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.
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.
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
Okay, some seat covers aren't safe. Or hey, maybe safety never even crossed your mind. We actually reviewed a very popular seat cover brand that isn't considered safe when it comes to airbag deployment. You might also be think it's not safe to use them with heated seats.
A third-party lab independently tests our designs to ensure they work just as they should.
As for the whole heated seat thing, most covers are safe for heated seats. There will be some that perform better than others though.
Problem 5: They’re Ugly
Well, this is pretty subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?
Seat covers have come a long way, though, and you can likely find a cover in a style that suits you. Whether you want something tough, floral, camo, or fluffy. Heck, even Carhartt has covers.
TigerTough Solution:
We design for performance first, not looks. You won’t find bright colors, elaborate patterns, or luxury quilting on any of our seat covers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a great seat cover, and we don’t think you’ll be disappointed. But it’s at the top of the price range 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. Their reputation is undeniable. They've got that classic look of your grandpa's favorite jacket; overall, we feel nostalgic about them. 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.
While we have a lot of respect for Carhartt, when it comes to choosing seat covers, we’d actually lean towards Covercraft’s Endura PrecisionFit over the Carhartt SeatSavers. It's not just about the price; the PrecisionFit covers just seem to fit better and provide more value. If you’re into a variety of colors, you might find the two-color options of these covers a bit limiting. And the two-piece design? It tends to slide around on the seat because of how it's fastened. Since these are an expensive choice, we really hoped for a bit more from them.
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: $374
Pros
✅ Easily washable
✅ Self-extinguishing
✅ Air-bag safe
Cons
❌ Only a 90-day warranty
❌ No returns accepted
Verdict
These seat covers really do a solid job of protecting the seats in your work truck, almost like a wetsuit, and you can even clean them with wetsuit shampoo. They’re self-extinguishing, which is a big plus if you ever find yourself dealing with flames inside your truck. Plus, they're designed to be airbag safe as they don’t cover the side of the seat where the airbag is located. Airbag safety is a must for us.
At first, we were a bit skeptical, but these covers have received great reviews. We really appreciate the custom fit and how easy they are to clean. However, at $374 a pair, they’re not exactly budget-friendly, and the very limited warranty makes us a bit hesitant to give them our full endorsement.
We'll just come out and say it: Marathon makes a darn good seat cover. They're another U.S. company helping protect American seats.
We don't personally know anyone who uses them and the most recent review we saw was from 2022. But this is what John has to say:
Absolutely love the seat covers. They are super tight and can be difficult to get on, but once they are on they are on. I've been rough on my seat covers and they are holding up great. I'll add these to my other trucks for sure.
Their covers are made from 1000-denier CORDURA®. The cool thing is, you can add all sorts of extras like map pockets, gear pockets, gun loops, bow holders, etc. The downside of that is that they don't include headrest covers as standard, you'll need to pay for those.
Price:$315 (with headrest covers)
Pros
✅ Lots of colors
✅ Made from CORDURA®
✅ Waterproof
✅ Airbag safe
✅ Many customizable options
Cons
❌ Headrest covers aren't included
❌ 5-6 week turnaround time
❌ No returns
Verdict
As we say, if we didn't work for TigerTough, we'd probably buy these. Just know that you can't return them, so if you hate them when you get them, they're still yours. We like that they're on the affordable end of the seat cover price spectrum, and they're made from CORDURA®. If there's a vehicle we don't have a cover for, we'd suggest going for Marathon.
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: $150
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.
✅ Inexpensive
✅ Fits most vehicles
✅ Woman-owned company
Cons
❌ Not custom fit
❌ Limited six-month warranty
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.
✅ Waterproof
✅ Guaranteed perfect fit
✅ Airbag safe
Cons
❌ They don't use CORDURA® on their entire seat cover
❌ Price is a little high
❌ Limited Warranty
Verdict
They’re tough and built for hard work, but we don't love that ShearComfort doesn't use CORDURA® on the entire seat cover. They only use it on the portions you'd touch when sitting in the seat. The rest is made of a thin, stretchy material which will give out over time. They have great reviews from their customers. ShearComfort is a good option for your work truck, but not the best.
VERTEX OFF-ROAD is a newer company, started in 2021, and they specialize in truck seat covers. They consider themselves "American craftsman and enthusiasts committed to building top-quality products that help you upgrade and protect your truck for everywhere the road ahead takes you.
Well, what's not to love about that? Let's look at their 1000-Denier CORDURA® Canvas seat covers.
