Let’s face it, shopping for a drum rug is not sexy, but they are an essential piece of equipment. Their main function is to keep the kit steady while you’re playing and prevent ‘bass drum creep’. Drum rugs can also help prevent damage to your flooring particularly beneath the bass drum and high-hat.
We are going to look at the best drumming rugs and explore what the advantages of each are.
Our top picks include the Roland Drum Rug, the Meinl Cymbals Drum Rug, the Black Widow Drum Web Rug, and the Drum Workshop Rug. Each has different pros and cons, but they are well worth adding to your drum setup and will allow you to concentrate on playing without worrying about the stability of your kit.
OUR TOP PICK
If you prefer something more colorful than a standard drum mat, this Meinl product is perfect for you. It comes in several different styles, with an oriental option, a zebra print, a skull and wings “since 1951” design, or a plain black look.
Pros
- This has room for a full drum kit, measuring 6.5 feet by 5.25 feet.
- It is made of deep and densely spun fabric, allowing the drum kit to be gripped firmly by the material and preventing it from sliding around while you are playing.
This gives you a better playing experience and ensures you don’t have to keep resetting your kit every few days if you’re a regular drummer.
- The bottom of the mat is also rubber lined, preventing slippage of you or of the mat, and making it stay perfectly in place on the floor.
- Furthermore, the rug has a storage strap and a travel bag that make it perfect for packing up and transporting when necessary. The bag ensures the rug stays rolled up and keeps it safe from dirt or tears while you are traveling.
Cons
BEST VALUE
This is a rug specifically designed to prevent the drums from creeping away from you. This is a compact, super lightweight option that folds down into its own unique carry case.
Pros
- It weighs less than two pounds in total, so if you’re a frequent traveller, this is perfect for you.
- The design is stylish and has a Velcro security strap system that has been patented and is perfect for fixing the drums in place.
- The product is twelve inches by five inches by twelve inches, and because it is so thin, it’s easy to fold it flat when you have finished with it. Simply pack it away for next time – it’s ideal for a drummer on the go.
- Although it is less spacious than some of the other rugs available, it takes up less space so if you’ve got a smaller kit, only a few pieces out, or you need to save space as much as possible, this is the perfect product.
- It has the additional advantage of being considerably cheaper than many of the other products, partly because it uses far less material. If you are looking for a budget option, this is a great way to go.
Cons
- The rug does depend on your body weight to keep everything still, so you may find that the drums and the rug have shifted around a bit when you stand up. However, this does allow for a much lighter rug.
GREAT CHOICE
You will no doubt be familiar with the Vic Firth brand name and know that the drumming products they produce are high quality. Their deluxe drum rug is no different and is built to last.
Pros
- Generous size of 78 x 64 inches makes it suitable for both acoustic and electronic full drum kit sizes.
- Weighted corners give extra stability and help to keep the rug flat. This reduces tripping hazards around your practice area or while you are on stage.
- Comes complete with a nylon carry case, perfect for carrying between practice sessions or performances.
- Non-skid backing material provides stability and reassurance while you are playing.
Cons
- The distinctive bright red branded corners may not be to everybody’s liking.
RUNNER UP
If you are a huge fan of Drum Workshop merchandise, this is the perfect product for you.
Pros:
- It is an inch deep, and 63 by 79 inches across, so it’s big enough for any drum kit.
- With the simple DW logo cut out in silver in the corners of the product, this is a very stylish and sophisticated option for drummers who prefer a somewhat plainer look.
- The rubber underside prevents slippage, and provides protection for your floors, as well as sound isolation.
- Although it does not have a carry bag, if you purchase a loop, you can Velcro your drum kit directly to it, eliminating all slippage.
- It is very soft and while that probably isn’t a priority for you when it comes to drum rugs, it’s still a nice-to-have in case you sit on it from time to time.
- Although this is an expensive option, the quality of the product is very high.
Cons:
- It is made of industrial grade carpeting, but unfortunately it is rather heavier than the other drum rugs available, at a full 19.43 pounds. You can still roll it up, but if you frequently need to transport it for gigs, you might find that the weight makes it somewhat cumbersome.
RUNNER UP
This Roland non-slip drum rug is a very generous size, and has a nice, neutral tone, so it’s ideal if you want something subtle that provides enough space for a full-size drum kit without having a huge impact on the decor in your room.
Pros:
- It measures 198 cm by 162 cm and features a nylon strap to make it nice and easy to roll up when you need to transport it. A simple clip fastener also makes it easy to clip it shut.
- The rug has non-skid backing, so it’s perfect to put down on any hard flooring, with no risk of your drums creeping away or the rug moving around on the floor.
- It only weighs 8.5 pounds, so it’s reasonably easy to transport with you whenever you’re traveling somewhere.
Cons:
- It isn’t a cheap option, but it is high quality and should last well even with extensive use.
Best Drum Rugs Buying Guide
Here are some of them main points that you should focus on when choosing a drum rug
Easy to transport - consider the size and weight of your rug once it is rolled up. This is especially important if you are moving your kit around using a car.
Weighted corners - some rugs have weights in the corner which help the rug lie flat. This helps prevent tripping hazards while you are on stage or in your practice area.
Size - measure the size of your kit’s footprint before looking for a drum rug. It’s best to choose a rug that’s a little bit larger than the footprint, rather than struggling to fit your kit onto a smaller rug.
Quality materials - your rug is going to be subjected to a lot of abuse as you pound out your chops and transport it about for gigs. Although it’s tempting to purchase a cheaper product, a rug made from quality materials is going to last you longer and will be a better investment in the long-term.
Marking your drum rug
Using a drum rug also gives you another important benefit, that few new drummers consider. You can mark the position of your bass drum and hardware on the rug. This provides a couple of important advantages:
- The drum kit is always setup in the same way, so you are more likely to play cleanly and avoid hitting rims.
- Setting up at performances or practice is much quicker so you are less stressed before playing
There are ‘drum marker’ packs from Protection Racket (pictured below) and Meinl that provide the finishing touch to your drum rug and will make drum set up fast and easy.
Closing thoughts
Drum rugs are an important part of any drum kit, helping to protect the floor and stop the drums from constantly moving while you play. There are some great options, most of which are reasonably transportable and will make your drum kit look fantastic. Find one that suits you and enjoy your new setup!