OEM vs. All-Weather Floor Mats: Which is Best?

Protecting your car’s interior is one of the best ways to preserve its resale value, and floor mats are one of the most important things that protect your interior long-term. Not only do they make vacuuming and cleaning your carpet easier, but they also guard against wearing down the fabric of your floorboards, which can be costly to fix after years of being trampled.

With that in mind, we’re here to answer an important question for shoppers near Isla Vista: are all-weather floor mats worth the extra money, or will the factory floor mats do the job just fine? Read on to find out.

OEM Floor Mat Pros and Cons

Factory or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) floor mats are the ones that come in your car when it’s brand-new. They’re often made of some type of durable carpet material, but some cars come with rubber floor mats, which are robust, easier to clean, and more resistant to water and dirt. For instance, the Honda Pilot TrailSport trim comes with rubberized floor mats as standard equipment.

Pros:

  • • Affordability: Since OEM floor mats come with the vehicle, you don’t have to pay a single cent to enjoy their benefits.
  • • Compatibility: You never have to worry about a factory floor mat not fitting in your car, because it was designed specifically for that exact model.
  • • Comfort: Because factory floor mats are usually made of either carpet or pliable rubber, they’ll be a bit more forgiving on your feet, especially on long car rides.
  • • Customization: Automakers often allow you to customize the color, and sometimes even the material and embroidery, to match the rest of your interior.

Cons:

  • • Durability: Factory floor mats are made to last a long time, but eventually after years of stepping on them, you’ll likely see some significant wear and need to repair or replace them (although this may not be an issue if you have rubber mats).
  • • Protection: Carpeted floor mats provide basic protection to the floorboard material, but they don’t stand up well to excessive water and grime. Rubber floor mats offer more protection, but they still may not offer as much as all-weather mats.

All-Weather Floor Mat Pros and Cons

All-weather floor mats are usually made of either hard rubber or some other durable material like TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). Most vehicles do not have these as a factory option—they can either be bought from manufacturers through the local dealership parts department, or aftermarket from companies like WeatherTech.

Pros:

  • • Protection: All-weather floor mats tend to offer the best protection because of their hardy construction and raised sides, which trap dirt and prevent debris from getting into hard-to-clean nooks and crannies.
  • • Depreciation: Since all-weather mats provide the best protection against wear and tear, they do a fantastic job of preserving your vehicle’s resale value. In fact, you may even be able to get an extra couple of hundred dollars when you sell or trade if you include them in the deal.
  • • Cleaning: Because they often have a “cupped” shape, cleaning gunk out of your vehicle can be as easy as removing the floor mat and hosing it off.
  • • Adventure: If you’re into camping or off-roading, all-weather mats can be a game changer and provide peace of mind.

Cons:

  • • Cost: A set of name-brand all-weather mats can easily run several hundred bucks for a full set, which may not be feasible for the average car owner.
  • • Comfort: Some drivers may find the rigid thermoplastic material to be a bit uncomfortable in the long run.
  • • Compatibility: Because many all-weather floor mat systems are aftermarket, it’s important to do plenty of research to ensure that the product you’re buying is going to be the right fit for your vehicle. They also tend to cater to trucks and SUVs, so if you have a smaller car like the Civic or Accord, you may have a hard time finding all-weather mats at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Honda make all-weather floor mats?

Honda has a variety of durable all-season floor mat options for many of their vehicles.

If you’re in the Santa Barbara area and you want to ask about ordering some for your Honda, call our parts department at 805-755-4648.

What’s the difference between all-season and all-weather floor mats?

In the context of floor mats, the terms “all-season” and “all-weather” are often used interchangeably. Both are essentially marketing terms that mean the floor mats are durable enough to protect against snow, mud, and other common winter-related messes.

Can my carpet floor mats in my car be repaired?

Yes, while it’s possible to find someone to repair your carpet floor mats, or even repair them yourself, this isn’t a common service most dealerships offer, and it may be more cost-effective to simply buy a new set of OEM floor mats.

Shop Honda Accessories in Goleta, CA

If you need your floor mats replaced, or you’re not happy with the current floor mats in your Honda vehicle and you want to upgrade, we’ve got you covered. The pros in our Honda parts department can help you find the accessories you need for your exact year and model—simply fill out our online parts order form.

Any other questions we can answer about car care? Contact us online or call us at 805-755-4648 today.