Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats Review: The Ultimate Interior Armor for Your Forester?

As a Subaru Forester owner, I embrace the adventure. Whether it’s a weekend camping trip that ends with muddy boots, a run to the beach that brings half the shoreline back with us, or just the daily grind of spilled coffee and slushy winter commutes, my Forester’s interior has seen it all. For years, I relied on the factory carpet mats, telling myself they were “good enough.” That is, until I pulled one out and saw the grim reality: salt stains bleaching the carpet, ground-in dirt I couldn’t vacuum out, and the faint, persistent smell of mildew. The original carpet was taking a beating, and I knew its slow destruction was silently tanking my vehicle’s resale value. Protecting a car’s interior isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about preserving the investment you’ve made in your vehicle. That’s what sent me on the hunt for a serious upgrade, leading me directly to the promise of custom-fit, all-weather protection.

What to Demand from All-Weather Floor Mats Before You Buy

An automotive floor mat is more than just a piece of rubber you throw on the floor; it’s a key solution for maintaining your vehicle’s condition, cleanliness, and value. These liners act as the first line of defense against everything you and your passengers track inside. Their primary benefit is containment. High walls and engineered channels trap water, mud, snow, and spills, preventing them from soaking into the factory carpet where they can cause permanent stains, mold, and corrosion. By safeguarding the original flooring, you not only make cleaning infinitely easier but also ensure a higher resale value when it’s time to sell or trade in your car. They transform a vulnerable, hard-to-clean fabric surface into a durable, washable basin.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a vehicle owner who lives an active lifestyle, resides in a region with harsh weather (hello, snow and rainy seasons!), or has kids and pets. If you’re a hiker, skier, construction worker, or simply someone who refuses to let a little weather stop you, custom-fit liners are a necessity. They are also a non-negotiable for parents navigating the world of spilled juice boxes and crushed snacks. On the other hand, if your car is a weekend cruiser that rarely sees rain or dirt, and you have a strict “no food or drink” policy, the investment might be overkill. For those users, a high-quality universal carpet mat might suffice, though it will never offer the same level of precise, spill-proof protection.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fit & Coverage: This is the single most important factor. Generic, “trim-to-fit” mats leave gaps where dirt and water can sneak through. Look for mats designed using 3D laser scanning technology for your specific vehicle’s make, model, and year. They should cover the entire footwell, including up the sides (the firewall and transmission tunnel), and perfectly align with the factory retention hooks to prevent slipping.
• Containment & Design: A good all-weather mat needs high outer walls or lips to act like a tray, holding liquids and debris. Look at the surface pattern; deep channels and grooves are designed to trap moisture and prevent your feet from sliding around on a wet surface. The texture should provide grip for your shoes without being difficult to clean.
• Materials & Durability: The material determines the mat’s longevity, feel, and safety. Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) is the modern standard, offering a great balance of durability and flexibility. It’s odorless, non-toxic, and resistant to extreme temperatures without cracking or warping. Cheaper PVC or rubber mats can emit unpleasant chemical smells, especially in a hot car, and may become brittle in the cold. We strongly favor TPE for its performance and safety, a feature that the Cartist mats highlight as a key benefit.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The best mats are the ones you don’t have to think about. They should be easy to install and remove. For cleaning, the process should be as simple as taking them out, hosing them off with water, and letting them air dry. A non-stick, semi-rigid surface is much easier to wipe down than a flexible, grippy rubber that dirt clings to.

Making an informed decision on floor protection can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in detailing fees and depreciation down the road. It’s a foundational upgrade for any vehicle that sees real-world use.

While the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Cartist Liners: First Look and Feel

Our set of the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats arrived in a large, flat-packed box. My first positive impression was that, unlike some budget brands that fold or roll their mats tightly, these were packed with care to minimize creasing. Upon unboxing, there was a complete absence of any chemical or rubbery smell, a testament to the high-quality TPE material they advertise. This is a huge plus, as off-gassing from cheaper mats can be nauseating in a closed car. The mats themselves felt substantial yet flexible—not as stiff and plasticky as some premium brands, but far more robust than flimsy universal mats. The surface has a fine texture that feels grippy underfoot, and the deep channels are cleanly molded. The driver’s side mat had perfectly placed cutouts for the factory retention posts, a critical safety feature. The rear mat is a single piece, offering seamless coverage over the transmission hump, which is a major advantage for protecting the second-row carpet. Overall, the initial impression was one of surprising quality and thoughtful design, especially considering its competitive price point. It felt like we were getting 95% of the premium experience for a fraction of the cost, a sentiment we saw echoed in many user testimonials.

