When you invest in a custom Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, every material choice matters. You curate the wood tones, the upholstery, and the electrical systems down to the millimeter. So why do so many builds settle for commercial rubber trays or carpet in the cab and garage?
For years, van builders were forced to choose between industrial utility trays that looked like a work truck, or delicate carpet mats that trapped mud, dog hair, and moisture.
At Nomad Vanz, we set out to bridge the gap between high-end architectural luxury and extreme outdoor durability. The search led us to Chilewich®—the global benchmark for commercial-grade woven textiles. Below, we compare standard van flooring options and explain why Chilewich has become the ultimate solution for your cab, entryway, and garage.
The Sprinter Floor Mat Comparison
| Feature | Rubber / Plastic Trays | Carpet Mats | Traditional Cloth-Bound Woven Vinyl | The Nomad Vanz Matz (Seamless Edition) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Work trucks, pure utility | Dry climates, bare feet | Premium custom builds | High-end overlanding, architectural builds |
| Moisture Handling | Waterproof (pools water) | Absorbs moisture | Moisture-resistant face | Moisture-resistant face / Thermoplastic polyolefin backing |
| Cleaning | Hose down | Vacuum, steam clean | Sweep, wipe, or hose down | Sweep, wipe, or hose down |
| Edge Style | Raised plastic lip | Serged carpet edge | Top-stitched cloth border | Flush edge (hand-sewn underside binding) |
| Mounting | Friction / Factory hooks | Friction / Factory hooks | Friction / Velcro | Direct OEM Torx mechanical snap-pins |
1. Rubber, Carpet, and Traditional Woven Vinyl
- Rubber Utility Liners: Completely waterproof and built for abuse, but they pool freezing slush around your boots and make your rig look like a delivery truck.
- Carpet Mats: Soft underfoot, but they quickly absorb moisture, hold onto trail odors, and permanently trap dog hair.
- Traditional Woven Vinyl (Cloth-Bound): A massive step up in quality. Many excellent mats—including our Original Nomad Vanz Matz—use premium woven vinyl finished with a classic top-stitched cloth border. They are highly durable, look fantastic, and are a staple of premium van builds.
However, for builders looking for an ultra-modern, minimalist aesthetic that doesn't rely on Velcro or friction to stay in place, we engineered a new solution.
2. The Front Cab: Nomad Vanz Matz | Seamless Edition
We selected commercial-grade Chilewich® Link weave for our Seamless Edition Matz. Known globally in commercial architecture, its performance properties make it uniquely suited for life on the road. To read our deep dive into the engineering and sustainability behind this textile, check out our article on The Textile Behind the Matz.
- Moisture-Resistant: Extruded from TerraStrand™ yarns, the Chilewich face strongly resists moisture, while the thermoplastic polyolefin backing prevents water from reaching your subfloor.
- Pet-Friendly: Unlike carpet, Chilewich's tight Link weave keeps debris on the surface. Dirt sweeps away effortlessly, and pet hair wipes out in seconds.
- UV Resistance: Cabs act as greenhouses under large Sprinter windshields. Chilewich textiles are engineered to resist fading under direct sunlight.
To optimize this material for the Sprinter cab, we introduced two major structural innovations:
- The Flush "Seamless" Edge: We designed a high-precision, hand-sewn underside binding. This creates a clean, unbroken architectural transition that sits flush against the OEM Sprinter floor plastics without a visible top-stitched border.
- OEM Torx Mechanical Hardware: Instead of relying on Velcro that can lose grip, our Matz utilize custom snap-pin hardware that mechanically anchors into the Sprinter's factory OEM Torx locations. Once snapped down, they lock in place with zero shift.
Shop Nomad Vanz Cab Matz | Seamless Edition
3. The Entryway: The Chilewich Welcome Mat
The side sliding door sees heavy foot traffic. Dirt, gravel, and mud sit right at the threshold waiting to be tracked across your custom living space flooring. Nomad Vanz was the first in the industry to bring Chilewich into the van slider entryway as a dedicated Welcome Mat.
- A Pop of Personality: The Welcome Mat offers an easy opportunity to introduce a curated pop of color or texture that ties into your interior cabinetry.
- Zero Tripping Hazard: Its ultra-low-profile edge allows the Sprinter sliding door to clear smoothly without catching.
- Instant Dust Barrier: Step onto a durable textile that can be shaken out at camp in seconds.
Shop the Nomad Vanz Chilewich Welcome Mat
4. The Cargo Bay: Heavy-Duty Garage Matz
The garage area under a rear platform bed is the workhorse of any adventure rig. Standard rubber cargo liners look industrial and can off-gas harsh chemicals. Our custom Garage Matz bring a refined aesthetic to the rear bay while providing brutal utility:
- Chilewich BioFelt® Backing: Our custom garage mats utilize a specialized BioFelt backing that provides cushioned acoustic dampening and thermal insulation.
- Integrated Sliding Handles: Built with heavy-duty side handles so you can smoothly pull the entire mat outward—giving you effortless, slide-out access to gear stowed deep in the garage.
Contact Us for a Custom Garage Matz Quote
Fitment & Technical Specifications (Seamless Cab Matz)
- Chassis: 2019+ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30 / W907)
- Wheelbase: Fits both 144" & 170" models
- Configuration: Fits Manual Parking Brake, NO FLOOR VENT models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these mats fit if I have aftermarket seat swivels?
Yes. The Cab Matz are mapped to the OEM flooring template and are compatible with factory seats and low-profile aftermarket swivels (such as Scopema).
How do you clean the Chilewich woven vinyl?
Maintenance is simple. For light dirt, sweep or vacuum. For heavy mud, pull the mats out of the cab, spray them down with a hose and mild detergent, and let them dry.
Do the cab mats provide sound dampening?
Yes. The Matz feature a multi-layer construction. The premium Chilewich face is bonded to a heavy-duty thermoplastic polyolefin backing, acting as an acoustic barrier to help reduce road and engine noise.
Will I have to pay import duties if ordering to the USA?
No. All US orders operate on a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) basis. Duties and taxes are calculated and fully prepaid at checkout, meaning your order arrives with no hidden cross-border fees.
