Why some turf gets overlooked
Before diving in, a few reasons why excellent turf options tend to fly under the radar:
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Many buyers focus only on height or price, ignoring blade shape, density, drainage, color/luster, or pet-friendliness.
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“Flashy” high-oz or ultra-long-blade turf often gets the attention, even when more modest turf with smart engineering delivers better all-around performance.
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Features like antimicrobial treatments, fast drainage, or low-gloss finish often don’t get full credit in comparison shopping.
These 6 turf products show that you can get high performance. Let’s look at them.
1. Riviera (Mini-S Blade Technology)
Key Specs:
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2.00 in pile height
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85 oz face weight (very high)
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Colors: Apple / Clover / Field Green
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Blade type: Mini-S Blade Technology
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Includes Microban® antimicrobial treatment
What makes Riviera great (but overlooked):
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The 85 oz face weight is among the highest in many landscape turf lines. That gives density, plushness, and durability.
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Because of the Mini-S blade shape, it offers better resilience (i.e. less matting / flattening) while maintaining softness.
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Year-round green with minimal maintenance, especially good in moderate to high traffic landscape use.
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Microban® keeps it cleaner (resisting mold / mildew / bacteria) so it’s better for pets, kids, or areas prone to moisture.
Where Riviera may be underutilized:
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Many people assume high-pile means just “look,” but Riviera performs well as a functional turf (not just ornamental).
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For those who need both aesthetics and heavy usage (e.g. front lawns, patios, or play‐areas), Riviera is often overlooked in favor of ultra-premium or thicker blades, even though it delivers.
2. Shadow Creek (Mini-S Blade + SmartFlow backing)
Key Specs:
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1.75 in pile height
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65 oz face weight
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Part of the Pet category in SmartTurf’s line.
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SmartFlow backing: drainage at ~900 in/hr (very fast)
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Blade features: Tricolor Blade design + LusterGuard to reduce synthetic shine
What makes Shadow Creek great:
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Excellent drainage makes this turf ideal for pet areas or places where water tends to pool. Fast draining avoids sogginess and odor issues.
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The Tricolor & LusterGuard features give it a more realistic, low-gloss natural appearance (less “toy turf” look).
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Good balance: not too high pile (so less maintenance), decent weight (65 oz) for durability.
Why it’s overlooked:
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Because it’s in the pet category, some homeowners might assume it’s only for animals or backyards. But it works well for multi-use landscape / pedestrian traffic zones.
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Some go for cheaper, less durable options thinking “pet turf = just for mess,” but Shadow Creek’s specs make it far superior in longevity, appearance, and hygiene.
3. Southern Hills (Wave Blade Technology)
Key Specs:
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1.625 in pile height
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50 oz face weight
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Wave Blade, “W-blade” with LusterGuard ribbed texture to reduce shine.
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Low density / low traffic designation.
What makes Southern Hills shine:
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Great value: it gives a landscape that looks natural without the cost of ultra-dense, ultra-tall turf.
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The ribbed Wave Blade texture helps with reducing glare/shiny plastic look, and optical realism.
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Ideal for decorative lawns, accent zones, lower traffic walkways, maybe side yards or patios.
Why it’s overlooked:
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Because some buyers equate “lower oz” / “shorter pile” with “less quality,” Southern Hills tends to be overshadowed by heavier, taller options.
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But in many installations, you don’t need super heavy turf. For instance, in shaded areas, edges, or smaller zones, this gives a more natural look without overinvesting.
4. Ridgewood (Wave Blade Technology)
Key Specs:
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1.87 in pile height
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75 oz face weight
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Wave Blade with ribbed texture via LusterGuard, low luster finish, W-blade yarn system.
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Rated for high traffic (better than many shorter / lower oz turfs).
What makes Ridgewood great:
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A strong middle ground: tall enough for lushness, heavy enough for durability, but with the textured blade to stay realistic.
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Because of its high grade in the Wave Blade line, it’s appropriate for multi-use areas: front yards, play areas, moderate foot traffic.
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Less glare, more natural appearance due to LusterGuard / ribbing.
Why it may be overlooked:
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Some may skip it in favor of Riviera (which is taller and heavier) or Kingsley, assuming those are “better.” But Ridgewood gives most of the visual appeal and durability at a lower material / installation cost.
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Also, people often go for the tallest/highest oz without checking whether height + density is really needed — Ridgewood is more businesslike value.
5. Bel Air (Tri-Blade Technology + SmartFlow)
Key Specs:
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1.625 in pile height
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60 oz face weight
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Tri-Blade technology (i.e. multi-blade shapes/colors) plus LusterGuard for low gloss.
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SmartFlow backing for high drainage (~900 in/hr)
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Medium to heavy traffic suitability.
What makes Bel Air great:
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Tri-Blade helps mimic the variety of real grass colors/blade directions, which improves realism.
