Every once in a while, we spot something at a trade show that is completely unexpected. This year, that happened when we stopped by the GTFOverland booth and stumbled across Surf Grass Mats. As the name would imply, these were originally created for surfers, but I can confirm that they are the perfect changing mat for cyclists as well.
The concept here is pretty simple—take high-quality synthetic turf and turn it into a portable mat. But there’s more to the design than meets the eye. The thick turf is designed to knock sand and debris off your feet while changing, but it also makes for a ridiculously comfortable changing pad while you’re in the middle of nowhere. That means you can drop it on uneven ground, chunky gravel, whatever, and you’re left with a comfy spot to change. I’ve used a lot of different things over the years as changing mats, and this beats everything I’ve tried.
The underside of the mat is made to be durable, and it doesn’t pick up dirt, bits of leaves, or absorb any moisture like a towel. And thanks to the built-in velcro strap, storing the Surf Grass Mat is as simple as rolling it up and strapping it down. If you do happen to be dripping wet or need to rinse off your feet, there are drain holes punched in the mat to allow water to flow through.
