You're going to get stuck in the snow, especially if you fancy yourself a good driver at the command of a rig that can go anywhere. None of us want to admit it, but it is going to happen. You need to be prepared for when it does. In the old days, a bag of kitty litter on the back seat was your way out. Things are different now, though. Now you can buy fancy traction mats that slide right under your tires, allowing you to get a grip pretty much anywhere. There are different mats for different situations, and you need to know which is right for you if you want things to work out. This guide is just what you need to get started.
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Best Overall: Maxtrax MKII Vehicle Recovery Board
Best Value: Portable Tow Truck Tire Traction Mats
Honorable Mention: Maxsa 2033 Escaper Buddy Traction Mats
Best Roll-Up Mat: EVTime Emergency Devices Tire Traction Mat
Best Value Runner Up: Bunker Indust Recovery Boards Traction Mat
Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to gather up a list of our favorite mats, take our trucks out into the snow-capped mountains, and get stuck to see which worked best. That doesn't mean we don't know what we're talking about, though. We took the time to research the market, and each mat discussed to come up with a list we trust has something for everyone.
Our top pick for the best tire traction mats is the MAXTRAX MKII Vehicle Recovery BoardsThey are flexible, durable, strong, and are easily stackable for storage. However, the Portable Tow Truck Tire Traction Mats is a great choice for those on a budget.
As the name implies, foldable mats are those that fold into themselves. However, any traction mat that collapses into itself to reduce its overall footprint in storage can loosely fit under this category. The main draw to this type is that they're great to keep in vehicles where space is limited, such as a sedan or even a crossover. They might not be as durable or effective as they're alternative, but they'll still work in an emergency.
What we're calling regular traction mats are more like a board than a mat. They're a fixed-length design with more of an emphasis on performance than storage. These are usually a couple of feet in length, making storage on the exterior of the vehicle, like on the roof rack or in the bed of a truck, a better choice than the interior. The design is beneficial in that it's more durable and generally more effective, and the body can double as a shovel to help dig down into the snow for effective placement.
As with anything, the level of quality, basic design, special features, and the name attached to traction mats will largely determine how much you pay. As for hard numbers, they can run you anywhere from $20 to well over $100. It's a good idea to stick to the higher end of that price range because you really do want a set of snow traction mats to perform when you need them to.
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: You can almost count all four tires getting stuck at once. If money is tight, you can start by buying just one set, but upgrading to two sets in time is a good goal.
A: That depends on the drive type and which tires are stuck. If it's a 4x4 application with just the front tires spinning, you should place them beneath the front tires. But, again, it's likely all four tires are spinning if you're stuck, and you'll need help on all corners.
A: As long as the traction mats are resilient to UV rays, you shouldn't have any problems doing so. Otherwise, they might grow brittle over time, and you should keep them covered whenever possible.
A: It's extremely unlikely. While nothing is impossible, the knobs on the boards would have a really hard time piercing vehicle tires if they could even reach a vulnerable enough point.
A: That depends on the model you’re working with. Some brands have separate mounting systems that you can purchase separately, while others might have mounting solutions built in.
