These days people are traveling a lot, and most of them that have vehicles usually make use of roof bags. Roof bags help you to carry a whole lot of stuff without discomforting anyone in the vehicle.
Some roof bags usually come with a protective mat, while some do not, which means that if you want to use the protective mat, you will have to buy it separately from the roof bag.
It will be difficult for you to travel with your luggage without a roof bag, the roof bag will enable you to carry a whole lot of stuff and still not discomfort the passengers in the vehicle.
This is where the protective mat comes in. Before the question is answered if a protective mat is necessary, let us let you know what a protective mat actually is.
The protective mat can also be referred to as the roof protective mat or pad, it is a thick protective pad that usually fits under your roof cargo bag and it does the work of protecting it from scratches.
It also helps to provide cushion and prevents the roof bag from slipping off the roof of your vehicle. Sometimes the protective mat usually comes with roof bags, while sometimes you will have to purchase differently.
A lot of people are asking the question if the protective mat is necessary. You may or may not use the protective mat, but if you crave a journey where you need a more sturdy, stable roof bag and a quiet car roof, then using a protective mat is quite important and necessary.
This use of a protective mat is usually negligible if you are aren’t really after aesthetics or how the roof of your car looks after the use of roof or cargo bags. However, it is important to note that the benefits of the protective mat in the areas of giving the roof bag cushion and preventing it from scratching the car roof finish cannot be completely ignored.
A lot of roof bags come as sturdy as possible though, such that you may not need the protective mat in any case.
Let’s take a deep dive into why the protective mat may be important.
Reasons a protective mat may be important
It gives cushion
One thing travelers usually struggle with is the lack of balance and stability when they install and make use of their cargo bag.
This is one of the things that the protective mat solves, it helps provide a cushion which gives balance and stability to the roof bag.
If you struggle with how balanced and the stability of your roof bag when you are driving, then you need to get a protective mat that will help you to achieve that balance and stability that helps you to have a very smooth ride when you are driving.
It protects from scratching
This is another thing the protective mat does well. It helps to protect the roof bag from scratching the top of your vehicle. When you don’t make use of the protective mat, you expose the roof of your vehicle to scratches.
What actually causes the scratching is when the vibration from the roof bag rubs the dirt that collects between the roof and the roof bag, it ends up scratching the rooftop of the vehicle, and when it does it is not usually attractive, it could cause the roof of your vehicle to look so uncared for.
It helps to prevent slipping
When you fit your roof bag on the roof of your vehicle, there is a possibility that the roof bag could slip off or perhaps adjust when your vehicle is at high speed.
However, when you have a protective mat fitted just beneath the roof bag, the roof bag is less likely to slip off or even adjust when you are at high speed because the sturdiness gives friction between the car roof and the roof bag.
If the roof bag slips off it could cause danger to you and other road users. However, if the roof bag does not slip off, it helps you to have a good and smooth ride.
The protective mat is not absolutely necessary, but if you want to get one for yourself it will help you to protect the roof of your car from scratches and also from slipping or adjusting from the roof of your vehicle.
Quiet and ride
The protective mat gives you the stability you need on your journey by ensuring the journey is smooth and quiet. A car without a protective mat serving as a cushion between the bag and the roof of the vehicle may be exposed to a lot of noise caused by the movement of the roof bag against the surface of your car roof.
The protective mat, therefore, serves as a soft sturdy pad situated between the roof bag and car roof and absorbing the noise that may be created by the roof bag on the roof.
Some top protective mats you should check out
The AAspark Roof protective mat
This is a protective mat that helps to prevent damage to the roof of your vehicle. All you need to do is just place the roof bag on top of the mat when you are installing your roof bag on the rooftop of your vehicle.
It also has a perfect anti-slip performance which is capable of keeping your roof bag in place even though you are moving fast when you are carrying your cargo bag on top of your vehicle.
You also do not need to worry about the rain or in hot weather, this protective mat was designed to resist water and other bad weather conditions. It has a thickness of about 3 mm and a dimension of 39×60 inches.
It will be able to fit and cover virtually all the cargo bags. The good thing about it is that you can also cut it down to the size that you want. It can be used on all vehicles, even trucks.
When you are done using this protective pad, the storage won’t be a problem at all, if you want to store it, you can do that simply by just folding it and keeping it in a safe place.
