Material Showdown: Which Seat Cover Material Best Suits Your Lifestyle

As an auto enthusiast, you understand that

seat covers just a fun accessory to spruce up your interiors. They can offer solid protection for your seats’ upholstery, helping you keep that material attractive and pristine for years to come. Our comprehensive guide covers what you need to know about car seat cover material: durability, benefits, and recommendations for every season.

A Quick Seat Cover Material Comparison

If you want a quick comparison of seat cover materials before you check out our extensive catalog, here you go. You don’t need to be an engineer or scientist to pick out car covers. But before you decide on car or truck seat cover materials, you should know a little about each one’s properties and benefits. Canvas, duck weave and tweed are all cotton blends. Leather, and its synthetic version, leatherette, has a supple texture plus durability. Neoprene and its cousin neosupreme are both synthetic materials that offer moisture protection. They’re both soft to the touch and look similar. However, neoprene is a synthetic rubber. Neosupreme combines neoprene and polyester to create a more affordable alternative.

Understanding the Materials for Seat Covers

No two materials in car seat covers are alike. We’re not just necessarily talking about quality, however. Material properties are important to consider when selecting your covers. A quick rundown lists some commonly available material options:

• Canvas, duck weave and tweed
• Leather and leatherette
• Neoprene and neosupreme
• Sheepskin, made from hollow wool fibers
• Microsuede, a polyester fabric with short, brushed fibers
• Velour, a super-soft cotton fabric

Learn more about these options in detail below.

Canvas, Duck Weave, and Tweed

These seat covers are made from cotton, or at least based on it. They hold up well against wear and tear, which makes them a great choice for your rugged work truck. You'll also find that the texture of these materials can stand up to rugged conditions, so you don't have to worry about them fading on you. While cotton may not seem super breathable, you'll find that these materials are breathable and comfortable, even on long hauls.

Leather and Leatherette (Synthetic Leather)

You can't go wrong with leather. It's a timeless material that looks great, and it's also among the most durable materials when you care for it properly. Plus, leather seat covers can add a touch of class to your truck’s interior. It's important to note that in the summer heat, your back may stick to a leather seat cover, and in the winter, you might not want to touch it at all until the cabin warms up. Synthetic leather is similar to leather, of course, but it's more affordable and only mimics leather. It may look the same, but you'll find that it's less breathable and durable. Thankfully, it's easier to clean than leather.

Neoprene and Neosupreme

Neoprene is basically synthetic rubber. Compared to other options on the market, it's the most affordable option. Whether you’re dealing with rain, snow, or other types of debris, neoprene is up to the challenge. Some designs are fun, too, so you can really customize your interior with these seat covers. Neosupreme, on the other hand, combines neoprene’s waterproof abilities with polyester. The result? A more affordable option that's slightly less durable. Still, it's lighter and easier to install, especially if you’re going the universal route.

Sheepskin

Have you ever looked at a sheep and thought to yourself, “Man, that looks comfortable?” It's hard not to, and this is where sheepskin seat covers come into play. When you want a seat cover that will keep you warm, sheepskin is the go-to option. Plus, wool is also great for keeping you cool in the summer. Crafted from wool, these covers are comfortable, durable, and offer something that's tough to find in other seat covers.

Microsuede

This is a unique type of polyester fabric. It looks and feels like real suede, but it has a brushed, softer feel to it. Plus, it's more modern-looking than classic suede. While it may not be the most rugged material, you'll find that it's more comfortable than leather and most synthetic leathers. It's also resistant to stains.

Velour

Finally, we have velour seat covers. These seat covers are made from polyester and cotton blends. They offer a classic and luxurious look and even a little cushion for your back and butt. While it's not the most durable material, you'll find that it's second-to-none comfort-wise.

