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There’s a lot of competition when it comes to seat covers. You’ll undoubtedly see the Carhartt SeatSaver Custom Seat Cover when you google best seat covers for my truck.

Everyone loves Carhartt. You’ve got the hat, the jacket, and maybe the coveralls, so it’s natural to want to deck your truck out with it too. You’ve relied on Carhartt on the job, but can you rely on it in your vehicle?

And how do these covers compare to TigerTough seat covers? 

We’ll take an unbiased approach (no…seriously, we will) in comparing these two seat covers.

Covercraft Carhartt vs. TigerTough–who’s going to take home the gold? We’re about to find out. 

Watch the video comparison:

Packaging

We love the box the Carhartt covers arrived in. It was straightforward, said what it was, and branded so that you knew what to expect. The only thing we didn’t love was that it wasn’t clear which cover went on the driver’s seat. Since these are airbag-safe, putting the correct cover on the seat is important. 

The Covercraft instructions are pretty simple and what you expect from a standard seat cover company. It’s a universal one-sheeter designed to work for any vehicle.

TigerTough covers come in a branded bag. If you’re ordering a lot of covers (like a fleet), you’ll get a box filled with these bags. Not as shelf-ready as Carhartt, we admit.

Unlike Carhartt, we send a detailed full-color instruction packet with our covers and a link to an install video for your specific vehicle. It might not be necessary for everyone, but we try to avoid troubleshooting by offering as much detail upfront.

Materials: What are they made of?

Carhartt SeatSaver Custom Seat Covers are made of “heavy-duty, firm-hand Carhartt® Duck Weave fabric and triple-stitched main seams.” This is the same 100% cotton fabric you know from your favorite Carhartt gear. You can feel it already, can’t you? Like their apparel, the seat covers are water-resistant but not waterproof.

TigerTough seat covers are made from 1000 Denier CORDURA®️. That’s a mouthful, so what does it mean? It’s made in the U.S., waterproof, nearly indestructible, and so tough that it meets Military Specifications. It’s designed and tested to withstand some of the most brutal conditions.

Carhartt Duck Weave is tough but won’t withstand the same abuse as 1000 Denier CORDURA®️—seats in a vehicle experience more friction than an article of clothing. So if your truck’s interior will be used well, you’ll want to consider your options carefully.

Derrick had some great things to say about the durability of his TigerTough seat covers:

“These are great quality, tough, very good fitting seat covers. I have had similar covers in the past on a previous Tundra, and they lasted 16 years until I sold that truck. I expect the same from these.”

Design and Fit

The fit of the Carhartt Seat Savers is the number one complaint we hear about them. These covers are made in a single piece (plus the headrest), so you won’t get a secure fit. Covercraft's Carhartt Precision Fit comes in separate pieces and fits more like TigerTough seat covers, but they flaunt a price tag over $400, so we didn't use them for this comparison.

The SeatSavers look alright at first but shimmy and shift as you slide in and out of your vehicle.

TigerTough seat covers come in multiple pieces: the seat bottom, back, and headrest cover. You’ll get an accurate fit, no matter your vehicle.

More pieces = better fit

Just take a look at a recently installed Carhartt seat cover vs. a TigerTough seat cover that's been installed for eight years. The seat portion on the Carhartt cover is already shifting:

Headrest

Both headrest covers protect well. We’re happy that Carhartt covers them (because we’ve run into some covers that don’t). If you’re in any type of blue-collar line of work, chances are, you’ll want a cover protecting your headrest.

Just below the headrest, around the headrest supports, there’s a difference.

The Carhartt covers have a visible bias tape around the edge. TigerTough covers are designed to fit under the plastic mounts of the headrest supports for a cleaner look. If you have the headrest all the way down, you wouldn’t notice. None of this affects function; it’s just a difference in design.

Seat back

Covercraft’s option has the Carhartt patch in the area between your shoulder blades. TigerTough arrives bare. If you’d like, you can add embroidery, whether stock or custom, for an additional fee. As far as we can tell, you can't add custom embroidery with Covercraft.

As you move down the seat back, both covers fit well, but TigerTough fits more securely. We make our covers in multiple pieces, so there are additional points for the cover to stay secured to the seat.

On the actual back of the seat, Covercraft gets points for having a pocket come standard on their vehicle seat covers. This is an upgrade feature for TigerTough and will cost you extra.

Seat crease

OK, this is where the difference is most obvious. It all comes back to one-piece vs. two, and the two-piece options just look neater. 

Even if you shoved your hands into the crevice to get a neat look on the Carhartt cover, it would shift as soon as you slid into the vehicle. WeatherTech's seat covers are the same way. It makes for an imperfect fit, but you judge which look you prefer.

