 8x8 for under our screen tent. They were bulky, heavy, and hard to dry after rain.
Onto the Dura-Mat: We bought the 8x20 for under the awning, very light and compact, but at $150 I thought it was very pricey (the reason we hadn't tried one sooner). The compact size made it easy to pack, the light weight was easy to load and unload. It came with a nice carry strap with Velcro attachments for repacking. When I opened the package it unfolded easily and has nice corner loops for anchoring with tent spikes. Had it out, in place, and secured in less than 5 mins. I was concerned that the feet on the chairs seemed to be damaging the mat, but when I looked closer the "damage" was superficial. I was really impressed at how easy it was to keep clean vs. the outdoor carpet. A quick sweep every now and then and it was good to go. At the end of the trip, I turned it over and the underside cleaned just as easy and quickly. Final verdict, I still had the outdoor carpet with me, I gave it to our neighbors in the next site and repacked the basement storage with a lot of new space left over. Also just picked up a 9x12 for the screen tent.
Onto the Dura-Mat: We bought the 8x20 for under the awning, very light and compact, but at $150 I thought it was very pricey (the reason we hadn't tried one sooner). The compact size made it easy to pack, the light weight was easy to load and unload. It came with a nice carry strap with Velcro attachments for repacking. When I opened the package it unfolded easily and has nice corner loops for anchoring with tent spikes. Had it out, in place, and secured in less than 5 mins. I was concerned that the feet on the chairs seemed to be damaging the mat, but when I looked closer the "damage" was superficial. I was really impressed at how easy it was to keep clean vs. the outdoor carpet. A quick sweep every now and then and it was good to go. At the end of the trip, I turned it over and the underside cleaned just as easy and quickly. Final verdict, I still had the outdoor carpet with me, I gave it to our neighbors in the next site and repacked the basement storage with a lot of new space left over. Also just picked up a 9x12 for the screen tent.