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Popular among outdoor enthusiasts, pet owners, and anyone who’s ever spilled coffee during a bumpy commute, neoprene seat covers have carved out a niche in the automotive world.

So, are neoprene seat covers good? Yes, but they aren’t your run-of-mill seat cover, and you need to set your expectations.

Here at TigerTough, while we don’t sell neoprene covers, we appreciate that they’re favorites for people. So, let’s dive into what makes neoprene tick and talk about its pros and cons. Whether you’re considering outfitting your ride with these covers or just curious about them, we’re here to spill the beans (not the coffee!) and help you set the right expectations. 

Cleaning and Maintenance

Alright, let’s talk shop about keeping those neoprene seat covers clean. These aren't your regular throw-in-the-wash-and-forget-about-it type of seat covers. Nope, neoprene needs a bit more elbow grease, but it's nothing you can't handle.

Here’s how you clean neoprene seat covers:

• Pull 'Em Off: First up, yank those covers off the seats. It’s straightforward, but give it some muscle—it's good for the arms.
• Prepare Your Cleaning Solution: Mix water with a small amount of wetsuit shampoo. This special shampoo is designed to clean neoprene while also conditioning it, which helps keep the material supple and the colors vibrant. This prevents the material from degrading.
• Use the Right Tools: Grab a lint-free cloth for washing. Apply the soapy water mixture generously to the seat covers, paying extra attention to any spots with stains or heavy soiling.
• Gentle Technique: Avoid using a brush or any harsh tools that could damage the neoprene. Similarly, stay away from harsh detergents, especially those containing bleach. These can degrade the neoprene material quickly.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse off all that soap. Make sure you get it all out, 'cause leftover suds pull dirt right back. Hang them up to dry but keep 'em out of direct sunlight to avoid fading.
• Rinse Thoroughly: After scrubbing, rinse the seat covers with fresh water to remove any soap residue, which can attract more dirt if left behind.
• Dry Properly: Towel dry the seat covers to remove excess water. Allow them to air dry completely but keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and deterioration of the neoprene.

Yes, they’re a little high-maintenance. And if you've got a mud-magnet dog hopping in your tuck, have fun frequently washing these. But by following these steps, you can ensure that your neoprene seat covers stay clean and in great condition, ready to face whatever comes their way. Remember, the more you wash them using the correct methods, the longer they’ll last. But if you don’t want to take our word for it, Wet Okole’s care instructions literally say, “Washing your Wet Okole Hawaii seat covers will ultimately extend the life of your seat covers.”

Water Resistance vs. Water Retention

Neoprene seat covers are like a wetsuit. They’ll keep you dry, but they hold the water. They're stellar at making sure a spilled coffee or a bit of rain doesn't soak into your truck's seats, but there's a catch.

Here's the lowdown on neoprene:

• Neoprene does a bang-up job at protecting your seats from spills and splashes. This means less worry about water damage on your seats.
• Just like a wetsuit, neoprene hangs onto moisture. Spill something on it, and while your seat underneath stays dry, the cover itself might feel soggy. If you've ever sat back down in a wet swimsuit, you know the drill—it's not the best feeling. It’s a bit like a diaper for your seat.

Managing moist mishaps:

• Spilled something? Grab a towel and dab at the spill quickly. The faster you soak up the liquid from the cover, the less soggy it’ll feel.
• Let the covers air out a bit before you hit the road again if you can. If the weather’s good, crack a window or two to help dry things off faster.

We tested this when we reviewed Wet Okole’s seat covers and they definitely hold water, but protect the seat. 

Compatibility with Seat Features

When outfitting your truck with seat covers, not all materials play nice with the fancy features. Neoprene, for instance, can be a bit of a double-edged sword if your truck's got heated or cooled seats.

Here’s the scoop on neoprene and seat features:

• Cooling features: Got cooled seats? Neoprene might just rain on your parade. Since it’s designed to insulate (think wetsuits), it can block those cool breezes from reaching you. That means during those hot summer days, you might not feel quite the relief you’re expecting from that fancy feature.
• Heating features: And as for heated seats, while neoprene won’t stop the heat entirely, it can definitely take a bit longer for you to feel the warmth. This can be a bit of a bummer when you’re trying to thaw out on a frosty morning before heading to the job site.

What to do:

• If you're set on neoprene and have special seat features, look for covers specifically designed to be compatible. Some might have modifications that allow better functionality.
• If functionality is a deal-breaker, you might consider other materials that won't interfere with your seat’s built-in comforts.