Seat bottom

These are pretty comparable. Both covers allow access to the seat controls and tuck in nicely on the side.

We wish there were additional contact points on the Carhartt seat bottom, but overall, it works.

Ease of Installation

Installation on the Carhartt covers was about seven minutes. Since their cover is one piece, it made things simpler. There are little pillows that you shove into the seat crease for the covers to stay in place. 

TigerTough took about nine minutes. That extra piece adds some complications to the installation process.

💡Helpful tip: When we installed the Carhartt seat covers, we couldn't find any indication of which cover went on which seat. In order for these to be airbag-compatible, they need to be on the correct seat. Take a look at the inside of the seat cover for a tearaway seam. That seam should be on the side of the seat closest to the door.

Warranty

Covercraft offers a three-year limited warranty on these particular seat covers. 

“Covercraft’s warranty coverage protects against defects in material and workmanship, as well as the fabric becoming unserviceable during normal use. After factory inspection, at its option, Covercraft will repair or replace the unit or specific panels or parts judged to be unusable. Warranty does not cover fading, which occurs naturally on all products used outdoors, or weather resistance of fabric.”

This is pretty good, but in the end, Covercraft can determine what they’ll cover and what they won’t. 

Our warranty is shorter at just two years, but we believe in the durability of our products, so we’ve made it an unconditional warranty. It doesn’t matter how your seat covers got wrecked (but we bet there’s an epic story there); we’ll repair or replace them for you.

Three-year limited vs. two-year unconditional warranty. 

Price

We want to compare apples to apples here, so we used a 2023 Ford F150 as our test model for pricing.

Covercraft Carhartt SeatSavers: $279 (this base price seems to fluctuate with their sales)
TigerTough Seat Covers: $327

The Covercraft covers cost about $50 less than the TigerTough option, and we can't gloss over that.

Customer Reviews

With a 4.5-star rating and over 2,000 reviews when this was published, there’s no denying that people love their Carhartt seat covers. A lot of the reviews echo the same, but we liked how specific Matthew H. got:

“Exactly what I expected. Had put these in my landscape work truck three years ago and have been pleased. When I got a new-to-me CR-V, twelve years old but very clean, there was no question I wanted to invest in seat covers to keep the nearly new interior in good condition. Good fit, decent attachment, and I expect no durability issues.”

TigerTough covers don’t have as many reviews, but we average a 4.9-star rating, which is pretty great! We love what John T. has to say about his TigerTough seat covers:

“As advertised. I tried to jam a screwdriver through them with acceptable (non-extreme) pressure. They held up just fine. I’m sure the friction from my backside over the years getting in and out of the truck (2009 F150) will never wear these covers out. Wish I had bought a set when the truck was new. Would have saved the original seats from wear and increased the resale value. Pursuing ordering a set for my 2019 F250 to just prevent excessive wear.”

Summary

Seat covers are a small investment that can save you thousands of dollars, so you want to choose the right kind. 

We often say that the Carhartt covers are the second-best covers for work trucks. If TigerTough doesn’t have a cover available for your vehicle, definitely go get your Carhartt fix. And if you love the Carhartt brand but want your seat covers to fit like a glove, you might want to consider upgrading to Covercraft’s PrecisionFit Carhartt Seat Covers, with two pieces (plus the headrest); they're designed to fit better.

When it comes down to the facts (and not our paychecks), TigerTough is more durable, has a more forgiving warranty, but they'll cost you a little more.

If you’ve spent any time on Facebook lately, you’ve probably seen the ads for Coverland seat covers. They’re flashy. They’re everywhere. And they definitely caught our attention.

But people are asking: Are Coverland seat covers legit? It's a good question to ask when they've got wild ads out there.

So we did what we always do when we're interested in another brand. We bought a set, threw them on a truck next to our own TigerTough covers, and took a close, honest look. This is a head-to-head comparison, allowing you to see how the two brands stack up before you spend your hard-earned cash.

What are they made of?

Coverland markets their seat covers as “premium comfort leather.” But let’s clear something up right away: there’s no leather involved. Zero animals were harmed in the making of these seat covers. What you’re actually getting is a polyurethane-coated memory foam. That coating gives the covers a leather-like appearance, while the foam adds cushion. The material is perforated to help with breathability, but polyurethane itself isn’t breathable, and foam tends to trap heat. The polyurethane outer layer is also prone to scratching, especially around seatbelt anchors and sharp tools. These covers aren’t built for daily abuse.

The result? A cover that can get uncomfortably hot in the sun and may hold onto moisture and odors more than you’d like, especially if you’ve got kids, pets, or a messy job.

TigerTough covers are crafted from 1,000-denier Cordura, a super durable American-made nylon. There’s no foam, no fake leather, just rugged, breathable fabric designed to take a beating. It resists punctures, abrasions, and moisture, and since there’s no padded backing, you don’t have to worry about it soaking up sweat or slowing down your heated/cooled seat performance.

