Providing a clean and durable work surface in the field, the Field Mat is a collaborative effort between Emdom USA and Military Morons to give shooters the ability to carry accessories or cleaning supplies in a collapsible roll.
Released in 2019, the Field Mat is a 23″ (L) x 19″ (W) cut of nylon (Multicam is 500D Cordura while other colors are 1000D) that provides for an easily transportable working space that can be used to cover any space. From there disassembly of firearms, stored cleaning tools, or secured accessories can utilized. Each corner of the mat metal grommets that allow for it to be secured to any surface as necessary.
On one side of the unrolled mat are two 9″ (L) x 3″ (W) x 1″ (H) accessories pouches that can be opened and laid flat to maximize access. Inside each are a variety of different sized pouches secured via hook-and-loop that can accommodate a variety of items, such as cleaning rods, bore snakes, weapon lights, multi-tools, and more. On the top exterior of the left accessory pouch is a 4” (L) x 2” (W) (female) hook-and-loop field for name tapes or morale patches.
In front of the right-side accessory pouch is a 6” (L) x 4” (W) field of (female) hook-and-loop that comes with a 14” length of 1” wide of VELCRO® BRAND ONE-WRAP® Tape that can be cut to desired lengths. Emdom recommends two 4” lengths and two 3” lengths that can be used to secure springs, pins, and other small parts to the hook-and-loop field.
In front of the left-side accessory pouch is a removable 7″ (W) x 7″ (L) dump tray made from an oil-resistant, rubberized material and secured to the mat via hook-and-loop on the underside. The tray is a high visibility blue that allows for darker parts, such as pins, springs, etc. to be more easily identifiable. Snap-closures in each corner allow the tray to either lay flat when not in use or secured to for the tray.
On the underside of the field mat is an 8″ (W) x 18″ (L) storage pocket divided into two compartments and secured via a single full-length zipper enclosure.
Two shock cord loops on one side of the mat keep it secure when compressed or rolled, while a 1” nylon webbing loop between the accessory pouches facilitates in carrying, hanging, or to secure it.
The Field Mat is available in Multicam (featured), Black, Coyote, SDU Grey, and Ranger Green.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): At an MSRP of $58.99 (color dependent), the Field Mat by Emdom USA gives the user a portable and secure means to store a variety of accessories and cleaning supplies. Roughly the size of a rolled towel, the Field Mat contains a number of useful features for immediate action and care of the firearm, or storage of suppressors and other shooting accessories needed. Condor previously had a Roll-Up Cleaning Mat ($19.99) similar to the one by Emdom, but did not have anything near the functionality and as eventually discontinued. Turbon does also make a roll-up Cleaning Mat ($30) that is similar but also specifically just for cleaning accessories. The Field Mat from Emdom combines a number of features and storage that allow the mat to expand use beyond just for simple after range cleaning, and as such gives it a good scoring for cost.
- Durability – Good (4/5): Made dominantly from 500D Cordura (for Multicam, or 1000D nylon in any other color), the only aspect of the Field Mat material that isn’t nylon was the rubberized dump tray, the outer material inside the zippered accessory pockets, and the shock cord retention bands. All of which held up well during use, for both cleaning and transporting. Eventually oil and carbon did begin to impart to the nylon, but per Emdom, the mat (with the dump tray removed) was able to be easily hand washed. The dump tray itself was simply wiped off as well and during the course of evaluation did not stain. Given the durability and abrasion resistance to the 500D materials, it is more likely that the shock cords securing the rolled up field mat will fail over the long term, before the field mat itself and thankfully those are easily replaced. Overall the simplicity and materials in the Field Mat gave it a good scoring for its durability and long term usage.
- Functionality – Excellent (5/5): From a functional aspect the Field Mat did an excellent job in a more purposeful design and improved materials over older versions. The YKK zippers kept the accessory pouches secure and slid easily. There was a little difficulty in turning the tight corners some, but nothing that inhibited access. The accessory pouches were large enough for a variety of firearms-related accessories, so the option was there for those who want to transport the bolt carrier group securely in the pouch, and break their carbine down into an upper/lower carry. Likewise, there could be the ability to transport a suppressor as well as tools in one accessory pouch, as well as cleaning tools in the other. Otherwise the large mat provided plenty of room that gave the user a clean space to work on firearms, and the dump tray gave a secure space for smaller pieces without risk of blowing away and spilling the contents. When rolled and secure, the interior nylon loop also gave a convenient means by which to hang or secure the mat to a pack or cable via carabiner (not included).
- Weight – Average (3/5): At 11 ounces (empty), the Field Mat’s relative weight provided a good way to compartmentalize, carry, or store needed accessories and/or cleaning tools. While the overall weight of the mat increases with what is contained, either way it can only hold a fixed volume. For its use, and the limited number of comparable products on the current market, made for the Field Mat to be of an approximate (or of average) weight for the materials used. A heavier denier of nylon besides 500D and 1000D could be used to make the product more abrasive resistant – but doing so would also increase the weight and therefor in its current configuration it gave the perfect balance.
Overall Rating – Good (16/20)
Product Link: https://www.emdomusa.com/Emdom-MM-Field-Mat-p/eu177.htm
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