While neoprene covers have their strengths, it's good to know their limits, especially when it comes to high-tech seat features. 

Enhancing Durability with Protectant Spray

Keeping your neoprene seat covers in top-notch condition isn’t just about cleaning off the dirt and grime; it’s also about giving them a bit of armor against the elements. Enter protectant spray—a handy ally in the battle against wear and tear.

Why use protectant spray?

• Boost Longevity: Just like waxing a car, applying a protectant spray helps shield your neoprene covers from UV rays, spills, and stains that can make them age before their time.
• Maintain Appearance: Not only does it help extend the life of your seat covers, but it also keeps them looking fresh and new. This means less fading and fewer signs of wear, so your truck's interior stays sharp.

Protectant Spray Tips

• Make sure your spray is compatible with neoprene. Look for products that offer UV protection to prevent color fading caused by sunlight. We’d suggest Wet Okole’s UV Protectant Spray if you’re going to go with their covers.
• How often should you spray? It depends on how hard you’re working your covers. A good rule of thumb is to apply protectant every few months or after you wash them.

Pro Tip: Always test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area of the cover first to ensure it doesn’t affect the color or texture.

Comfort and Heat Considerations

One of the first questions you might ask about neoprene seat covers is, "Are they comfortable?" The answer is yes. Neoprene covers are generally quite comfy. They provide a soft layer that molds to your seat for a snug fit.

Neoprene seat covers are a popular choice due to their protective qualities, but it’s important to consider how they interact with temperature. Known for their insulating properties, neoprene covers are excellent for retaining warmth. This makes them an attractive option for cooler climates where keeping warm is beneficial. However, neoprene might not always meet with your comfort needs during warmer months or in vehicles with temperature-regulating features like cooled seats.

Neoprene seat covers offer a solid mix of comfort and protection, but it’s important to consider how they interact with your vehicle’s features and the outside temperature. By understanding these aspects, you can ensure that you stay comfortable in your seat year-round, no matter the weather.

Conclusion: Weighing Your Options with Neoprene Seat Covers

Neoprene seat covers definitely offer a lot—comfort, significant water resistance, and a snug fit that can make any seat feel almost brand new. However, like any choice, they come with their own considerations. They aren’t machine washable (unless you buy from a company that says otherwise), they hold onto moisture a bit longer than some might like, and can affect how well your vehicle’s seat cooling or heating features perform. 

So, are neoprene seat covers the right choice for you? It really boils down to your personal needs and what you value most for your vehicle’s interior. They might be the perfect fit if you prioritize water resistance and comfort over ease of maintenance and tech compatibility.

Ever wondered just how spill-proof your seat covers can be? Inspired by a customer down south who accidentally tested her seat covers with a hearty spill of gumbo, we decided to put our own twist on the challenge. Being from Minnesota and not quite as familiar with gumbo, we opted for the next best thing—a two-dollar can of chili for this spicy torture test.

The moment the chili hit the seat, we knew our work was cut out for us. For the record, it smelled as bad as it looked—maybe even worse. But this was about more than just enduring a foul smell; it was a chance to prove the resilience of our seat covers.

We started by tackling the larger chunks with a paper towel. Once the big pieces were out of the way, we went to town with an all-purpose cleaner and more paper towels. It was a messy job, but someone had to do it, and we were determined to see it through.

After some vigorous scrubbing, the results were impressive. The seat cover looked pristine, with no stains or lingering smells. It was as if the chili incident had never happened.

This test goes to show that whether it’s gumbo, chili, or any other messy disaster you might encounter, our seat covers are up to the task. They’re not just built to handle the everyday wear and tear of getting in and out of your vehicle; they’re designed to stand up to the messiest of challenges.

So, go ahead and live your life—don’t worry about your seats. With TigerTough covers, they’re protected against spills, stains, and those unfortunate but sometimes inevitable smelly accidents.

Have you ever accidentally gotten drywall mud on your seat covers and wondered how tough cleaning up would be? OK, maybe not, but we decided to put our seat covers to the test and share our findings.

In our usual style, we didn't just apply a little drywall mud; we slathered on a generous amount and then used a heat gun to dry it thoroughly, making sure it really set into the fabric. 

Initially, the big wet globs of mud wiped off with no trouble using a wet wipe—a good start. However, the real challenge was the dried mud, which was too stubborn for a simple wipe. That’s when we had to get serious: out came the scraper to remove the bigger, hardened chunks.

