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We tested our seat covers against a formidable opponent: high-pressure dirt at 110 PSI. The goal was to see how much dirt could penetrate through the covers when subjected to such intense conditions and how well the covers would hold up. We weren't just pushing limits; we were pushing sand and dirt at high speed.

The result? While the paint and primer were blasted off the steel, all the sand managed to do to the seat cover was leave some light tracks—no penetration, tears, or mess underneath. We wanted to know exactly how much sand would get through the CORDURA®, and the answer was none. Absolute success.

Our seat covers held up brilliantly, proving that they can handle even the most extreme conditions without breaking a sweat. And we stand by that with an unconditional warranty. So if you're looking for protection that stands up to the challenge, you know our covers are up to the task.

Keeping your tractor or commercial mower in tip-top shape isn't just good practice—it's essential for getting the job done right and keeping your machine running smoothly season after season. These tough machines take a beating, facing everything from the blazing sun to the grit and grime that comes with the territory. And while it’s crucial to keep their mechanicals running, there's one simple trick to prolonging the life of your tractor that often flies under the radar: taking care of the seat.

Why bother with a seat cover? Well, like heavy equipment, it's not just about making your machine look sharp. A good seat cover protects it from the elements, preventing the seat from cracking, fading, or getting waterlogged. It’s an easy win to keep your seat as ready for work as you are, and it won't bust your wallet either.

1. Protects the Seat from Elements

Out in the field, your seat does more than just play couch to your backside—it goes toe-to-toe with Mother Nature herself. That's why a trusty seat cover can be a real game-changer. Think of it as your seat’s personal bodyguard, warding off the elements:

• Keeps out the rain and blocks those harsh UV rays like a champ, preventing your seat from fading into a sad, cracked version of its former self.
• Have you ever felt like you're sitting on a stove when you hop in the cab? With a seat cover, those days are gone. It keeps your seat from turning into a hot seat…literally.
• Protects your seat from daily wear and tear, keeping it looking as sharp as a freshly mowed lawn.

2. Cost-Effective Solution

Let’s talk cash—because nobody likes to spend more than they have to. Adding a seat cover to your tractor isn't just throwing money at another accessory—it's like buying peace of mind for pennies on the dollar:

Why pay through the nose to replace a beat-up seat when you can protect it from the get-go? Seat covers are the wallet-friendly heroes in this plot, costing a fraction of what you'd cough up for a new seat.

How much would it save? Well to replace a John Deere 2038R seat, it’ll set you back around $385 without any installation fees. Get yourself a $250 seat cover and you just saved yourself a hundred bucks.

With the larger tractors, you’re looking at nearly $1800 to replace the seat.

Think of a seat cover as an insurance policy you don’t have to renew. With one purchase, you're set to save your seat (and your money) from the ravages of sun, rain, and whatever else the great outdoors throws at it.

But beyond that, your machine looks better, which means that pristine seat will put a few more pennies in your pocket if and when you plan to sell.

It’s all about those preventative measures to save you in the long run.

3. Extend Your Tractor's Lifespan and Boost Morale

Taking care of your tractor or commercial mower's seat might seem like a small play, but it’s got benefits, especially if you’re running a landscaping fleet. Seat covers are not just about preserving the seat itself—they're about preserving your entire operation:

• A well-protected seat can prevent premature wear and tear that might lead the whole tractor to seem older than it really is. Keeping that seat in prime condition means less chance of other parts giving up the ghost due to neglect. It’s a domino effect; take care of one part, and the rest stays stronger for longer.
• Let’s face it—no one wants to start their day shifting around on a cracked, sticky, or sun-scorched seat. Comfortable and well-maintained seats boost employee morale and can lead to better care of the equipment. When the crew is happy, they treat their tools with respect—and that means fewer breakdowns, less maintenance cost, and a longer life for your fleet.
• Investing in seat covers is a master move in the economics of equipment management. It’s a simple measure that prolongs the life of your major investments. This is about saving money in the long run, reducing the need for costly repairs or early replacements.

