How to Spot an Authentic Lobster Rope™ Doormat: A Buyer's Guide

A rope doormat may look simple to make, but there's a lot more to a great weave than meets the eye. The rope is only part of the equation. The training of the weaver, the equipment used, and years of experience all affect how the finished mat looks, feels, and performs.

Over the years, we've developed our own weaving methods and specialized equipment for making Lobster Rope™ Doormats. Some of what we've learned is part of our "secret sauce," including techniques and processes we consider trade secrets.

Every Lobster Rope™ Doormat is handwoven by a trained Maine artisan. Our weavers are taught how to create the tight, consistent weave, proper tension, clean splices, and substantial finished shape we expect from a Wicked Good Doormat®. They receive hands-on training and ongoing quality coaching because even small differences in technique can make a noticeable difference in the finished mat.

The equipment matters, too. Lobster Rope™ Doormats are made using specialized equipment developed specifically for our weaving process. Combined with experienced hands, it helps create the consistency, structure, and distinctive weave that have become hallmarks of the Lobster Rope Doormat.

And then there's experience. After years of making thousands of rope doormats, we've learned things about weaving them that simply can't be picked up overnight.
That's part of the secret sauce.

Two rope mats may look remarkably similar in an online photo. But you can't see the training, specialized equipment, techniques, or years of experience that went into making them.

While we have a 30-Day No Questions Asked Return Policy we have less than 1% returns. We also give you a 3 Year Craftsmanship Guarantee against quality defects. We stand by Lobster Rope Doormats for years!

A finished Lobster Rope™ Doormat isn't automatically ready to ship just because it looks good. Every mat has to meet our quality standards first.

Our team inspects each Lobster Rope™ Doormat for the details we've learned matter after years of making rope mats. We look at the weave, shape, size, tension, splices, color consistency, cleanliness, and overall finish before a mat is approved as first quality.

And we're picky.

We regularly reject mats that another seller might consider perfectly acceptable as first-quality merchandise. In fact, some of the differences are so subtle that you might never notice them yourself. But we notice them, and if a mat doesn't meet our standards, we don't believe you should pay full price for it.

A slight variation in shape. A weave that isn't quite as consistent as it should be. A splice that isn't where we want it. A small cosmetic imperfection. Any of these can keep a mat from passing inspection.

That attention to detail is part of what you're paying for when you buy the Lobster Rope™ Doormat. You shouldn't have to become a rope doormat expert to know whether the mat arriving at your front door was made properly. We've already done that inspection for you.

Mats that don't meet our standards for first quality are rejected or, when appropriate, clearly identified and sold separately as #2 quality at a discount. They are never quietly passed along to you as a first-quality Lobster Rope™ Doormat.

Lobster Rope™ Doormats vs. Recycled Nautical Rope Doormats

Today, you will see rope doormats sold under names such as fishermen's rope, fishing rope and nautical rope. You will also find mats made from many different types and qualities of rope. Lobster Rope™ Doormats are only made by Wicked Good Doormats and sold by New England Trading Co.

Our products have evolved quite a bit since those first recycled mats. Today, we offer two distinctly different choices: Lobster Rope™ Doormats, including our Wicked Good Doormats®, and Recycled Nautical Rope Doormats made from used rope collected from Maine's lobstering industry.

Lobster Rope™ Doormats made with new rope

Our Wicked Good Doormats® came about because customers loved the look and performance of rope doormats but wanted more control over the finished design. They wanted to choose a mat that coordinated with their front door and home rather than relying on whatever colors happened to be available in used rope.

Because we have our rope made specifically for our products, we can carefully control its colors, construction and UV protection. That also gives us the freedom to create a wide range of coordinated colors, patterns and weaving styles.

