Learning Center

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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% 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 with WeatherTech would cost over $400. And you still don’t have your headrests protected.

To fully cover your two front seats with TigerTough, it will be $297 (we used a 2023 Ford F150 for spec). Plus, your headrests are covered.

WeatherTech: $410 (no headrest protection)
TigerTough: $297

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.

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

What do we mean? 

Adding camo to a standard seat cover doesn't prepare it 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. Whether you’ve got a budget to stick to or you're ready to splurge, we've got you covered. By the end of this, you’ll have all the info you need to choose a seat cover that’s not just a pretty face in the woods but a real workhorse, just like you.

So, buckle up, and let’s get into it.

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. We haven't gotten our hands on one of the new covers yet, but when we do, we'll determine if they should be added back into this list. 

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: $466

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 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. Over $400 to match your jacket to your seat covers seems a little extreme, but who are we to judge?

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: $228

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: $395

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: $295

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. 

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. According to a Coverking customer service rep, these are the same covers as Coverkings’s Neosupreme covers. Since Kryptek’s website info is…cryptic…we’ll use the Coverking’s site info.

Price: $320

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: $395

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: $319

Pros

Our camo seat covers are made of 900-denier polyester 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

The camo version of our seat covers isn’t made of CORDURA®️ like our solid-color options. So they’ll still be durable as heck and offer the same great warranty. 

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. 

Fia is a popular seat cover company we find ourselves compared to, so it was worth an in-person look.

They’re a Canadian company founded over 40 years ago, so they know their stuff and have been in the market far longer than we have.

Fia has a variety of covers, from faux leather to saddle blanket style. We went with the SP80, the most comparable to TigerTough. 

We ordered a 2023 Ford F-150 set to compare them with TigerTough seat covers.

Let’s see how they do.

Watch the video review:

Packaging

Packaging might not be top of mind when you're picking out seat covers, but it's still something we like to cover. It's more than just a box or a bag — it's a reflection of the brand itself.

Fia Packaging

Fia covers arrived in purple branded box, but we noticed that the box doesn’t really match their orange website. Not a big deal. Maybe they’re going through a rebrand, and we got old packaging stock.

Their covers were packaged with a black-and-white generic instruction sheet labeling a three-step installation process.

TigerTough Packaging

When your TigerTough seat covers arrive, they come neatly packaged in a branded poly mailer with full-color instructions tailored to your vehicle's make and model. Say you've got a 2019 Nissan Frontier — you'll receive a set of guidelines crafted precisely for fitting TigerTough covers to your Frontier's seats, ensuring a smooth installation process.

Design, material and fit of the seat cover

Fia Design, Material, and Fit

These covers are made of 100% polyester. But like Shear Comfort, Fia uses different materials for the seat bottoms and sides. The sides and headrest are made of a much thinner, stretchy polyester. This difference in quality can affect the longevity of the seat cover.

Fia doesn’t label the denier of their polyester, so we can’t give details on that.

There’s some decorative stitching on the seat back, which we don’t suggest because it makes the seat cover weaker.

TigerTough Design, Material and Fit

TigerTough seat covers come in three pieces and wrap the entire seat, much like Fia, but we use 1000-Denier CORDURA on the entire seat for consistent quality.

Our covers are made from 1000-Denier CORDURA and are proven to withstand intense abuse. We don’t have any decorative stitching, except for embroidery, but because that’s in an area with minimal wear, it doesn’t weaken the seat cover like decorative stitching.

Installation

Fia Installation

It took us approximately 9 minutes to install a Fia cover. We rated these as fairly easy to install. The instructions weren’t awesome, but we made do.

TigerTough Installation

Installing TigerTough seat covers clocked in at just 9 minutes for a full seat setup too. Granted, we're pretty savvy with our products, so it might take a newcomer a bit longer, but not by much.

We try to go the extra mile by providing detailed instructions and step-by-step installation videos tailored for each specific vehicle model to ensure you get it right the first time.

Here's the lowdown on how TigerTough seat covers fit into place:

• The cover for the seat bottom extends under the entire seat, firmly securing itself with robust hook & loop fasteners.
• Our unique StringLock system encircles the base of the seat bottom, pulling everything snugly together under the seat just like a drawstring, making sure the cover stays put without any slip or slide.