So, slap those seat covers on and watch your tractors—and your team—go the extra mile. It’s a win-win for longevity and workplace satisfaction, ensuring your equipment and your people are in it for the long haul.

4. Easy Maintenance and Cleanliness

Nobody likes a dirty seat, especially when it's the one you have to park yourself on to get some serious work done. With tractors and commercial mowers, dirt, grime, and grease are just part of the job—but that doesn't mean they have to be part of the seat. Here’s why seat covers are your best friend when it comes to keeping things tidy:

• Just like your favorite pair of jeans, the best seat covers are the ones you can easily slip off, wash, and slap back on. They make maintaining a clean seat as easy as doing a load of laundry.
• Let’s talk about materials that shrug off liquids…like sweat. Seat covers crafted from water-resistant or waterproof fabrics won’t absorb your sweat on those hot mowing days. This means no soggy seats, and if you’re running a crew, this means no swapping sweat. (You can also check out antimicrobial seat covers.) Your seat remains ready for action.
• It’s not just about function—there's pride in a clean machine. A seat cover keeps your rig looking sharp and professional, which is always good for business. Plus, it’s a lot easier to impress your neighbors or clients with equipment that looks well cared for.

Keeping your tractor clean shouldn’t be a chore, and with the right seat cover, it won’t be. It’s a simple solution that keeps your equipment looking and feeling fresh, making every mow as pleasant as the first.

The Case for Seat Covers

Investing in a seat cover for your tractor or mower is smart and straightforward. These covers protect your seat from weather, wear, and dirt, while also keeping it cool and comfortable. Easy to maintain and durable, they enhance your mowing experience and help prolong the life of your equipment.

Consider this modest investment a practical step towards a better, more efficient lawn care routine. Your machine, your backside, and your wallet will thank you.

This torture test is brought to you by nothing but curiosity. To be clear, our seat covers are not fireproof, but the idea of setting them on fire seemed like too much fun to pass up. Plus, any excuse to roast marshmallows is a good one in our book!

P.S. Don’t try this at home.

Setting the Scene

We decided to test the limits of CORDURA® by introducing it to a controlled fire—not just for the sake of science, but for the sheer joy of it. And yes, marshmallows were involved, because if you're going to play with fire, why not make it tasty?

Unlike other torture tests, this one wasn't done in the cab of one of our trucks (for obvious reasons). We had a standalone seat we tried it on, in an area that wasn't at risk for burning up.

The Test Begins

With an extinguisher nearby, we set up a small fire on the seat.

As the flames licked the edges of our non-fireproof seat cover, the anticipation grew. Was it going to ignite? How would it handle the heat? Between checking the materials and flipping marshmallows, it was an experiment filled with a lot fun.

Assessing the Damage

After a while, we put out the fire to check the damage. Surprisingly, aside from a couple of little singe marks, the damage was minimal. It turns out these materials might not be fireproof, but they sure are tough to ignite—a reassuring discovery for anyone worried about their accidental flammability. And the seat underneath? That one was just fine.

Conclusion

So, what did we learn from our fiery marshmallow roast? First, these non-fireproof materials can handle quite a bit before showing signs of distress. Second, science experiments are more fun with marshmallows. While we definitely don't recommend trying this at home without proper safety measures, it's good to know that a little heat isn't going to cause immediate disaster. 

And if you are looking for fireproof seat covers, we would recommend taking a look at Wet Okole for your truck. They’re not our favorite seat cover, but they do a good job of protecting seats and they’ve got a loyal fanbase. But if you're not planning to have fires in your cab anytime soon, TigerTough should be just fine.

It's not something you typically plan for, and honestly, it's hard to imagine why you'd ever need to do this, but let's talk about dealing with a sudden paint spill while in transit. Yes, it sounds like a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy, but if you ever find yourself in this sticky situation, here’s how you can manage it without turning your vehicle into abstract art.

Expect the Unexpected

First things first: You’ll unlikely ever need to clean up paint from your vehicle’s interior if you aren’t a professional painter. But, hey, life is full of surprises; sometimes, those surprises come in colorful, liquid form. If your paint cans decide to go rogue and burst open, knowing what to do next can save you a lot of hassle—and cleaning bills.

