MEGA TEST. Special Feature Camp Matting Comparison

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1 We put seven of the best camp mats through their paces with four RVs and their associated families, including three kids and a couple of dogs. The results may surprise you! Camp Matting MEGA TEST T KH SODQ ZDV VLPSOH ÀQG WKH EHVW FDPS PDWV DQG SLW WKHP KHDG WR KHDG WR VHH KRZ WKH\ PHDVXUHG XS DJDLQVW HDFK RWKHU -RVWOLQJ IRU VXSUHPDF\ LV WKH &*HDU 0XOWLPDW *R0DWVOXV (QGXUR0DW 0DWH &DPHF XWGRRU )ORRU 0DWWLQJ +DLJK $LU :HDH ]WUDLO 8OWUDPHVK DQG WKH ]WUDLO $QQH[ 0DWWLQJ 6RPH SHRSOH KDH EHHQ NQRZQ WR XVH VKDGHFORWK DV D FKHDS DOWHUQDWLH VR ZH H WKURZQ WKDW LQWR WKH PL[ WR VHH KRZ LW IDUHV :LWK WKH SURGXFWV VRUWHG ZH QHHGHG DQ HQWKXVLDVWLF WHDP WR FRQGXFW WKH WHVWLQJ VR ZH WXUQHG WR Facebook WR UHFUXLW D FUHZ :H HQGHG XS ZLWK WKUHH DGHQWXURXV IDPLOLHV SOXV RXUVHOHV ZKR KDG HDFK WUDHOOHG IDU DQG ZLGH WKH RWKHUV LQ GLUW VXSSUHVVLRQ LFWXUH \RXUVHOI FDPSLQJ RQ D PDW ZLWK DQ RSHQ ZHDH RQ D GXVW ERZO ZKHUH WKH GXVW DQG GLUW FDQ ULVH XS WKURXJK WKH PHVK ² QRW JUHDW IRU WKH NLGV WR SOD\ RQ DIWHU EDWK WLPH TESTING METHODOLOG WORDS AND PICS MIKE PAVE WH MATTING? &DPS PDWV DUH SUHGRPLQDQWO\ GHVLJQHG WR KHOS NHHS GLUW RXW RI \RXU DQ %XW WKH\ DOVR DGG ZDUPWK DQG FRPIRUW WR WKH FDPSVLWH E\ KDLQJ VRPHWKLQJ IRRW IULHQGO\ WR VWHS RQ WR DV \RX H[LW WKH DQ ULFNOHV VPDOO VWRQHV PXG GXVW DQG RWKHU IRUHLJQ PDWWHU FDQ RWKHUZLVH GHWUDFW IURP WKH H[SHULHQFH %XW WKHUH DUH RWKHU VDIHW\ EHQHÀWV WR FRQVLGHU VXFK DV KRZ TXLFNO\ WKH\ GLVSHUVH ZDWHU ZKLFK FDQ RWKHUZLVH FUHDWH VOLSSHU\ VXUIDFHV DQG WKH DELOLW\ WR KROG WKHLU IRUP SHJJHG RU XQSHJJHG WR SUHHQW WULSSLQJ 6\QWKHWLF PHVK ZLWK GLIIHULQJ ZHDHV DQG WKLFNQHVVHV LV WKH PRVW FRPPRQO\ XVHG PDWHULDO 7KH H[FHSWLRQV DUH WKH (QGXUR0DW 0DWH PDGH IURP 9& PHVK DQG WKH ]WUDLO $QQH[ 0DW DOVR FRQVWUXFWHG IURP 9& EXW ZLWK D UXEEHU\ ÀQLVK 0RVW PDWV WR VRPH GHJUHH IDRXU EUHDWKDELOLW\ ZKHUH JUDVV DQG OLTXLG GLVSHUVLRQ LV WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW IHDWXUH 7KH ]WUDLO 8OWUDPHVK *R0DWVOXV DQG WR D OHVVHU H[WHQW WKH &*HDU 0XOWLPDW KDG WLJKWHU ZHDHV OHDLQJ VRPH SRROLQJ ZDWHU RQ WKH VXUIDFH %XW LQ FRQWUDVW WKHVH SURGXFWV SHUIRUPHG EHWWHU WKDQ %HIRUH VHWWLQJ RXU WHVW WHDP ORRVH WKH PDWV ZHUH VXEMHFWHG WR VRPH EDFN\DUG WHVWLQJ WR DQDO\VH WKH FRQVWUXFWLRQ IHDWXUHV DQG TXDOLW\ RI ÀQLVK 7KH IHDWXUHV DQG GHVLJQ ZHUH VLPLODU DFURVV WKH ERDUG DOWKRXJK WKH PRUH H[SHQVLH PDWV XQVXUSULVLQJO\ KDG D EURDGHU VSHFWUXP RI XVHV 6SUHDG DFURVV WKH EDFN\DUG GXULQJ 9LFWRULD V )HEUXDU\ KHDWZDH ZH DVVHVVHG WKH EUHDWKDELOLW\ FODLPV RI WKH PDQXIDFWXUHUV 'HVSLWH WKH WHPSHUDWXUHV VRDULQJ LQWR WKH KLJK V WKH JUDVV GLG QRW VXIIHU GXULQJ WKLV WLPH DOLGDWLQJ WKRVH FODLPV $QG ZLWK DQ HQGOHVV VXSSO\ RI UHF\FOHG ZDWHU FORVH DW Our testing families Mike and Anita Pavey 6 Simone and Glen Jacob, and Tess the dog Kirsten and Adam Craze, and Rumah the dog The Downie family 7

