Spend enough time plying the road less traveled and you will eventually get stuck. While there are innumerable ways to restore forward momentum, one of the least complicated is the use of recovery boards. Some people call them sand or traction mats and should they be strong enough to span a small ditch, can even be dubbed bridging ladders. Regardless of what you call them, they’re a good thing to have when your wheels begin to spin in place.

Although they have been around for decades, there has been a noticeable resurgence in the number of products entering the marketplace. Some are little more than planks of wood coated with an abrasive material. Others are designed with highly evolved computer models and made of cutting edge materials. This buyer’s guide is not intended to recommend one solution over another, but rather to highlight the most current options.

Bushranger

Bushranger’s mats are pliable tracks made of sections of heavy-duty rubber joined with lengths of reinforced cable. Each track can be rolled for easy portage and is designed to work with the natural contours of the surface below the tire for maximum grip.

Crux Offroad 

Crux Offroad is a relative newcomer and their innovative take on the classic bridging ladder is not only strong, but extremely light relative to the loads they can shoulder. Available in standard length, extra long, and heavy-duty models, there is likely a solution for the type of vehicle you drive.

Front Runner

Front Runner’s mats are constructed of 1/4″ thick fiberglass and as such are very flexible. The highly texturized coating with its absence of raised lugs affords maximum surface area of the tire to contact the mat. Light and thin, they are ideally designed to work well with Front Runner’s Slimline racks and because they have a flat and even surface, have multiple uses around camp beyond vehicle recovery.

Mantec

Mantec has long been the gold standard for mats and bridging ladders. Made famous by Camel Trophy teams the world over, the classic all-metal Mantec recovery boards are built for the most demanding overland travelers. The exclusive distributor in North America is Rovers North.

Maxsa Innovations

Maxsa is by no means a big player in the off-road or overland world. A quick visit to their website reveals a wide range of products from porch lights to fleece blankets. Within their “off-road” catalog, which contains two products in total, are the newly updated Escaper Buddy traction mats. Most commonly sold through Amazon and eBay, these are little more than knock-offs of more reputable products. Their presence on this list should not be construed as any sort of endorsement. Buy them at your own risk.

 MaxTrax

 MaxTrax is arguably the most trusted name in traction mats and the the brand most frequently imitated or copied. Their MkII mats are available in a variety of colors with multiple mounting options. Considered by many as the most reliable recovery board on the market, their unique material compound allows the MkII to flex to extreme curvatures without breaking.

OK Offroad

 OK Offroad is a retailer of various 4×4 parts and accessories including aluminum and fiberglass rescue boards.  Their Waffle Boards, sold by various retailers the world over, are classics which have been widely used for decades. Their aluminum mats are similar to those sold under other names as well and also have a proven track record.

Pronghorn

 Pronghorn Gear started making modular bumpers for Wranglers and Tacomas and has since expanded their offering into other products and accessories. Their unique traction mats come in two widths and can be made into custom lengths by adding extra links.

Smitty Built

Smitty Built is well known throughout the four wheel drive world for their price minded accessories. This is another example of a product that demands careful research before purchase. Reviews are mixed at best.

Tuff Stuff 4×4

Tuff Stuff 4×4 is a retailer of off-road accessories and their traction mats appear to be identical to those sold under the Smitty Built label.

Traction Jack

 Traction Jack is another new product within the last few years. The folding design greatly reduces the storage size and opens up many options for mounting. The low-profile lugs reduce the build up of mud making for easier cleanup. The central hinge also allows the mats to better fit the contours of the terrain to maximize traction.

TRED

New to the market as of 2012, TRED has become widely accepted and distributed throughout North America and within their native Australia. Their most recent product uses an innovative dual-compound construction that reinforces the lugs to prevent them from damage in a recovery scenario. Computer aided lug designs also allow the sides of the mat to better connect with the water purging channels on most tires.