London Fog vs London Magic: Which Wargaming Mat Fits Your Table?

Two London settings, one shared build

The London Fog and London Magic mats from Mats by Mars are close cousins. Both use the same heavy-weight matte banner material, both are cut to exact dimensions for home and tournament play, and both offer the same size and overlay options. The real decision is which atmosphere you want on the table: the smoky, ambush-friendly streets of London Fog, or the brighter Victorian setting of London Magic.

Because the construction is identical, you can compare them purely on mood, color, and how each design supports your scenario. The catalog does not list a thickness or weight in numbers, so treat both as the same durable banner material rather than choosing between different grades.

Setting and atmosphere: what each design suggests

• London Fog: The catalog describes billowing smoke and winding cobbled streets, framing the mat as a place for ambushes or rendezvous. That makes it a natural fit for scenarios where visibility, concealment, or a gritty street fight matters.
• London Magic: The catalog describes winding roads, shadows to hide in, and a brightly Victorian setting where magic might be just around the next bend. It reads as a more colorful, story-forward city backdrop.

What the catalog confirms about both mats

• Mats by Mars: London Fog Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: London Fog is printed on ultra-durable heavy-weight matte banner material with a vibrant, scratch-resistant design, and the catalog notes it is suitable for outdoor use as well as your gaming table. This tells you the mat is built for repeated play and travel, not just a display piece.

  

  Mats by Mars: London Fog Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat

• Mats by Mars: London Magic Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: London Magic shares the same heavy-weight matte banner material and scratch-resistant printed design, and is also described as suitable for outdoor use. You are not trading durability for atmosphere; both mats use the same base construction.

  

  Mats by Mars: London Magic Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat

• Mats by Mars: London Fog Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: London Fog is a wet-erase compatible, easy-to-clean, waterproof mat that will not stretch or shrink over time. If you plan to mark zones, objectives, or measurements directly on the mat, wet-erase compatibility is a practical advantage.

• Mats by Mars: London Magic Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: London Magic is also wet-erase compatible, easy to clean, and waterproof, and the catalog states it will not stretch or shrink over time. Both options support the same cleaning and marking routine, so that factor does not separate them.

Sizes and overlays: the same menu for both designs

The supplied variant records show the same size and overlay options for both mats, though the list is not exhaustive. Available combinations include 24" x 24" and 22" x 30" in Blank, RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, and Bushido, plus 24" x 36" in Blank, RPG Grid, 1" Hex, and 3" Hex, and 30" x 30" in Blank. The catalog also lists larger sizes up to 48" x 72" and 44" x 90", but the supplied evidence does not confirm every overlay for every size.

• Choose Blank if you use terrain or templates: A blank surface keeps the artwork unobstructed and lets you place your own terrain, templates, or measuring tools.
• Choose a grid or hex overlay if your rules use measured movement: The catalog offers RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, 3" Hex, and Bushido overlays. Check that your preferred size is listed with the overlay you need before ordering.
• Match the size to your table and storage: The catalog lists sizes from 22" x 30" up to 48" x 72" and 44" x 90". Measure your table and consider how the mat rolls up for storage.

Surface behavior: texture, curl, and model grip

Both mats share the same surface features. The catalog notes a slight texture that keeps models from unwanted sliding, and an anti-curl design that lays flat when in use and rolls up for storage. Because these traits are listed for both products, they are not a reason to pick one over the other; they simply confirm that either mat is designed for stable play and easy transport.

The catalog does not provide a numerical thickness, weight, or friction rating for either mat, so any claim about one being grippier than the other would be unsupported. Treat them as equivalent on surface behavior.

Which London mat fits your game?

If your scenarios lean toward ambushes, stealth, or gritty street fights, London Fog's smoky, cobbled atmosphere gives you a visual cue that matches that play. If you want a brighter, more whimsical Victorian city where magic and mystery sit around every corner, London Magic sets that tone without giving up any durability.

Because the build, care requirements, and available overlay types are the same, the choice comes down to which artwork you and your opponents will enjoy looking at across many games. There is no wrong answer here, only a different mood.