2 Best CA R AVA N PA RaKt M Above: Even Tess the Newfoundland got in on the act. Above right: The Oztrail Annex Matting was foot-friendly on hard surfaces and voted the Best Caravan Park Mat. 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Some of the other lighter green products on test reminded me of cheap shadecloth, based on colour alone, but not so the Ultramesh. Like its shadecloth FRXVLQ WKH WLJKW ZHDH DQG ZDWHU SURRÀQJ seems to compromise its performance as a mat. But if money is tight, the Ultramesh still does a reasonable job. Anita Pavey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ÀQH EXW LW ZDV OHVV FRPIRUWDEOH RHU VWRQHV DQG RWKHU REMHFWV FRXUWHV\ RI WKH RSHQ ZHDH :KLOH ZDWHU DQG GLUW IDOO VWUDLJKW WKURXJK LQ PRVW FDVHV WKH GLUW FDQ DOVR FRPH EDFN XS 7KH PDWHULDO RIIHUHG JRRG JULS ZKHQ ERWK GU\ DQG ZHW $W WKH $LU :HDH ZDV FRQVLGHUHG WR EH DQRWKHU JRRG EXGJHW RIIHULQJ EXW EHWWHU VXLWHG WR FDUDDQ SDUN VODEV WKDQ VXUIDFHV BUDGatET M Above left: Camec Outdoor Floor Matting. Above: The Oztrail Ultramesh scored well for broomability and was voted the best budget mat on test. WKDW UHTXLUH SHJJLQJ,W RIIHUV D FODVV OHDGLQJ ZDUUDQW\ RI ÀH \HDUV We didn t rate this mat well on appearance. The colours and design just didn t appeal. While WKH ZHDH RIIHUV EHQHÀWV ZLWK WKH GLVSHUVLRQ of water and dirt, it seemed to snag plenty of prickles, leaves and twigs, causing discomfort XQGHUIRRW DQG GLIÀFXOW\ UHPRLQJ WKHP 7KLV was evident in our broomability tests. Overall, not our favourite camp mat tested. Simone and Glen Jacob CAMEC OUTDOOR FLOOR MATTING 7KH FKDUDFWHULVWLFV RI WKH &DPHF XWGRRU )ORRU 0DWWLQJ ZHUH HU\ VLPLODU WR WKH +DLJK $LU :HDH :KLOH LW KDV UHLQIRUFHG HGJLQJ DQG H\HOHWV DURXQG WKH SHULPHWHU ZH IRXQG WKH PDWHULDO VWLOO VWUHWFKHG DQG JDWKHUHG HHQ ZKHQ SHJJHG ZLWK VL[ SHJV 6RPH RI LW FRXOG EH HOLPLQDWHG E\ XVLQJ DOO H\HOHWV DOWKRXJK LW ZRXOG EH D ELW RI D SURFHVV WKHUZLVH WKH VWUHQJWKV DQG ZHDNQHVVHV ZHUH WKH VDPH DV IRU WKH $LU :HDH EXW WKH ZDUUDQW\ LV RQO\ PRQWKV 9

3 The construction of the matting allows the material to move, stretch and gather, although we only utilised six of the eyelets to peg down the mat. The matting is a bit rough underfoot and it felt as though it could get quite hot in the summer sun. The open weave would not be ideal for muddy surfaces or bush camping areas with lots of trees, as bark and twigs tend to get caught in the weave. In these conditions, we anticipate a reduced life. Cyndi and Dave Downie OZTRAIL ANNEX MATTING &RQVWUXFWHG IURP 9& WKLV PDWWLQJ KDV D UXEEHU\ WH[WXUH ZLWK DQ RSHQ ZHDH 7KH GHQVH PDWHULDO FDUULHV D ZHLJKW SHQDOW\ RHU WKH RWKHU V\QWKHWLFV DQG DOWKRXJK LW KDV QR H\HOHWV WKH PDVV LV VXIÀ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eft: Mike conducts product analysis. Products Country of manufacture Size (m) Construction Folded size UV stabilised Rot proof Eyelets Warranty Bag RRP Shade cloth x.8 0 UV warranty only None $0 Oztrail Ultramesh.8x. 6 $9.90 Camec Annex floor x. Heavy duty polyethylene $9 Haigh Air Weave x. Heavy duty polyethylene 8 yrs $9 Oztrail Annex mat x. PVC Large/heavy 0 $9.90 CGear Multimat (mesh South Korea).x., dual layer 8 $09 GoMatsPlus.8x., plastic $ Enduromat Mate Australia x. PVC mesh 0 $6 WINNER Above: The dual layer CGear Multimat was considered to be the most attractive mat of the group. Right: The CGear, voted joint winner, cops the water test. We currently use the Oztrail Annex Matting for our Ultimate camper, so we have some existing experience as to its effectiveness. Despite missing the pegging eyelets, the material is heavy enough to hold itself in place. It is comfortable to stand on in bare feet, although