A Deep Dive into the Cartist Subaru Forester Floor Mats’ Performance

A floor mat is only as good as its real-world performance. It needs to fit perfectly, stand up to abuse, and truly protect your vehicle’s interior day in and day out. We put the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats through a series of tests, from daily commutes to a particularly messy weekend adventure, to see if the performance matched the promise. Here’s our detailed breakdown of how they held up.

Precision Fitment: The Foundation of Real Protection

The single biggest selling point of any custom floor liner is the fit, and this is where the Cartist mats immediately impressed us. The manufacturer claims to use 3D screening technology, and based on our installation, we believe it. The driver’s side mat slid into place with satisfying precision. It followed every contour of the Forester’s floor pan perfectly, extending high up the firewall behind the pedals and snugly against the door sill. The cutouts for the fuel door release lever and the two factory retention posts were spot-on, and the mat snapped into place securely. This is crucial; a mat that slides under the pedals is a serious safety hazard, and we experienced zero movement during our testing.

The passenger side was a similar story, with complete coverage that left no carpet exposed. But the star of the show for us was the one-piece rear mat. It laid down perfectly over the central hump, providing seamless protection that is impossible to achieve with two separate rear mats. This is a game-changer for anyone with kids or who frequently has passengers in the back. As one user noted about their experience with a similar Cartist set, “the back passenger side, floor mat fit very well flat and smooth, surprisingly.” We found this to be true for our Forester set as well. We did notice, as some online feedback mentioned, a slight curl on one edge right out of the box due to shipping. However, after leaving it in the sun on the driveway for about 20 minutes, it flattened out completely and hasn’t been an issue since. The fit is truly excellent, offering the kind of full-basin protection that makes them a feature that really sets it apart from generic alternatives.

Built to Last: A Deep Dive into the TPE Material

Material science is what separates a great floor mat from a mediocre one. Cartist uses Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), and it strikes an impressive balance between rigidity and flexibility. It feels durable and tough, capable of handling scrapes from boot heels and the weight of heavy items without gouging. Some users have compared it to a “plastic rubber blend,” which is an accurate description. It’s not as soft and pliable as pure rubber, but this is actually a benefit for cleaning and durability. The semi-rigid nature allows it to hold its shape perfectly, maintaining the high walls that are essential for containment.

We were particularly focused on its performance in temperature extremes. After leaving the car in the hot sun for an entire afternoon (reaching an interior temperature well over 100°F), the mats showed no signs of warping, deforming, or—most importantly—releasing any foul chemical odors. This odorless quality is a massive advantage over PVC-based mats and a key feature for anyone sensitive to smells. On the flip side, during a cold snap, the TPE material remained flexible and didn’t become brittle or slippery. We also appreciated the subtle, non-slip texture on the surface. It provides confident foot traction for the driver without being overly aggressive or difficult to wipe clean. The material choice here delivers on its promises of being safe, durable, and truly all-weather, making it easy to see its full feature set and user reviews online.

The Four-Season Shield: All-Weather Performance in Action

To test its core function, we didn’t hold back. We intentionally stomped in with muddy hiking boots, “accidentally” spilled a full cup of water in the passenger footwell, and endured a week of carrying kids with crumbly snacks. The Cartist mats handled it all flawlessly. The high-profile walls, which rise about an inch and a half around the perimeter, acted like a perfect basin. The spilled water pooled neatly in the mat and didn’t come close to breaching the edges. After our muddy hike, the dirt and small rocks were completely contained within the mat’s channels.

The groove design is not just for looks; it effectively channels liquid and debris away from your feet, so you’re not sitting in a puddle on a rainy day. This containment is the entire reason for buying all-weather mats, and the Cartist design is exceptionally effective. One user perfectly captured this benefit, stating they “have a little bit of an edge to them so they really capture sand and water. Anticipate they will be perfect for winter as well.” Based on our testing, we wholeheartedly agree. The ability to simply lift the entire mess out of the car without spilling a drop onto the carpet below is a liberating experience for any car owner. These mats provide a level of protection that gives you peace of mind, no matter what the weather or your passengers throw at them.

Set It and Forget It: Installation and Maintenance

Ease of use extends beyond just the initial fit. We found the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats to be incredibly user-friendly in the long term. Installation took less than two minutes. We simply removed the factory carpet mats (this is a crucial step for a proper fit) and laid the Cartist liners in place, snapping the driver’s side onto the factory posts. There was no trimming, fighting, or frustration involved.

