An outdoor mat defines your campsite living area. It creates a clean, comfortable surface between your awning and the dirt, keeps mud and sand out of the van, and makes the outdoor space feel like an extension of home. A good mat handles Australian UV without falling apart, lets sand and dirt fall through (or shakes clean easily), and rolls up small enough to store without eating your tunnel boot space.
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⚡ Quick Answer — Our Top Picks
Short on time? Here are our top outdoor mat picks:
Best Overall
CGear Multimat
Sand falls through, UV-stabilised, lasts years
Best Value
Campfire Recycled Polypropylene Mat
Good quality at mid-range price, recycled material
☰ What’s In This Guide
1. What To Look For
☐ Buyers Checklist
- Weave type: Dual-layer weaves (like CGear) let sand fall through. Standard polypropylene weaves trap dirt on the surface. Both work; the dual-layer is better for sandy/beach campsites.
- UV stabilisation: Essential in Australian conditions. Non-UV-stabilised mats fade and deteriorate within months. Always check for UV treatment.
- Size: Bigger is generally better. A 3.6m × 2.4m mat covers a good outdoor living area. Measure your awning coverage before buying.
- Weight and pack size: Larger mats are heavy (4–6kg). Factor in where you’ll store it and how often you’ll set up and pack down.
2. Our Top Picks
1
Best Overall
~$80
CGear Multimat
The mat most experienced Big Lappers end up with
The CGear is the mat most experienced Big Lappers end up with. The unique dual-layer weave lets sand and dirt fall through to the ground below, keeping the top surface clean. UV-stabilised for Australian conditions, comfortable underfoot, and available in a range of sizes. Lasts years of daily use.
Material
Dual-layer weave
UV Stabilised
Yes
Sand-Through
Yes
Weight (large)
4–6 kg
✔ Pros
- Sand and dirt fall through, stays clean on top
- UV-stabilised, lasts years in Australian conditions
- Comfortable underfoot, good thickness
✗ Cons
- More expensive than basic woven mats
- Larger sizes are heavy (4–6kg)
2
Best Value
~$40
Campfire Recycled Polypropylene Mat
Good quality at mid-range price, eco-friendly
A solid mid-range woven polypropylene mat available at Anaconda. Made from recycled material, which is a nice touch. Good UV resistance, easy to clean (hose and shake), and available in a few size options. Dirt sits on the surface rather than falling through, so needs more regular shaking than a CGear.
Material
Recycled polypropylene
UV Stabilised
Yes
Sand-Through
No
Eco-Friendly
Recycled material
✔ Pros
- Good quality at mid-range price
- Made from recycled material
- Available in-store for easy purchase
✗ Cons
- Dirt sits on surface rather than falling through
- Fewer size options than CGear
3
Budget Pick
~$25
OZtrail Outdoor Mat
Basic woven mat at the lowest price point
A basic woven polypropylene mat that does the job at the lowest price point. Available in standard sizes from most camping retailers. Colour fades faster than premium mats and the weave is thinner, but as a functional outdoor ground cover it works. Good starter mat or backup.
Material
Polypropylene
UV Stabilised
Basic
Availability
Widely available
Weight
Light
✔ Pros
- Cheapest entry point for a caravan mat
- Widely available at camping retailers
- Functional, does the basic job well
✗ Cons
- Colour fades faster than premium mats
- Thinner weave, less comfortable underfoot
3. Quick Comparison
| Mat | Price | Sand-Through | UV Stabilised | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGear Multimat Best Pick | $80 | Yes | Yes | Sandy/beach campsites |
| Campfire Recycled Best Value | $40 | No | Yes | General use, eco-friendly |
| OZtrail Outdoor | $25 | No | Basic | Budget starter mat |
Key Takeaway
- The CGear Multimat is the best outdoor mat for most Big Lappers. The sand-through feature is a genuine game-changer.
- Measure your awning coverage before buying. Bigger is almost always better.
- UV stabilisation is non-negotiable in Australian conditions.
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