Check out our full installation expectations to learn more.

Headrest

Both seat covers come equipped with headrest protection — a definite plus! Covering the headrest is as essential as the seat itself for full coverage. That said, we noted that Fia's headrest cover is crafted from a thinner fabric. This might not offer the barrier you need on a dusty job site. Instead of acting as a solid shield, Fia's cover might behave more like a filter, allowing finer particles to pass through rather than providing a robust defense.

Seat back

Fia Seat Back

Fia’s seat backs have their heavy-duty polyester on the front and light polyester on the back and side. They do not offer a seatback pocket option or any custom embroidery. 

TigerTough Seat Back

Our seat covers fit snuggly to the back. It’s fits like a glove. If you’d like to add a seatback pocket or custom embroidery, you can do that for an additional fee. 

Seat crease and bottom

Since both seat covers are made from multiple pieces, they both have clean-looking creases that fit the seats well.

They also both tuck into the plastic trim of the seat bottom. We wish Fia had a way to secure the portion that tucks into the plastic trim, though, because this will pull out as you slide in the vehicle.

Fia only has their heavy-duty polyester on the bottom and outside of the seat bottom, though. They use their lighter-weight polyester on the other areas of the seat bottom.

Airbag safety

A bit of a history rundown: Post-2014, virtually all cars come equipped with side airbags, a mandate driven by federal safety regulations. These airbags, often integrated into the seats, have been life-savers even before becoming standard. To put it in perspective, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that from 1996 to 2012, side and curtain airbags saved over 2,000 lives. Back then, only 42% of cars had them – a number that's substantially higher today.

We understand the importance of safety in every vehicle, whether it's your work truck or an entire fleet under your watch.

Fia Airbag Compatibility

There are several ways to do airbag compatibility, but no matter how it’s done, the airbag just needs to be able to deploy in the event of a collision. 

Fia does a flap technique. There’s a cutout covered by a thin fabric flap. We have no doubts that this would function as needed, but the flap is so floppy that we don’t know if it would actually stay tucked into the cutout. 

TigerTough Airbag Compatibility 

Our seat covers are designed with a clear tearaway seam that spans the length of the seat, ensuring they don't hinder airbag deployment during an accident. Tested by independent safety experts, our covers are confirmed to be compatible with airbags. While we hope it never comes to that, you can trust that our seat covers are safety-approved.

Warranty and Returns

Fia Warranty and Returns

Fia offers a limited two-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects under normal use. 

And if you’re not happy with your purchase, you have 30 days to return your Fia products. Pretty fair, we’d say. 

TigerTough Warranty and Returns

Our vehicle seat covers have a two-year, unconditional warranty. If something happens to your TigerTough seat covers, we’ll replace or repair them. How they got damaged doesn’t matter; we’ll happily make it right.

If, for some reason, you don’t like your TigerTough seat covers, we’ll accept returns within 30 days of you receiving them. You just need to be sure they’re in like-new condition still.

Price

Seat covers can range from $50 to hundreds of dollars. For comparison, we used a 2023 Ford F-150 for spec. 

How much does Fia cost?

We ordered a set of their SP87-34 seat covers for $160. This is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen for seat covers.

How much does TigerTough cost?

To fully cover your two front seats with TigerTough, it will cost around $317.

Overview

It all comes down to what you want out of a seat cover and what your budget allows.

There are two things we’d love to see from Fia: a fully-wrapped seat cover that uses the same material all around, and reviews on their website.

If you want something rugged and meant to withstand hard use, like construction equipment or excited farm dogs, we’d encourage you to try TigerTough. You can’t destroy them (and even if you manage to, we’ll replace them in the first two years.)

Maybe after reading this comparison, neither of these brands appeal to you. Then you should definitely check out the best seat covers for work trucks and find something that meets your needs and budget.

Both brands have earned their stripes, commanding respect in the market for their quality and durability. But brand reputation is just one piece of the puzzle when hunting for the right seat cover.

Your vehicle’s interior faces daily challenges, from accidental spills to the wear and tear of regular use. And while both Carhartt and WeatherTech promise top-tier protection, the real question is: which one truly delivers on that promise? 

We've ordered both covers and tried them on a 2023 Ford F-150, and we’ll give you a head-to-head comparison to help you make an informed decision for your ride.