it can get a little sticky in the sun. It is very effective in keeping out dirt. Water DQG VRPH GLUW ÀOWHU WKURXJK DQG LW VHHPV WR GR a good job of keeping it there. Our only criticism is it is a little bulkier and heavier than the other mats. But at a shade under $0, we consider it very good value for money. Adam and Kirsten Craze CGEAR MULTIMAT 7KH &*HDU PDW XVHV D GXDO OD\HU PHVK WKDW DOORZV GXVW DQG VDQG WR IDOO WKURXJK WKH ZHDH EXW VWRSV LW UHWXUQLQJ 7KH GXDO OD\HU LV VHZQ WRJHWKHU DORQJ WKH SHULPHWHU RI WKH PDW RQO\ Scorecard Specifications 60 Ioint CRITERIA Ratings ( is poor, is excellent) Appearance Other features: Velcro, fire retardent Ease of use Suitability for intended purpose Bag Pegability Barefoot comfort Keeping dirt out of van Dispersion of dirt/sand Dispersion of water Dirt up weave Broomability Grip when wet Grip when dry TOTAL Shadecloth 0 Oztrail Ultramesh 8 Haigh Air Weave 6 Camec Annex Floor 7 Oztrail Annex GoMats Plus Matting 6 CGear Multimat 8 Enduromat Mate 8 6

4 Below: GoMatsPlus has high-tech velcro, allowing several mats to be joined together. DOWKRXJK WKH OD\HUV DUH DIÀ[HG GLUHFWO\ RQ WRS RI HDFK RWKHU DOORZLQJ \RX WR VHH WKURXJK WKH GRXEOH OD\HU RI PHVK,W UDWHG ZHOO RQ DSSHDUDQFH ZLWK D GLIIHUHQW FRORXU RQ HDFK VLGH ² JUHHQ RU JUH\ 8QOHVV WKH PDW LV SHJJHG GRZQ WKH WZR OD\HUV FDQ VOLS RQ HDFK RWKHU FDXVLQJ D SRWHQWLDO IDOO 7KH 0XOWLPDW KDV QR VKRUWDJH RI À[LQJ SRLQWV ZLWK ' ULQJV VHZQ LQWR WKH PDWWLQJ V SHULPHWHU VR WKHUH V QR H[FXVH IRU QRW À[LQJ LW GRZQ SURSHUO\ :KHQ GRXVHG ZLWK ZDWHU WKH OLTXLG VHHPHG WR SRRO RQ WKH VHFRQG OD\HU $V ZDWHU FDQ FRQWULEXWH WR D ORVV RI WUDFWLRQ WKLV PD\ QRW EH DQ LGHDO RXWFRPH %URRPDELOLW\ ZDV H[FHOOHQW WKH ÀQH ZHDH PDNLQJ LW HDV\ WR VZHHS DQG LW ZDV DOVR FRPIRUWDEOH XQGHUIRRW RQ HHU\WKLQJ EXW WKH VKDUSHVW RI REMHFWV :H H EHHQ XVLQJ WKLV PDW IRU EXVK FDPSLQJ RHU WKH ODVW PRQWKV RHU D UDQJH RI VXUIDFHV WKH ODVW EHLQJ VRPH VKDUS OLPHVWRQH DORQJ WKH FRDVW RI 6$,W GLG VXVWDLQ D IHZ VPDOO KROHV LQ WKLV HQLURQPHQW EXW RWKHUZLVH LW KDV VXULHG UHPDUNDEO\ ZHOO Highly RECOMMENDED DQG UHPDLQV LQ H[FHOOHQW FRQGLWLRQ $V WKH &*HDU LV VPDOOHU LQ VL]H WKDQ WKH RWKHU PDWV RQ WHVW LWV UHODWLH FRVW LV VRPHZKHUH EHWZHHQ WKH *R0DWV DQG WKH (QGXURPDW ZKHQ DGMXVWHG IRU VL]H $VVHVVHG RQ LWV SHUIRUPDQFH RHU WKH ZHHNHQG LW ZDV GHFODUHG D MRLQW ZLQQHU We ve been looking to buy a camping mat and the CGear Multimat is shaping up to be a strong contender. We liked the dual tone mesh. :KLOH ÀQH VDQG PD\ VLIW WKURXJK ZH IRXQG that not all dirt was as compliant. But at least it PDQDJHG WR VXSSUHVV GLUW IURP ÀQGLQJ LWV ZD\ back though the weave. We are surprised that this mat is already months old and is still in excellent condition. At a cost of $09, it is up there with the most expensive PDWV RQ WKLV WHVW MXVWLÀHG E\ LWV SHUIRUPDQFH DQG features. We consider it good value. Simone and Glen Jacob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he GoMatsPlus presents well as a quality mat with a full feature set thick protective weave to keep dirt out, big eyelets for pegging and velcro to extend the footprint. We found it comfortable underfoot and even Rumah our 6 rottweiler liked lying on it. Water was slow to soak through and we noticed it tended to run along to a low point before