Anyone wanting to make a beach accessible for wheelchair users, strollers, and older guests now has several mobile solutions to choose from. The most well-known are sand mats or roll-out mats; in addition, there are modular path tiles like TRAIL-MATE. We compare both systems in terms of assembly, transport, flexibility, and price.
The systems at a glance
- Sand mats and roll-out mats: Strips made of synthetic fabric, usually 1.5 to 2 m wide, which are delivered as a roll and rolled out on the beach. Well-known products include, for example, Mobi-Mat® from the manufacturer Deschamps or PathMat.
- Wooden boardwalks: Permanently installed, durable, but elaborate to build and maintain, and hardly relocatable.
- Modular path tiles: Individual, foldable tiles that are connected via Velcro – available with TRAIL-MATE in two sizes: CLASSIC (90 × 90 cm, 2 kg) and FLEX (45 × 90 cm, 1 kg).
Roll-out mats and path tiles in direct comparison
| Sand / Roll-out mat | TRAIL-MATE path tiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery form | Roll, e.g., 2 × 10 m | Individual, foldable tiles |
| Transport | Roll is moved as a whole | 1–2 kg per tile, portable by one person |
| Path layout | Straight paths in roll length | Extendable tile by tile; junctions and areas freely combinable |
| Repair | Damaged strip affects the entire section | Replace individual tile |
| Ground surface | Primarily sand | Sand, lawn, gravel, and snow |
| Load capacity | Depending on product | Up to 3.5 t, also for emergency vehicles |
| Starting price | From approx. €854 per 2 × 10 m roll (market price, as of October 2026) | From €219 (FLEX set, 3.6 m), CLASSIC set €259 (4.5 m) |
What does a mobile beach path cost?
For a 10-meter path with a width of 90 cm, you need about 11 TRAIL-MATE CLASSIC tiles. For a 1.80 m wide path, where two wheelchairs can pass each other, you lay two rows side by side – i.e., about 22 tiles. For very long, straight paths, roll-out mats are often cheaper per square meter. Path tiles score points when the path needs to grow in small steps, be moved, or be used privately. For municipalities and businesses, there are bulk prices on request.
Which system is right for you?
- Roll-out mat: if a long, straight beach access point remains permanently in one place and personnel is available for rolling it out.
- TRAIL-MATE CLASSIC: if the path should be flexible, set up with little staff, and be drivable by vehicles – for example, for beach access, events, and emergency routes.
- TRAIL-MATE FLEX: if the path needs to be portable – for private individuals, clubs, and changing locations.
Consultation
Are you planning an accessible beach path? You can find all information for municipalities and beach operators on our page Mobile Beach Path for Municipalities. For private customers, go directly to TRAIL-MATE CLASSIC and TRAIL-MATE FLEX.
Mobi-Mat® is a trademark of Ets A. Deschamps et Fils. PathMat is a product name of the respective manufacturer. TRAIL-MATE is not affiliated with these companies. Price indication for roll-out mat: market price according to the online shop terragala.de, as of October 2026.