Installation

Installation might seem straightforward with seat covers, but it's more than just fitting a piece of fabric onto a seat. It's about ensuring the cover stays in place, doesn't interfere with the vehicle's functions, and looks aesthetically pleasing. Carhartt and WeatherTech have different installation methods, and we’ll take a detailed look into both processes.

Covercraft Carhartt Installation

You know Carhartt. Their seat covers promise the same rugged quality as their workwear. 

The aesthetic is instantly recognizable, appealing to fans of the Carhartt brand. However, a slight hiccup emerges in differentiating the driver's seat cover from the passenger's, especially since these covers are airbag-safe, making correct installation crucial.

Installation is straightforward, with simple instructions typical of most seat cover brands (but not typical of TigerTough…just sayin’). The covers are one piece, excluding the headrest, which means less hassle in assembling multiple parts. However, this singular design can be tricky in ensuring a snug fit, especially over prolonged use.

WeatherTech Installation

WeatherTech is no newbie in the vehicle protection arena. Installation of their Seat Protectors promises speed, with our trial run clocking it at under three minutes for a single cover. Their one-piece design is reminiscent of a bib, using two straps behind the seat, one beneath, and a stretchy band around the headrest posts for a relatively secure fit. Simplicity is WeatherTech's motto here.

However, this simplistic approach has its drawbacks. The one-piece design exposes the back of the seat (cue a hospital gown analogy). The lack of snug fit will also lead to the cover shifting with regular movement in and out of the vehicle.

Design and Fit

Design and fit aren't just about making your truck’s interior look good. It's about protection and durability. Covercraft Carhartt and WeatherTech each have strengths and potential areas of improvement.

Covercraft Carhartt

Carhartt's design leans heavily into its brand identity—rugged, durable, and ready for work. The SeatSaver Custom Seat Covers, made of their signature "heavy-duty, firm-hand Carhartt® Duck Weave fabric," are an extension of this brand. This 100% cotton fabric feels familiar to anyone who's donned a Carhartt jacket or hat.

However, this commitment to tradition can be a double-edged sword. The material does wear out (we’ve seen it). A seat cover sees far more friction than a jacket, so it won’t last as long.

Each Carhartt cover is customized to your vehicle's specific make and model, making it a custom fit.

The seat covers are constructed as a single piece (aside from the headrest) unlike TigerTough seat covers. While this can simplify the design, it can compromise the fit. Over time, as users slide in and out of their vehicles, the SeatSavers might shimmy and shift, detracting from the snug fit you’d hope for.

“Will not stay in place. Have to fix the cover every time I get out, very frustrating for the price.”

- Timothy C.

WeatherTech

WeatherTech's design philosophy seems centered around simplicity. Their Seat Protectors adopt a minimalist, one-piece design approach. 

However, the emphasis on simplicity also leads to compromises. The seat protectors only cover the front, exposing the back—a curious choice that might not appeal to those looking for full protection like a TigerTough seat cover. And the lack of a custom fit for specific vehicles means the covers won’t offer a snug, glove-like fit. This might lead to the seat covers shifting more than users like, especially with frequent use.

“Heavy duty, but not enough places to secure them so they don't slide up. Don't really fit right. Pretty expensive for the fit! As long I keep pulling them down the should protect from dirt etc.”

- Jericho

Headrest Protection

The headrest cover, while sometimes overlooked, plays a vital role. Protecting the headrest ensures not only the longevity of the material but also the cleanliness and appearance of your vehicle's interior. 

Covercraft Carhartt and WeatherTech take different approaches to headrest protection, and understanding these can greatly influence one's buying decision.

Covercraft Carhartt: Integrating the Iconic Fabric

Carhartt continues its commitment to its signature Duck Weave fabric, even regarding the headrest. The headrest portion is a separate piece (like TigerTough) and offers a consistent look throughout the seat. This ensures that the iconic rugged appearance is uniform, making the interior look cohesive.

Functionally, the headrest cover protects against dirt, wear, and the elements. However, as it's designed as a separate piece, there might be concerns regarding its fit and potential to shift over time, especially if not secured properly.

