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 2017 Toyota Tacoma, you’ll get instructions on how to install those covers in a 2017 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 in case you toss your instructions 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
Lift and remove the headrest.
Lean the seat back.
Remove any straps on the underside that hold the carpet up.
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
Make sure you start with the correct seat cover–passenger and driver’s seats are different, so just look for the tag.
Line the seams up.
Push the top flap of the seat cover between the seat back and the seat bottom.
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.
Tuck the cover between the cushion and the plastic trim around the seat.
Go behind the seat and find the strings you ran through the sides of the seat.
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.
Pull them as tight as you can.
Find the Stringlock.
Run the strings through each side of the Stringlock as tight as possible and clamp it (the tighter, the better!).
Run the front seat flaps over any seat-adjusting bar and under the seat.
Pull tight on the front and back flaps and fasten them underneath the seat.
Installing the seatback cover
Make sure the airbag tag is on the door side of the seat.
Slide the cover over the seat.
Press the cover down around the plastic headrest mounts.
Go to the back and tuck the carpet flap up into the seat cover.
Push the front flaps through the seat crease and fasten them on the backside.
Lastly, installing the headrest cover
Put the headrest back in, but don’t put it all the way down.
Take the cover and make sure the long flap is in front.
Tuck the flap to the back and secure it.
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.
“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
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.
When we researched top seat covers for work trucks, we didn’t just pick the ones at the top of Google. We asked blue collar men and women what kinds of covers they’ve tried in their trucks, and this is the list they came up with:
Since we’re comparing covers for work trucks, we used a 2023 Ford F150 regular cab for pricing and research. Let’s get right into highlighting these seat-savers.
It’s nearly impossible to Google truck seat covers without Covercraft popping up. We give them credit. They’ve been in the business for over 50 years and have a great product with a stellar reputation.
They make seat covers and covers for cars, boats, RVs, airplanes, and patio furniture. First, let's take a look at the Endura PrecisionFit.
Price: $406
Pros
The Endura PrecisionFit is a great seat cover that’s waterproof, airbag-safe, and accommodates heated and cooled seats. We love that these covers hug factory seats perfectly. You can order them knowing they’ll fit your vehicle’s seats.
Cons
The fabric for the Endura PrecisionFit is vague. According to the description, it’s a canvas-nylon-polyester blend. But what does that mean? We contacted customer service to learn more, and they didn’t elaborate beyond the product description. It’s tough to know how durable their covers are without knowing more about the fabric.
Another thing we don’t love is that although they have a three-year warranty, it’s a limited warranty. It’s uncertain what they will and won’t cover.
Verdict
This is a great seat cover, and we don’t think you’ll be disappointed. But it’s near the top of the price range at $406 for a set of bucket seat covers for a 2023 Ford F150 Regular Cab. If you can get them on sale, they might be a worthwhile investment, but we can’t say for how long without knowing more about their material.
Everyone loves Carhartt. We get it. The brand has been around since 1889 even though Covercraft Carhartt SeatSavers are newer to the market, so let's look at how these cover stand up to some others.
Price: $461
Pros
They're Carhartt; their reputation is undeniable. They've got that classic look of your grandpa's favorite jacket; overall, we feel nostalgic about them.
Cons
If colors are your thing, these aren't the ones for you. With two color options, your choices are slim. Another con of these covers is that they're not waterproof. They're water resistant but won't hold up the same as others in this list. Also, the two-piece design and the way the covers are fastened on the seat make it really easy for them to slide around. Since these are the most expensive option, we expect more from them.
Verdict
As much as we like Carhartt, we'd opt for Covercraft's Endura PrecisionFit before the Carhartt SeatSavers. We don't doubt the durability of Carhartt, but we feel you could get more bang for your buck with other options.
Okay, we know what you’re thinking…this is about work truck seat covers, and most of us aren’t driving around Baywatch trucks. Yep, this is a wet suit in seat cover form. We didn’t think it would be a fair comparison either, but after hearing from multiple people in the construction industry who love their Wet Okole seat covers, we decided to give these a fair shake.
Since they’re made from wetsuit neoprene and bonded with nylon, they’re waterproof and totally safe on vehicle seats.
Ashley DeCurtis, VP of Sales for BuildWitt, bought a used Nissan Xterra and considered the leather seats' condition, “I didn’t want to make it worse,” she says. What attracted her to Wet Okole was that the covers were pliable and waterproof, “they’re great for anything in wet environments.”
What ultimately sold her was the complete customization from colors to piping to embroidered headrests. Wet Okole has dozens of add-ons, like seatback pockets, front lower pockets, lumbar support, carbon fiber seat heaters, and sunglass pouches.
DeCurtis is no stranger to the blue collar world, being a former police officer and now speaking to contractors daily in her role at BuildWitt, so she knows what kind of abuse work trucks see. Although she’s had the seat covers in her Xterra for four years; she questions whether they’d withstand the use they’d see in a work truck.
However, Brent Fox, a contractor in the Nashville area, can speak to the durability. "I had Wet Okole in the truck I just retired. Rode on them for 12 years and, at some point, sent them back for a refurb. They were a great product and easy company to work with."
