Why Adventure Lovers Should Consider Car Floor Liners Over Mats?

Car Floor Liners

Which is better, Car Floor Liners liners or floor mats for your next adventure? In this handy read, discover which all-weather car flooring to pick over the other for that outdoor endeavor.

It hurts to imagine it: You and your favorite companion coming back from taking in an impressive scenery from a viewpoint supremely rising above the side of a hill, excited, some fresh mud kissing your outdoor boots, and ecstatic about being just a few hundred meters to your adventure destination.

You pull the driver’s door knob to hop into your truck.

But disaster strikes. 

Just as you land on your right boot, the floor mat beneath slips under your weight, and the muddy boot doesn’t help keep your balance steady. 

Your big toe crushes into the metallic brake pedal. 

Jolts of pain hit your other leg when the closing door bangs into it as your left hand splashes your brewing hot coffee mug all over your friend on the front passenger seat.

You could swear that you’ve broken something.

It is not going to be a good time. Clearly.

Now you have to convince your insurance company to pay you fully, no-fault compensation for injuries sustained while getting in or out of your car.

Are floor liners and mats worth it in the first place?

The above scenario is not a fad. 

Out of 841,000 non-crash or non-traffic incidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported up to 150,000 incidents where a person sustained injuries caused by a closing car door.

Up to 88,000 cases involved overexertion while loading or unloading a vehicle, probably a slip that while placing a load in the trunk. 

Going on an adventure with a truck that had an exposed metal floor, worn out floor mats, or poor-quality liners, may have also contributed to the 747,000 accidents that were as a result of hypothermia or electrocution.    

In March 2015, the NHTSA released a new non-crash report showing even more similar incidents:

But those don’t have to be your nightmares. 

The best floor liners prevent these kinds of disasters while you enjoy your adventures to the fullest. Quality car flooring will protect your car’s floor against wear, the elements, and the damage that debris build-up, hot beverage spills, and lit cigarette butts cause.

That way, you can maintain the value, cleanliness, and dignity of your car with fewer expenses and time wasted at an auto repair shop before, during, and after your adventure.

That said, you may have a bunch of questions such as:

• What is the difference between car floor liners and floor mats? 
• Who makes the best car floor liners for adventure vehicles? 
• Are MudSmart floor liners worth it for adventure trucks? 
• Are MudSmart floor liners made in the U.S.A?

Tip: Learn how to buy the best car floor liners for all weather conditions in our in-depth guide. 

These are all excellent questions, and we’ll answer all of them here so you can make an informed buying decision before your next adventure.

So, let’s drive in.

Floor liners vs. Floor mats: which is the best heavy-duty car floor material for adventure lovers?

To understand which option to pick for adventure, let’s break down the two options to the details.

Floor mats: Are car floor mats worth it?

Stock floor mats, or OEM floor mats, are made out of rubber, plastic, or other carpeting materials and often conform to significant ridges in your car floor.

Floor mat pros:

• The cheaper materials they use to make the end product cheaper than most liners
• Most come with grip texture molded into them
• Decent for protecting your car floor and cleaning if you are on a tight budget 

Floor mat cons:

• Car mats rarely provide a custom fit over the cabin’s carpet, leaving sections exposed to melting ice, snow or sleet on passengers’ boots as well as damage from debris and hot drink spills
• OEM floor mats don’t last long due to the cheap plastic and rubber materials used to make them. So many cost more to replace over a lifetime compared to buying quality liners from the start
• Cushion mats tend to become soggy when wet, giving off a bad odor while encouraging mold growth 
• Many are not ideal for holding weighty adventure gear, such as camping equipment, in place in the trunk 
• Mats don’t provide all-weather floor protection

So, how do floor liners stack up against floor mats?

Floor liners: Are floor liners worth it for adventure lovers?

Floor liners are almost always made out of heavy-duty polymers. They also come with grip-friendly designs and structures to keep your gear upright in the trunk and prevent slip incidents in the cabin for you and your loved ones. 

Unlike floor mats, liners are better at lying flat on your car floor without leaving gaps that trap debris, liquids or pet fur within them. 

For example, MudSmart All-Weather floor liners are made in the U.S.A. using laser technology precision to create high-quality, heavy-duty, and custom-fit 3D and 5D floor liners. That means you can enjoy the investment as a reliable, car-wide, all-weather floor protection.

Floor liner pros:

• High-quality floor liners that last a lifetime, even against burns, hot drink spills, and dust build-up—MudSmart even offers a Lifetime Warranty for them
• You can confidently use them on SUVs, trucks and even replace your car’s carpeting with liners to prevent rusting
• Laser technology application means floor liners are usually a perfect fit for your vehicle type, so you can protect the entire floor of your car with confidence wherever you go
• Have high side bolsters to gather liquid spills, mud, and other debris  
• For that reason, liners are super easy to clean as well; get to a cleaning spot, remove them, hose them, and drop them right back in without wasting any of your adventure time

Floor liner con:

For their high-quality build materials, rigorous manufacturing process, and lifetime durability, floor liners tend to be a pricier investment than mats.

Still, you’ll want to avoid buying used floor liners to prevent worn out liners that are no better at protecting your floor than cheap rugs are.

Floor liners vs. Mats: Verdict

Custom floor liners are your best bet for protecting your vehicle’s floor wherever you go on your escapades. 

With all-weather 3D or 5D custom-fit liners, you can effortlessly keep the gunk that ruins cabin carpets and wears down metallic floors from damaging your investment. 

Most importantly, you can protect yourself and loved ones from encountering a non-crash or non-traffic car accident, such as twisting an ankle following a nasty slip inside your adventure vehicle.