I was SO SICK of coir mats that get soggy and moldy over time. The rain would end and the mat would be wet for a day longer, which meant my dry shoes would get wet on the way INTO my house. This mat sits higher and lets the water drain around it. It still looks nice after a year+ and does a preliminary job of cleaning our shoes. Bugs and leaves do get stuck in the gap, and it takes a good power washing to erase the "print" of the design after a year or so. But you will always have a mat in that space, right? So not really a problem. I'm so glad I bought this one!!!