draining. Interestingly, the mat was grippy when dry, but slippery along its length only when wet. This was not the case along its width. Given its features, it is reasonable value. Adam and Kirsten Craze ENDUROMAT MATE,I \RX DUH ORRNLQJ IRU D PDW PDQXIDFWXUHG LQ $XVWUDOLD \RXU VHDUFK VWRSV KHUH,W LV D VLPLODU VLWXDWLRQ LI \RX UH ORRN IRU ÀUH UHWDUGDQW SURSHUWLHV ² WKH (QGXURPDW LV WKH RQO\ SURGXFW RIIHULQJ WKLV 7KH (QGXURPDW ZDV WKH TXLHW DFKLHHU RI WKH JURXS ZLWK LWV XQLTXH 9& PHVK QRW XQOLNH UHLQIRUFHG Á\ZLUH LQ DSSHDUDQFH,W ZDV RQO\ WKH HGJLQJ WKDW GLGQ W ORRN TXLWH DV UREXVW DV VRPH RI WKH RWKHUV,W ZDV HU\ VPRRWK XQGHUIRRW JLLQJ WKH LPSUHVVLRQ LW FRXOG EH VOLSSHU\ ZKHQ ZHW DV SURHG WR EH WKH FDVH DOWKRXJK EDUHIRRW Above: Our foot model tests the Enduromat Mate. Right: Testers gather around the Enduromat Mate, the other joint winner. Ioint WINNER Another view CW regular Tony Allsop offers his opinion on the CGear Multimat, which he gave a thorough working out in north Queensland. CGear s website says this matting was designed to stop dirt and dust from being blown up when helicopters are landing. The company also says that sand and dirt will fall through from the top of the mat, but will not come back up, even when you walk on it. The CGear annexe mat is constructed from multi-layered knitted material and has UV stabilisers. It will not rot or mould and liquid spills go straight through. The edges are reinforced and stainless steel eyelets are used. This mat will not tear or fray due to rip-stop technology and it comes in a draw string bag. It is reversible, too. Our test The mat is very strongly constructed, and it arrived in a handy bag. We have always used a simple shade cloth mat that Denyse made years ago, so it was very interesting to compare the performance. We took our van south of Mackay to Cape Palmerston Holiday Park in Ilbilbie, Qld, where we placed the mat on a red sandy spot and put our table and chairs on it. We were surprised to find no sand came up through the mat, even when we walked on it. This was certainly a lot different from our old groundsheet. We were impressed by the stainless steel eyelets, which would be ideal to use tent pegs to hold it down in strong winds. A second test was carried out on the beach. We chose a very soft sandy beach and, once again, walked over the mat with no sign of sand coming through. Denyse then poured several handfuls of sand onto the mat and it went straight through amazing! While it is counterintuitive that that you can reverse the mat and the sand still moves downward, it actually does. We have never seen a product such as this before, and I think it will be very popular with any RVers who use a mat to cover the ground, particularly under an awning. CGear has an informative website ( and my dealings with them both by phone and have been excellent. We feel this product is good value for money and should last a very long time. CGear also supplies side drops and end drops for your roll-out awning. These are single layered, but I am told while letting the breeze through, the weave is waterproof, but we have not tested these yet. Tony Allsop Roa d T E S T ED Red sand poured onto the CGear matting went straight through and didn t come back up. 6

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