Reno mattresses are used for river bank and scour protection, channel linings for erosion control, and embankment stability. They are filled with rock at the project site to form flexible, permeable, monolithic structures to promote rapid growth of natural vegetation. All the physical and mechanical properties of  Reno mattresses meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM A975-97.
The base section of the Reno mattress is divided into compartments and filled with stones at the project site. With lids secured, Reno mattresses form flexible, permeable, monolithic structures.

Material of Reno Mattresses
The materil wire is usually with zinc coated which is meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM A475-89, and can either be Galfan (95% Zinc 5% Aluminium Mischmetal Alloy) coated mild steel or Galfan coated with an additional PVC coating if required. Galfan has significantly improved corrosion resistance to zinc in both chemical and physical terms. This technology when applied to steel wire products provides up to about three times greater protection per unit coating mass, than do zinc coatings. PVC coated units are recommended in River or fluvial conditions where abrasive sediments may exist, marine conditions, mining applications, where soil is highly acidic or alkalinic or where an extended design life is required.

Advantages and distinctions of Reno mattresses:
This is a mattress shaped version of the gabion used mainly for erosion control when the retaining properties of box gabions are not required.
Their strength lies in their double twisted hexagonal mesh of steel wire which is reinforced by selvedges of heavier wire running along the edges.
The base section is divided into compartments to restrict the movement of stone and strengthen the structure.
The lid is supplied as a separate panel.
The wire will not unravel even when cut.
Assembly is easy, requiring no specialized labor and nearby rock is used for fill.
Free drainage and 30-35% voids allow vegetation to grow.