Material durability

Coverland’s seat covers are made from polyurethane (PU) with a foam backing. PU is a common faux leather alternative, but it comes with some drawbacks:

• It’s prone to cracking and peeling over time (especially in hot vehicles)

• The foam backing breaks down with repeated use and exposure to moisture

• Perforated material plus foam = a sponge for sweat, spills, and bacteria

These covers might look high-end at first glance, but they’re not built to take a beating. 

TigerTough seat covers are made from 1,000-denier Cordura which is an American-made fabric originally designed for military use. Here’s what that gets you:

• Extreme resistance to abrasion, tearing, and punctures

• Water-resistant and quick to dry

• No foam, so it won’t break down or trap moisture

• Machine-washable

How do they fit?

Coverland covers are what we’d call a “close fit,” not a true custom fit. That means they’re designed to generally match the shape of your seat, but not conform to it exactly. On camera, they look decent. But in real life, the extra foam and pre-shaped form can leave gaps, wrinkles, and baggy spots, and in our experience, especially around the seat bottom and controls. The result is a cover that holds its shape more than it follows your seat’s shape. Think of it as a pair of coveralls for your seat, rather than a favorite pair of jeans.

The install process uses elastic straps, plastic pieces, and a lot of hardware. And while it does the job, some customers may find the bulkiness and leftover parts a little clunky.

TigerTough covers are custom-measured to each vehicle’s seat, so the fit is snug and precise. They wrap around the full seat, tucking into seams and securing with string locks that cinch the bottom tight. There’s no foam or rigid shaping, so the material molds to the actual contours of your seat…not an imitation of it.

You might notice a few wrinkles when they first go on, but once the covers settle in, they look clean and professional, as if they came with the truck.

Warranty

Coverland advertises “up to a 10-year warranty,” but they don’t spell out what's covered for up to ten years and what isn't. There’s no clear breakdown of what’s covered, what isn’t, or how to file a claim. “Up to” 

They don't cover:

1. Damage from misuse, neglect, or improper installation.
2. Stains, spills, pet damage, burns, or cuts.
3. Any alterations or modifications to the seat cover.

Some of this is fair. Alterations and modifications should automatically void the warranty. And stains and spills don't affect function.

TigerTough keeps it simple: a 2-year unconditional warranty. If it fails you, we’ll take care of it. No red tape, no fine print, and no judgment.

What that really means:

• Two full years of coverage for any damage, no matter how it happened (even if your truck burns to a crisp and you don't have seat covers left, we'll cover them)

• Fast, friendly support from a real human

• We’ll replace or repair your cover, not give you a headache

Coverland vs. TigerTough: Which is better?

If you’re just after a quick aesthetic upgrade and don’t mind a little foam, a chemical smell, or a loose fit, Coverland might scratch that itch. But if you're putting your truck to work and want covers that can take a beating, stay snug, and not hold you back with insulation or stink like an old flip-flop, TigerTough’s the clear winner. Our seat covers that do their job day in, day out. Made in the USA, built to last, and backed with a real-deal warranty. That’s how we roll.

In all honesty, Coverland was one of our least favorite seat covers to review, and we’ve looked at quite a few. Normally, we don’t rank or rate the covers we compare. We just show you what they are so you can decide for yourself. However, in this case, the difference between what was advertised and what you actually received was significant enough that we felt compelled to point it out.

If you don’t think TigerTough is the best fit for you and your truck, that’s totally fine. Here are some other favorite seat cover brands to check out.

Each TigerTough custom seat cover is shipped with step-by-step color instructions on installing them on the exact vehicle they were specifically designed for. 

So if you ordered seat covers for your 2022 Toyota Tacoma, you’ll get instructions on how to install those covers in a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. Pretty nice, right?

There are covers in the seat cover world that look awful because the installation process is confusing or inadequate. It’s a common problem with seat covers. We addressed this head-on by making installation as straightforward as possible.

And if you toss your instructions aside in a moment of confidence and need a few pointers along the way, you’re in luck, because we record installation videos for every vehicle. 

Since each vehicle is different, each seat cover install will be different. 

We’ll walk you through what a typical installation looks like.

Watch the video version

Before you start 

1. Lift and remove the headrest.
2. Lean the seat back.
3. Remove any straps on the underside that hold the carpet up.
4. If you have a Ford, unclip the plastic connectors under the seat–they might feel like they’re going to break, but they will come off.

