Old vs. New Marathon Seat Covers: What’s Changed?

If you’ve been a fan of Marathon seat covers in the past, you might be in for a surprise the next time you order. 

Quick backstory…we purchased a set of Marathon seat covers back in 2023 to compare them to TigerTough seat covers. But when we got around to filming and needed to look up the specs on the Marathon website, we noticed that it redirected us to Covercraft. Turns out, Covercraft purchased the brand. Technically, they bought the brand in 2018, but things didn’t shift until May 2024. We won’t pretend to know the details; we’re going off what we know.

After Covercraft Industries took over Marathon’s production in May 2024, there have been a few notable changes to the design, materials, pricing, and even where they’re made.

We compared a set of the original Marathon seat covers with the new Marathon seat covers to help you see what’s changed—and decide if they’re still the right fit for your truck.

What’s Included in the Box?

Both the old and new Marathon seat covers come with installation instructions and tools, but here’s where things start to differ:

• Original Marathon Seat Covers
• Six-page, detailed instructions designed for the specific seat cover set.
• Covers included for the driver’s backrest and bottom, and the passenger’s backrest and bottom.
• New Marathon Seat Covers
• Two-page generic installation instructions.
• Covers now include headrests and center console covers as standard—something that was an upgrade in the past.

Material Differences

Both versions of the Marathon seat covers are made with CORDURA fabric, but there’s a key difference:

• Original Marathon Covers: Made from 1,000-denier CORUDRA, a heavy-duty fabric known for its durability and strength. 
• New Marathon Covers: Also made from Cordura, but the exact denier (fabric weight) is unknown. Covercraft’s customer service was unable to confirm the fabric’s specifications. But based on our heated seat test, we know it’s less than 1,000-denier because the tool we used to shove the cover in the seat crevice punctured the seat cover. 

Where They’re Made

This is a big one.

• Original Marathon Covers: Proudly made in the United States, specifically in Montana.
• New Marathon Covers: Manufactured in Mexico under Covercraft’s production.

Design and Features

• Old Design
• Simple and straightforward with no decorative stitching.
• Hemmed edges for a clean finish.
• Straps with hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) to secure the covers.
• New Design
• Includes decorative stitching for a more factory-like appearance.
• Uses a bias edge (folded material) instead of a hemmed edge.
• Secured with buckles instead of hook-and-loop straps.

Our Take: While decorative stitching adds a polished look, it introduces perforations that could allow water to seep through. It also affects the durability of the cover. We try to avoid decorative stitching outside of embroidery.

Pricing: Know What You’re Paying For

Pricing for Marathon seat covers has also seen some changes. Covercraft’s MSRP fluctuates frequently, so it’s worth keeping an eye on prices to get the best deal:

• Old Marathon Seat Covers: $269.99 (November 2023)
• Covercraft Marathon Seat Covers:
• $270 (MSRP: $499.99) in August 2024
• $299 (MSRP: $459.99) in January 2025

Pro Tip: With Covercraft, prices can vary significantly depending on timing, and their MSRP jumps around, so it’s smart to shop around or monitor pricing trends before purchasing.

Extra Features with the New Design

The new Marathon seat covers now come standard with:

• Headrest covers
• Center console covers
• Seatback pockets

These were optional upgrades in the old design but are now included in the base set. So you get a little more bang for your buck now if you can get them on sale.

Warranty

Both the old and new Marathon seat covers come with a 4-year warranty against manufacturer defects, so there’s no change in coverage.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering a new set of Marathon seat covers, here’s a quick rundown of what’s different:

• The original Marathon covers were made in Montana, while the new ones are produced in Mexico.
• The original covers used 1,000 denier Cordura, while the new covers’ exact specifications remain unclear, but it’s not as good.
• The new covers include decorative stitching, headrest covers, and console covers as standard but trade hemmed edges for bias edges.
• Covercraft’s MSRP has been up and down. Be sure to monitor prices to find the best deal.

Which One Is Right for You?

If American-made quality and proven durability are your priorities, the differences in production location and materials might matter to you. But if you’re looking for a slightly more polished design with extra features, the new Marathon covers may still fit the bill.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s built to stand up to your toughest days on the road. And if you’re not old on Marathon, check out the top seat covers for work trucks and find a brand that suits your needs.