Price: $314
Pros
These seat covers will protect the seats in your work truck. And like a wetsuit, you can clean them with wetsuit shampoo. They’re also self-extinguishing when it comes to flammability, should you find yourself dealing with flames inside your truck. The covers are considered airbag safe because they won’t go over the side of the seat with the airbag. You’ll have to weigh whether or not that’ll work for you.
Cons
We don’t love that only a 90-day warranty is available. They also don’t accept returns if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase.
Verdict
Despite our initial head tilt, these seat covers got great reviews. We love the custom fit and how easily they clean up. But at $314 a pair, they’re not the cheapest seat cover we've seen. The very limited warranty makes us a little reluctant to endorse them fully.
Canvasback
Canvasback Universal Fit seat covers. Source: Canvasback
We won’t lie; we hadn’t heard of this brand until Ambre Schaffer, Marketing Director at Aggtrans, pointed them out. These seat covers are a one-size-fits-most style, so consider that when ordering. You won’t be getting a custom fit for your seats.
Canvasback seems to be best known for their cargo liners. Liners are custom fit for your vehicle’s cargo space and attach with hook and loop.
Ambre confirms the durability and easy installation, “[the cargo liner] is custom fit to your specific vehicle and velcros right in place. They've been installed for three years without budging or showing any signs of wear. If I needed to remove them, they'd pull right up.
"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 a review like that, we had to include this option.
Price: $140
Pros
Durable cargo liners customized to fit most vehicles. Despite not having custom-fit seat covers, the covers are at the bottom of our price range at $140 for a pair of bucket seat covers. On top of all this, Canvasback is woman-owned, and we think that’s pretty cool.
Cons
We’d love to see customized seat covers from Canvasback and a warranty longer than six months.
Verdict
We probably wouldn’t put these in a work truck to protect the seats, but we like the cargo liner options. If you’ve got a dog or use your cargo space a good deal, we’d suggest looking into Canvasback. Plus, we can’t help but love that they’re made in Minnesota.
Like TigerTough, these covers are made from CORDURA®. It’s a slightly different kind though. ShearComfort uses a heavy duty 500 Denier CORDURA® fabric, which isn’t as durable as the 1000 Denier CORDURA® we use. But this is still going to be a durable seat cover.
Price: $405
Pros
These airbag-safe seat covers are waterproof, durable, and guaranteed to fit perfectly. There’s a lot to love about them, and they’d perform well in a work truck.
Cons
The only thing we don’t love is that they use a thinner fiber in their seat covers. On top of that, their retail price is a little steep.
Verdict
It’s hard not to love these seat covers. They’re tough and built for hard work. Plus, they have great reviews from their customers. ShearComfort is an excellent option for your work truck.
TigerTough seat covers are designed for hardworking men and women. They’re extremely tough (hence the name), so tough, in fact, we’ve extended our seat cover line to heavy equipment because we’re that confident they can withstand what you throw at them.
We put our seat covers through torture tests. Do we do these tests for fun? Yes. Do we love proving how resilient these covers are with each test? Also yes.
Need more proof that we believe in our products? We have an unconditional warranty for at least two years on our products. They’ll get gross, they’ll get stained, but they won’t fail you, and neither will we.
Price: $277
Pros
These are some of the lowest-priced seat covers in this lineup, with an average 4.9 star rating from users. Everyone from parents to first responders uses TigerTough seat covers, and they’ve always risen to the occasion.
Cons
Since our covers are customized for each vehicle, they’ll take a little longer to ship (we're working on this). They’re worth the wait though. We also don’t have as many colors and patterns as some brands in this list. No neon colors here, folks. Sorry.
Verdict
Of course we love our own seat covers (or we wouldn’t work here). But that doesn’t mean they’re best for you and your work truck. Look at all the options and choose the covers that fit you best.
Summary
Not all seat covers are created equally. Some will be better for you than others. We think you should have ones that:
Are waterproof
Easy to clean
Have a great warranty and return policy
Made in America
You don’t want to be stuck with seat covers that aren’t getting the job done. You want something that will last for years and ultimately save you money in the long run.
Look at the features of all these work truck seat covers and decide which one is best for you based on your needs and budget.
Covercraft Endura PrecisionFit
Covercraft Carhartt SeatSavers
Wet Okole
Canvasback
ShearComfort CORDURA®
TigerTough
Cost
$406
$461
$314
$140
$405
$277
StarRating
4.4
4.6
N/A
4.9
4.6
4.9
Warranty
3 year limited
3 year limited
90 days
6 months limited
2 years
Unconditional 2 years
Material
Canvas-nylon-polyester blend
Duck Weave Fabric
Neoprene
600 X 300 poly denier
500 Denier CORDURA®
1000 Denier CORDURA®️
Fit
Custom
Custom
Custom
Universal Fit
Perfect Fit
Perfect Fit
Waterproof
☑️
☑️
☑️
☑️
Airbag Safe
☑️
☑️
☑️
☑️
☑️
☑️
Made in the USA
USA and Mexico
USA and Mexico
☑️
☑️
North America
☑️
Colors and Patterns
32
2
40+
11
10
8
Seatback Pockets
Yes
Yes
Optional
No
Yes
Optional
All specs based on 2023 Ford F150 Regular Cab Bucket Seats
Update on 07/06/2023: We Initially had WeatherTech Seat Protectors as part of this list but removed them when we found out they weren't considered airbag-compatible in all vehicles. Take a look at WeatherTech Seat Protector Review for more information.