Installing the seat bottom cover

1. Make sure you start with the correct seat cover–passenger and driver’s seats are different, so just look for the tag.
2. Line the seams up.
3. Push the top flap of the seat cover between the seat back and the seat bottom.
4. Take the strings and put one between the seat and the center console and cover and one between the seat cushion and plastic on the door side. These need to go down and under the seat, not straight back and behind the seat.
5. Tuck the cover between the cushion and the plastic trim around the seat.
6. Go behind the seat and find the strings you ran through the sides of the seat.
7. Run them under the seat. Look at your specific instructions to see if you need to run them behind or in front of the seat mounts. 
8. Pull them as tight as you can.
9. Find the StringLock.
10. Run the strings through each side of the StringLock as tight as possible and clamp it (the tighter, the better!).
11. Run the front seat flaps over any seat-adjusting bar and under the seat.
12. Pull tight on the front and back flaps and fasten them underneath the seat.

Installing the seatback cover

1. Make sure the airbag tag is on the door side of the seat.
2. Slide the cover over the seat.
3. Press the cover down around the plastic headrest mounts.
4. Go to the back and tuck the carpet flap up into the seat cover.
5. Push the front flaps through the seat crease and fasten them on the backside.

Lastly, install the headrest cover

1. Put the headrest back in, but don’t put it all the way down.
2. Take the cover and make sure the long flap is in front.
3. Tuck the flap to the back and secure it.
4. You can put the headrest down now if you’d like.

How easy was it?

We’ve installed other seat covers (check out this Carhartt install we did) and must admit that ours take longer. Since our covers come in multiple pieces, you’ll get a better fit, but it will take a little while to get those pieces where you want.

We say to expect to spend up to 45 minutes per seat on installation. 

According to Hunt Tested:

“If you’re looking for a seat cover that you can throw on for the weekends and then take off during the week, this cover is likely not the best choice. While you certainly can remove and reinstall these covers, the process is involved enough that I wouldn’t want to do it frequently. To get a precision fit, you give up being able to quickly and easily take the covers on and off.”

Wrapping it up (see what we did there?)

These aren’t the easiest to install, but they’re also not rocket science. If you’ve ever stepped foot on a job site, you can install these. And we can assure you that every installation step helps give you the best-looking fit on your new seat covers. 

Every vehicle installation is going to vary a bit. But we won’t leave you in the dark. You’ll get detailed instructions, an install video, and you’re always welcome to contact us if you’re stumped. And if you want to skip the installation altogether, check out one of our 850+ dealers.

Let’s just get this out of the way: Camo alone doesn't make a seat cover suitable for hunting

That’s like painting your truck like a police cruiser and saying it’s ready to patrol the streets. It's about the right features and build, not just the appearance.

So we’ll sift through the best hunting seat covers for trucks. We'll look beyond the camouflage and assess what really matters: durability, functionality, and whether they can stand up to the challenges of hunting life.

Disclaimer: We had Marathon seat covers in this blog originally. While the OG Marathon covers were great, they were recently bought by Covercraft, and the design of the seat cover changed. Here's a look at the old vs. new Marathon seat covers.

Carhartt 

We all love Carhartt. Their RealTree Camo Seat Covers are just their SeatSavers with a different pattern on the fabric. We can give a pretty accurate overview since we’ve had our hands on these and installed them in a vehicle.

Price: $337

Pros

You know exactly what these seat covers will feel like. They’re made of the same Carhartt duck cotton you know and love. There’s nothing unexpected or surprising about these covers.

Cons

We’ve done a lot of homework on Carhartt’s seat covers, so we’re pretty familiar with them. 

These covers don’t have a separate back and bottom, so they shimmy a lot. They’re not waterproof (which is pretty important for a hunting seat cover). They’re not made exclusively in America and are not as durable as CORDURA®️.

Verdict

If you’re brand loyal and love what Carhartt stands for–go for it! But you might not be getting the most durable cover on the market, and you’ll be buying the most expensive one we’re reviewing. 

Saddleman

The name Saddleman conjures up the image of a cowboy emerging from a hazy fog after vanquishing villains from a nearby town, so naturally, we’re drawn to these seat covers.

Price: $260

Pros

These are made in America, which we love (and we’d expect nothing less of a cowboy). Saddleman stands by their products and offers lifetime support. This means that you can send your covers to them for repairs for the product's lifetime for a small fee. There were only six reviews, but all of those customers seem thrilled with their covers.

Cons

Saddleman doesn’t say what their covers are made from (beyond polyester), so you can’t determine their durability. They’re also not waterproof. And like the Carhartt, they don’t have separate pieces, so the fit won’t be as secure as it could be.

Verdict

We’re not sold either way on these. Since they’re American-made and at the bottom of the price point, they’re probably worth trying.

Northwest Seat Covers

We weren’t super familiar with Northwest, so we were intrigued when it popped up in our Search. Northwest has been making seat covers since 1997, and we enjoyed reviewing what they offer.