Price: $400
Pros
✅ Use CORDURA® nylon on their colvers
✅ Automatically include a center console cover
✅ Lifetime warranty, albeit limited
✅ Airbag safe
Cons
❌ Foam-backed seat covers (foam breaks down over time)
❌ Limited vehicle line
Verdict
We love that they're using CORDURA® nylon canvas for this particular cover. They also automatically include a center console cover and pockets for the seatbacks. They also have a lifetime warranty and seem pretty flexible, but it does exclude everyday wear and tear.
This is the first time we've run across another brand that uses a string to cinch around the seat for a secure fit. It's just too bad they don't use StringLock.
This seems like a great cover. These are going to be a durable option for your truck. And given that they come with a center console cover and seatback pockets, the price is fair for what you get.
TigerTough
TigerTough seat covers
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: $297
Pros
✅ Unconditional warranty
✅ Custom fit
✅ Two-week turnaround
✅ Waterproof
✅ Airbag safe
Cons
❌ Limited colors
Verdict
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.
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.
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.
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% 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: $422 (this base price seems to fluctuate with their sales) TigerTough Seat Covers: $297
The Covercraft covers cost about 44% 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.
To be direct, yes, airbag-compatible seat covers are considered safe if they allow the airbag to deploy in third-party testing.
But for those who want to know more details, this article is for you.
Airbags are relatively new in automobile history. They were heavily considered for passenger vehicles in the 1950s, according to The Rough Road to Airbags. The concept was brought to Chrystler, but they weren't interested. Ford and General Motors experimented with prototypes but couldn't mass-produce them.
But it wasn't until 1990 that the first collision with two cars deploying airbags was recorded. Since then, airbags have saved over 50,000 lives.
So what are airbag-compatible seat covers, and why are they important?
What are airbag-compatible seat covers?
Seat covers are considered compatible airbags when holes or flaps allow the seat airbag to deploy. They're considered safe for installation.
TigerTough seat cover with airbag-compatible tag
When you install seat covers on a newer (2012+) vehicle, you're almost guaranteed to cover up an airbag in the side of your seat. If your seat cover doesn't allow the airbag to deploy, you will likely be smashing your head and upper body into the side of the vehicle in the event of a crash. That's not something fun to think about, but it's true.
Watch this video and see how the torso airbag in the seat works with the ceiling airbag to protect the driver from hitting the side of the vehicle:
That doesn't mean you shouldn't install seat covers on your vehicle. Just don't install cheap, universal-fit covers. But watch out; even well-known manufacturers don't always have airbag-safe covers.
WeatherTech Seat Cover instructions and warnings
If the seat cover doesn't mention anything about compatibility, and you see straps or anything covering the side airbag, it's probably best not to install it in your car, truck, van, or SUV.
A seat cover that's not compatible with airbags.
Which brands of seat covers are compatible with airbags?
In our research, we've found the following top brands to be considered safe:
Covercraft
Wet Okole
Canvasback
ShearComfort
TigerTough
We haven't looked to see if these brands (other than TigerTough) have been independently tested, but according to their websites, they're considered safe with airbags. We suggest you only install seat covers that are independently tested and verified for airbag compatibility by a qualified third-party laboratory.
So TigerTough seat covers are airbag-safe?
Yes.
TigerTough seat covers have been independently tested and verified by MGA Research Corporation in Troy, MI. Watch the airbag deploy in under 30 milliseconds in the testing video below:
Whether you're installing truck seat covers or if they're for your car or van, check and make sure that the cover will allow your airbag to deploy. You owe it to yourself and your passengers.
Why are they important?
When adding aftermarket parts to your vehicle, you need to ensure that you don't hinder any of the safety features of your truck, van, car, police vehicle, etc.
All vehicles today have airbags in the steering wheel and passenger side dash. Most vehicles come with them in the side of the seat back. Some cars have airbags in the A-pillar (by the dash), the B-pillar (by your head when you're in the seat), the ceiling, and other locations in the vehicle.
We HIGHLY recommend checking your owner's manual before modifying your vehicle's interior to ensure you aren't compromising your and your passengers' safety. And when you're ready to install seat covers, be sure they're compatible with your airbags.
Seat covers for your truck are an investment. How much you spend varies. They can cost you under $100 for a one-size-fits-most option (if you don’t mind a sloppy fit) and up to $500 for a name-brand custom fit.
There’s no shame in our game, so we’re upfront about our prices. The average TigerTough set of bucket seat covers for trucks costs $287.
Here are some of the prices we found in our research:
Brand
Cost per pair
Canvasback
$140.00
TigerTough
$277.00
WeatherTech
$299.90
Wet Okole
$314.00
ShearComfort CORDURA®
$404.99
CoverCraft Endura PrecisionFit
$405.99
CoverCraft Carhartt SeatSavers
$460.99
All specs based on 2023 Ford F150 Regular Cab Bucket Seats
Why do prices vary so much?