We know WeatherTech makes incredible floormats. They’ve been in the business since 1989 and are well-known in the industry for their floor protection. A few of us at TigerTough even rock their mats in our trucks.
But when we were researching our Best Work Truck Seat Covers article, WeatherTech Seat Protectors were mentioned as an option for work trucks. Since we love their floormats, we had high expectations for their seat covers. So we ordered a single cover to fit a 2023 F150 XLT passenger seat to try our best to give an unbiased review.
Let’s see how it holds up.
Watch the video review
Ordering and shipping
WeatherTech wastes no time in shipping. We received our order in just two days!
WeatherTech shipping package vs. a TigerTough shipping package
The seat cover arrived in a plain brown box. This doesn’t affect our review, but we know their floormats come in a branded box, and it’d be cool to see that same thought put into shipping their covers.
Inside the box was the cover, wrapped in protective plastic, an invoice, and the installation instructions. No swag or fanfare. It was just a straightforward package.
Design and appearance
The weird thing is, WeatherTech does an excellent job of showcasing their Seat Protectors on the rear bench seats of vehicles in their stock photos, but you need to dig a little to find the covers shown on a bucket or captain seat.
WeatherTech Seat Protector installed
But once we installed the set we ordered on our Ford F150, we had that a-ha moment about why WeatherTech didn’t put their bucket seat covers in the spotlight.
It turns out they only offer six different fits for their seat covers–this fit is far from custom, despite searching for a specific vehicle when ordering. It reminds us of those weighted vests the dentist makes you wear before taking x-rays.
This is a one-piece seat cover, so you won’t get an attractive fit.
The lack of a headrest cover doesn’t help the appearance of an apron, so when you open the door, you can immediately tell this is a seat cover. Also, any grime from your head will still transfer to the headrest. That won’t help with resale value.
Fit
It’s crucial to point out that WeatherTech advises you not to install their seat covers on seats with side airbags. A standard consumer probably doesn’t realize that these airbags were being placed in vehicles starting in the 1990s. As of 1997, a mandate was put in place that all passenger-side seats contain airbags.
WeatherTech warns not to install their Seat Protectors if the side impact airbag is compromised
That means you shouldn’t put WeatherTech Seat Protectors on any passenger seat of a vehicle made after 1998. They could work on airbagless rear captain seats if your vehicle has those, but they wouldn't work on the seats of the Ford F150 we tried them on.
A side strap covers the side impact airbag tearaway seam
Let’s just skip right past that red flag and move on to the control panels.
The skirt of the Seat Protector covers the control panel on a Ford F150
The front skirt of the Seat Protectors went over the side control panels of our Ford F150 passenger seat. So if we needed to adjust the seat, we’d have to pick up that fabric curtain to access the controls. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it's inconvenient.
But the back of the seat is a different story.
Back of the Seat Protector
The back of the seat isn't covered by anything beyond the hook and loop straps that secure the Seat Protector. This might not be a big deal if you don't have passengers in the second row. But either way, it's not going to give you a secure fit.
Despite claiming their seat covers are semi-custom, having six varieties for thousands of different vehicles won’t give you a custom fit.
Manfred from Connecticut was disappointed with how they fit his 2018 Ford F150:
“I found the quality of the material good. The elastic to hold the fabric up against the seat was not very strong and unable to tighten, allowing the back to sag. The ‘grippy’ material on the bottom does not work well with leather seats allowing the bottom to slide forward. It is almost impossible to access the seat belts. There is no way to secure the bottom to the seat allowing the cover to ride up.
“All in all, for a cover that you advertise as a ‘custom’ fit, it is very poorly designed. I have been using the cover for two weeks. For the price and ‘custom’ fit, I expected much better.”
Material
According to their site, the seat covers are “made from a polycotton twill fabric featuring a water-repellent finish, and an extra layer of nylon lining.”
We’re always fans of anything that will protect your seats from spills. Waterproof would be better, but we won’t be upset over water-repellent. Just get to those messes quickly before any liquid seeps into your seats.
But the non-slip backing is questionable. Reviews say that it doesn’t work on leather. Dave tried them on his 2014 Ford F150 with leather interior:
“Purchased cover for backseat. So disappointed. Does not stay in place on the leather seats. Keeps folding up. The whole thing is cheap what we got. I'm sorry....but not good. Seats were full of mud on our trip. A blanket would have served better.”
That grippy material on the back is similar to a foam shelf liner. No, we’re not being snarky; that’s what it’s like.
Backing on a WeatherTech Seat Protector resembles non-slip shelf liner
Installation
Installation was quick. We were able to install it in under three minutes. There’s a strap that goes behind the seat and one that goes under. There’s an additional clip that goes around the headrest. Note that if you don’t have headrests, you won’t be able to install this seat cover.