Although they don’t specifically state it, these are made in Canada. We contacted their customer service team, and they confirmed that the covers are made in Vancouver, BC.

Price: $462

Pros

Northwest uses 600-Denier fabric for their hunting seat covers. Knowing the fabric's denier is so helpful because it will tell you how strong it is. 600 is decent, but we’d prefer to see something in the 800-1000 range.

Northwest also provides a two-year warranty that’s more generous than most–they’ll fix or replace a seat cover that experiences wear due to normal use. And bonus: they have videos showing that their seat covers are airbag compatible. 

Cons

Ok…we were on #teamnorthwest until we read the website section that says you need to CUT YOUR OWN HOLES in the seat cover for things like headrest posts and latch holes. That’s a big no-no for seat covers because it compromises the seat cover's integrity. 

Verdict

As Grandpa always said: never buy a seat cover you need to stab.

Northwest is a pretty expensive seat cover, but their fit does look good. We also love their generous warranty, but we’re not sure we’d recommend them without knowing a little more.

Sportsman Camo Covers

We’re always happy to find another U.S.-based seat cover company using CORDURA®️. Sportsman has been in business since 1999, making their covers in good ole Mississippi.

Price: $330

Pros

As mentioned, we love that these are made in America. We also appreciate that they’re made from CORDURA®️. These covers look great! 

Cons

Even though these are CORDURA®️, they’re only made with 500-denier. That’s not the best it could be. Sportsman also says that their seat covers are padded and quilted. While padding might be great, it degrades over time and can make the seat cover baggy. Quilting looks great, but every seam makes the seat cover less durable. 

And if you go with a solid color from Sportsman, know that they are nonrefundable and nonreturnable. 

And according to their vehicle search, they only cover seats up to 2025, so call to confirm if you have a 2026 or newer.

Verdict

It’s hard for us not to like this company. They’re doing great things. We’d love to see a better return policy and a stronger denier without padding and quilting…but then they’d just be a Mississippi version of TigerTough. Since their price point is lower than most, we’d give them a try.

Kryptek by Coverking

The Kryptek seat covers are made by Coverking, but specifically for hunters. 

Price: $380

Pros

The design on the Kryptek seat covers is unique, and there’s a variety of colors to choose from. They also include a back seat pocket on their covers, typically an additional fee. 

Cons

You’re paying $100+ more for the Kryptek pattern on your seats. (Coverking’s Neosupreme covers cost around $220 when this was published.)

Since these are not made of neoprene, they’re not totally waterproof.

Verdict

If you can get them on sale, go for it. Otherwise, we suggest going with the Coverking version in color you can live with. It might not be camo, but it’s literally the same otherwise.

ShearComfort

We’re also no strangers to ShearComfort. We did a side-by-side comparison of the 1000-Denier ShearComfort vs. TigerTough. The ShearComfort Realtree Camo seat covers are super similar in specs to Northwest’s seat covers: 600-Denier, DWR top coat, PU undercoat, etc. We asked, and although they are similar, ShearComfort and Northwest each make their own covers. There’s no manufacturing overlap that we could find.

Price: $440

Pros

They are pretty easy to install, and they come with a seatback pocket. These look great in the stock photos, but we haven’t had our hand on these particular covers. However, reviewers love them.

Cons

ShearComfort uses different fabrics on the front of the seat covers than the backs. When we asked customer service about this, they said their solid camo seat covers use the same material around the whole seat. So if you don’t want varying materials, order the solid camo versions. The one thing we don’t love is that these are close to $400 for a set. 

Verdict

We don’t love ‘em or hate ‘em. If you end up buying them, let us know what you think. We’d love to hear you out.

TigerTough

We’re based in Minnesota and all of our seat covers are made on U.S. soil by American men and women. We strive to make seat covers the blue-collar world can be proud of. Since we focus on trucks and heavy equipment, we design every seat cover to withstand major abuse.

Price: $339-$377

Pros

Our camo seat covers are made of 900-denier polyester in standard camo and 1000-denier CORDURA for our Realtree options and can withstand tools, pets, and spills. We offer an unconditional two-year warranty–it doesn’t matter how you ruin them, we’ll repair or replace them. We also offer an antimicrobial option, in case you're worried about stinkin' up the joint, but that only comes in black and gray.

Cons

Our covers cost more than some of the others.

Verdict

Not the cheapest seat covers, but still on the lower end of the pricing scale. We offer the best warranty out of all these hunting covers–that’s not an opinion, it’s just fact. If you’d like a third-party review, check out what HuntTested had to say about TigerTough.

