Rating: | 7.9 / 10 |
Value for Money | 2.0 / 2.5 |
Weight | 1.9 / 2.5 |
Versatility | 1.7 / 2.5 |
Durability | 2.3 / 2.5 |
This may seem an odd accessory to review on a hiking blog given the name of this product implies it is more for caravanning. However if you can ignore the name, it also has its uses for hikers and that’s why we’re reviewing this product.
Now for many hikers this wouldn’t even be a piece of equipment that’s on the radar but over the past few years I’ve doing enough trips where I have set my tent up on that soft fine grey sand that sticks to you when you get out of your tent in the middle of the night. No matter how hard you try you end up getting this fine silty sand all through your tent and your gear.
The best way to describe the Muk Mat Rectangle Caravan Step Mat is as a door mat. By putting this mat at your tent door in the vestibule means you can get out of your tent and into your shoes without having to put your feet on the ground. It also means you can take your shoes off and wipe your feet of on the soft mat bristle to remove any dirt before you get back into the tent and thus keep your sleeping bag clean.
By no means is this the cheapest option available on the market but that’s because this mat has been manufactured using a high grade grass material. In addition the mat edge is bonded to stop it from fraying which means that this mat is going to last you for a number of years.
This mat is as basic as it gets but Muk Mat also produces the same version with two elastic straps that are designed to hold onto those caravan steps if that’s what you are using it for but from a hiking perspective I opted to go for the version without the straps. The mat just rolls up into a small bundle and can fit into your pack quite easily and given its size it only weighs 300 grams and while that is still extra weight in your pack, its not a huge impost.
This mat sells for AUD $60.00 RRP in the green colour which is probably the most commonly available but its also available in a dark or light grey which adds $10.00 to the price so if colour isn’t important, go for the green
This is a product that definitely fits into the luxury category from a hiking perspective but sometimes the ability to keep all the dirt and sand out of your tent, and your sleeping bag for that matter, is a priority so you may decide the small weight and bulk impost is worth it.
Muk Mat Rectangle Caravan Step (No Straps) Green colour
You can purchase the Muk Mat Rectangle Caravan Step (No Straps) from Muk Mat
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AUD $60.00 RRP
MuK Mat makes a large range of mats in different sizes to suit a range of needs
Muk Mat Rectangle Caravan Step (No Straps) Light Grey colour
Muk Mat Rectangle Caravan Step (No Straps) Dark Grey colour
Muk Mat in use in front of a 2 person tent
This review was done with product provided by the Australian manufacturer of Muk Mat
12 January 2025