Once the chunks were gone, we liberally sprayed an all-purpose cleaner and scrubbed it with a rag. This part took a bit of elbow grease, especially for the toughest spots that had dried onto the fabric. But after a couple of minutes of persistent scrubbing, the results were clear—the seat cover looked as good as new. All traces of the mess were completely gone, and you'd never even know there had been drywall mud on there at all.

If you love coffee like we do, spills are bound to happen in your cab. But how do TigerTough seat covers hold up when faced with the inevitable coffee spill? We decided to find out with a torture test that's more than your average accident—because, let’s face it, where’s the fun in normal?

So, we staged a dramatic coffee spill—because a simple dribble just wouldn’t cut it for a proper torture test. The spill was significant, mimicking what could happen in real life but with a bit more flair. 

We spilled and then wiped up the excess with a shop rag. And yes, looking super concentrated while wiping it up seemed to help—or at least it made us feel like we were doing a thorough job.

After the cleanup, it was the moment of truth. We removed the seat cover to inspect the damage underneath. The truck’s seat had some pre-existing stains from its previous life, signs of neglect from past owners. But here’s the real kicker: under the seat cover, it was completely dry. The coffee hadn’t soaked through at all.

This test wasn’t just for show. It was proof that our seat covers aren’t just for looks; they’re a shield against spills, keeping moisture from seeping through and protecting the fabric underneath. The seat underneath stayed bone dry even when faced with a "disaster-level" coffee spill.

So, if you're prone to coffee–or other liquid–mishaps on the road, our seat covers are ready for the challenge. Success? Absolutely.

💡 Have a Torture Test idea you'd like us to try? Let us know here.

We’ve already reviewed the best work truck seat covers, so our answers won’t vary a ton from that, but we really want to zero-in on Ford F150s.

The F-150 first came out in 1975; since then, it’s been one of the most popular trucks on the market. F-150s are like the Bruce Springsteens of the truck world–reliable, palatable, and a crowd favorite. 

Used for everything from company vehicles to camping shelters, America loves their Ford trucks. So let’s go over some of our favorite American-made seat covers that protect that investment your hard-earned money paid for.

Best for Wet Environments: Wet Okole

Despite the name literally translating to wet butt in Hawaiian, Wet Okole are a great option. They’re made from the same material as a wetsuit–neoprene bonded with nylon. They’ll absolutely protect your seats from liquids, but keep in mind that the cover itself holds the liquid, so you’ll indeed get a wet butt if you spill a coffee and then sit back in your truck before the cover dries.

Another interesting fact about Wet Okole is that they’re self-extinguishing. This probably isn’t a feature that’s needed in an everyday vehicle, but if you find yourself around sparks and fire on a regular basis, it’s good to know that you don’t need to worry about your seats catching fire.

We came across Wet Okole thanks to their loyal fanbase, and we’re happy to hear that they usually outlive the trucks they’re in–so we give them a thumbs up.

Price: $347

Pros

✅ Easily washable
✅ Self-extinguishing
✅ Airbag safe

Cons

❌ Only a 90-day warranty
❌ No returns accepted

Best Middle Ground: Marathon

Marathon's seat covers recently got bought out by Covercraft. We don't know the business details, but we do know that the Marathon website no longer exists and you can only find the seat covers on the Covercraft site now. This came with a price increase on Marathon as well, bringing them from $315 to $500 per set.

While we haven't had the chance to try them ourselves (yet), a review from 2022 by a customer named John gives a great insight into their performance:

"I absolutely love the seat covers. They fit very tightly and can be a bit challenging to put on, but once they're on, they stay put. I've been pretty tough on my seat covers, and they’re holding up great. I’ll definitely be adding these to my other trucks."

These seat covers are constructed from tough 1000-denier CORDURA®. They used to be a stand-out seat cover due to their customization options with features like map pockets, gear pockets, gun loops, and bow holders. But it doesn't seem like these options are available under the Covercraft name.

Price: $500 

Pros

✅ Lots of colors
✅ Made from CORDURA®
✅ Waterproof
✅ Airbag safe

Cons

❌ Long turnaround time
❌ Price is higher

Best for Your Budget: Canvasback

These seat covers are designed to fit most seats, so keep in mind that they won’t provide a custom fit for your specific vehicle.

Canvasback is particularly renowned for their cargo liners. These liners are tailored to fit the cargo space of your vehicle perfectly and attach securely with hook and loop fasteners.

Ambre attests to their durability:

"In addition to carrying around all of my photography/videography gear and field gear for construction, I'm a search and rescue handler with a k9. We're usually covered in mud and debris.”

With such a glowing review, and one that includes dogs, we knew we had to highlight this option.