Summary

In the hunt for the perfect seat covers, remember, they're not all built for the same game. The ideal choice for your hunting adventures should tick these boxes:

• Totally waterproof for those unexpected elements
• Easy to clean after a day in the wild
• Supported by a robust warranty and a fair return policy
• Proudly crafted in the USA

Don't get trapped with seat covers that can't keep up with your hunting lifestyle. You need resilient, cost-effective options to endure years of outdoor excursions, ultimately saving you money in the long run. And for those who hunt with a four-legged friend, be sure to check out our review of the best backseat bench covers for dogs – they're a game-changer.

So, as you scout the options for truck seat covers, tailor your choice to fit your hunting needs and budget. Make a choice that’s not just good for now but one that stands as your reliable partner in every hunting journey. 

Considering seat covers for your vehicle's leather seats? It's a decision many drivers think about. Leather is a premium material that demands thoughtful care, and the pressing question is whether seat covers help or harm leather seats.

For the most part, no, seat covers won't ruin your leather seats.

They're generally seen as a protective layer, guarding against daily wear and tear, spills, and sun damage. However, not every seat cover is suitable for leather. Some may negatively impact the material over time, like the ones that can trap moisture and adhere to the leather.

Understanding Leather Seats and Seat Covers

While those leather seats are pretty sturdy on their own, they can absolutely benefit from the extra protection that seat covers bring. It's all about keeping them in prime condition for as long as possible, and that's a job seat covers do pretty well, if we say so ourselves.

Leather seats are tough yet tender

Leather's durable, but it's not invincible. Constant sun exposure, the daily in-and-out, and the occasional coffee spill can leave leather looking worn and faded. Leather is also porous, so it absorbs spills, odors, and oils over time and needs some regular care to stay in tip-top shape.

Seat covers are your leather seat’s BFF

Think of seat covers as a shield for your leather: they keep the bad stuff (UV rays, spills, dirt, grease, pet hair) off your seats while still allowing the leather to breathe. The right seat cover protects your leather from the everyday abuse that ages it fastest, helping you preserve both the look and the resale value of your vehicle.

Do Seat Covers Protect Leather?

Yes, the right ones do. Seat covers are one of the best ways to protect leather seats. Here's what they guard against:

• UV damage: Prolonged sun exposure causes leather to dry out, crack, and fade. A quality seat cover blocks UV rays entirely.

• Spills and stains: Leather is porous and difficult to deep-clean. A seat cover takes the hit so your leather doesn't have to.

• Wear and friction: Daily in-and-out causes surface abrasion over time. Seat covers absorb that friction instead.

• Pet scratches: Claws and nails can quickly scratch or puncture leather. A tough fabric cover is a much cheaper fix than reupholstering.

You need to choose a cover that doesn't trap moisture, doesn't chemically react with your leather's finish, and fits well enough that it doesn't shift and create friction underneath.

How to Protect Leather Car Seats

Here are the best practices to maintain your leather seats:

1. Clean your seats before installing covers. Dirt or moisture trapped under a seat cover can cause mold, mildew, and accelerated wear. Give your leather a thorough clean and let it dry completely first.

2. Choose breathable materials. Seat covers made from breathable fabrics (like high-quality canvas or CORDURA) allow air circulation so moisture doesn't get trapped against the leather.

3. Avoid foam-backed covers on freshly conditioned leather. If your leather was recently conditioned, wait a few days before installing foam-backed seat covers. The conditioner and foam can react in ways that damage both the cover and the leather's surface finish.

4. Ensure a proper fit. A loose seat cover shifts around and creates friction which is exactly what you're trying to avoid. Choose covers designed for your specific make and model.

What are the best seat cover materials for leather seats?

The best overall choice for leather seats is heavy-duty canvas or woven fabric. Tough woven fabrics like TigerTough's seat covers are breathable, durable, and won't chemically react with leather. They sit against the seat without trapping heat or moisture, and they're machine washable, which makes them easy to maintain. If you're using your vehicle for work or hauling gear regularly, this is the go-to.

Our favorite seat cover brands for leather seats are:

• TigerTough (obviously)

• Carhartt

• Marathon

• Northwest

Materials to avoid on leather seats

These are our opinions, backed by a few facts. We absolutely suggest doing your own research to determine what you’re comfortable with. 

Neoprene Seat Covers

A solid option for active or outdoor use. Neoprene is waterproof and easy to wipe down, which makes it popular for off-roaders and water sports enthusiasts. The tradeoff: Neoprene is less breathable than woven fabric, so it can trap more heat in hot climates. It's generally safe for leather as long as it's installed on clean, dry seats, but if you’re not one to baby your truck or your seats, maybe avoid neoprene.

Faux leather or leatherette seat covers

A lot of people like the way these look, and they’re easy to wipe clean, but they're not the best choice for protecting genuine leather underneath. Leatherette doesn't breathe, so over time it can trap heat and humidity against your leather seats. Better for aesthetic upgrades on cloth seats than for protecting premium leather.

