The CarpetRides Journal

Real oriental car mats (often made from wool, silk, or other high-quality textiles and inspired by traditional oriental rug designs) offer some distinct advantages over standard plastic or rubber car mats, though they come with trade-offs. Here's a comparison highlighting their advantages:

Advantages of Real Oriental Car Mats

1. Aesthetic Appeal

• Luxury and Elegance: These mats can significantly elevate the look of a car's interior, especially in luxury or vintage vehicles.

• Custom Appearance: They add a personalized, artistic touch that plastic mats can’t match.

2. Comfort

• Softness Underfoot: Oriental mats provide a more cushioned, pleasant feel, especially for passengers who ride barefoot or with light shoes.

• Temperature Regulation: Textile mats don’t get as cold or hot as plastic mats, making them more comfortable in extreme weather.

3. Craftsmanship and Quality

• Durability in Design: High-quality oriental-style mats are often handwoven and can last for years if well cared for.

• Cultural Value: They often reflect artistry and craftsmanship from traditional rug-making cultures.

Advantages of Plastic (Rubber/Vinyl) Mats (For comparison)

• Easy to Clean: Just hose them off or wipe them down.

• Waterproof and Stain-Resistant: Ideal for muddy, snowy, or wet environments.

• Cost-Effective: Generally much cheaper to replace.

• Protective: Better at catching spills, dirt, and salt in harsh weather.

Bottom Line

If you prioritize style, comfort, and luxury—and your driving environment is relatively clean—real oriental car mats can be a stunning upgrade. But if practicality, weather-resistance, and ease of cleaning are more important, plastic mats remain the better everyday option.

Steve from CarpetRides:

"CarpetRides has been serving customers for over 3 decades. In that time we have always offered the highest quality and durability in our handmade real oriental car rugs. Like the sheep our wool comes from, we stand up to the elements quite well, and respond to a good cleaning and washing as needed. ( See our Q&A page) That said, we dont see our plastic cousins as competitors really, but as a lower cost, and less asthetic option that well fits a need for that driver. That said, nothing beats driving barefoot on our gorgeous handmade rugs..... :)"