Best Mud Flaps For 2022

There are slightly higher-rated mud flaps on the market, but for double the price, who’s buying? Caterpillar takes top honors for selling a half-inch thick set of four mud flaps for the price of a competitor’s set of two. These CAT flaps wield a reflective weight at the bottom, preventing excessive movement and adding extra visibility at night. Be forewarned that installing these hety flaps will likely require drilling into the stock wheel wells if the vehicle is not already equipped with factory splash guards. 

Lund’s EX series of mud flaps feature rust-resistant stainless steel backing plates and bottom weights to help the flaps survive salty slush. Custom-fit for individual truck models, EX flap kits contain a mounting bracket for a factory fit. Most double-axle trucks are practical workhorses, and so are these durable flaps. Basic styling means the Lund EXs neither add nor subtract to the visual impact of a truck. The downside to these flaps is that they don’t fit every truck, so it pays to verify fit before purchase.

These flaps don’t come cheap, but Rek Gen managed to capture top honors by doing what no other off-road mud flap has: create a bold statement for the style-conscious off-road set. Modern four-wheel builds place as much importance on aesthetics as function and the REK-Mesh flaps fit right in. The grated grille design adds an aero component to the piece, while stepped construction allows clearance for articulation on the trail. Universal design accommodates everything from a stock truck to a lifted build with fender flares and oversized tires, making this splurge well-worth the cost for those who live outdoors.

Rally Armor is well-respected as the choice of amateur rally drivers, and their vehicle-specific flap kits carry a hefty price tag as proof. Opt instead for the universal flap, sold individually without mounting hardware. DIYers comfortable with bringing their own mounting hardware and cutting a flap to size if necessary can save up to 20% compared to Rally Armor’s vehicle-specific kits. The design is plain, but the material is durable. Street cred comes standard even if you don’t plan to follow in Michèle Mouton or Ken Block’s footsteps.

For those who trek the occasional dirt road but don’t often cross salted Arctic tundra, Xukey’s universal mud flaps work just fine at an entry-level price. Basic but sturdy, the semi-rigid mud guards may be drilled and trimmed to fit a variety of vehicles. Black, red and even simulated carbon fiber finishes are available, making this budget choice an attractive option for DIYers comfortable with basic retrofitting.