A Lobster Rope™ Doormat made our of new marine-grade rope may be right for you if you:

Want to choose your exact colors and style

Prefer a heavier, more structured doormat*

Are coordinating your doormat with your front door, siding or exterior colors

Want the widest selection of colors, patterns and weaving styles

Recycled Nautical Rope Doormats

We still work with Maine lobstermen to collect used marine rope and give it a new purpose as our Recycled Nautical Rope Doormats. The rope has actually worked on Maine's waterfront, and its history is part of what makes these mats special.

Because we work with the rope that becomes available to us, rather than having it manufactured in specific colors, every finished mat is different. The rope can vary in color, weight and previous use, and unexpected combinations are part of the appeal.

These mats are less about creating a perfectly coordinated front door and more about owning a one-of-a-kind piece of Maine's working waterfront while giving used marine rope a second life.

A Recycled Nautical Rope Doormat may be right for you if you:

Love one-of-a-kind products

Prefer an upcycled option

Enjoy unexpected color combinations

Don't need to choose the exact colors in your finished mat

Which Rope Doormat Is Right for You?

If you want to choose a particular color palette, prefer a substantial and structured finished mat, or want a design that coordinates beautifully with your home's exterior, a new rope Lobster Rope™ Doormat is probably the better choice.

If you are drawn to the history of working marine rope, love upcycled products and enjoy the character of a one-of-a-kind color combination, consider a Recycled Nautical Rope Doormat.

Both are handwoven in Maine and will grace your front door for years.

Let's address the sensitive subject of price directly.

We've been making and selling rope doormats for years, so we know what it costs to make one well. Quality marine-grade nautical rope, skilled handweaving, proper equipment, careful inspection, and the time it takes to produce a substantial, long-lasting mat all cost money.

So when you see a rope doormat selling for significantly less, there's usually a reason.
It may be made from lighter, softer, less expensive rope. It may weigh less. It may use less material or require less time to make. It may not have the same UV protection, structure, quality controls, or skilled craftsmanship. Those differences can lower the price, but they can also affect how the mat feels, holds its shape, and lasts over time.

Here's the other side of that equation: a higher price doesn't automatically mean higher quality.

We've seen rope mats priced considerably higher simply because the market will bear it. Paying more doesn't necessarily get you a heavier mat, better rope, better construction, or a product that will last longer. 

That's why we believe price should reflect value.

The Lobster Rope™ Doormat by Wicked Good Doormats has been made and sold for years, and we've worked hard to keep its price fair while refusing to compromise on the things that make it perform: marine-grade nautical rope produced to our exacting standards, skilled Maine handweaving, specialized equipment, rigorous quality inspection, and a mat built for years of outdoor use.

You don't need to buy the most expensive rope doormat to get exceptional quality. But if a price looks unusually low, look closely at what you're actually getting.

You don't have to take our word for the quality of a Lobster Rope™ Doormat or the way we treat our customers. Read the reviews.

Wicked Good Doormats® has earned thousands of customer reviews from people who have put our mats to work at real front doors, through real Maine winters, coastal storms, muddy paws, sandy feet, and years of everyday use.

And we're just as proud of the reviews about how we treat our customers as we are of the ones about our doormats. When someone has a question or a problem, there's a real company behind the product and real people who care about making it right.

We've been building that reputation since 2009. It wasn't created with a clever product listing or a great photograph. It was earned one mat, one order, and one customer at a time.

When you're comparing rope doormats, look beyond the claims on the product page. Look at how many customers have actually bought the product, how long the company has been earning reviews, what customers say after owning their mats, and what happens when someone needs help.

Jeff and I hope this article helps you understand how company practices affect the quality of your finished mat - and see why the Lobster Rope brand of doormats created by Wicked Good Doormats stands apart from all other rope mats.

Thank you for reading, and reach out anytime you have questions - just tap the conversation bubble in the lower left corner. Our customer service expert, Paige, will ensure you get a fast response to any question.

For more information, check out our Outdoor Doormat Buying Guide.

Looking for Lobster Rope Doormats made of upcycled and recycled rope? Look no further...