What do you use for a gear mat?

[JugglingMonkeys]

I'm trying to buy a gear mat but can't find them for sale. What do you recommend?

 

[scubastingray]

I bought the Hog gear mat for $10. Probably not worth it over a tarp, but I felt like shelling out for it. It's normally $40 too, so $10 was a good deal. I know Divers-supply sells them, as does DRIS (I think it's less at DRIS).


Anyway, it dries very quickly, keeps the dirt and sand off your suit, and packs down easily. However, I find it is almost a pain to get out a mat. I'd rather lean out of the car as I don. When removing stuff it is more useful.

 

[ontdiver]

Dan has a gear mat https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/dive-store/?id=143 and it will do the trick as well. I occasionally use a tarp but find that it can be a real mud magnet when it is raining.

 

[Peter_C]

I use a free tarp from Harbor Freight. Got a few of them lying around and when they get holed, I toss them. Otherwise a hose cleans them up.

 

[Kharon]

I like canvas. It sheds the stuff that invariabley gets on it and is a great surface. You only have to remember to shke it off and make sure it's dry before packing it for the next dive.

 

[fisheater]

I use a DAN rolling mat. Got it "free" with the DAN insurance I was going to buy anyway.

If I need a large area, I use a tarp.

 

[tbone1004]

I have a DRiS one, a Hog one, and one from NSS-CDS, they're all the same, and all work better than tarps because the water doesn't pool and they shake out quite easily. They roll up quick, I actually leave one of them in my Jeep all the time in case I ever have to get under it in less than pleasant conditions, it's nice to keep the dirt off.

 

[divin'dog]

Someone gave me a cheap yoga mat recently. I didn't know what I was going to use it for... I don't do yoga. Now I take it on my shore dives and it is perfect. It's a closed cell foam, about 1/8" thick, so it has some cushion to it and a non-slippery texture on the surface. I can hose it off if necessary. It's narrow, 24" wide and 68" long, but that's all I need. Great to lie on for my SI. Rolls up nice and tight and packable. Now my buddy wants one...

 

[diversteve]

Some of these are around $30 on Amazon: SuperMats No idea how well they hold up outside.

Like: Amazon.com : Supermats Heavy Duty P.V.C. Mat for Treadmills/Ski Machine (2.5-Feet x 6-Feet) : Exercise Mats : Sports & Outdoors

 

[tbone1004]

Hog Dive Mat - Dive Right in Scuba
These are the mats in question. They are nice because they drain and snap out sand really quickly. I honestly haven't found one that I like better and wouldn't want a solid mat or tarp because of water pooling