What Material seat cover is better, Fabric or Leather?

What Material seat cover is better, Fabric or Leather?

FH GROUP AUTO
6 min readApr 26, 2017

Before starting to introduce the maintenance of the seat, first look at the car seat around the things. We generally distinguish the car seat method is used to distinguish between the use of materials, basically divided into two categories, one is the fabric seat; one is the leather seats. Of course, in addition to according to the material points, but also in accordance with the use and design style to distinguish, but the core or in accordance with the material is divided into leather and fabric seats.

For the most part seat covers are generally divided into two categories — fabric and leather. Of course, within each category there are different types of materials (for instance, velour or PU leather) as well as different designs and colors, but they can always be traced back to these two basic categories.

Today we’ll talk about the two categories and what they’re all about. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each type and hopefully this post can help you on your journey to purchasing your own seat covers.

Let’s dive in!

Fabric Seat Covers

Fabric seat covers are cost-effective, although not necessarily of the best possible quality. Still, they’re very practical and provide a great solution for most consumers.

PROS:

  • Fabric seat covers come in a wide range of choices, such as velour, polyester, neoprene, oxford, corduroy, and more. You’re sure to find something to match your tastes.
  • Generally speaking, fabric seat covers are far more affordable than leather seat covers and can be a better fit for tighter budgets.
  • Being that fabric seat covers are so easy to slip on and off, you can simply throw them in the washing machine and air dry.
  • Unlike leather, fabric seat covers are more resistant to temperature changes. Your legs won’t get scorched by the hot summer heat when you sit.

CONS:

  • Fabric seat covers can get dirty looking pretty quickly. Although machine washable, spot cleaning is difficult with fabric seat covers which can be frustrating.
  • Over time, dyed fabric seat covers tend to fade due to sun exposure. Even though the seat covers themselves may last for years, the colors may dull out before then.
  • Fabric seat covers can stain easily if not cleaned immediately, and crumbs and dirt may get stuck within the fibers or between the cover and seat.

Leather Seat Covers

Leather seat covers are quite pricey, but they make up for the price tag with their durability and aesthetics.

PROS:

  • For the most part, leather seat covers are considered an improvement on a car’s interior over cloth upholstery. Leather is considered classier, more attractive, and luxurious.
  • When it comes to cleaning, leather seat covers are much easier to maintain than fabric seat covers. Water and spills can simply be spot cleaned and wiped away, while dirt and crumbs can be brushed off without a second thought.
  • Leather seat covers are more durable than fabric seat covers, leading to a longer lifespan.
  • There are different types of leather seat covers available, such as PU leather and synthetic leather which do not contain animal products and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

CONS:

  • The biggest complaint with leather seat covers is that they are susceptible to temperature changes, leaving them scalding hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter.
  • For the most part, leather seat covers don’t come in as many color variations or cool patterns as fabric seat covers. The usual colors for leather seat covers are black, gray, and beige.
  • Leather seat covers aren’t made of breathable material, so you may find yourself sweating a bit more than you’d like in the summer months; nothing a little air conditioning can’t fix!
  • Sellers aren’t always honest about the quality or sources of their leather. Be careful and always read carefully before you buy!

Ventilated seats & heated seats

These days, a lot of modern cars have seats equipped with heating and ventilation functions so whether it’s winter or summer, you get to stay nice and comfy. It’s important to understand how these functions work before you purchase any seat covers so that you know what you’re getting yourself into. Heated and ventilated seats may very well solve some of the “cons” on the lists above!

Ventilated Seats

Seat ventilation is the use of a fan to circulate air throughout the seat. Air flows in from the surface of the seat and then is passed through the inside of the seat and back out to achieve ventilation. Normally when you’re sitting, the entire back of your body is in contact with the seat and is cut off from any air, which may lead to sweating and eventually discomfort. Ventilation works to increase air flow between you and the seat, offering some relief. This is especially helpful on long rides, hot days, or traffic jams.

Heated Seats

This feature is quite different from seat ventilation despite following the same basic principle of changing the temperature from within the seat. Heated seats work by hooking up electric wiring inside the seat, allowing it to warm up and keep you nice and cozy on your drive.

So with all of this information, does this change any of the “cons” from the lists above? Does it affect your standing at all? Heated or ventilated seats can make a big difference in your experience with seat covers.

What’s my opinion?

It can really go either way here, in my opinion. Here’s what I think:

If you’re concerned about durability and you have the money for it, go for the leather seat covers. If you’re on a budget, then stick to the fabric seat covers. They both provide protection but leather seat covers just have that edge on the fabric seat covers and they’re also easier to clean. In my opinion, you get what you pay for.

If you’re more into looks, I would say go for the fabric seat covers! You’ll have more options of colors and patterns and designs to choose from. Plus saving a little money never hurt either.

It’s also worth noting that good quality fabric seat covers are definitely better than low quality leather seat covers. So make sure you check out reviews before you buy!

But overall, the decision is up to you. Both types of seat covers have their own pros and cons and I encourage you to do your own research and find the seat covers that are right for you, whether they’re leather or fabric.

Good luck!

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FH GROUP AUTO

At http://www.fhgroupauto.com, we offer a variety of car accessories such as high quality seat covers and car covers for most makes and models on the market.