Anyone tried these seat covers? They look like a really nice fit, and the manufacturer claims this particular fabric as being the best for breathability:

LINK, $120/pair.

I live in Santa Fe, NM (low humidity) with my 2009 MINI with leatherette. I also live with my DNA which includes the MAX SWEAT variant of human biology...maybe it serves a good survival purpose, but it doesn't work well with leatherette seats.

I've read a bunch of threads, but most them don't address sweat as THE deciding factor for choosing a seat material or seat cover.

Options (not in any particular order):

1) Trade for cloth seats...I'd LOVE to do this (hint!)...mine are non-sport seats.

2) Have the leatherette perforated...I've called a couple shops in town and they both said it can't be done...they'd need to replace the center section of the leatherette with a perforated piece, or maybe replace the entire seat (they'd have to see the seat before knowing)...estimate $150/seat for perforated vinyl, or $225/seat for perforated leather.

3) Sheepskin...don't like the look of a full seat cover, but the "vest" option looks kinda nice...found these for $59/seat via a NAM post.

4) Wet Okole...folks seem to love them, though I read a couple comments of them not making a great difference re: sweat...still, there would be a noticeable breathability improvement, plus they look great, and I could even get the heat option (be nice here in Santa Fe winters)...$235 + $68 for heat.

Thanks...

 

I have a car cover from the same company (they use a lot of different URLs) for my Corrado. Very good fit. When I bought the car used, the seats were in pretty bad shape, so I had new leather seat covers installed from these guys www.classicsofttrim.com They're dealer only and don't list prices online, but the seats are holding up well at 13 years.

I'm considering options too as my back gets sweaty with the leatherette in my Mini as well.

 

I had the Wet Okole covers on my first MINI. They kept me dry and cool very well, but they faded out very quickly-less than a year. Plus they are pricey.

 

If sweat is your problem sheepskin is your friend. Not only does it breathe but it absorbs. Anything plastic/vinyl/neo is going to stick to your back like Saran Wrap imo. I had real fitted sheepskins on my BMW ($$) leather seats and they were great. It gets hot in AZ too.

 

Wet Okoles will not solve the sweat problem on you but they protect the seat the best as the sweat will not get to the seat at all.

On the other hand, sheepskins will do a bit of both, but my experience with them was that if you didn't have them cleaned regularly they got to smelling bad.

I have had the Okoles on my car for 4 years with no issues. I just clean them once a year with my hand held carpet cleaner (no need to remove them this way) and treat them with the Okole UV protectant.

 

You might try a couple of those terry towel type covers in the union jack pattern that just slip over the headrest. They just lay loose on the seat, and they're working well for my needs. Yeah, they won't please the more **** types because they just get "mussed up" easily, but they straighten right out and go right in the laundry if they get stinky. I got a set in the UJ with grey/black/white colors. Like em fine. Mini Mania sells them, among others.

 

C'mon, don't use towels lol. That's what my mom used in the Pontiac Bonneville station wagon when she picked us up from swim lessons! I had my BMW sheepskins professionally cleaned every couple-3 years for about $75. They worked pretty well for both hot and cold weather. They even had separate units for the headrests to match.

 

Two words: (or one if you say it really fast like the crack head that sells them)

SHAM WOW

Now I know that some of you are probably laughing hysterically... but I swear... I am NOT lying!

I thought I was the only one with a sweaty *** problem ... turns out I am not.

My '05 Cabrio has "leatherette". My '08 Cabrio has "leather". I got "leather" in the second one thinking that it would be better (since I read that other people here on NAM had better results). Well, I didn't see much of a difference. I've always had a placemat on my seat to help (something with a nice pattern... and NO I don't use them to eat on... although in a pinch I guess I could ).

So in late June I went on the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour with the Tar Heels. Not sure if many remember... but it was HOT! Some kind of crazy heatwave was going on... even in the mountains!

Before the trip... standing in line with some road trip supplies at Bed Bath and Beyond I saw the big display of the SHAM WOW. The thought was in my mind... but I know I get a case of the crazies every once in awhile... I try to keep myself controlled. But the checkout line was long... waiting and waiting and I thought, "What the hell? If they didn't work, well at least I could use them for detailing or something." Thinking dual purpose.

Well what a shock and awe moment! I used the yellow ones folded in half and all I can say is SHAM WOW! Nothing was sweaty... I was less bitchy... and we had a great time! I told other people on the trip but they just laughed.

My plan is to buy some more of these and then make some kind of cover with fabric (or sandwich between two placemats). I'll be able to throw them in the washing machine and all will be good with the world.

And as for "cloth" seats... well, ya' still get just as sweaty but the sweat sinks in and those CAN'T be tossed in the washer.

Just my 10 cents.

*Oh yeah, and I drove 16 hours one of those days. (Had a blue Sham Wow behind my back)

 

Consumer Reports was not too impressed with Sham Wow, but if they work for your purpose...

I found that a local auto store has some "German" detailing cloths that seem to be the same thing, but less expensive. Don't have to pay for all the TV advertising.

 

Consumer Reports tested them for sweaty rear ends? Who paid them for that?

 

Billy Mays................