Price: $150

Pros

✅ Inexpensive
✅ Fits most vehicles
✅ Woman-owned company

Cons

❌ Not custom fit
❌ Limited six-month warranty

Pricier Option: ShearComfort

If you’re in the mood to spend a little more green, then we’ll go ahead and suggest ShearComfort’s CORDURA® 1000 Denier Xtra-Duty seat covers.

Similar to TigerTough, these covers are crafted from CORDURA® fabric, so we had to include them.

They check all the boxes on paper, but we weren’t as impressed with them in person. The one thing we really didn’t love is that ShearComfort doesn’t fully wrap the seat with CORDURA®. They use it on the part of the seat your body touches, but they use a cheap nylon on the back and sides of the seat cover. 

Price: $470

Pros

✅ Waterproof
✅ Guaranteed perfect fit
✅ Airbag safe

Cons

❌ They don't use CORDURA® on their entire seat cover
❌ Price is a little high
❌ Limited warranty

The Newcomer: VERTEX OFF-ROAD

VERTEX OFF-ROAD, established in 2021, is a newcomer specializing in truck seat covers. They refer to themselves as American craftsmen and enthusiasts dedicated to creating top-quality products that enhance and protect your truck for any journey.

With a mission like that, what's not to love? Let's rate their 1000-denier CORDURA® Canvas seat covers.

Price: $400

Pros

✅ Use CORDURA® nylon on their covers
✅ Automatically include a center console cover
✅ Lifetime warranty, albeit limited
✅ Airbag safe

Cons

❌ Foam-backed seat covers (foam breaks down over time)
❌ Limited vehicle line

TigerTough: Best Warranty

TigerTough seat covers are built for hardworking individuals. They are exceptionally durable, which is why we've extended our line to include heavy equipment covers, confident they can handle any challenge.

We subject our seat covers to rigorous torture tests, both for the fun of it and to demonstrate their resilience.

Still need convincing? We back our products with an unconditional warranty for at least two years. While they might get dirty and stained, they won’t let you down, and neither will we.

Price: $297

Pros

Cons

❌ Limited colors

Final Thoughts

You might be asking why we didn’t include Carhartt in this grouping. We love Carhartt and their branding oozes red, white, and blue. However, not all their seat covers are made in the U.S., and since this list focuses on American-made products, we chose to leave them out. If you’d like to read more about their seat covers, we suggest you hop over to this blog.

Overall, there are many options for seat covers for your Ford F-150. You’ll need to weigh your options and choose one that works for you. 

There are hundreds of different seat cover brands on the market. We wouldn't say that we're better than all of them, but we have features that give our seat covers a leg up, especially for our blue-collar friends.

Here are ways that we try to make the best seat covers on the planet:

1. Elastic is never used

Why not? It wears out over time.

Elastic isn't meant to be stretched for long durations. It's fine for sweatpants, but you're not stretching your waistband to its max the entire time you wear them—we hope.

When extreme heat and cold are added to the mix (think about how hot your truck gets in July), the elastic degrades faster.

And dead elastic will leave a seat cover fitting like a sloppy suit. 

Instead, we use fabric and hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro) to lock our seat covers in place. TigerTough seat covers remain secure until you want to remove them.

Only fabric and hook and loop secure the seat cover.

2. CORDURA® is what we trust

This isn't just any fabric, it's a fabric that's designed to surpass military specifications for toughness. You know those JanSport and Eastpak backpacks your mom bought you in the 90s because "they've got a lifetime warranty!"? Those brands use CORDURA® for their backpacks because they can withstand the hell that kids throw at them.

Our CORDURA® is treated to be hydrophobic, meaning that it will repel liquids. It's freaking tougher than tough and outlives our torture tests. But it's also washable, making it a unicorn of versatility.

3. Stringlock secures seat covers

One of our great pride and joys at TigerTough is our patented Stringlock feature. 

A hidden string runs around the edge of the seat bottom cover to secure it.

We use a string to cinch the bottom of our seat covers to fit snuggly on a seat bottom. To secure that string, we use Stringlock. You won't find this on any other seat cover brand because we (with the help of engineers who are smarter than us) invented it.

Stringlock securing a seat cover in place.

4. Each cover is made up of multiple pieces

Most TigerTough seat covers come in three pieces: a seat back, a seat bottom, and a headrest cover. 

If you try to cover a seat with a one-piece cover, it ends up not fitting well. There's no good way to secure the seat cover in the seat creases. This is how Carhartt does some of their seat covers, and it results in a seat cover that shifts every time you scoot into the vehicle.