WeatherTech: The Minimalist Approach

WeatherTech's approach to the headrest is noticeably different. Their Seat Protectors do not cover the headrest, opting for a strap around the headrest bars. While this minimalist design ensures quick installation and removal, it leaves the headrest vulnerable to dirt, sweat, and other potential stains.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the lack of coverage can be seen as a design inconsistency, especially when the rest of the seat is protected. Functionally, for drivers in blue-collar jobs, the unprotected headrest might wear out or discolor faster than the rest of the seat.

Seat Back

Often, the back of the seat is a neglected aspect of protection. It’s not as visible as the seat front, but it's just as important when it comes to shielding against wear, tear, and potential damage. Let’s just say Carhartt and WeatherTech have different approaches to covering the seat back.

Covercraft Carhartt: Full Coverage with Character

Appearance

The Carhartt Duck Weave fabric extends to the back, ensuring a seamless look throughout the seat. Its rugged texture and signature style adds a touch of workmanship to the vehicle's interior, even in areas not immediately visible.

Fit

The Carhartt design snugly wraps around the seat back, with the material's firmness ensuring it stays in place. This tight fit minimizes the material's chances of sagging or becoming baggy.

Extra Features

• Logo: Carhartt’s iconic patch sits between the shoulder blades, a subtle brand reminder.
• Storage Pocket: A standard feature on their covers, the seat back pocket offers added functionality and storage, a win for those who like to keep things organized.

WeatherTech: Simplified Protection

Appearance

The Seat Protectors by WeatherTech sport a more minimalistic design. If you’re into bibs, you’ll be into these.

Fit

The design leaves the back exposed, resembling a shield rather than a full cover. This design choice might raise eyebrows among those who prefer complete coverage, but it allows quicker installation. But it also makes for a sloppy fit.

“When the dog is on the seat, the cover moves around every time she changes position. It should not be my job to re-engineer a WeatherTech product to make it work. I have always been pleased with WT products until now.”

- Doug S.

Extra Features:

• Open Back: The lack of a full back cover is a drawback, but this can benefit those who need quick access to pockets or features on the original seat.
• Optional Back Protector: For an additional $60, WeatherTech offers an additional seat back protector, acknowledging that a segment of their audience might prefer the extra layer of defense.

Seat Crease and Bottom

Let’s look closer at how Covercraft Carhartt and WeatherTech tackle the seat crease – that intersection where the seat bottom meets the back.

Covercraft Carhartt: Not the Neatest Crease

Seat Crease

• Carhartt’s one-piece design offers continuity at the crease. This translates to a smooth transition from the seat back to the bottom.
• However, the single-piece construction means the crease may shift over time, especially as occupants slide in and out of the seat.

Seat Bottom

• Crafted with their signature Duck Weave fabric, the Carhartt seat bottom boasts both durability and a rustic aesthetic.
• The design ensures that access to seat controls remains unobstructed, with the cover contouring neatly around the edge of the seat.
• Multiple contact points ensure the seat bottom remains anchored, resisting movement and providing a firm seating experience.

WeatherTech: One-Piece Flaws

Seat Crease

• With WeatherTech’s single-piece Seat Protectors, the seat crease design emphasizes functionality. Its design can act as a catcher for crumbs and debris – a practical touch for those with kids or frequent eaters on the go.
• But, much like Carhartt, this single-piece approach may lead to the cover shifting over time, compromising the initial neat appearance.

Seat Bottom

• WeatherTech’s focus on functional design shines through with its skirt-like approach to the seat bottom, wrapping around its base.
• This skirt design may drape over some seat controls, potentially causing slight accessibility issues for some vehicle models.
• The absence of anchoring points under the seat means the seat cover might shift slightly during use, which may be a point of consideration for some users.

Airbag Compatibility

⚠️ Spoiler alert: Not all seat covers are airbag-compatible.

Covercraft Carhartt: Safety at Forefront

• Carhartt's seat covers have been meticulously designed to work seamlessly with side seat airbags, ensuring unhindered deployment when needed.
• Proper installation is paramount. Even with the best designs, incorrect fitting can pose risks. Adhering to the provided guidelines is crucial.