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Good drainage and antimicrobial treatment make it pet- and kid-friendly, less maintenance.
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Mid-priced: you get many premium features without going to the top tier (e.g. Riviera).
Why it’s overlooked:
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In comparison, people might look at the top oz numbers and skip Bel Air for “more,” but miss that Bel Air’s combination of features delivers strong returns for cost.
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Also, visual texture (blade shape, color) often under-appreciated vs. just pile height or weight. People see “Tri-Blade” and think decorative only, but it’s functional.
6. Kingsley (Tri-Blade + High Density, Multi-Use)
Key Specs:
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1.87 in pile height
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80 oz face weight
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Tri-Blade Technology, LusterGuard finish, SmartFlow drainage > 900 in/hr
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Microban® antimicrobial protection, color-rich design (Apple/Tan/Field Green)
What makes Kingsley great:
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Very well suited for high-traffic landscape zones, pet areas, or places where appearance + durability both matter a lot.
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The trifecta: height, density, realistic blade shapes & colors, plus fast drainage & antimicrobial protection.
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It stands up to wear (e.g. kids playing, animals, walking), so it reduces “flat” zones, high wear spots.
Why it might be overlooked:
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Higher cost vs simpler turf options may lead some to compromise, even though long-term ROI (lower maintenance, fewer replacements) often makes Kingsley more cost-effective.
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Also, because it’s not the absolute tallest, sometimes people assume it’s inferior; but for many installations, its balance is close to ideal.
| Feature | Why It Matters | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Shape & Texture | Affects realism, glare, durability of blades (resisting splitting/matting) | Terms like Mini-S Blade, Wave/W‐Blade, Tri-Blade, LusterGuard, ribbing texture. |
| Face Weight / Density / Pile Height | Heavier weight + appropriate height = more cushion, longer wear; but overkill wastes cost and may affect drainage. | Match traffic level (high, medium, low), expected footfall, pet use. |
| Drainage / Backing System | Poor drainage causes water pooling, odors, mildew → faster wear. | SmartFlow or similar fast-drain systems; drainage rate (e.g. 900 in/hr), hole punching. |
| Antimicrobial / Hygiene Features | Especially important for pets, kids, shade, damp climates. | Microban®, odor resistance, bacteria control. |
| UV / Gloss / Shine / Color Realism | Looks matter. Plastic shine can betray artificial. UV stability keeps color from fading. | LusterGuard, low-luster fibers, multi-tone blades (Tricolor, etc.). |
| Warranty & American-Made | Good warranty is a sign of confidence. Local manufacture can imply better QC and material sourcing. | Look for 15-year warranties, domestic production. |
Bottom Line: Which Overlooked Turf Suits Which Use-Case
To help you pick, here’s a short guide:
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Best for high traffic + pet areas → Kingsley or Shadow Creek.
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Best for lush look + high density → Riviera.
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Best value decorative / low-maintenance lawn → Southern Hills.
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Best blend of realism & good durability on moderate budget → Bel Air.
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Best mid-traffic multi-use with slightly more plushness than value lines → Ridgewood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overlooked Turf
Q1: Why do some turf products get overlooked?
Many turf buyers focus only on pile height or cost. Overlooked products often have advanced features like antimicrobial protection, specialized blade shapes, or superior drainage that may not be immediately obvious but make a big difference in long-term performance.
Q2: Are overlooked turf products as durable as the most popular ones?
Yes. Each Smart Turf product is manufactured with the same attention to quality, UV stability, and long-lasting materials. Overlooked turf simply may not be as widely marketed, but the durability is just as strong.
Q3: Which overlooked turf is best for pets?
Products with SmartFlow drainage and antimicrobial protection, such as Shadow Creek and Kingsley, are especially effective for pet-friendly spaces. They drain quickly, stay cleaner, and help minimize odors.
Q4: Do overlooked turf products look as natural as premium ones?
Absolutely. Options like Southern Hills, Bel Air, and Ridgewood use advanced blade technology, multi-color tones, and LusterGuard finishes to create a realistic appearance that blends beautifully into any landscape.
Q5: Is Smart Turf made in the USA?
Yes. All Smart Turf products, including these six overlooked options, are proudly made in the USA with strict quality standards and backed by strong warranties.
Final Thoughts
Not every homeowner or contractor immediately considers Riviera, Shadow Creek, Southern Hills, Ridgewood, Bel Air, or Kingsley when planning a turf installation. Yet each of these products offers unique advantages that make them ideal for specific applications. Whether it’s the plush density of Riviera, the superior drainage of Shadow Creek, the natural beauty of Southern Hills, the sturdy design of Ridgewood, the balanced realism of Bel Air, or the premium performance of Kingsley — these overlooked options provide outstanding value and results.