EVA or TPE: which car mats to choose
Two materials, two characters. What sets cellular EVA apart from moulded TPE, and who each one suits.
Every other question on our WhatsApp is: "Which is better, EVA or TPE?" The honest answer: both are good, but they solve slightly different problems. Let's go through them.
EVA: cells that work like a trap
EVA, ethylene vinyl acetate, is a foamed polymer. It is light, springy and does not absorb water. The trick of EVA mats is the pattern: honeycomb or diamond cells. Water, snow and sand fall into the cells and stay there while your soles rest on dry ridges. Trousers and door sills stay clean even after slush.
- Cut from a pattern, so it fits almost any model
- Dozens of base and trim colour combinations
- Easy to shake out and rinse
- Passenger cars from 13 000 ₸
TPE: the shape of your footwell
TPE, thermoplastic elastomer, is moulded for a specific car. The mat looks like a tray: high edges run along the sills and the centre tunnel. Anything that drips stays inside. TPE has no smell and stays flexible in the frost.
«High edges, a one-to-one fit with no trimming, they look expensive. Factory quality!»
What to choose
- Lots of snow, sand and slush, and you want a colour choice: EVA
- A strict factory look and water held by edges: TPE
- Everything at once: a TPE tray with an EVA insert on top
- Protection from both water and muddy boots: 5D EVA with raised edges
Not sure? Send us the make, model and year. We will show photos of that model in both materials and give you prices.