Top 5 Best Shooting Mats

Best Shooting Mat Review

Investing in the best shooting mat is very important for any serious shooter. A shooting mat makes shooting easier and also has pockets where you can place all your gear and assortments.  The best shooting mat should be capable of taking abuse, it should be compact, and have a variety of useful features. Shooting is an activity that requires concentration and focus thus it is important for you to be in a comfortable position to get an accurate shot.

Shopping Tips for the Best Shooting Mat

Shooting mats have evolved over the years, making it hard for most people to identify the most reliable shooting mats from the wide range of shooting mats available in the market today.

When shopping for the best shooting mat, avoid shooting mats that have single stitching. Look for shooting mats that are capable of holding up even in harsh conditions. Shooting mats with PVC coating and cell foam are water resistant and will keep your gear dry.

The size and width of the shooting mat is another important factor to consider when shopping for the best shooting mat. Avoid narrow shooting mats and opt for larger and wider shooting mats to avoid cramp. Most shooting mat manufacturers advertise their shooting mats based on the number of pockets they have.

Pockets are important since they can help you store your gear but they are not necessary since you can carry a bag or backpack for your gear. When a shooting mat has numerous pockets, the pockets can create an uncomfortable and uneven surface.

Top 5 Best Shooting Mats

We have researched and tried out different shooting mats to identify the best shooting mat in the market. Based on our findings, we have provided you with reviews of some of the best shooting mats available in the market. Here are reviews of the best shooting mats available in the market today.

#1) VISM by NcStar Rifle Case Shooting Mat

The VISM by NcStar Rifle Case Shooting Mat is a heavy-duty shooting mat made from a PVC-coated material.  The PVC coating makes the mat waterproof.  It measures 66 inches x 35 inches when rolled out but it is compact when rolled up.

The mat has several compartments that you can fit in up to 10 cartridges, a pair of binoculars, and even a cleaning rod. The shooting mat is available in attractive but understated colors such as green, black, camo, and tan. It has drag straps, a carry handle, and shoulder straps on it to make it easy to carry. The mat weighs 6.2 pounds, but it is manageable. The shooting mat might feel too short for tall people.

Pros

  • The mat has a great build-quality and strong stitching to ensure durability and reliability.
  • The mat has several compartments that you can fit in up to 10 cartridges, a pair of binoculars, and even a cleaning rod.
  • The shooting mat is available in attractive but understated colors such as green, black, camo, and tan.
  • It has drag straps, a carry handle, and shoulder straps on it to make it easy to carry.
  • The PVC coating makes the mat waterproof.
  • It is a heavy-duty shooting mat made from a PVC-coated material for durability.

Cons

  • The shooting mat might feel too short for tall people.
  • The mat is heavy.

 

#2) MidwayUSA Pro Series Competition Shooting Mat

The MidwayUSA Pro Series Competition Shooting Mat is one of the most popular shooting mats among professional shooters who participate in IDPA competitions. The shooting mat is legal for competition. It is available in four colors: Coyote, Purple, Olive Drab, and Realtree Xtra. The mat is made from a hard material to ensure durability and reliability. It can be rolled up quickly and comes with corner grommets which can be staked down.

The shooting mat has several pockets where you can store some gear for quick access. It is capable of withstanding rough surface and damage from moisture. The mat weighs 8 pounds but it can be rolled up and carried using a handle and shoulder straps that are found on the mat. The shooting mat doesn’t have much padding.

Pros

  • The shooting mat has several pockets where you can store some gear for quick access.
  • It is capable of withstanding rough surface and damage from moisture.
  • The shooting mat can be rolled up quickly and comes with corner grommets which can be staked down.
  • The mat is made from a hard material to ensure durability and reliability.
  • It is one of the most popular shooting mats among professional shooters who participate in IDPA competitions.
  • The shooting mat is legal for competition.
  • It is available in four colors: Coyote, Purple, Olive Drab, and Realtree Xtra.

Cons

  • The shooting mat does not have enough padding for knees and elbows.

 

#3) Boyt Harness Bob Allen Tactical Shooting Mat

The Boyt Harness Bob Allen Tactical Shooting Mat is a large, tough shooting mat that can be used on damp or even muddy surfaces.  The mat measures 27 x 85 inches, which makes it ideal for tall people. It has a padded area that covers 73 out of the 85 inches and the rest of the space is cover. The shooting mat is available in khaki color.

