TigerTough vs. Northwest Seat Covers: A Side-by-Side Review

Let’s be clear right up front: this isn’t a roast. It’s not a review. It’s a side-by-side comparison so you can see what you’re getting, what it looks like, how it installs, and how it holds up.

We put TigerTough and Northwest’s heaviest-duty (their Cordura® Pro-Gard™) covers on the same truck. Why? So you can see for yourself what works best for your rig, your job, and your standards.

What Comes in the Box

Northwest’s covers showed up in a basic package and included:

• A universal install guide with black-and-white illustrations

• Cordura® Nyco fabric covers (a cotton-nylon blend with a bit of stretch, this one is 74% Cotton, 24% Nylon, 2% Dynamic Yarn

• Foam-backed seat bottoms and backs

• A center console cover

• Headrest covers (not all brands include these, so that’s a win)

TigerTough covers came in a branded bag and included:

• A custom install guide with full-color photos

• Links to vehicle-specific install videos

• Covers made from 100% Cordura®

• Our signature Stringlock for a no-shift fit

• Headrest covers

• No foam backing (more on that in a minute)

Let’s Talk Fabric

Northwest uses a Cordura® blend that’s softer to the touch and backed with foam. That foam helps hide wrinkles, adds a bit of cushion, and gives a polished look right out of the gate.

But that foam? It’s not all upside.

The big downside is what it does to your heated or cooled seats. In our tests, foam-backed covers slowed down heat transfer, and they’ll possibly block airflow from cooled seats. If you’re spending long hours in the cab, comfort matters, and foam can mess with that.

TigerTough covers skip the foam completely. That’s intentional. No foam means your heated and cooled seats actually work. Our fabric is breathable, rugged, and water-resistant. While you may notice some wrinkles at first, they will settle out with use.

Bonus: No foam also means our covers are machine washable. You don’t need to baby them. Beat them up, then throw them in the wash.

Install and Fit

Northwest covers rely on elastic loops, S-hooks, and Velcro. They get the job done, but the fit is looser and relies heavily on foam to keep things looking taut. The seat bottom attaches with plastic buckles and elastic straps that loop under the seat.

TigerTough covers are precision-fitted. The seat bottom wraps fully around and fastens to itself. Side-mounted strings get locked down with our StringLock system, which keeps the cover from sliding when you hop in and out all day. The seat back fits snugly, even around the factory trim, thanks to a full-wrap design.

It’s not just about looking good…it’s about staying put.

Airbag Compatibility

Both brands are airbag-compatible. TigerTough uses a tearaway seam with ultra-low tensile stitching that’s been tested in certified crash labs. The airbag blows right through, just like it should.

Northwest lists MGA Labs as their testing facility too (same as us), but we didn’t find any deployment videos, just one photo, but we’re happy they had that available.

Console Covers

Northwest includes a fixed center console cover, and we’ve got to hand it to them: it looks sharp. But looks aren’t everything. As Sheldon showed, it pops off easily when bumped. Elastic wears out. That’s why we usually skip fixed console covers unless it’s a 40/20/40 style seat that flips up.

Warranty and Returns

Here’s the fine print made easy:

We cover any physical damage (rips, tears, whatever) for 2 years. No fine print, no fuss.

So, which is better?

We’ll let Sheldon have the last word:

“This is a competitor comparison, but I’m not going to go out of my way to make our competitors look bad… What you really should be worried about is how do they look in a year. How do they look in two years?”

No matter which brand you’re eyeing, look for real-world photos. Not staged, not brand new. The goal is to protect your seats (and your investment) for the long haul.

And if you’re ready for covers that are made in the USA, tested in labs and job sites, and backed by a no-nonsense warranty, well…you know where to find us.