I use an old area persion rug, or a newer persian rug from Walmart. Might as well go in style.

I used to use one of the $50 "Drum Rug" until one day while setting up for a gig on a floating stage on a river. I carried a load of stuff and dropped it on the stage. I watched in horror as my drum rug rolled off the edge of the stage into the river and sank to the bottom. I've used cheap remanent rugs ever since. I also forgot my rug once and discovered that the carpet in the back of my SUV was just the right size. I now have a backup rug wherever I'm gigging at.

Good tips here, folks. One word of caution about those "business entrance" rugs:

Home Depot, Lowe's etc. sells them, but I bought one once and the rubber/plastic backing was very stiff. When I went to fold up the rug, the backing cracked, after it's first use!

I prefer to fold up rugs rather than roll them (much easier to load in and out and take up much less room, width and height). Just something to keep in mind. Also, the one bad thing about carpet "remnants" or some area rugs that are sold for dorm rooms etc. don't have the rubber backing, just an abrasive backing that will SCRATCH anything it touches. Keep that in mind.

The Target rugs have done me well. As a bonus, I mark out all the positions of my stands, throne, pedal etc. onto the rug with a Sharpie so that it's the same setup for each gig. Saves a ton of time (not to mention a lot of frustration) when setting up, especially when you have to get set up accurately and QUICK!

Been using the $50 drum rug for years. So far no river, lake or ocean gigs! :p

This one looks like a pretty good deal, even with shipping...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170581711897?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

+1 here...I use the same rug and it works perfectly!

Old area rugs work good

I have been using an old (not antique) silk persian rug. About 5x8'. Excellent size for "claiming" my space in tight quarters. I have used it for several years. I found rolling a negligible issue.

It's finally getting ratty, so I am in the market again for a nice looking old rug (cheap).

Yes...I take my nice one from the foyer area.

I grabbed a black 5'x4' area rug in a Dollar General for $10. stitched all the way around and Works great. I kind of caddy corner it so my hi hat stand is completely on the left back corner. I roll it up and it fits in my On Stage mic bag with my mic stands (3). I keep it in my mini van. I also recently got a little tripod mic stand for $5 on the bay, actually .01 and $4.99 shipping, that my Shure Beta 52 fits on for my kick mic stand eliminateing one cumbersome small boom stand and use a little clip on holder for my snare mic, eliminateing a gooseneck stand. So just have 2 light boom stands for overheads and one vocal mic boom. Travelling light these days.