It is made of polymer and the webbing straps are made of the same material. The material is tough, lightweight, and water resistant. The padding is made from closed cell foam to ensure comfort. The surface of the shooting mat is anti-skid, so the map will stay in place when you lie down on it. It has extra compartments where you can store notebooks and other gear.

Pros

  • The mat measures 27 x 85 inches, which makes it ideal for tall people.
  • It has a padded area that covers 73 out of the 85 inches and the rest of the space is cover.
  • The shooting mat is available in khaki color.
  • It has extra compartments where you can store notebooks and other gear.
  • The material is tough, lightweight, and water resistant.
  • It is made of polymer and the webbing straps are made of the same material.
  • The padding is made from closed cell foam to ensure comfort.
  • The surface of the shooting mat is anti-skid, so the map will stay in place when you lie down on it.

Cons

  • The shooting mat does not have extra compartments.
  • It is not wide which might be a concern if you want to spread out your equipment on it.

 

#4) Voodoo Tactical Roll up Shooter’s Mat

The Voodoo Tactical Roll up Shooter’s Mat is a lightweight, padded shooting mat that is designed to keep you comfortable. It is 69 inches x 48 inches and can be rolled up into a much smaller 8 inches x 20 inches size. The mat is available in Black, Coyote Tan, Olive Drab, and ACU. It is padded, at about ½ inches which is comfortable enough on most slightly-uneven surfaces.

The shooting mat has elbow wings to the side to prevent your sleeves from getting dirty if you’re shooting outdoors. The mat can be used on wet or muddy surfaces without getting your equipment dirty. It has padded cell foam that keeps any moisture for seeping. It is a compact shooting mat that has extra pockets where you can keep notebooks, ammo, a pen, and such items.

Pros

  • The mat is available in Black, Coyote Tan, Olive Drab, and ACU.
  • It is padded, at about ½ inches which is comfortable enough on most slightly-uneven surfaces.
  • It is a lightweight, padded shooting mat that is designed to keep you comfortable.
  • The shooting mat is 69 inches x 48 inches and can be rolled up into a much smaller 8 inches x 20 inches size.
  • The shooting mat has elbow wings to the side to prevent your sleeves from getting dirty if you’re shooting outdoors.
  • It is a compact shooting mat that has extra pockets where you can keep notebooks, ammo, a pen, and such items.
  • The mat can be used on wet or muddy surfaces without getting your equipment dirty.
  • It has padded cell foam that keeps any moisture for seeping.

Cons

  • The straps and the pencil pouch on the shooting mat may make it an uneven surface.
  • The padding of the mat might be too thin for some surfaces.
  • The material is slippery thus you might have any problem shooting in the rain.
  • It is an expensive shooting mat.

 

#5) Tactical Roll up Shooter’s Mat by Golden Eye Tactical

The Tactical Roll up Shooter’s Mat by Golden Eye Tactical is a well-made, padded shooting mat that’s great for outdoor use. It measures 69 x 48 inches when unfurled, and is available in black, olive drab, and dark earth. The mat measures 8 x 20 inches when rolled up and is made from tough material to ensure durability. It is easy to set up and carry since it has a simple handle at the top.

The shooting mat comes with a ‘quick release’ buckles on the side, which disengages fast. You can attach it to your backpack using molle straps. It has pockets and pouches sewn in for storing additional equipment like notebooks, pens, and ammo. The mat is wide and offers you plenty of space to arrange all your stuff.

Pros

  • It has excellent padding which allows you to use it on rocky or gravelly surfaces without feeling uncomfortable.
  • The mat measures 8 x 20 inches when rolled up and is made from tough material to ensure durability.
  • It is easy to set up and carry since it has a simple handle at the top.
  • The shooting mat comes with a ‘quick release’ buckles on the side, which disengages fast.
  • It has pockets and pouches sewn in for storing additional equipment like notebooks, pens, and ammo.
  • The mat is wide and offers you plenty of space to arrange all your stuff.

Cons

  • It does not have grommet stakes.
  • The shooting mat is heavy.

 

Conclusion

The best shooting mat should be durable and comfortable. It should provide you with ample space to shoot and place your gear. The best shooting mat should help improve your shooting experience. The shooting mats we have reviewed are some of the most reliable and durable shooting mats available in the market today. They vary in price and in the features they offer. It is therefore advisable for you to purchase the best shooting mat that matches your needs and budget.