So here’s how we cleaned it up in another one of our torture tests.

Essential Supplies and Process

Get lots of paper towels. More than you think you'll need. Paper towels will be your first line of defense, helping to soak up the spill before it spreads too far and dries.

Then grab your favorite multipurpose vehicle cleaner. Ours was the cheapest one in the Walmart auto-detailing aisle.

1. Soak up as much of the paint as possible with the paper towels.
2. Spray the seat with a multipurpose cleaner.
3. Continue wiping up the mess with paper towels.

After using paper towels to remove as much paint as possible, we tackled the remaining mess with an all-purpose auto interior cleaner we picked up from Walmart. This step was crucial in removing any residual paint and making sure our vehicle's interior was clean and free from any lingering odors or stickiness.

Wrapping Up

Once you've managed the immediate crisis, take a moment. It's all good—really. A paint spill in transit isn’t the end of the world, though it might feel like it in the moment. Clean up as best as you can, and toss those covers in the wash. In the meantime, keep those windows down to air out any lingering fumes.

Durability is often a top concern for anyone shopping for a seat cover, especially in environments where wear and tear are part of the daily grind. That's why we decided to put TigerTough seat covers to the test in an unconventional but incredibly telling way: by using a power sander to simulate years of abuse in mere seconds.

Testing the Toughness

To start, we wanted to make sure our equipment was up to the task, so we gave our sander a quick test on some rust to ensure it was working at full capacity. Once confirmed, we focused on the real challenge—seeing how well TigerTough seat covers could handle the friction and force. Were we nervous? A little.

Going to Town

With the sander fired up and ready, we treated the seat cover like a surface prepped for painting—intense and thorough. The aim was not just to test the toughness of the CORUDRA fabric, but to see if the cover could still look good after being put in the ring with the sander.

The Results

Using 80-grit sandpaper, which is pretty coarse and unforgiving, we went to town on the seat cover. The result? Only minor scuffs. The cover remained perfectly intact, showing off its robustness and ability to withstand harsh conditions. And the seat underneath was unscathed.

This wasn’t just a minor scratch test; it was a full-on assault, and the TigerTough seat cover came through with flying colors.

Were we surprised? Not really. We know that our covers are tougher than Carhartt in friction tests, but torturing our own product is always a little intimidating.

Summary

This test clearly demonstrated why investing in high-quality, durable seat covers like TigerTough can be worth every penny. Our sander test shows that these covers are built to last for anyone in industries where vehicles take a beating or for those who just want the peace of mind that their seat covers won’t give out. And hey, if you’re not into TigerTough, there are plenty of other great seat covers for work trucks out there.

If you couldn’t guess, we love seat covers. Not only are they our livelihood, but they’re also an affordable way to preserve your seats and improve the resale value of your car, truck, SUV…and UTV. We’ve reviewed some of the top brands in seat covers for trucks, but we want to explore options for side-by-sides since that’s a growing market. 

But we need to warn you: There aren’t many options. Initially, it looked like there were maybe ten or so brands available, but then we discovered that one manufacturer resells its covers under private labels. There's no shame in that, but we quickly realized that some of the brands we were seeing were, in fact, just one brand (sometimes relabeled).

And whenever we do these reviews, we try to find only legit manufacturers and websites. If something feels spammy, we don’t include it. We also dig into the facts–if a company doesn’t list info on their site, we contact their customer service team to learn more.

So, let’s compare the top side-by-side seat cover brands. For pricing, we’ll use a 2023 Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 XP.

Ruff Tuff: Most Variety

We’re no strangers to Ruff Tuff. We recently reviewed their truck seat covers so we expect the same quality from their UTV covers. We love that they’re made right in the USA in good ole Utah. Their Dura EZ care seat covers seem to be a good choice, but they have other fabric options as well. According to their customer service, the Dura EZ Care is made of a 600-denier poly-canvas blend.

Ruff Tuff is a distributor, so you can purchase directly from them, or from other resellers like UTV Direct, Seat Cover Solutions, and Covers and Camo. This is the manufacturer we mentioned. They’ve definitely found their corner in the UTV seat cover neighborhood.