We’re happy to report that a novice could install these.
Effectiveness
We didn’t do any of our torture tests with these seats, so we suggest checking out the reviews on the WeatherTech site from people who’ve used these covers in action. They’ll be able to tell you how these have held up in the long run.
Spoiler alert: Only 50{ae0574aa737e27cdcdf098405fadeaa71ea873d1f4860543ab45463e81129474} of customers would recommend the covers.
Warranty
Here’s where we can give WeatherTech some points. They offer a limited lifetime warranty on their Seat Protectors.
If anything goes wrong with the cover that you couldn’t prevent, WeatherTech will help you out.
Value
The WeatherTech Seat Protectors cost around $300 for a pair of bucket seats. That’s not cheap. And when you consider that the covers don’t protect the back of the seats or the headrest, and you’d have to pay an extra $55 per seat for a seat back protector, you’re looking at over $400 to fully cover your front bucket seats.
If you have $400 to spend on a pair of seat covers, there are other brands we think you’ll be happier with.
Summary
We wanted to like these but just couldn’t.
On rear bench seats, these could work well for pets or equipment. (Especially if you don’t need the middle seat because center seatbelts won’t be accessible.) If you’re not hauling around humans, this could be a good option, and the humanless options seem to be what positive reviewers are using these for.
But even then, WeatherTech reviewers give the Seat Protectors 3.2 stars out of 5. That’s a 64{ae0574aa737e27cdcdf098405fadeaa71ea873d1f4860543ab45463e81129474}, and if we were still in high school, they’d be getting a D. Not something we’d brag about.
Let’s face it; seat covers aren’t WeatherTech’s bread and butter. They’re known for floormats and other vehicle accessories. So although we love WeatherTech, we wouldn’t recommend their seat covers, and we’re not just saying that as a seat cover company; we’re saying this based on research, testing, and verified customer reviews.
Mike from Pennsylvania gets how we feel:
“I gotten many items from Weathertech over the years. All top grade. But the front seat protector I just purchased is awful. Looks bad, doesn’t fit well, uses Velcro attachments. Just awful. I have it two weeks. Constantly had to refit and re-adjust Velcro. I gave up and took it off. $150 bucks for an absolute failure. Stick to floor liners. Those work great.”
If you’re ready to invest in seat covers that last, take a look at these favorite brands.
We didn’t know much about ShearComfort before doing our Best Work Truck Seat Covers review, but we were pleasantly surprised by their specs. In that review, we looked at their Waterproof covers made of 500 Denier CORDURA®. Since we wanted something more similar to our covers for this comparison, we ordered their CORDURA® 1000 Denier Xtra-Duty Seat Covers, which seemed promising.
Let’s see how they compare with TigerTough seat covers.
Watch the full video review
A side-by-side comparison with ShearComfort's CORDURA® 1000-Denier Xtra-Duty Seat Covers with TigerTough's seat covers.
Packaging
The ShearComfort covers arrived in a plain, unbranded box with “custom seat covers” printed on it. If we were grading this, we wouldn’t ding points for an unbranded box, but they don’t get extra credit.
We were disappointed that their covers didn’t come with instructions. There wasn’t anything in the box except the covers. Maybe this was a packaging error, or perhaps it’s standard. Either way, since we work in the seat cover industry, we assumed we could figure out how to install them. Installing guides are available online, but we didn’t dig into them.
TigerTough covers ship in a branded bag, and we include full-color instructions for your specific vehicle. No generic instructions here. And all our instructions are available online (check out a copy) if yours mysteriously disappears.
Materials: What are they made of?
We got excited about ShearComfort because they, like us, use CORDURA®️, which is like the diamond-tipped saw blade of the seat cover world. These particular seat covers of theirs are made from 1000 Denier, the same as ours. (They have other types of CURDURA®️ as well.)
But there’s a plot twist.
ShearComfort’s covers aren’t fully covered in CORDURA®️. The back of the cover–where the pocket is–is made from stretchy nylon. Think 1980s workout gear–same vibe.
This was surprising because nowhere in the product description does it say the back is made from a different material. We can’t tell how this mullet-of-a-seatback will perform long-term, but we’ll get into more details in the installation section.
Design and Fit
The ShearComfort Xtra-Duty covers come in three pieces. We love this–it means the cover will have a more accurate fit. The cover is backed with foam, which causes it to be a little stiff. This might be something that softens with time to form to the seat better.
We want to point out that the seat covers we ordered didn’t look exactly like the stock image. The cover we received didn’t have an airbag tag, and instead of a tearaway seam, it had a hole with a flap for the airbag. However, these were indicated as airbag-compatible, so we’ll trust them.
The TigerTough seat cover doesn’t have that foam backing, so there’s a tighter, smoother fit.
Overall, both covers look great installed.
Headrest
TigerTough's covers fit under the headrest support mounts. ShearComfort's covers have a bias tape that goes around the mounts.
