The short answer
Choose a carpet boot liner if your boot mostly carries luggage, shopping and bags, and you want it to look tidy. Choose a rubber boot liner if it carries dogs, muddy boots, sports kit, plants or anything that can leak, because rubber wipes and rinses clean. Your boot liner does not have to match your car mats.
Key takeaways
- Carpet looks smart and suits luggage, shopping and bags.
- Rubber keeps mud, water, sand and hair on the surface, where they are easy to remove.
- Dogs, sports kit, garden runs and DIY loads are rubber territory.
- Check whether your boot floor sits in an upper or a lower position before you order, because the shape changes.
- A boot liner can be a different material from your car mats.
Start with what goes in your boot
Think about a normal month rather than the tidiest day. Most boots fall into one of two patterns: dry loads such as shopping, luggage and pushchairs, or messy loads such as dogs, muddy walking boots, football kit, compost and tools.
Dry loads are kind to carpet. Messy loads are what rubber is for.
Carpet boot liners
Good for
- Luggage, shopping bags and pushchairs.
- A boot that looks as finished as the cabin.
- A softer surface under the things you carry.
Less good for
- Wet dogs and muddy boots, which soak in and leave marks.
- Leaks from compost, paint or drinks.
- Dog hair, which clings to the pile.
Rubber boot liners
Good for
- Dogs, wet or dry: hair and mud wipe off.
- Walking boots, wetsuits, bikes and sports kit.
- Garden waste, plants and DIY runs.
- Rinsing clean outside the car.
Less good for
- A smart look: rubber looks practical rather than plush.
- Lifting in and out often: rubber is heavier than carpet.
Carpet vs rubber boot liners at a glance
| Carpet | Rubber | |
|---|---|---|
| Luggage and shopping | Sits well, looks tidy | Sits well, looks practical |
| Dogs | Hair and mud cling | Wipes clean |
| Wet or muddy kit | Soaks in | Stays on the surface |
| Spills and leaks | Can stain | Rinses off |
| Cleaning | Vacuum and spot clean | Tip out and rinse |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
Check your boot floor first
Many cars have an adjustable boot floor with an upper and a lower position, and the liner is shaped differently for each. A spare wheel or a repair kit under the floor can matter too. How to check your boot floor shows what to look for.
Body style changes the boot as well: a saloon and a touring version of the same car have different boots.
Which should you choose?
Choose carpet if
- Your boot mostly carries luggage, shopping and bags.
- You want the boot to look as tidy as the cabin.
- Nothing wet or muddy goes in there often.
Choose rubber if
- You have a dog.
- You carry muddy boots, sports kit or bikes.
- You do garden or DIY runs.
- You would rather rinse a liner than vacuum one.
At Precision Car Mats a boot liner ordered with your car mats is made for your exact car and comes in the same box. See boot liners.
Shop the mats this guide covers
Common questions
What is the best boot liner for a dog?
Rubber. Hair, mud and water wipe off rubber, while they cling to carpet.
Should my boot liner match my car mats?
No. The boot carries different loads from the cabin, so carpet car mats with a rubber boot liner is a sensible pairing.
What is the difference between a boot liner and a boot mat?
The two names are often used for the same thing. Some shops use boot liner for a mat with raised edges and boot mat for a flat one, so check the description.
Will a boot liner fit if my boot floor is adjustable?
It needs to be cut for the position you use. Tell us whether your floor sits in the upper or the lower position when you order, or choose not sure and we confirm it with you.
How do I clean a rubber boot liner?
Lift it out, tip out loose dirt, rinse with water and a little mild soap and let it dry before refitting. There is more in how to clean rubber car mats.
How we wrote this guide
This guide compares carpet and rubber boot liners as materials, not particular brands. Grades and prices in our own range are placeholders until our supplier confirms them.
Questions this guide does not answer? Write to us from the contact page.