Quick facts

• Made in the USA
• Limited 1-year warranty
• No returns
• Many color options 

Price: $267

Mudderswag: Neoprene Option

This company specializes in seat covers for mud lovers. They don’t even make seat covers for trucks, which is probably why we hadn’t come across them before. We love a good niche seat cover company, so Mudderswag was a fun discovery.

All of their covers are made of black neoprene and customized to fit your particular side-by-side model. Neoprene is a great option for seat covers, and we imagine these would be similar to Wet Okole seat covers in terms of fit and how they react to water.

They have a 30-day return policy, but we couldn’t find any warranty information. At the time of publication, their customer service hadn’t yet responded.

Our hesitation with this brand is that they haven't posted on social media since 2019 and their lack of response from customer service.

Quick Facts

• Only available in black
• Made of neoprene
• 30-Day return policy

Price: $210

Carhartt: Best Reputation

We’ve been around the block with Carhartt a time or two. We’re super familiar with their truck seat covers, so we have a pretty good idea of what their Polaris seat covers are like. 

Keep in mind that these are going to look and feel like Carhartt’s trusty workwear. So they aren’t totally waterproof, but they’re washable. They also wear faster than other materials. It looks like their side-by-side covers don’t include headrest covers. That’s not a deal-breaker, but we just wanted to lay all the facts out there for you.

We need to be upfront: these won’t fit a 2023 Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 XP, but we wanted to have a Carhartt option here. 

Also, we couldn't find an actual photo of these seat covers, only renderings. 

Quick facts:

• Won’t fit all Polaris models
• Made of Carhartt Cotton Duck
• Made in the U.S. and Mexico
• Limited 1-year warranty

Price: $230

Kemimoto: Best Price

This was the least expensive (and legit) seat cover we came across. (Remember those spammy sites we mentioned? Lots of those are in this price range.) Available in two colors, Kemimoto boasts about having waterproof, durable seat covers. We like that!

We don’t love the elastic around the edge. Elastic wears out, and it wears out even quicker in the elements. Once the elastic is shot, the seat covers just won’t fit the same. That custom seat cover will fit more like a loose pair of movie-watching sweats.

These are made in China, and according to their customer service team, their covers are made of 1680D fabric. We don't love admitting it, but we're not sure if this is accurate. Denier can be measured in a few ways (but there's really only one correct way), and based on the flexibility of the Kemimoto fabric, we think this would traditionally be measured as an 840D fabric.

Quick facts:

• Made of 1680D oxford
• Limited 6-month warranty
• 40-day return policy
• Two color options
• Waterproof

Price: $90

TigerTough: Best Warranty

We're brand new to the side-by-side game, but this has been in the works for nearly a year. Seat covers are our bread and butter so we're super excited for this product release. 

“Since we’ve been making seat covers for work trucks for over 30 years, it just makes sense to keep expanding our line of seat covers for more vehicles and equipment that are getting used and abused daily. We started covering law enforcement vehicles in 2016, construction equipment in 2022, and now side-by-sides.

I’m excited to get these into service because when you look at industries where people are using their Ranger or Gator as a tool to do their work like construction, first responders, and rentals, the seats take a beating. We’ve had massive customer demand for these and now they’re finally available.”

- Sheldon Zitzmann, Marketing Director

Since the natural habitat of a UTV is rather wild, we supply our side-by-sde covers with an unconditional lifetime warranty. If you wreck your seat covers, we'll replace them. 

Quick facts:

• Made of 1000D CORDURA®
• Unconditional lifetime warranty
• 30-day return policy
• Two color options
• Waterproof

Price: $337

Overall Best Side-By-Side Seat Cover

That’s up to you. Each brand has its benefits and pitfalls, and there are only a few UTV seat cover options to choose from (don’t worry, we looked). Ultimately, you just need something that’s going to do well in the elements and protect your seats for years. We always suggest U.S. products and something with a strong warranty. But, it’s best that you find something that meets your budget and your needs.

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.