The ShearComfort covers have slits around the headrest mounts with a visible bias tape around the edge. Similar to how Carhartt does theirs. This doesn’t affect function; you wouldn’t notice this if you had the headrest down.
TigerTough covers are designed to fit under the plastic part of the headrest supports for a cleaner look.
Seatback
The part of the cover you rest your back on is similar on both brands. The TigerTough option you see has the added embroidery (which will cost you extra), but other than that, they’re about the same. We didn’t see an option to add embroidery to ShearComfort.
The actual backs of the seatbacks are very different.
TigerTough has a pocket which costs extra to add. ShearComfort has a pocket that comes standard.
ShearComfort has a pocket, which is rare as a standard feature. You need to pay for this additional feature with the TigerTough vehicle covers (seatback pockets come standard on our heavy equipment seat covers, though.)
But, like we mentioned earlier, the material on the back of ShearComfort Xtra-Duty cover is a totally different material. It’s thin and stretchy.
Here’s what we don’t know about this back material:
What it’s made of
How durable it is
If it’s waterproof
If it will stretch out with time
That said, we wish they would have wrapped the whole seat in the 1000 Denier CORDURA®️.
Side airbag-compatibility
TigerTough has a tearaway seam for airbags. ShearComfort has an airbag hole and flap.
ShearComfort deems their seat covers as side airbag-safe. This is huge. We wouldn’t ever recommend putting on a seat cover that wasn’t compatible with side airbags.
This is where we got another head-tilt, though.
The stock images of ShearComfort’s Xtra-Duty seat covers show a tearaway seam, similar to how TigerTough does it. But the covers we received from them had a hole covered by a flap for airbag deployment. Since the hole is smaller than the airbag deployment area on the factory seat, this does make us nervous. We couldn't find any testing info on their site, so we couldn't see how they deploy.
The airbag feature we received was a hole and flap on the side of the cover (left). The cover featured on the site had a tearaway seam (right).
We emailed the ShearComfort team to see if their covers were tested. This is what they said:
"Yes all of our seat covers are made airbag compatible if the vehicle has side impact airbags...While I cannot send [the] documentation as it is proprietary information (every company has different methods that need to be certified), but I can assure you that there is regulation and tested and our manufacturing is certified."
TigerTough seat covers have a tearaway seam, so the side airbags can fully deploy in a collision. A third-party lab tests our covers for compatibility.
Here's one of the testing videos:
Seat crease
Both covers are made up of multiple pieces, so there's a clean seat crease.
Both brands are similar here too. You can tell ShearComfort is a bit stiffer in this area, but we think that would break in with time.
Since each cover is made of three pieces (the headrest, seatback, and seat bottom), there will be a clean seat crease.
Seat bottom
TigerTough and ShearComfort covers both tuck into the seat bottom and allow for access to the seat controls.
Both covers allow access to the seat controls and tuck in nicely on the side.
An elastic bungee connects on the side and runs under the seat to secure the ShearComfort covers. This helps keep it in place. Sort of. Elastic gives, so the cover may shift slightly when you slide into the seat. It’s also not a great material to use on seat covers because it stretches out over time, and if your vehicle gets hot at all, that will reduce the lifespan of the elastic.
TigerTough uses a string that runs along the edge of the seat bottom and cinches up (like your favorite drawstring pants), runs under the seat bottom, and our Stringlock secures it all. It’s not the easiest, but it’s the best way to keep the seat bottom from shifting.
Keeping the cover secure on the seat bottom is a common problem with seat covers, and not many brands have figured out how to solve this effectively.
Ease of Installation
“That install kind of sucked,” admitted one of our team members.
Since we didn’t receive installation instructions with the seat covers, we just went for it, assuming we’d figure it out. The headrest and seatback were fine, but it got rough with the seat bottom. We didn’t know what to hook the hooks to (Part of the seat? Each other?). This is partly on us because we didn’t search online for installation instructions.
And because we knew the airbag slot needed to be on the side of the seat closest to the door, we could figure out which cover to put on which seat. But it wasn’t indicated on the seat covers themselves. That box wasn't checked on ours:
The ShearComfort covers we ordered weren't marked for driver or passenger seats.
ShearComfort has a two-year, risk-free warranty, according to their site:
“This product comes with a 2 Year Risk-Free Warranty against any defects in workmanship and materials. This warranty excludes daily wear and tear, accidental damage, or wear because of improper use or installation.”
Two years is better than we’ve seen from other seat cover companies, but we don’t love that it doesn’t cover daily wear and tear. If a seat cover breaks down during daily wear and tear, it's probably not one you want in a work truck.
The TigerTough warranty is two years, but we make our covers for the blue collar world, and they’re designed to power through the worst of scenarios, so we’ve made it an unconditional warranty. We don’t care how you wrecked your seat covers; we’ll repair or replace them for you.
Price
We used a 2023 Ford F150 as our test model for pricing.
The ShearComfort option is nearly twice as much as the TigerTough version. However, you can usually find a coupon code for ShearComfort or wait for a sale. We keep things straightforward at TigerTough–we don’t have coupons or surprise sales. You get what you get.