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Durable
- Value for money
Cons:
- Might be oversize
Final Verdict
This protective mat is a very good one, and of course, it is value for your money spent. You will have no regrets after buying this protective mat.
It is water-resistant, so when you are using it you do not have to worry about it being destroyed by the rain or even in bad weather conditions, it will resist it.
When you buy this protective mat, you will get a 100% lifetime money-back guarantee, this means that you will be able to have your money refunded if there is something that goes wrong with the protective mat, as long as it was not damaged by you.
If you are looking for a good protective mat to buy, this one will serve you a whole lot. Your satisfaction is guaranteed with this protective mat.
Roof cargo bag Protective mat
This is a very thick roof protective mat that will fit so well beneath your roof bag carrier and it will also protect the roof of your vehicle from scratches.
The anti-slip function is also a very good one that will safely prevent your roof bag from slipping off the roof of your vehicle while you are driving.
The anti-slip function is one of the important features that this protective mat comes with this protective mat, without it, your cargo bag may likely slip off or even be adjusted while you are driving and it could put you and other road users into danger.
This protective pad can fit into almost vehicles, this is because it has a size of 39 by 39 inches which are suitable for all vehicles including trucks.
You can as well cut to fit your rooftop when the need arises. This rooftop protector does a very good job of protecting the roof of your vehicle from scratches and also from slipping from the top of your vehicle.
Pros:
- Value for money
- Security features
- Multi-purpose
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Not water resistant
Final Verdict
This protective mat can be used with trucks, vans, and other vehicles, this is because it has a multipurpose function, this is an advantage added to it.
As I’ve said, this protective mat does more than just protecting your rooftop from scratch, it will also prevent slipping, prevent it from denting as well.
For those that are just getting this mat for the first time, you will not find it difficult to install and use, it has been made very easy by the manufacturers.
There is no guarantee that this protective mat can resist water and other bad weather conditions, so it not advisable to make use of this mat in the rain and in bad weather.
To be on the safer side, try to keep it from rain and bad weather conditions, this is because the water-resistant feature is not guaranteed.
You should get this protective mat because it is going to serve you a whole lot. You will have no regrets after buying this protective mat.
The BDK Anti-slip protective mat
This protective mat is a non-adhesive grip mat that will help to hold your roof bag in place when you are driving with the roof bag on top. It has a size of 47 by 37 inches which will fit virtually in all vehicles including your vans and trucks.
No matter the size of your vehicle, this rooftop protective mat will still be relevant. This is a good advantage because even if you change cars, you do not have to get another protective mat, you can make use of this for as many types of vehicle as possible.
This is the good thing about this protective mat. Just like other protective mats, this one will also help to prevent scratches on the roof of your vehicle.
It will help to keep your cargo bag in place when you are driving and you have the cargo bag on top of your vehicle, you will not experience any form of slipping off or even adjusting when your cargo bag is on top of your vehicle and you are driving at a high speed.
This is a very good feature of this protective mat that makes it a very good one. You should get this protective layer as it is going to serve you a whole lot.
Pros:
- Good thickness
- Value for money
- Strong material
- Very durable
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Not guaranteed water-resistant
Final Verdict
For those that are buying this protective mat for the first time, you will not have any issues in installing and using it, the installation is quite simple.
All you need to do is just unfold it and fit it under the roof bag, just on the top of the roof of your vehicle. And when you are done using it, storing it is also very easy, after using it, all you got to do is fold it and store it in a very good place where it will be safe.
This protective mat comes with a very unique feature, it has a grid-pattern non-slid design which enables it to prevent the cargo bag from sliding when it is in use.
It also has a protective layer that protects not just the roof of the car, it also protects your cargo bag as well. You should get this protective mat as it will serve you and you will have no regrets after buying it.
Conclusion
We have already made it clear that the protective mat is not absolutely necessary, however, it does a very good job of protecting and preventing the surface of your vehicle from.
It will help give your roof bag cushion and as well prevent it from skid and also from slipping off while you are driving at a certain speed.
What actually causes the scratching on the roof of the vehicle is the vibration from the roof bag rubs the dirt that collects between the roof and the roof bag, it ends up scratching the rooftop of the vehicle and it is not always very nice.
Despite the fact that we have mentioned it that the protective mat is not so necessary, if you have made up your mind to get one for yourself you can choose from any of these ones that we have reviewed here. They are very good and will work well for you.