WeatherTech: A Questionable Oversight

• WeatherTech, despite its reputation in vehicle protection, has a glaring oversight in their Seat Protector design concerning side airbag safety.
• Their installation instructions say not to put the covers on vehicles with side airbags. Since most new vehicles have these airbags, the WeatherTech Seat Protectors shouldn’t be installed.
• Their securing straps can potentially cover side seat airbags, making them a hazardous choice for most modern vehicles, especially those post-2014 where side airbags are prevalent.
• This design flaw isn't a tiny hiccup; it's a major safety concern. There’s no room for nonchalance when it comes to life-saving features.

The Non-Negotiable Nature of Airbag Safety

The data doesn’t lie. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's findings underline the significance of side airbags in saving lives. So any seat cover that doesn't prioritize this essential safety feature should considered cautiously.

When choosing between brands, remember that safety isn't negotiable. Whether you lean toward Covercraft’s Carhartt or any other brand, ensuring the seat covers comply with the vehicle's safety features and are installed as directed is vital.

Price

Let's check out both brands' price points and analyze their value.

Covercraft Carhartt: A Premium Offering

Price Point

• Priced at $428 (as of our last check for a 2023 Ford F150 model), Carhartt SeatSavers position themselves in the market's premium segment.

Value Proposition

• The fabric's resilience, iconic Carhartt branding, and tailored fit justify the steeper price for many. As an integral safety feature, airbag compatibility adds to its value.
• Their periodic sales and coupon codes offer some relief, making them more accessible during promotional periods.

WeatherTech: Surprisingly Steep for the Offering

Price Point

• To cover the front and back of bucket seats (not the sides, as those are still exposed), WeatherTech Seat Protectors carry a price of $420. ($150 per seat protector and $60 for each seat back protector.) And your headrests are still naked in this scenario.

Value Proposition

• At face value, WeatherTech demands a premium price. Given the safety concerns around airbag compatibility and the less-than-perfect fit, the value for the price could be better.
• Their "universal" design philosophy might cut costs in production, but it might not always align with consumers' expectations for a tailored fit.

Price Overview

With Carhartt at $428 for a custom fit and WeatherTech at $410 for a universal fit, there's not enough cost savings for us to justify buying WeatherTech.

Customer Feedback and Reviews

Covercraft Carhartt seat covers earned a notable 4.5-star rating with over 2,000 reviews, showcasing their appeal and reliability. Many drivers admire the robustness and look of their signature Carhartt fabric.

On the other hand, WeatherTech's Seat Protectors aren’t as loved, averaging a 3.2-star rating. Customers often mention fit issues, coverage gaps, and concerns regarding airbag safety. While WeatherTech has mastered other vehicle protection, their seat protectors differ from their top-tier product.

Conclusion

Wrapping up our in-depth comparison of Covercraft Carhartt and WeatherTech seat protectors, here's a snapshot of what each brand brings to the table:

Covercraft Carhartt

• Brand Legacy: Carhartt leverages its iconic Duck Weave fabric and its established reputation in durable workwear.
• Design Philosophies: The seat covers offer a familiar feel, though there are areas, such as seat fit, where improvement is needed,
• Price Point: Retailing at around $428 for their SeatSavers, Carhartt combines brand trust with a slightly premium price.

WeatherTech

• Brand Strength: A well-established name in vehicle protection, WeatherTech is known for precision and craftsmanship.
• Safety Concerns: The potential risk to airbag deployment is a major concern that users need to be wary of.
• Design and Fit: Despite a more streamlined design, there are compromises, especially around seat crease and headrest protection.
• Price Consideration: Priced at approximately $420 for complete front seat protection (including additional seat back protectors), WeatherTech's offering seems less compelling, especially when factoring in the safety reservations and lack of headrest cover.

No pressure, but when it comes to seat covers, your choices play an important role in determining your car's interior's safety, aesthetics, resale value, and durability. If you were to ask us, we’d choose Covercraft’s Carhartt over WeatherTech’s Seat Protector. When selecting seat covers, it's crucial to weigh aesthetics, comfort, safety, and functionality.

We’re dog people. I mean, we’re Americans, after all. At TigerTough, we have dogs who ride along in our trucks just like our customers do, so wondering if our seat covers are durable enough to withstand dogs is a valid concern.

If you’re bringing your pets along for the ride, first, you want to protect your seats. You paid good money for your vehicle and want to keep that resale value. We get that. So you need seat covers. Second, you want those covers to withstand what your pet dishes out.

