Finding a functional shooting mat that could be strapped to the bottom of my pack without added bulk or length that makes trekking hills noticeably harder or requires doing the bob-n-weave to avoid snagging on whatever is along narrow stretches of trail seemed impossible. This mat solves that and is absolute quality craftsmanship. While this mat certainly does not have all the padding of a heavy that gets carried 100 yards from the truck bed, it has enough to pretty much remove any concern of sharp rocks under the ribs and forearms and packs like it is not there. The included bipod keeper works, but I don’t really know that I will have a need for it. If you are shooting off a slick surface (I tried it on a concrete pad just for kicks) that is impossible to get feet to hold, it makes total sense. The loops on the strap that you slip the legs into are not super wide, so if you use something like an Atlas CAL or 5-H, Elite Iron, or FC/PC/WB series Accu-Tac, you will either need to remember to put the strap on before you deploy the bipod or put it on once and then unhook from the mat and secure it on the bipod when you need to move. The distance between the loops is simply not enough to get over these legs when deployed, even if they are not extended. I didn’t find a need for the included wings for my shooting position, but I did find they are helpful for tossing spent mags and a logbook on rather than having those kinds of things end up in the dirt or around the rifle. They are thin enough that they can be folded under the mat and never be noticed. The material itself seems plenty durable. Definitely will shield you from damp ground – got rained on and the mat held enough rain water for a day’s ration. My only complaint (took a star), which may go away with use, is the material/coating makes for a slick surface. Enough that every 2nd or 3rd shot from places where I could not get some dirt behind my heels resulted in my having to belly back up to the rifle. Not much, but I could see changes in my sight picture with recoil. If the material roughs up a bit with more use then this will likely go away. Guessing adding some grip around the knee area would defeat the purpose of a light/low bulk mat so not really shocked that it is the way it is. As for Cole-Tac the company, fantastic service. Money well spent.
