Mini review: Husky Liners vs Toyota rubber mats

[T3XAS4Runner]

Thought I’d share my experience to help buyers. I just got a lift and ATs so that meant more dirt and mud. Husky was running a promotion so I grabbed their front and rear liners.

I had also been considering the OEM rubber mats but because of the price difference and delay in shipping, I chose Husky. It also seemed like they’d protect better with the lip on the outside edge to keep anything getting in between the liner and the door sill.

THE GOOD:

They definitely protected against mud. I had nothing but confidence jumping in and out of the truck.

They also are giving me a full refund, so that’s good, too [emoji23]. (See below)

THE BAD:
1 - They’re very hard. I assume this means they’d last long, but it’s not comfy for extended times driving. The rubber mats from Toyota do not have this problem. They’re nice and soft for what they are

2 -They’re difficult to get in and out (compared to others, especially without rubbing the sharp nubs against the leather seats and scratching them). I originally intended to swap between my carpet mats and these, but they’re not easy at all to do. If you look in the first pic, I actually couldn’t get the accelerator out from underneath the liner for a while [emoji23].

3 - Quality control. Saved this for last because it’s possible these were just a bad set, but two big things - First, the driver side didn’t fit into the security clasps on the floor. I tried bending, manhandling, praying, but I could never get more than one to lock down at a time. They didn’t seem like they’d move much, but I could hear the plastic clasps creaking when my feet were on the mat and it sounds like prolonged use would result in one or both of them breaking. After one outing I decided it wasn’t worth the risk.

Also, on both sides, they didn’t quite match the curve of the vehicle so they stuck up in places. You can see this on the driver side console edge and especially the passenger side outer edge. My wife hated how it poked up on her side. Not worth the expense.

OEM mats:

Already mentioned they’re pretty comfy and I’d choose them on just this alone. They also look so much better with the 4Runner logo! Lastly, they also have a small lip to protect between the mat and door sill. So Husky isn’t the only one with that lip (I thought they were).

The only thing negative I’d say is that they don’t cover quite as well in the back. The Husky’s made it feel like no matter who got in the back of my car I wouldn’t have to worry, but these Toyota’s don’t have as much coverage. Still, better than just carpet and they have a big Toyota logo in the middle.

Hope this is helpful for anyone considering new mats!

 

[Muff Muff]

I bought my 2017 used, and the previous owner had put in front and rear Husky Liners. I went ahead and ordered the rear cargo liner, and the only negative thing I can say about it is that you have to cut out the holes for the tie downs. I can understand why they made it like that from an ease of production perspective, but it wouldn't have been any harder to design in with the cutouts either. Mine don't have the clasp problem like yours did, so you might've just received a bad set, but they don't form fit as perfectly as your OEM ones, do either. That being said, I had OEM rubber floor mats in my previous car (2017 Mustang GT) and my dad has Weathertech liners in his Explorer. Of all three, I like the Husky Liners the best. Weathertech has no ribbing like the Huskies do, and my OEM mats were just that, they didn't have anywhere near as much coverage as liners do.

 

[T3XAS4Runner]

Mine don't have the clasp problem like yours did, so you might've just received a bad set, but they don't form fit as perfectly as your OEM ones, do either.

Thanks for the added info - Yeah I guess I got a bad set. You're right the Huskies have some great protection - that was their biggest strength.

The tradeoff of a little less protection but more comfort and better OEM look are great for me with the Toyota mats.

