Beach mats: varieties and choices

In order for the rest not to be spoiled, you need to prepare well for it. If you are planning to relax by the water or just go to sunbathe, be sure to include a beach mat in your list of essentials. The choice of modern models of rugs is so large that it can be confusing. This problem will help to solve a detailed consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular options.

By their name, it can be judged that beach mats are mainly used for relaxing on the coast of the sea, river or lake. In this case, they perform several functions at once - you can sunbathe on them or relax after swimming. You can also sit on the rug in order to play games, chat or have a snack. Some models can even be used for sports. The more functions such a canvas performs, the more requirements it has. The characteristics of an ideal beach mat include the following:

• water resistance;
• low heating of the upper and lower parts (from the sun and hot sand);
• the ability to quickly and easily remove contaminants (sand, grass or food stains, and so on);
• strength and durability (ideally, the rug should withstand intensive use for more than one season);
• compact when folded and easy to transport;
• ergonomics (placement on the mat should be as convenient as possible);
• nice design.

An important feature of a good beach mat is its accessibility. Of course, in extreme cases, any blanket or towel of the right size can serve as bedding. But no such textile item can be truly comfortable - they get wet easily, slip off, quickly become covered with a layer of sand, and upon returning home they require serious washing.

One of the leading criteria when choosing a beach mat is the material from which it is made - after all, each of them has both positive and negative sides. Most of all on the leisure goods market you can find products made of PVC - a modern material with truly limitless possibilities. More often you can find rugs made of other materials.

• Foamed PVC. Such a product will be quite soft to the touch, but at the same time elastic. They don't get wet, they don't wrinkle, and they keep their shape pretty well, they don't slip. They can be found almost everywhere - from sports and tourist stores to hardware stores. At the same time, it is easy to choose the right size for your parameters, and in extreme cases, the unnecessary part can simply be cut off. Yes, and there are quite a lot of color schemes for plastic rugs. You can choose for every taste - plain or with a thematic pattern at a fairly low price. High-quality polyvinyl chloride is safe for health.

• Woven PVC. The surface of such a rug will resemble fabric. The interlacing of the threads is done in such a way that a mesh structure is obtained through which grains of sand and liquids seep through. In this case, the top layer will always remain dry.

• Straw and bamboo. Straw and bamboo are considered more environmentally friendly materials. They have an attractive appearance and appearance and smell. In order for the rug not to get wet and warm from the sand, the bottom layer is usually made foil. It easily rolls into a compact roll and weighs little, which makes it easy to carry to the beach. The corrugated surface has the effect of a light massage and practically does not heat up in the heat. To clean a straw or bamboo rug, you need to make an effort. Moreover, with intensive use, it quickly loses its attractive appearance and begins to break down.

• Polyester. More rugs are often sewn from polyester. It is pleasant to the touch, the placement will be comfortable. The colors are quite bright and do not fade over time. Despite the fact that the rug will need to be washed frequently in the machine, it will not lose its properties and will last a long time. In some models of voluminous beach rugs, different fillers are also used, for example, foam rubber. As a result, they take a long time to dry. But with such a mattress, any rocky beaches and bumps are not terrible.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the product, the range of beach mats is quite wide. The most familiar are rectangular rugs - they are the easiest to accommodate. Less common round bedding options - usually you can’t lie on them at full height (this is important to get an even tan), but this form is more convenient for outdoor activities.

You can also find quite unusual options, the shape of which resembles all kinds of fruits, cakes, and so on. They look more impressive, but less comfortable for an adult. Instead of unusual shape, you can easily find rugs bright colors or decorated with patterns. Such beach accessories attract not only children, but also adults. In busy resorts, you can find souvenir canvases with memorable names or even a map of the area.

They differ not only in shape, but also in size, namely:

• most often the width varies between 60–80 cm; such a product is designed to accommodate one person, the length for adults reaches two meters, children's options are slightly shorter; individual rugs are easier to roll up and carry, and more practical in terms of hygiene;

• models for two people are much less common; their average width reaches 140–150 cm;

• an option designed to accommodate a large company or family vacation, usually exceeds two meters in width.

A special group is occupied by rugs with additional details, namely:

• with handles and fasteners - they are mainly found in folding models, which ultimately look like a small bag;

• with pockets for storage;

• with headrests, regular and inflatable pillows;

• with backs;

• with hoods and canopies - they protect from the sun and wind, especially suitable for children.

The transformer mat deserves special attention. Depending on the situation, it easily turns into a canopy or awning. To do this, you just need to fix the canvas in the desired position on special supports. Such a versatile thing. ideal for lovers of tourism and outdoor recreation.

To make the above information more clear, Let's look at some modern options.

• Sand Free Mat made of polymer fabric. Its distinguishing feature is the complete absence of sand on its surface during rest (the “anti-sand” function). Grains of sand penetrate through it due to the special structure of weaving threads. The same applies to water and other liquids - no traces will remain on top. The size in all offers is the same - 200x150 cm. A family of four can quite comfortably accommodate on such a canvas.

• Costa Gaia Riviera It is convenient in that it has an inflatable pillow in the kit, which allows you to get comfortable with great comfort. PVC resists well to all manifestations of the environment for a long time. Such a rug will soften any inconvenience.Possible dirt can be easily shaken off or wiped off. The design and color scheme can be different - there is a suitable option for every taste. From the unfolded state, it turns into a compact bag that is convenient to take with you.

• Beach mat "Hawaii" must take its place among children's accessories. It is suitable for children not only because of its small dimensions (75x140 cm), but also because of the material. Its surface is made of polyester with the addition of cotton. It is pleasant to touch such fabric, and on vacation, with a minimum of clothes, children's skin will not sweat and be irritated. The rug is quite practical due to wear-resistant fabric. It is easy to wash in the machine, does not wrinkle and dries well in the fresh air. An additional plus is the summer, bright design.

Several factors influence the choice of a beach mat.

• First you need to decide on the size and quantity. With one person, everything is clear, but for a family or company, you can take several individual rugs or one large one. For adults, long canvases are needed.
• The beaches are different. For sandy, it is important that the mat does not heat up and does not slip. To have a good time on a pebble beach, you need a dense material of sufficient thickness. Thinner models can be used to cover sunbeds. For recreation on the river bank, you can use almost any bedding.
• Since the rug will lay on sand, earth or grass, it is important to know in advance all possible cleaning methods. The easier it is to do this, the better. If the kit does not include a cover, you can sew it yourself, which will help keep the product clean.
• Consideration should be given to transport and storage.The less space the product takes up when folded, the better. Velcro, zippers and other fasteners will not be superfluous for this. If you have to carry it in your hands, it is important to evaluate the weight of things and your strength.
• The type of rug depends on the plans for the rest. If passive pastime is planned in a calm environment, the moisture-repellent properties and durability of the rug will not be so important. Much more important here will be comfort. For outdoor activities, multifunctionality is important - the canvas must withstand a rather large load and be multifunctional.
• An important role is played by the appearance of the rug. Almost all the materials from which they are made give a fairly large selection. You can pick up all the beach things in one color scheme.

See the next video for an overview of the beach mat.