A good mat is one of those essential accessories that improves the caravanning lifestyle by expanding the outdoor living areas under the awning. A mat keeps things tidy, much cleaner and more comfortable underfoot and stakes out your domain.
We have used the CGear Multimat from A247 during our recent travels to Western Australia, so we tested it on various ground conditions over a few months.
The dual-weave mesh construction of these mats looks strong, and that’s explained when you understand its history. The ripstop technology means it won’t unravel even if damaged.
Initially, the original mat was developed as a landing pads for helicopters, so they didn’t kick up dust and debris on landing and take-offs. Their design lets sand, dust and dirt fall (and food crumbs) through but not back up through the mat. Over time, they took on a broader role as a camping accessory to keep the site clean. CGear is a proudly Australian-owned company and all design is in-house.
Our experience with the CGear Multimat
We chose the 7m x 2.4m CGear sand-free Multimat for maximum cover alongside our Trakmaster. The mat has sturdy reinforced edges with stainless steel heavy-duty corner D-rings around the edges to peg it down for a neater look or in windy or extreme conditions if you wish. It has reversible sides — grey on one side and green on the other, and you can use them either side up.
Reinforced edges with D-rings for tethering
An image here shows the mat on the beach at Honeymoon Bay in New South Wales, where it kept sand from being trampled through the van and gave a good base for a table and our chairs. At Yardy Station in Ningaloo, NT, the sandy camping sites were covered in small pebbles, and the mat made it possible to walk around under the awning with bare feet. We found it easy to clean off any leaves and twigs that accumulated overnight with a small handheld blower we carry.
Closer to home at the Racecourse Campground near Crescent Head, NSW, the sandy ground after overnight rain was sticky and damp, but the mat gave a dry base that was much more pleasant.
The mat came in its own drawstring carry bag, which we store under the caravan table when travelling. It folds quickly, is lightweight, and you can hose down any mud that sticks and hang it to dry. An advantage of the loops is that you can tie the mat to use it as a windbreak, shade mat/cloth or privacy screen.
The CGear Multimat packs into a carry bag
How have we found the CGear Multimat so far?
I’m happy with how the mat has held up over our travels and that it does what they say it will do by keeping sand, red dirt and small particles at bay. It’s the best mat we have used, and over time we have had quite a few. This is a high quality mat and its sand-free technology makes it a great option for just about any Australian conditions.
The mat range is available in various sizes from 1m x 1m to 4.3m x 4.3m, as well as L-shaped versions for 270-degree awnings. Available from A247, the 7.5m x 2.4m mat is $299.95, a saving of $89.
Use the code ADVENTURES24 for 10 per cent off your whole order.
Maximum cover with the CGear Multimat
THE NEXT STEP
If you want to learn the latest caravan news, find the most innovative new caravans and camping gear or get inspired to plan your next adventure in the Aussie great outdoors, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. We promise to send you only the best content.
Related articles:
CGear Multimat: The perfect outdoor camping mat
Upgrade your camp chair with the Helinox Chair One XL
Gear review: CGear Multimat for sand-free camping