 

[mcat707]

I have the Husky Liners in the front and rear of my 2015 T4R. Also had them in my 2015 Tundra. No issues with clasps or form fitment. The only con that I can bring up is the minor slipperiness or slickness as I would call it with certain types of soles on shoes or boots. Not a major problem but I know I don’t have the same problem with carpeted floor mats. Do not use Amor All as it would be super slippery. Water from rain or from the ground can cause a problem while getting in and out of your rig too. Be careful.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I have the Husky Liners and have the same issues with the sides sticking up. My driver's side is way worse than your picture, I catch my shoe on them constantly getting in or out of the vehicle. I emailed them to try and get a new set and they told me to take a heat gun and remold them myself which I never did. I also discovered that when you get lots of salt and snow/ice on your mats they form a channel and the salt water runs straight down to your door sill and right under the carpet and into the channel at the bottom of the door. I was mortified to discover the salt stains on the carpet and the massive salt build up in the channel where all the wires run underneath the door sill. If I had it to do all over I would have bought the WeatherTechs. I bought these because they looked like they had better coverage but boy was I wrong....

I had WT mats in my 2 x 4th gens and sold them after I traded in and they still looked brand new... sigh

 

[euser]

I bought my 2017 used, and the previous owner had put in front and rear Husky Liners. I went ahead and ordered the rear cargo liner, and the only negative thing I can say about it is that you have to cut out the holes for the tie downs. I can understand why they made it like that from an ease of production perspective, but it wouldn't have been any harder to design in with the cutouts either.

They don’t come cut out because lots of people (like me) don’t use the tie downs, and the cutout would just cause liquids to leak into the carpet. My dog has spilled enough water in my trunk for me to be glad there are no cutouts and it has tall sides. I also didn’t experience the issues with the front. They don’t fit perfectly when you first get them because they are stiff and take the shape of how they are packaged (mine came rolled up in a box). They take some bending and time to settle for them to sit flush. My boots wore holes in my last set of carpet mats very quickly, but these have held up great.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Thanks for the added info - Yeah I guess I got a bad set. You're right the Huskies have some great protection - that was their biggest strength.

The tradeoff of a little less protection but more comfort and better OEM look are great for me with the Toyota mats.

I tried Husky mats in my 3rd gen and had a similar experience. They didn’t form well to the driver side door lip. I kept catching it on my shoe when entering the vehicle. I sent them back for a refund. I also noticed the hardness of the plastic which bugged me.


I have the Toyota all weathers in my 5th Gen and really like them.
Thanks for the review.

 

[02SE]

I have the factory accessory Toyota all-weather mats. From what I've read of the Husky and Weathertech alternatives, I think I'll keep them.

 

[T3XAS4Runner]

Water from rain or from the ground can cause a problem while getting in and out of your rig too. Be careful.

Didn't even consider this - great point

I have the Husky Liners and have the same issues with the sides sticking up. My driver's side is way worse than your picture, I catch my shoe on them constantly getting in or out of the vehicle. I emailed them to try and get a new set and they told me to take a heat gun and remold them myself which I never did. I also discovered that when you get lots of salt and snow/ice on your mats they form a channel and the salt water runs straight down to your door sill and right under the carpet and into the channel at the bottom of the door. I was mortified to discover the salt stains on the carpet and the massive salt build up in the channel where all the wires run underneath the door sill. If I had it to do all over I would have bought the WeatherTechs. I bought these because they looked like they had better coverage but boy was I wrong....

I had WT mats in my 2 x 4th gens and sold them after I traded in and they still looked brand new... sigh

WOW really glad I was able to return mine!

I tried Husky mats in my 3rd gen and had a similar experience. They didn’t form well to the driver side door lip. I kept catching it on my shoe when entering the vehicle. I sent them back for a refund. I also noticed the hardness of the plastic which bugged me.

Yep you'd think they'd fit better

I have the factory accessory Toyota all-weather mats. From what I've read of the Husky and Weathertech alternatives, I think I'll keep them.

Wish I'd just started with the Toyota's but hey you live you learn

 

[02SE]

Wish I'd just started with the Toyota's but hey you live you learn

Well, I didn't research the Husky or Weathertech mats beforehand. I just figured the Factory accessory mats were probably decent, and they were part of a factory accessory 'Wilderness Package' that my TRD ORP was equipped with.

I appreciate the feedback on them, as I was wondering if there was a better option than the Toyota all-weather mats.

Anyway, sorry you had a bad experience with the aftermarket mats.