Customer Reviews
With a 4.6-star rating and over 1,700 reviews, people really like ShearComfort’s covers. Ed P. says:
“This stuff is really tuff material, looked rough at first but it conformed decently over a short time. I have zero worries about my new trucks interior now. There are a couple small areas the seat cover did not cover. So be it.”
We have around 800 reviews, but we average a 4.9-star rating. This is what Stephen E. has to say:
“This is my second set of covers for my personal truck. Indestructible. Have purchased a set of front and Rear for a RAM truck in my Volunteer Fire Department. Are holding up well to the abuses that fire fighters put them through with the gear they wear.”
Summary
Ultimately, seat covers save you money, so they’re a wise investment, and you should take some time to research which ones you like best.
Both of these seat covers are well-loved by their reviewers. It all comes down to preference and what your budget looks like.
Based on the facts, TigerTough is a little more appealing since the price is about half of what ShearComfort charges, and the warranty is unconditional. But both covers are great options and will protect your seats for years.
Everything is held on the seat with hook and loop fasteners (you may call this VELCRO, but that's a brand name, and we aren't allowed to call it that) except a string that runs under the seat. That’s held together with our patented Stringlock. More on that later.
When designing a new seat cover, we also shoot a detailed install video and write up an install guide for that seat. We don’t do generic instructions because vehicles aren’t generic.
TigerTough seat covers aren’t one-piece covers. The back, bottom, and headrest of your seat are all covered with separate covers, so you can work on one section at a time and end up with something that fits properly.
There’s a very fine line between seat covers that fit well and feeling like you’re putting five pounds of potatoes in a four-pound sack. We tip-toe right down that line. Johnny Cash would be proud.
Problem 2: Seat Covers Never Stay In Place
TigerTough Solution:
Everything is held on with hook and loop, string, and the Stringlock. None of these have any “give.” Your cover is secure once you’ve snugged everything up, pulled it tight, and slammed it into place. We don’t secure anything with elastic or adjustable clips because elastic stretches as soon as you put pressure on it, and adjustable clips tend to self-adjust over time.
This is another reason for the three-piece cover. When you can completely wrap the seat back, bottom, and headrest separately, the seat cover conforms to the seat's shape and has no room to move.
Everything is fully wrapped. Rather than run straps under the seat where you can’t see them, we run the cover all the way under the seat and connect it together in the back. Some seat covers are like aprons. Ours is like a pair of trusty coveralls. Which would you prefer on the job?
Stretchy fabric is notorious for moving around. Since TigerTough seat covers are made from tough, tightly woven fabric, there is no stretch at all.
Problem 3: Seat Covers Never Fit Right
TigerTough Solution:
Every TigerTough seat cover is designed specifically for one seat style or one vehicle.
Here’s how the process works:
We get the seat into our factory for the most accurate measurements.
Our design team spends 2-3 days designing a cover that matches the seat exactly.
We install the cover, taking detailed install photos and videos so you can see precisely how it goes when installing it.
If you’re hesitant to use seat covers based on past experiences with covers that fit like socks on a rooster, you have every right to be!
No seat cover we make is designed from pictures or manufacturer specs. It’s all done the hard way, by hand, using the seats they'll cover.
Problem 4: They’re Unsafe
You’re probably thinking about those “universal-fit” babies with the bungee cords crisscrossed down the sides, right? Those definitely are unsafe. Or maybe safety never even crossed your mind.
We skip the decorative stitching so the covers are as tough as possible and look a little plainer than the factory seats.
If you want something that looks like a custom interior, you may not love our covers. If you’re looking for something that’ll keep your seats in good shape for as long as you own the truck, you’ll think they’re perfect.
Problem 6: They Wear Out
Remember the cheap parts store ones that we talked about? Those do wear out.
If you’re going to spend good money on seat covers to keep your seats looking good, you’re kinda getting the short straw if they’re made from cheap, stretchy fabric that wears out in a few months. Leave that material for yoga pants, not your truck.
TigerTough Solution:
You can be confident that your TigerTough covers aren’t going to give up on you. Since they’re designed for work, they’re made from military-grade fabric. The solid colors are made from the strongest fabric, a 1000-denier CORDURA, and the camos are made from almost-as-tough 900-denier polyester.
They’ve got a two-year unconditional warranty and we really mean unconditional. If anything wears out or breaks for any reason, we’ll fix or replace it. (But we want to hear how it happened because we know there's a good story behind it.)
Here’s how a set looks after eight years and 235,000+ miles in a heavy equipment service truck:
TigerTough seat covers in a truck after eight years of heavy-duty use.
Problem 7: They’re Sweaty
You had pleather seat covers once, didn’t you? Or did you buy some cheap vinyl ones once that gave you flashbacks of your days on a school bus?
Gross. We don't blame you for wanting to steer clear.
TigerTough Solution:
Both of our fabrics are breathable so you won’t have to deal with swamp@** or peeling any bare skin off your seats. These won’t feel any different than your factory seat as far as being breathable or making you sweaty.
When spending hard-earned cash on your truck, ensure you get breathable seat covers.