Like anything in manufacturing, the cost of all goods is determined by factors like where the item is made (do they outsource it or is it made in the U.S.A.), what materials are used, and how much work goes into making it.
Some of the cheaper options you see on the market aren’t made in America, or they’re made from inferior materials that’ll crap out before your next oil change.
Do you get what you pay for?
Sometimes. But sometimes, you’re paying for a name.
We reviewed the best work truck seat covers and found that some lesser-known names were some of the better options.
When you’re looking for seat covers for your truck, we suggest keeping these qualities in mind:
Two-piece covers
Waterproof
Custom fit
Made in the U.S.A.
A strong warranty
Are seat covers worth the investment?
Absolutely. Even if you choose an option that’s $500+ per pair, you’ll come out ahead in the long run, especially when it comes to resale value.
Seat covers cost money upfront. But are they worth the investment? We think so, but instead of telling you our opinion, we'll shoot it straight to you with the facts.
If you keep your trucks for a while, you'll need to repair ripped-up and damaged seats to improve conditions for the driver/operator (we're looking at you, blue collar folks). It also helps with your brand image. If your crew rolls up in a truck with foam spewing out of the seat, how does that speak to your work?
We asked some customers how much they've paid to repair or replace seats. The average cost to repair or replace seats was $632.50 per seat.
Date
Cost
Seat type
Notes
11/8/2022
$600.00
F-250 bucket seat
Lease trucks and the cost can be up to $1,200 if the leasing company replaces the OEM cover with OEM parts.
12/2/2022
$345.00
Single bucket seat
That isn't figuring any labor or downtime; it takes them an hour to fix.
11/4/2022
$600.00
Ford E van driver's seat
No downtime or tech time is included in the price.
3/14/2023
$1,000.00
Vehicle seat
The price is per seat.
3/20/2023
$250.00
Transit driver's seat
$250 for a Transit seat back. They buy from the dealer and have to replace it themselves.
4/13/2023
$1,000.00
Pickup seat
Replaced the entire seat.
Cost to repair or replace seats.
Not only do you have to pay for the seat to be repaired, but there's also truck downtime you need to factor into the cost.
If a pair of TigerTough seat covers cost you around $287 ($143.50 per cover) and an average of $632.50 to repair or replace a seat, you've saved $489 per seat.
Money saved: $489/seat
2. Increased resale value
There comes a time in every truck's life when it's ready for the next journey. And when it comes time to sell, we want you to walk away with the most money you can.
If your seats look like they lost a bar fight, and someone opens the door of that vehicle (whether it's the dealership or the next potential owner), they're greeted with an interior that looks like trash. That gives them the instant impression that the truck's had a rough life, and that's how you've taken care of the rest of the vehicle maintenance for the whole time you've owned it.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a vehicle can be in perfect condition mechanically and physically on the exterior, but if the seats are torn and busted, it drops to good.
Condition
Trade-in value
Private party value
Good
$3,487
$5,494
Very Good
$4,433
$6,580
Excellent
$5,015
$7,248
Numbers based on a 2012 Ford F150 Regular Cab with standard features
At a minimum, having seats in excellent condition can save you hundreds of dollars when it comes time to sell.
Money saved: $295-$1467
3. Lease chargebacks
Maybe you lease your vehicles. Check into the charges you get after turning it in; it's normal for leasing companies to work in charges for seat damages.
On average, we see leasing companies charge $1,000-$1,200 for damaged seats. They'll allow some light wear, but if they deem a seat damaged, they'll charge you for the whole dang thing.
Money saved: $713
4. Detailing
We realize work trucks might not get detailed very often, but if you drive around a personal vehicle and spill a coffee inside, you'll probably want to get those seats cleaned.
So how much will a nice detail cost you?
An interior detail with deep cleaning can cost around $279. That's not terrible, but do it once and you've paid for a set of seat covers.
Check it out; we've taken a cup of coffee to a TigerTough seat cover to show you what happens:
Spoiler alert: The seat under the cover was totally unscathed. Your lap, on the other hand, might be a different story.
Money saved: $280 after two details
How much money will seat covers save you?
Depending on your situation, seat covers can save you anywhere from $280 to $1467 or more, depending on your vehicle (we based that $1467 number off 2012 Ford F150.)
But if you put them on when you first get your vehicle, they'll help you get more money for it whenever you decide to sell it.
Are seat covers worth it?
Do seat covers cost money? Yes. Is there a range of prices? Yes. Are they worth it? Yes. Especially if your vehicle's interior sees equipment, debris, dogs, or kids (like 90% of you reading this).
