The Universal Mat from Palm Equipment landed at Unsponsored HQ a few years back (2015) and has been used multiple times per week ever since. So it is probably time for a quick updated review.

Palm Equipment - Universal Mat
Palm Equipment Universal Mat – Review

The concept is very simple, it’s a foam mat that can be folded/fastened in half.

When I first showed it to a couple of mates they didn’t see the value in such a product. However it was being used just 30 mins later to kneel on while fixing a damaged Dagger Mamba in the rain. Dry knees and two converts won.

Palm Equipment - Universal Mat
Palm Equipment Universal Mat – Review

One thing to note is that if you use a drysuit with built in socks you need to protect them as much as you can to help prevent small holes being created. This naturally will create leaks in your suit. Using a clean mat to stand on whilst getting in or out of your drysuit can help extend the suits life.

Get changed in a muddy car park‚ stay comfortable on a hard seat and kneel happily for hours in a canoe. Here’s the multi-function mat you’ll never want to be without‚ made from insulating foam with a durable ripstop cover. When you’re done changing‚ it folds in half with a velcro tab to keep the grit and mud on the inside. Kneeling mat‚ seat or hat‚ use it and abuse it however you see fit!

Palm Equipment

The images above show the mat a few weeks after it arrived. The ones below were taken last week, that is around six years later. Yes the Universal Mat is a little grubby but it is still very much in one piece. No holes, rips or tears.

Palm Equipment Universal Mat – Review
Palm Equipment Universal Mat – Review
Palm Equipment Universal Mat – Review

The underside, shown above, does the lions share of the work and gets a pretty good hammering. As you can see in the image it is holding up really well.

It has had a quick rinse with a hose pipe now and again to get rid of sand, salt, and dirt. However I’ve never used the little strap to keep it closed. It’s a simple idea that Palm have executed very well.