5. ShieldTech is antimicrobial

No, not all of our seat covers are antimicrobial, but ShieldTech is! It also reduces odor, making it a great option for fleets where multiple people share a vehicle. Some of the biggest ShieldTech users are first responders.

It's still CORDURA®, but it uses silver and copper ions in a zeolite carrier to starve, sterilize, and suffocate microbes. That's a lot of nerdy science talk, but it just means that the fabric will kill bacteria so that your cab stays fresh-ish.

6. We measure by hand

Part of us wishes we would use manufacturer specs to create seat covers because that'd be a heck of a lot easier than our process, but leaning on specs just doesn't work.

We bring every OEM seat into our facility and measure it by hand. Our amazing research and development team measures and cuts fabric and hand-sews a seat cover prototype every time we cover a new seat.

Measuring for a prototype seat cover.

So whenever a manufacturer introduces a new body style, we borrow a seat from a dealer and bring it in for a couple of weeks to create a cover. Once we have the prototype created, we upload it to our system so we can replicate it.

Seat cover getting measured to be put in our system.

It's an involved process, but we find that it makes for the absolute best fit. That's true American craftsmanship right there.

7. Our seat covers fully wrap a seat

Some seat cover brands use straps that run behind and under the seat to secure it. And some brands use a different (read: cheaper) fabric on the back of the seat cover.

We don't. 

We wrap the entire seat with the same fabric. This is for durability and fit, and it looks best, too.

The entire seat is wrapped with a seat cover.

8. They're airbag-safe

This one we don't take lightly. When we were reviewing the top seat covers for trucks, we found that a very popular seat cover brand wasn't considered airbag-safe. In their installation instructions, they say not to install their seat covers in vehicles with side airbags. Which is like...all vehicles. 

Our seat covers are independently tested by the third-party lab to make sure that your airbags will deploy in the event of a collision.

TigerTough seat covers are tested to be airbag-compatible.

We hope you never need this feature, but it's there if you do. We wouldn't put our label on something that wasn't considered safe.

9. We don't use foam

Foam-backed seat covers sound nice. Getting into a nice, cushy seat at the end of the day after busting your butt is a treat. 

But foam, like elastic, breaks down over time, and that process accelerates in extreme temperatures. When the foam on the back of a seat cover deteriorates, it leaves the seat cover floppy on your seat. It's like your favorite pair of Levis after you've lost a few pounds—it just doesn't fit the same.

10. The warranty is unconditional

We trust our seat covers. We spend our free time torturing them with coffee and grease and by setting them on fire. They're tougher than nails, so we give them a warranty to back up our claims.

If your seat covers wear out for any reason, we'll repair or replace them for free. But we don't think that will be an issue because we've seen them used for eight years on a work truck without fail.

11. Made in the U.S.

We'll always be proud to say that our seat covers are made in America, by Americans, for Americans.

Inside our Minnesota manufacturing facility.

Heck, even our fabric is made in America. Not all seat cover brands can say that, but we'll scream it from the top of Mount Rushmore. And if you ever find yourself in Vesta, Minnesota, we invite you to tour our factory and see how our seat covers are made.

So, are we the best?

We can't say that we're the best seat cover company for you—only you can determine that. But we will say we're proud of our work and the industries we serve. There's no other seat cover company we'd work for or brand we'd put in our vehicles. 

Every day we come to work excited about what we're doing. And we'll never give up on making the best seat cover we can. We don't settle for mediocrity and don't think you should either.

 Recently, we put our seat cover through a tough test by running it over with a dozer. Not satisfied with just a couple of holes, we decided to take it to the next level by introducing it to a stone crusher—a device that might remind you of a giant pepper grinder. Its usual job? Grinding six-inch rocks into road base. This time, though, its mission was to try and obliterate our tough-as-nails seat cover.

We tossed the already battered seat cover into the crusher, expecting it to be reduced to shreds, just like those rocks. The result? Surprisingly, like the proverbial cat with nine lives, it came right back. Sure, it was a bit more tattered, full of rocks, and sporting a few extra holes, but it was still remarkably intact.

This torture test was beyond extreme, but it proved a point: our seat covers are built to withstand just about anything. If your daily seat cover abuse involves less than hurling boulders through a mechanical pepper grinder, we’re confident our product will meet—and exceed—your toughest demands. And heck, it comes with an unconditional warranty. So if you do see wear on your cover, we’ll take care of it.

So, if you’re looking for a seat cover that can take a beating and come back for more, look no further. TigerTough has got you covered—literally.