Problem 8: You're Not Sure What to Get
This is tough. First, we recommended finding the best brand for what you need. But if they don't have a good tool to find the right seat covers for your truck or SUV, it's like wandering a new city without GPS.
TigerTough Solution:
We’ve designed the lookup on our website to make it easy to find the covers for your vehicle. All you need to know are the following details.
The year (2020)
The Make (Ford)
The Model (F150)
The Trim Package (XLT)
The Cab Type (SuperCrew)
Once you punch in all that info, we’ll show you only the seat covers that will fit your truck! If there could be a couple of different seat configurations in your vehicle, we’ll show you the different options and explain the differences between the two.
Find the best seat covers for your truck
If you're still not sold on seat covers, that's okay. But here's our list of things you should consider when shopping around:
Multiple-piece covers
Waterproof
Custom-fit
Made in the U.S.A.
Airbag-compatible
A strong warranty
Seat covers are an investment, and you want to be sure you're making the smartest choice for your needs.
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 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.
TigerTough seat covers come in a branded bag, and Carhartt seat covers come in a branded, shelf-ready box.
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, but it does the job.
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{ae0574aa737e27cdcdf098405fadeaa71ea873d1f4860543ab45463e81129474} 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.
Customer photo of Carhartt seat covers (not sold by Covercraft), made with the Carhartt® Duck Weave fabric showing visible wear on the driver's seat.
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 starting at $429, 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:
New Carhartt SeatSavers. Customer photo courtesy of the Covercraft website.
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.
TigerTough covers are designed to fit under the plastic headrest mounts. Carhartt has a visible bias tape around their mounts.
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
TigerTough seatback embroidery is an additional fee, whereas Carhartt's logo comes standard on their covers.
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.
TigerTough's seatback pocket is an add-on for an additional fee. Carhartt's seatback pocket comes standard.
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.
TigerTough's seat cover comes in multiple pieces with a separate seat bottom and seat back. Carhartt's seat cover has one piece for the seat back and bottom.
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.
Both seat cover allow access to the seat control panels.
We wish there were additional contact points on the 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.
“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. Would you rather have limited love or unconditional?
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: $399 (this base price seems to fluctuate with their sales) TigerTough Seat Covers: $277
The Covercraft covers cost about 44{ae0574aa737e27cdcdf098405fadeaa71ea873d1f4860543ab45463e81129474} more than the TigerTough option. However, you’ll be able to find coupon codes for Covercraft, whereas we keep things straightforward with no-fuss pricing on our site. What you see is what you get.
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.”
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 cheaper, more durable, and has a more forgiving warranty.
WeatherTech is famous in the world of vehicle interior protection. (We admit, that world is pretty tiny, but their presence in it is robust.) They've been in business for decades, are made in America, and offer a decent warranty. What's not to love?
We want to compare WeatherTech with TigerTough seat covers and share our in-the-trenches experience so that you can make an informed decision. We’ll be looking at this as objectively as possible by pointing out the facts, but we’ll be comparing the features and performance with TigerTough.
If you don’t want to read this all, the bottom line is, WeatherTech Seat Protectors are disappointing. Yep, we went there. We know they’re a great company, but their seat covers have many common problems seat covers can face. You can read our WeatherTech Seat Protector review if you'd like more in-depth information.
We ordered charcoal Seat Protectors to cover a 2023 Ford F150. We’ll start with the construction, then go into the individual parts, performance, and pricing.
Watch the video comparison
Installation
Installation was a breeze on the WeatherTech Seat Protectors. It took us under three minutes to get one cover installed. If you’ve ever put a bib on a kid, you’ll be a pro at these. Two straps connect behind the seat, one under the seat, and a stretchy strap around the headrest posts.
TigerTough takes longer. You’ll have to install all three pieces; getting a secure fit takes time.
Design and fit
WeatherTech’s Seat Protectors have a one-piece design and only lay on the front of the seat, and the back is wide open. Think hospital gown.
They offer six variations of their seat cover to fit thousands of makes and models of vehicles.
TigerTough seat covers come in three pieces and wrap the entire seat, more like coveralls. We customize seat covers to snugly fit thousands of trucks, vans, and SUVs.
Headrest
WeatherTech Seat Protectors don't cover the headrest.
Well, this section is weird since WeatherTech doesn’t cover headrests.
They have a strap that goes around the bars of the headrest, but they don’t cover the portion where your head will be. So, all the oils, dirt, grease, etc., will transfer from your head onto your headrest.
But ironically, you can’t install WeatherTech Seat Protectors unless you have a headrest, or the cover won’t be secure on your seat.
TigerTough’s seat covers have a separate headrest portion that secures with hook and loop so that your headrest remains unscathed.
Seatback
Appearance
TigerTough offers custom embroidery, and WeatherTech comes with a standard logo patch.
The front of the seat back (we know that sounds weird), the part where you rest your back, is where WeatherTech has a standard dog logo patch. Some reviewers didn’t love this logo (we suspect they’re cat people), but it’s harmless.
At TigerTough, you can have a blank seat cover or custom embroidery starting at $19 per seat. This is all about looks, so let’s move on to function.
