Beach mats: variety and choice

To rest was not spoiled, you need to be well prepared. If you plan to relax by the pond or just go sunbathing, be sure to include a beach mat in the list of necessary things. The choice of modern models of rugs is so large that it can be confusing. A detailed consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular options will help solve this problem.

By their name it can be judged that beach mats are mainly used for relaxing by the sea, river or lake. In this case, they perform several functions at once - you can sunbathe on them or relax after swimming. And on the rug you can sit 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 greater the requirements for it. The characteristics of the perfect beach mat include the following:

• water tightness;
• low heating of the upper and lower parts (from the sun and hot sand);
• the ability to quickly and easily remove dirt (sand, grass or food stains, and so on);
• durability and wear resistance (ideally, the mat should withstand heavy use for more than one season);
• compactness in the folded state and ease of transportation;
• ergonomics (placement on the rug should be as comfortable as possible);
• nice design.

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

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

• PVC foam. Such a product to the touch will be quite soft, but at the same time elastic. They do not get wet, do not ram and rather well retain their shape, do not slip. They can be found almost everywhere - from sports and tourist shops and ending with household. At the same time, it is easy to choose the right size for your parameters, and as a last resort, you can simply cut off the unnecessary part. Yes, and color solutions in plastic mats quite a lot. You can choose for every taste - monophonic or with a thematic pattern at a rather low price. High-quality polyvinyl chloride is safe for health.

• Woven PVC. The surface of such a rug will resemble a cloth. The interlacing of the threads is done in such a way that a mesh structure is obtained, through which grains of sand and liquids are leaked. At the same time 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 smell. In order for the mat not to get wet and not heated by sand, the bottom layer is usually made foiled. It easily rolls into a compact roll and weighs little, which makes it easy to get to the beach. The corrugated surface has the effect of light massage and practically does not heat up in the heat. To clear a straw or bamboo mat, you need to make an effort. Moreover, with intensive use, it quickly loses its attractive appearance and begins to collapse.

• Polyester. More rugs are often sewn from polyester. It is pleasant to the touch, the accommodation will be comfortable. The colors are pretty bright and do not fade with time. Despite the fact that the rug will need to be frequently washed in a typewriter, it will not lose its properties and will last for a long time. In some models of voluminous beach mats, various fillers are used, for example, foam rubber. Due to this, they require a lot of time to dry. But with such a mattress are not afraid of any rocky beaches and bumps.

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 litter options - usually you can not lie on them in full growth (this is important to get an even tan), but this form is more convenient for outdoor activities.

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

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

• most often the width varies between 60–80 cm; this product is designed to accommodate one person, the length for adults reaches two meters, children's options are slightly shorter; individual floor mats are easier to fold and carry, in addition, they are more practical in terms of hygiene;

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

• option designed to accommodate a large company or a family holiday, usually more than 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 head restraints, ordinary and inflatable pillows;

• with backs;

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

Special attention deserves a transforming mat. Depending on the situation, it is easy to turn into a canopy or awning. To do this, you just need to fix the canvas in the desired position on special supports. Such a universal thing ideal for lovers of tourism and outdoor recreation.

To make the above information more understandable, let's look at a few 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 of threads. The same goes for water and other liquids - there will be no traces from above.The size in all sentences is one - 200x150 cm. A family of four can quite comfortably sit on such a canvas.

• Costa Gaia Riviera it is convenient because it has an inflatable pillow in the set, 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 contamination can be easily shaken off or erased. Design and color solution may be different - there is a suitable option for every taste. From the expanded state, it turns into a compact bag, which is convenient to take with you.

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

Several factors affect the choice of 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 need long canvases.
• Beaches are different. For sandy it is important that the mat does not heat up or slip. To have a good time on the beach with pebbles, you need a dense material of sufficient thickness. Thinner models can be used to cover sun beds. For rest on the river bank you can use almost any litter.
• Since the mat will crawl onto sand, earth or grass, it is important to know in advance all possible cleaning methods. The easier it is to do it, the better. If the cover is not included in the package, you can sew it yourself, which will help to keep the product clean.
• It is necessary to think about transportation and storage. The less space the product takes when folded, the better. To do this, do not be redundant stickies, zippers and other fixers. If you have to carry it in your hands, it is important to assess the weight of things and your strength.
• View rug depends on the plans for the rest. If a passive pastime is planned in a relaxed atmosphere, the water-repellent properties and strength of the mat will not be so important. Comfort will be much more important here. For active recreation, multifunctionality is important - the canvas must withstand a rather large load and be multifunctional.
• The important role played by the appearance of the rug. Almost all the materials of which they are made, give a fairly large selection. You can pick up all the beach items in one color.

Review the beach mat in the next video.