Cheap Foam-Backed Covers

Low-cost foam-backed covers are the most likely to cause problems on leather. The foam backing can interact with leather conditioners and UV-protectant treatments, potentially degrading both materials. If you're going foam-backed, make sure your leather hasn't been recently treated.

Seat Covers on Heated Leather Seats

One of the most common questions we get with leather seats: can you put seat covers on heated leather seats?

Yes, in most cases, seat covers are safe to use with heated leather seats. Here's what to keep in mind:

• Check the seat cover material. Thinner, more breathable fabrics transfer heat more efficiently. Very thick or insulating materials may reduce how well you feel the heat, but they won't damage the heating element.

• Never use seat covers that aren't designed for heated seats on seats you regularly heat. The repeated heat cycles can cause ill-fitting covers to shift, bunch, or wear unevenly.

• Avoid covers with metal hardware near the seat surface. Metal components like rivets can become uncomfortably hot and potentially scratch leather when the seat heats up.

We put various materials to the test in the dead of winter to see which ones worked best with heated seats. Check out the test results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will seat covers damage leather seats?

No. Quality seat covers protect leather seats rather than damaging them. The risk comes from using the wrong type of cover (like foam-backed covers on freshly conditioned leather) or installing them over dirty, damp seats.

Do seat covers protect leather from cracking?

Yes. UV exposure is one of the leading causes of leather cracking and fading. A seat cover blocks sunlight entirely, dramatically slowing the aging process.

Can you put seat covers on leather heated seats?

Yes, seat covers are generally safe for heated leather seats. Choose breathable, properly fitting covers and avoid thick insulating materials that block heat transfer.

What type of seat covers are best for leather seats?

Breathable, woven fabric seat covers are the best choice for leather. They protect against spills, UV, and wear without trapping moisture or heat against the leather surface.

Protect your leather seats

Seat covers and leather seats are a great combination, as long as you choose the right cover. Look for breathability, a proper fit, and clean installation. Skip the cheap foam-backed options, and you'll find that seat covers are one of the best investments you can make in protecting your leather's long-term condition and your vehicle's resale value.

Ready to protect your leather seats? 

Blue-collar trucks don’t get pampered by many. Like you, they work hard. They haul, commute, serve as the office and lunchroom, and still have to show up tomorrow ready to do it again. That’s why we build seat covers that are meant to be installed once and trusted every day.

We exist because a fleet needed a real fix

TigerTough started when a fleet manager reached out to a small sewing company (that’s us) with a simple problem: delivery drivers were tearing holes in seats, costing real money. We figured it out, got good at creating seat covers for work trucks, and then the next call came in. Police fleet managers. Same story, different vehicles. They wanted covers built for real duty use, not weekend wear. And that’s how TigerTough was born.

We build for working vehicles first

We don’t chase whatever’s trendy. We focus on pickups, trucks, vans, equipment, and side-by-sides because those are the vehicles that get used for work. We do cover some other vehicles, but work rigs get priority because that’s what we’re built for. We also don’t focus on older vehicles (this one upsets a lot of people with 2004 Dodge trucks), because those simply don’t last on a jobsite. There aren’t many 20-plus-year-old work trucks running around these days, so we don’t spend the manpower making those covers.

They stay on, so you can forget about them

Our covers are designed to stay put once they’re installed. No sliding, bunching, or constant tweaking. When your truck is the tool you use to make money, it needs to perform every time you open the door, not become another thing you have to mess with. As we like to say, a seat cover that doesn’t stay in place is worse than a bunched-up sock in a boot.

Made in the USA is non-negotiable

Blue-collar workers keep everything moving. It would be backwards for a brand built for blue-collar life to ship the work overseas. We employ American workers to build what we sell, because that’s the whole point. Your covers are made on U.S. soil, and that’s a fact we’re darn proud of.

We back it up with testing, not marketing

Anyone can say a cover is tough, but we’d rather prove it. Our claims are backed by independent labs that don’t care what the result is, only that it’s accurate. That’s how you build trust with the people who use this stuff every day, and how we are confident in our unconditional warranty (see below).

The warranty doesn’t punish you for using your gear

Some companies hide behind loopholes and exclude commercial use or pets. They exclude anything that sounds like real life. That’s ridiculous. Work trucks get used hard. That’s why we offer an unconditional warranty and stand behind the product like we mean it.

The design is performance-first, not pretty-first

This is where the “why it works” shows up.

• Minimal seams. Fewer seams means fewer weak points. This is why we don’t do decorative stitching (more fuel for the social media trolls).

• Water resistance. When your truck is your commuter, your office, and your lunchroom, you’re going to spill something. We build for that.

