Gaming mat alternatives?

[Elkerlyc 727]

Hi everyone,

 

Personally I dislike having 2 mats side by side so I am looking for a single-piece alternative.

Preferably in Europe given that shipping tends to be ridiculous from USA.

Any of you has experience and/or suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Attackmack 526]

DeepCutStudios makes superb mats in a variety of materials. I have two of their "Mousemat" neoprene mats, one for orbital combat and one 6x4 swamplands mat and I can say nothing negative about them, not a single thing tbh!

They cost more then vinlys or cloth, and while they are in europe shipping can still cost ya depending, but I fullheartedly recommend DCSs mats. Check them out, the even do custom mats and sizes!

[costi 1,297]

playmaty.pl make double-sided mats with starfield on one side and desert terrain on the other and can probably make a custom mat for you.

gamemat.eu could probably help you as well.

[Ranger421 36]

Deep cuts makes a 6x3 mat.  They have several themes.  I got the swamp theme, looks great!!

[Parakitor 5,654]

Check out this guy's blanket that he painted green and yellow. It looks fantastic!

 

[tkundnobody 66]

In Germany you can get 6'x3' mats with grassland in mousepad quality expected in June from Nerd X. Later this year snowfield in the same size

[Corto 145]

At the Salute convention in London yesterday, deep cut were showing off their new mat texture and its pretty awesome. Unfortunately they had no ETA for them because they are *really* nice. Very lush, deep without being a carpet, I really want one

[Tekwych 270]

gamemat.eu has many great options at 6x4. Fallout Zone, Mayhem Square, Forgotten Realm, Meadows of War, Wastelands, Winter Realm, Highlands in War, Battleground, Sands of Time, Fallen Earth, Tales of Mars, Kingdom of Heaven should all work well.

[Elkerlyc 727]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

After checking them al out I lean to Deep Cut.

I think I like the swampy one best. (but not decided yet)

 

[Polda 4,281]

How about a brown fleece blanket with some green and yellow acrylic paint rubbed into it? Would likely cost you <20 EUR. Took about 90 mins to make. 

EDIT:

And the underside is still nice and soft so you can snuggle under it after a long game.

Edited April 24, 2017 by Polda

[eilif 135]

@Polda

Nice work!  That's a good looking mat. I love the brown edges that deliniate the play area but still look natural.

Fleece is a good idea and quite affordable.  If you can find tye dyed fleece at a craft shop or online it may be good as-is.  Here's two that my buddy has.  These are stock fabric with no modifications.  Fleece sounds odd, but the texture actually looks quite good in both situations. It's not overly fuzzy, but it catches the light in a natural way that prints don't.

 

An even simpler idea that I use is surplus wool army blankets. They are commonly available cheaply in green, brown and grey.  They can be used as-is or painted a bit to add some variety.  I think wargamers have been using these since the beginning of the hobby.

Here's an unmofidifed brown one of mine(I have grey and brown). This particular blanket was actually carried by my Grandfather in WW2!

Edited April 24, 2017 by eilif

[Mep 2,291]

@Polda

That's .... actually ... not ... bad.

The units and templates won't be sliding around on that at all and it actually looks good.

Edited April 24, 2017 by Mep

[Polda 4,281]

Couple of things to keep in mind with these fluffier fabrics:

- when you place a dial, you want to push it in a bit so it won't tip over

- on the fleece with longer hair you'll need a dice tray (or roll on one of the cardboard obstacles)

- the round tokens will not roll away when you throw them around at enemy units shouting "PLAAAAAAAAAAGUE!" 

Edited April 25, 2017 by Polda

[bumyong 71]

You can make your own for cheaper than a game mat.  Although I don't know the prices for hollow-core doors in Europe.

 

[Mep 2,291]

15 hours ago, Polda said:

Couple of things to keep in mind with these fluffier fabrics:

- when you place a dial, you want to push it in a bit so it won't tip over

- on the fleece with longer hair you'll need a dice tray (or roll on one of the cardboard obstacles)

- the round tokens will not roll away when you throw them around at enemy units shouting "PLAAAAAAAAAAGUE!" 

These are good points.

Really good gaming tables are often covered in felt. Granted some gaming mats have a printed cloth side to them, but really isn't think enough. I suppose some kind of planted felt on a rubber backing would actually be ideal.

[Elkerlyc 727]

This is what I ended up with.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[maxam 815]

1 hour ago, Elkerlyc said:

 

This is what I ended up with.

 

 

Which make/brand was it?

[Elkerlyc 727]

6 minutes ago, maxam said:

 

Which make/brand was it?

Deep Cut Studio.

A friend ordered the lighter green version which also is spectacularly pretty.

[maxam 815]

Very nice! That's their "Muddy Field" I'm guessing?

[Hijodecain 183]

I have Deep Cut Studio and it is perfect.

[Elkerlyc 727]

3 minutes ago, maxam said:

Very nice! That's their "Muddy Field" I'm guessing?

I have the "Swamp" mat. The other, lighter green one goes by the name "grass".

direct link to Deep cut:

http://www.deepcutstudio.com/product-category/mats-size-3x6/

 

[edit] ; we both opted for the 'mousemat' versions. More durable and not al that much more expensive.

 

Edited June 1, 2017 by Elkerlyc

[maxam 815]

Awesome - thanks!
 

[Tekwych 270]

What I have found so far

EU:
Gamemat EU Has US web store as well
Deep Cut Studio
Urban Matz

US:
Mats By Mars
Front Line Gaming
Game Matz
Table War (The F.A.T. Mat) Has EU and AUS web stores as well

If there are others you know of please post so I can add to the list.

[Rhargar 13]

I use winter style gamemat from Deep Cut. It looks great with my winter scheme undeads and terrain.