Our covers aren’t made for dogs. And we don’t have any pet hammocks you see slung in the back seat of a Subaru near you. We make our covers for hardworking men and women, so let’s see how TigerTough holds up to pets.

Made for Messes

Dogs are gross. They run through mud, jump in swamps, and roll in...stuff. You need seat covers durable enough to handle the messiest scenario your dog finds itself in.

Waterproof material

Our covers are made from 1000-Denier CORDURA®. We’ve literally dumped tar on our seat covers and poured five gallons of coffee on them, and the seats underneath came out unscathed. So if your pooch soils your seat and you’ve got a TigerTough seat cover on it, don’t sweat. The seat under it will be fine.

“Tough as f###ing nails, my dog puked on them and didn’t even faze them. If they ever wear out, I’ll buy [them] again.”

-Gene

How well does dog hair clean up?

Sadly, our seat covers don’t repel dog hair. We’re actually not sure of any covers on the market that do. 

But we’re happy to report that dog hair easily vacuums up off the seat covers. We tested three tools to remove dog hair from the seat covers a standard vacuum cleaner, a Lily Brush, and a Furz-Off Stone. Out of all of them, the vacuum performed the best, and the fur came right off. You won’t need special tools.

Worst case scenario, you can easily remove the seat covers and toss them in the washing machine for ultimate cleanup.

“The best thing about these for me is their resistance to dog hair and ease of cleaning when they get dirty. I've got two large labs that wreck everything they touch. [A] damp cloth and good to go. Dog hair doesn't porcupine quill into the fabric. It vacuums right up. One dog has coarse hair, and the other soft. So well worth the money. So much better than the Carhartt I've used for the last 20 years.”

- Mark

 

Durability

We have yet to find a dog who can dig or chew its way through one of our seat covers. We can’t say it won’t happen, but until (if) it does, we’re considering them scratch-proof. No matter how much your dog digs, it won’t be able to dig through the cover. Heck, if a screwdriver can’t stab through a cover, we don’t think your dog has a chance of destroying these.

“We bought these well over a year ago mainly for our three dogs, and they look just like the day we put them on, so easy to clean too. We love them."

- Dennis

Safety

If your dog uses a dog seatbelt or harness, you can still clip it in. All connection points and seatbelts are still accessible with TigerTough. 

Disclaimer: We’ve only tested our seat covers for human safety, not dog safety, so be sure to read any instructions that come with your dog's car seatbelt before using it with TigerTough seat covers.

Dog-Friendly Seat Covers

We don’t make our seat covers with dogs in mind. Our covers fit like a glove on your captain/bucket seats and bench seats. We don't make pet hammocks or cargo liners (but if you are looking for cargo liners, we recommend Canvasback.) We make our seat covers for people first, but our covers are great for pets too. 

If our covers can withstand concrete, coffee, gypsum, chainsaws, and weed-eaters, they can withstand the wear and tear of dogs and whatever other animals you happen to have riding shotgun.

But suppose your dog manages to dig with the ferocity of a first-time excavator operator and actually causes some damage. In that case, we have a two-year unconditional warranty and will happily replace those covers. And yes, we mean unconditional.

“Absolutely fantastic product! Holds up great to a German Shepard Service Dog getting into and out of the truck multiple times a day now for months with no signs of wear. Cleans easily, including the famous “German Shedder” glitter! My wife loves it. She can access the storage compartments in the back seats with no problems and loves the fact that this seat cover even allows her to raise the one section of the back seat allowing the dog to get in and out easier. No other seat cover does that, well none that we found! It is just the best!”

- David

We've seen our seat covers in action with a range of dogs—hunting dogs, pets, police K9s, and service dogs. Not a single negative review about TigerTough seat covers for dogs has come our way. Even though our seat covers aren’t designed for dogs, they've proven to be as dog-friendly as the best of them.

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

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. 

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. 

Overall, both covers look great installed.

Headrest

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. 

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

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.

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 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

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:

Overall, the installation took seven minutes, which is still less than TigerTough seat cover installation, which was at nine minutes.

Warranty

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.

ShearComfort CORDURA® 1000 Denier Xtra-Duty Seat Covers: $470
TigerTough Seat Covers: $297

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.