Function
TigerTough covers the entire back of the seat with an option to add a pocket, and WeatherTech's Seat Cover is backless.
WeatherTech’s Seat Protectors cover the front of the upright portion of your seat, but they are bare on the backside. See what we mean about the hospital gown?
Two hook and loop straps connect on the back, but they dangle and feel awkward. It would be nice if there were a way to secure the extra length of unnecessary straps.
You can purchase an additional seat back protector from WeatherTech for $55 each if protecting the back of the seat is important to you. (We’re looking at you, parents.)
TigerTough seat covers wrap around the seat for complete protection and to keep the covers secure. We use the same material on the front as we do on the back. If you'd like to add seat back pockets, that's an option too.
Seat crease
TigerTough seat covers come in multiple pieces. WeatherTech Seat Protectors are one piece.
Since WeatherTech Seat Protectors are one piece, there’s no great way to make a clean crease in the seat. On the plus side, it will catch your crumbs and debris. On a back seat with kids, we could see the benefit of having a crumb-catcher.
The TigerTough seat cover comes in three pieces, so the seat bottom and back are separate, giving you a clean crease.
This is as functional as it is aesthetic. A good fit will keep the seat cover in place, but if you want it to look one way or the other, that’s your preference.
Seat bottom
TigerTough seat covers tuck into the plastic trim. The WeatherTech option hangs over the edge, covering the seat controls on our Ford F150.
WeatherTech has a skirt that goes around the base of the seat. This covered the seat controls on the 2023 F-150 we tried it on. No attachments run under the seat to secure this, so the cover tends to shift as you get in and out of your vehicle.
In comparison, TigerTough seat covers are meant to tuck into the plastic trim of the seat and secure under the seat with straps for a snug fit.
Airbag safety
TigerTough seat covers are independently tested to be airbag-compatible. WeatherTech Seat Protectors are not.
This isn’t an area to gloss over, and it’s the reason we wouldn’t put WeatherTech Seat Protectors in our own vehicles. Having airbag-compatible seat covers is necessary for your and your passengers' safety.
WeatherTech says not to install their Seat Protectors if the securing straps cover the side seat airbags.
? Quick history lesson: most cars made after 2014 will have side airbags due to federal regulation, many deploying from the seat.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that between 1996 and 2012, 2,252 lives were saved by side and curtain airbags–before regulations were even put into place. At that time, only 42{ae0574aa737e27cdcdf098405fadeaa71ea873d1f4860543ab45463e81129474} of vehicles on the road were equipped with side airbags. That percentage is much higher now.
We know you take safety seriously, whether it’s in your personal vehicle or if you’re managing a fleet. So if you’re considering WeatherTech Seat Protectors, look to see if the securing straps will cover any side airbags. If they do, find a better option.
Price
This area is perplexing. Each WeatherTech Seat Protector for a captain or bucket seat is $150 each. So protecting your front seats would be $300. Adding back protection to fully cover your front seats would cost over $400.
And you still don’t have your headrests protected.
$410 to fully protect your vehicle with WeatherTech Seat Protectors and Seat Back Protectors. $277 to protect your seats with TigerTough seat covers without custom embroidery or an additional seat back pocket. Both prices are based on a 2023 Ford F150.
To fully cover your two front seats with TigerTough, it will cost around $277 (we used a 2023 Ford F150 for spec). Plus, your headrests are covered.
WeatherTech: $410 (no headrest protection) TigerTough: $277
Overview
Even if we didn’t work for TigerTough, the facts all point to WeatherTech being inferior. They don’t cover as much, aren’t a custom fit, cost more money, and there’s a good chance they’ll prevent your airbag from deploying.
Even their customers have a hard time justifying the cost of these seat covers when you look at recent reviews:
"WeatherTech should stick to floor liners. Their advertising for this product is very misleading. Be advised the seat cover does not cover the back of the seat and head rest. They are simply velcro strapped in the back to hold it on. And they don't fit, just flapping around. They really look cheap, but cost a lot. They requested my vehicle make and model so the cover would be custom fit. Wrong! They don't fit and are downright ugly! You will be sorry if you buy it. Needless to say, I returned it."
George S., Arizona May 24, 2023 WeatherTech Seat Protector reviewer
There are many seat covers on the market, so if TigerTough isn’t right for you, there’s probably an option that’s safer and more affordable than WeatherTech.
WeatherTech Seat Protector and Seat Back Protector
WeatherTech Seat Protector (without backs)
TigerTough Seat Cover
Price
$410
$300
$277
Stars
3.2
3.2
4.9
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Limited Lifetime
Unconditional two years
Material
Polycotton twill fabric
Polycotton twill fabric
1000 Denier CORDURA®️
Fit
Universal
Universal
Perfect Fit
Waterproof
Water-resistant
Water-resistant
Waterproof
Colors/Patterns
4
4
8
Airbag Safe
❌
❌
☑️
Made in the USA
☑️
☑️
☑️
Installation Time per Seat
5 minutes
3 minutes
9 minutes
Specs based on a 2023 Ford F150 regular cab. No add-ons are included in price comparisons.