• Multi-piece patterning. Wrapping each part of the seat individually creates a tighter fit and helps the cover stay in place, even when multiple drivers adjust the seat all day.

Work isn’t the only kind of blue-collar abuse

If you hunt, fish, run dogs, or spend weekends in the mud, you already know that outdoor use is hard on interiors too. Blood, water, muck, gear, and constant in-and-out. Call it sport, but it’s still blue-collar wear and tear, and the seats don’t care why you’re dirty.

Blue-collar official? We think so.

If you want seat covers built for real use, you’re in the right place. TigerTough is the blue-collar standard because we were built for work trucks first, and we’ve never forgotten who we make these for.

Fleet vehicles don’t live an easy life. Service techs climb in and out all day with tools in their pockets. Delivery drivers rack up miles and heavy in-and-out seat time. Tow truck operators track in grit, grease, and grime between calls. And the cab takes the hit. Without covers, seats tear, stains set in, and before long the interior is beat to hell, even if the vehicle still runs strong.

Fleet seat damage adds up quicker than most people expect

When you manage a fleet, interior wear isn’t a small thing. It shows up in a few costly ways:

• Seats tear and crack, and now you’re paying for upholstery or replacement, which can cost thousands of dollars

• Trucks start looking rough inside, impacting professionalism with customers who get a glance in the cab

• You lose resale or trade-in value faster than you should (adding seat covers can save up to $6,000 per vehicle)

• Driver morale tanks (even if they don’t admit it) when the seat starts spewing its foam guts all over the joint

A lot of seat covers look good at first, but fleet use exposes the weak spots fast. Covers slide and bunch up. Straps loosen. Material tears when someone hops in with a screwdriver or sharp tool in their back pocket. Passenger seats get shredded when parts and fittings get tossed on them between stops. And the worst covers develop an odor resembling that of an old sandwich found at the bottom of a high school locker.

Real-world fleet usage

This fleet manager’s experience is worth reading. He’d already tried multiple competitor seat covers and wasn’t interested in getting burned again. After giving TigerTough a shot, his feedback hits the same things most fleet managers care about: fit, durability, puncture resistance, easy installs, and protection of the original seats. The best part? He submitted this review entirely on his own.

“I am the Fleet Manager for our company. Our technicians put in a lot of seat time, and they are not easy on our vans. We used several competitor seat covers before discovering TigerTough. A few years ago, I saw their display at Work Truck Week, an annual trade show for the commercial trucking industry in Indianapolis. I’ll admit, I was hesitant to pull the trigger at first because I had been disappointed by every other “high-quality” seat cover we had tried. I decided to give TigerTough a shot, and I haven’t looked back since!

TigerTough seat covers are, without question, the best-fitting seat covers I have ever installed. I’ve tried all the competition in search of something that actually works for our harsh fleet environment. These covers stay in place even after thousands of miles and countless vehicle entries and exits.

Despite our techs occasionally jumping into a van with a sharp tool in their back pocket or tossing parts onto the passenger seat, these covers hold up exceptionally well. We have yet to find a single puncture in either the TigerTough cover or the factory seat underneath.

As for installation, these are by far the easiest seat covers I have ever installed. I can install both seats in our Ford Transits in under 20 minutes with excellent-looking results. I don’t have to fight the covers over the seatback or headrest like I always had with competitor products.

Another standout feature is TigerTough’s ShieldTech. Even with dirty techs climbing in and out of the vans after jobs, grease, dirt, and grime have not stained the seat covers or the factory seats underneath. The material wipes clean easily and has proven to be an effective barrier, giving us confidence that the original seats are fully protected.

If you manage a fleet or operate work vehicles that see real daily abuse, I strongly recommend TigerTough seat covers. They fit correctly, install very easily, stay in place well, and actually protect the factory seats long term. After years of trying other so-called premium options, TigerTough is the only brand that has consistently delivered. We will continue using them across our fleet. I do not hesitate to recommend TigerTough seat covers to fleet managers or business owners. They are the best in the seat cover (and accessory) business!!!”

Jason Fullington

Product: Antimicrobial Seat Covers for Ford Transit Vans (W0526002) Black

For fleets, the payoff is straightforward. Better protection means fewer seat repairs, cleaner-looking vehicles, happier drivers, less downtime, and better resale or trade-in value down the road. For additional reassurance, each seat cover comes with a two-year unconditional warranty. But don’t worry, those covers will outlive the vehicle.

If you’re managing a fleet that sees real daily abuse, it’s worth standardizing on seat covers that are built to take it and keep going.

If you manage a fleet of 100 or more vehicles, contact us to figure out the best way to get your covers installed at Upfit so a truck doesn't hit the road with vulnerable seats.