Two desert mats, one shared build
The Desert Canyon and Swallowing Sand mats from Mats by Mars are both arid-themed play surfaces, but they depict different scenes. Desert Canyon is a canyon backdrop, while Swallowing Sand—also called Sandy Cobbles—shows a desert landscape where civilization fades, mixing urban and rural elements. Both are printed on the same heavy-weight matte banner material and are cut to exact dimensions for home and tournament play.
Because they share materials and options, the real decision comes down to the setting you want and the size and overlay that fit your games. Below we break down what the catalog confirms and where you will need to make your own call.
Shared material and surface behavior
- Mats by Mars: Desert Canyon Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Printed on ultra-durable heavy-weight matte banner material with a slight texture that keeps models from sliding. The textured surface helps models stay put during play, and the matte finish reduces glare—useful for both desert designs.
Mats by Mars: Desert Canyon Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat - Mats by Mars: Swallowing Sand Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Cut to exactly the correct dimensions for home and tournament play. Both mats are sized precisely, so you can pick a standard size and expect it to fit your table without trimming.
Mats by Mars: Swallowing Sand Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat
Setting and atmosphere: canyon vs ruined desert
Desert Canyon offers a canyon backdrop, which suits games set in rocky badlands or narrow passes. Swallowing Sand depicts a desiccated desert where civilization fades, combining urban and rural elements. The catalog suggests urban buildings, crumbling ruins, and desert elements like cacti or scrub brush as terrain for Swallowing Sand, making it a natural fit for scenarios that mix ruins with open sand.
Neither design is inherently better—choose the one that matches the story your army or warband is fighting over. If your table features rocky outcrops and canyon walls, Desert Canyon keeps the theme consistent. If you want a sense of a lost settlement swallowed by sand, Swallowing Sand gives you that narrative backdrop.
Design details from the catalog
- Mats by Mars: Desert Canyon Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Desert Canyon features a vibrant, scratch-resistant, detailed design printed on heavy-weight matte banner material. The scratch-resistant print helps the canyon artwork survive regular transport and play.
- Mats by Mars: Swallowing Sand Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Swallowing Sand (Sandy Cobbles) combines urban and rural elements in a desiccated desert landscape, with suggested terrain including urban buildings, crumbling ruins, and desert elements. This gives you clear guidance on which terrain pieces will look at home on the mat.
Sizes and overlays: the same menu for both
Both mats are available in the same range of sizes, from 22"x30" up to 48"x72", including squares like 24"x24" and 36"x36". You can also choose an optional overlay—Blank, RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, 3" Hex, or Bushido—to add measurement guides for your game system. The variant list confirms that these options apply to both designs, so you can match the mat to your preferred ruleset and table size.
If you play multiple systems, a blank mat offers the most flexibility, while a grid or hex overlay speeds up measurement for games that use them. The catalog does not specify which overlay suits which game beyond the names, so check that the overlay matches your rules before ordering.
Size and overlay options confirmed for both mats
- Mats by Mars: Desert Canyon Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Available sizes include 22"x30", 24"x24", 24"x36", 30"x30", 36"x36", 48"x48", 48"x60", 36"x72", 48"x72", 44"x30", 44"x60", 44"x90", and 34"x22"; overlays include Blank, RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, 3" Hex, and Bushido. This wide size range lets you scale the mat to your table, from small skirmish games to large battles.
- Mats by Mars: Swallowing Sand Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: The same size and overlay options are listed for Swallowing Sand, including the Bushido overlay and blank mats. You can choose either design without worrying about a different option set.
Care and durability: what the catalog confirms
Both mats are described as anti-curl, laying flat when in use and rolling up for storage. The Desert Canyon mat is specifically noted as wet-erase compatible, easy to clean, and waterproof, and both mats are said not to stretch or shrink over time. The catalog does not provide a step-by-step cleaning procedure, so follow general care for printed banner material—wipe with a damp cloth and avoid harsh solvents—unless the manufacturer provides specific instructions.
The anti-curl feature is a practical advantage: you can roll the mat for transport and expect it to lie flat when unrolled, without weights or tape.
Durability and care evidence
- Mats by Mars: Desert Canyon Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Wet-erase compatible, easy to clean, waterproof, and will not stretch or shrink over time. These traits make the Desert Canyon mat suitable for outdoor use and easy to maintain between games.
- Mats by Mars: Swallowing Sand Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Anti-curl mat that lays flat when you need it and rolls up for storage; will not stretch or shrink over time. The Swallowing Sand mat shares the same anti-curl and dimensional stability, so it stores and transports easily.
Which desert mat fits your table?
If your games revolve around rocky canyons and you want a backdrop that reinforces that terrain, Desert Canyon is the straightforward choice. Its scratch-resistant, waterproof surface also suits outdoor play. If you prefer a narrative of ruined settlements and mixed urban-and-desert terrain, Swallowing Sand gives you that atmosphere, with suggested terrain pieces to match.
Because both mats share the same material, size range, and overlay options, your decision can focus on the artwork and the story you want to tell. Check the variant list for your preferred size and overlay, and consider how the design will look with the terrain you already own.