Cleaning is where they truly shine. After our deliberate soiling tests, we pulled the mats out. Thanks to their semi-rigid construction, they didn’t flop over and spill their contents everywhere. We took them to the driveway, gave them a quick spray with a hose, and watched as every bit of mud, grime, and cracker crumbs washed away instantly. The TPE material doesn’t seem to hold onto dirt. We wiped them down with a towel, and they were dry and ready to go back in the car in minutes. This simple, hassle-free maintenance routine is a huge quality-of-life improvement over trying to shampoo and vacuum stained carpets. It’s this combination of perfect fit, robust protection, and effortless upkeep that makes these mats a standout value, and you can check the latest price and availability to confirm their excellent positioning in the market.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from other drivers mirrors our own findings: the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats deliver exceptional value. The most frequently praised attribute is the precise fit. Users repeatedly use phrases like “fits like a glove” and “perfect fit,” confirming the effectiveness of the vehicle-specific 3D scanning. Many, like us, highlight the quality of the TPE material, with one reviewer noting there’s “no odor” and another stating they are “sturdy and perfect.” The value proposition is another common theme, with one happy customer advising to “save some cash and get the same quality as the ‘big name’ brands.”

However, the feedback isn’t without its minor criticisms. The most common issue, which we also observed initially, relates to the product being shipped folded or packed in a way that causes temporary creases or kinks. As one user detailed, “The creases did come out with a hair dryer,” and we found that a little bit of sun did the trick as well. While it’s a solvable problem, it’s something to be aware of upon unboxing. This minor inconvenience appears to be the primary trade-off for a product that otherwise competes far above its price point, offering protection that many feel is on par with much more expensive options.

Comparing the Cartist Forester Mats to Top Alternatives

While the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats are a fantastic choice for the Forester, the automotive accessories market is vast. It’s important to understand how they compare to other options, even if those options are designed for different vehicles, to appreciate the brand’s overall approach to quality and features.

1. HAFIDI Floor Mats & Cargo Liner Set for Kia K5 & Hyundai Sonata All Weather

The HAFIDI set is a direct competitor in the TPE custom-fit liner space. Its key differentiator is the inclusion of a full cargo liner in the set, offering comprehensive protection for the entire vehicle from the front footwells to the trunk. This is an excellent option for sedan owners who frequently transport messy items like groceries, sports equipment, or luggage. If you’re looking for a one-purchase solution to protect every carpeted surface, the HAFIDI package offers tremendous value. However, for a Subaru Forester owner who may already have a factory rubber cargo tray or prioritizes the cabin area first, the Cartist set’s focus on just the 1st and 2nd rows might be a more targeted and cost-effective choice.

2. 3W All Weather TPE Floor Mats for Ram 2500/3500 Crew Cab

The 3W floor mats for the Ram heavy-duty trucks cater to a completely different segment but highlight an important distinction in design philosophy. These mats are built for the extreme abuse expected in a work truck environment. They often feature even deeper channels and a more rugged, industrial aesthetic. While both 3W and Cartist use durable TPE, the 3W liners are engineered for mud-caked work boots and construction debris on a daily basis. The Cartist mats, by contrast, offer a slightly more refined design that balances rugged protection with an aesthetic that blends seamlessly into a passenger SUV like the Forester. For the average Forester driver, the 3W’s level of heavy-duty build would be overkill.

3. GINOWY All Weather Floor Mats & Cargo Liner

Similar to the HAFIDI set, the GINOWY package for the Nissan Kicks offers a comprehensive protection bundle, including floor mats, a cargo liner, and even backrest mats for when the rear seats are folded down. This “full-kit” approach is ideal for vehicle owners who want maximum coverage for a crossover, especially if they frequently fold the seats down to haul larger items. The inclusion of backrest mats is a premium feature that protects the carpet on the back of the seats. The Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats focuses on the primary floor areas, which keeps the package simpler and more affordable. This makes the Cartist set a perfect choice for those who need elite floor protection without the added cost and components of a full cargo system.

Our Final Verdict: Are the Cartist Forester Mats the Smart Money Choice?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Cartist Subaru Forester 2019-2024 All Weather Floor Mats are an outstanding investment for any Forester owner. They deliver on every key promise, providing a truly custom, laser-perfect fit that offers complete, edge-to-edge protection. The high-quality, odorless TPE material is durable, easy to clean, and safe for all passengers. The high-walled, channeled design works flawlessly to contain spills, mud, and snow, effectively preserving your vehicle’s factory carpet and its resale value. While they may not have the brand recognition of WeatherTech or Husky, they deliver what we found to be functionally identical performance for a significantly lower price.

The minor issue of temporary creases from shipping is easily remedied and a small price to pay for the immense value offered. We recommend these mats without hesitation to any Forester owner who wants premium-level protection without the premium price tag. If you’re ready to armor your interior and stop worrying about dirt, spills, and winter weather, these mats are the smartest upgrade you can make for your vehicle. We encourage you to find the best deal on these essential Forester mats today and give your car the protection it deserves.