 

[LandCruiser]

How slippery are they? The stock Toyota are really grippy, but some of the aftermarket ones are really slick if they get wet or icy/snowy.

 

[Quebec]

It's really baffling why Husky has not offered the X-Act Contour line for the 5th gen 4runner. They are perfect. These are completely different in material and fit from the Weatherbeater line they only seem to be offering.

Husky X-Act Contour left and Husky Weatherbeaters right.
The rubber they use is softer and heavy helping them sit flat and cushioned unlike the stiffness found in weatherbeaters.

Is ten years of a production model not enough?

 

[JayceeP]

Just finished my 7th winter season with my Husky Weather Beaters. I have front and 2nd row liners but I only use the fronts for the winter (I use the factory carpet mats for summer) and the 2nd row liner stays in year round.

My carpets are flawless. We go through a massive amount of salt/bribe/slush/ice/ etc in my neck of the woods. There is always a minor amount of salt flakes that get under the liner but that’s to be expected. A quick vacuum takes care of it.

I agree they are a bit rigid but even without using a heat gun, just bend the door sill overhang down and it should settle.

 

[yardsale]

The door edge lips on my Husky liners had a couple waves in them at first. An hour in the sun and they laid flat. I had the factory ones too, but they lack coverage up high, especially under the gas pedal.

I like the Huskies way better.

 

[sn_85]

How slippery are they? The stock Toyota are really grippy, but some of the aftermarket ones are really slick if they get wet or icy/snowy.

I lived in Utah for 3 winters with the Husky's. Honestly never really noticed them being too slippery with icy or snowy shoes. They are a harder plastic material than the Weather techs though. I've had the same set through my 2 4Runners for 7 years now and they show no signs of damage or wearing. I got them since they were a little cheaper than Weather techs and can't really say anything bad about them. They just work as they should.

 

[Dillusion]

I have Husky's in the wifes Highlander and the OEM in the 4R.

I never had the problems that you had with the Husky. Hope it was just a bad set.

 

[jimmied]

I had weathertech in my 4th gen but have oems for winter in my 5th. Both are good for the front but I do not like my oem rear rubber mat. It moves around too much with my kids crawling in and out. I just put my carpets back in for spring/summer/fall but i think I will add the weather tech rear seat for next winter. Stay with OEM fronts...or sell set and just get weather tech all around.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

Anyone have these? Thinking about getting them for my Pro. I currently have Husky’s and I like them. No issues. I had Husky’s in my 2001 4Runner for 17 years and sold it with them still in there in decent shape.

 

[Rapid_Amble]

I have Husky's in the wifes Highlander and the OEM in the 4R.

I never had the problems that you had with the Husky. Hope it was just a bad set.

We have Husky mats in another car and they’re great. That car floor is set deeper vs the door sill than the 4Runner.

Tried the Husky mats in the 4Runner and the passenger side edge curled upward so switched to OEM rubber mats and have been very happy with these.

 

[DMC12Runner]

Anyone have these? Thinking about getting them for my Pro. I currently have Husky’s and I like them. No issues. I had Husky’s in my 2001 4Runner for 17 years and sold it with them still in there in decent shape.

I have those in our 2020 TRD Pro, Husky's in our Hummer H3, and Weathertech in our Grand Cherokee. The Toyota rubber mats are the most aesthetically pleasing and feel the heaviest but the don't have as big of a lip as the other two. If you plan to off road a lot and/or get in the car with mudding shoes or live in the rust belt, Husky's or Weathertech may be a better option. My only complaint about Weathertech is that their rubber sticker logos will fall off after a while, but they will send you new ones for free. Their customer service is also really good. I have their garage flooring and had an issue with it, and they sent the guys who designed it to my house to evaluate it and then gave me better flooring for free and let me keep the old flooring, which lives in my basement now. I also live about 20 minutes from their factory, so I probably got better treatment since they are right here, but a great company. I also have their dog bowls.