Specialty Seat Cover Materials

There are specialty materials such as saddle blanket, with synthetic petroleum-based fibers that are durable and comfortable. Spacer mesh uses several layers of durable, breathable knit fabric to minimize moisture. Some covers designed specifically for vehicles with pets are crafted from polyester or PVC, ideal for protecting against messes or scratchy toenails. There’s also ballistic nylon, a rugged material with a smooth surface that resists scuffs, stains and water.

Additional Seat Cover Material Descriptions

There are a lot of different seat covers available, and you'll find that some options may have some fancy phrases, like ballistic nylon or camouflage. What do these descriptions mean? Learn more below.

Camo Seat Covers

Available in a variety of durable materials, as well as various camouflage patterns, including RealTree, Mossy Oak, Kryptek and more. Camo seat covers are available in ballistic, neoprene, neosupreme and canvas materials.

Ballistic Nylon

Ballistic nylon is a rugged fabric that’s resistant to water, stains, and scuffs with a smooth, shiny surface. Cordura-ballistic fabric is designed with the same benefits but offers a more canvas-like finish, similar to jeans.

Universal vs Fitted Seat Covers

The two main types of seat covers that you'll find are universal and fitted options. Throwing aside materials and other factors, understanding this key distinction is a crucial part of the shopping process. The good news is that understanding the difference is quite simple because universal seat covers are made for any seat, and fitted/custom seat covers are made for your specific vehicle. The benefit of a universal seat cover is that they tend to be more affordable, easier to put on, and you may even be able to take them off and clean them quickly. Options for front seats, rear seats, and other areas of your vehicle are available. On the other hand, custom/fitted seat covers give a more snug fit. Whereas universal covers may have some loose fabric or wrinkles, fitted seat covers will look like they're part of the seat. For permanent seat repair or changing the style of your interior, you can't beat them, although they do cost a little more. Universal and fitted covers are both good choices, so connect with our sales techs to learn more about which option is right for your needs.

How to Choose a Seat Cover

The key to buying seat covers is choosing the best seat cover material for your lifestyle and driving conditions. Looking at each fabric’s traits and benefits can guide you. Learn more about how to choose a seat cover for your truck below.

Material

The material that a seat cover is made from is always the first factor to consider. If you mostly need to protect your seats from water damage, for instance, neoprene or neosupreme are both great options. Drivers concerned about breathability may want to consider mesh, microsuede or sheepskin. For those focused on using natural fibers, duck weave or tweed are solid choices.

Cleaning

Seat covers are there to protect your seats, but that doesn't mean you should let them get dirty. That said, some seat covers are easier to clean than others. Consider materials like leather, polyester, and neoprene if you want something you can clean with some wipes. Not a fan of wiping down your seat covers? Consider options like towel and canvas. These materials are machine-washable, so you can just toss them in the washing machine and dryer to wrap things up.

Budget

Budget is also something you need to consider, and while you can find great brands in all price ranges, some options offer unique benefits. While more expensive, fitted seat covers are perfect if you want to place them over your seats and leave them there. Fitted seat covers are also made with premium materials like leather, synthetic leather, and some other materials. If universal options use these materials, they'll also be more expensive, although universal covers are often cheaper on average.

Seat Covers for Every Weather

Your lifestyle is a vital factor in choosing the best truck seat covers, but don’t forget about weather conditions. Again, you want to look at each material type’s advantages and properties. Leather may not be kind on your skin when temperatures soar, but mesh pulls away moisture and keeps you cooler. With its lightweight and breathable wool fibers, sheepskin performs equally well in both summer and winter. No matter what you need, count on AT to offer a broad selection with competitive prices and world-class customer service.

Get the Seat Cover You Need Today!

When you shop online, you'll find some of the best seat covers on the market. Whether you need a specific leather seat cover for style points, looking for

seat covers for families, or a neoprene cover to help with moisture that enters your ride, you've come to the right place. Need more help finding the right seat cover? Connect with our sales techs for help finding the perfect seat cover for your vehicle when you shop online.