Softex sucks, who swapped out the seat covers yet?

I searched around, and there are few threads about Softex. Personally I think it sucks and I've had the truck a week. It doesn't breathe obviously enough for the lovely Florida humidity, and I'm shocked Toyota didnt make it at least perforated!

I'll keep the Softex in the rear for the kiddos to tear up, but I'm already perforated Katzkin bound for the fronts it seems!! Can the stock seat heaters still be used in the Katzkin covers?

 

Yay, it does feel a bit on the cheap side. I'll wear em out first and then go with the Katzkin. Send pics once you change yours.

Seat warmers should work fine.

 

I've been contemplating the reason they chose not to perforate the inset panel on the covers. Was either cost or making them quasi water/mud/funk proof. Wonder why no black headliner knowing what many of us are going to do with these? Oh well, minor stuff!

 

Hey Man,

Not sure if your interested but I found a website that makes leather, perforated, memory foam lined, custom fitting seat covers. Clazzio.com

I emailed them and they are printing out the template and will be soon available, I didn't like the soft-Tex either as I thought they looked cheap and not worth the upgrade price imo.

Check out the website, it might be up your alley!

 

What are the problems with your seats?

 

First, they offer zero manner of ventilation via perforation which is a must if you use a synthetic material. I get it though, because if it was perforated, it wouldnt be very water resistant which I guess is what they were going for? Anyway, I've had lower backsweat already here in Florida Jan and Feb, so I suspect when the heat really comes on, it will be bad.
Plus, I'm not a small guy- 6'1" and 195lbs and the bolsters for the back barely keep me from sliding around when I turn a corner. I've gotten in the habit of making sure the left foot is planted on the rest before turning because of it. My Taco sport seats were far more comfy and huggy...

 

I bought a cheapo cushion with back to set over the recycled plastic seat covers on my 2016 sr5 .
with high humidity they do cause problems. also too stiff for me. they used this design because being a jap vehicle the little people have no problems. then again even the GM vehicles / trucks have these type seats to reduce vehicle weight.

up here the auto upholstery shops do seat cover replacing with leather or vinyl all the time.
I was told $800 for front seats. dealerships are the biggest customers.

 

I like the softex.
I drive crazy expensive cars everyday for work with some of the finest leather and don't get me wrong they arent as nice and hand stitched and the softex is obviously not as plush but I find it softer and more comfortable than most cars I'm in.
I think a lot of it has to do more with cushion shape rather than cover material.
Best of luck though in finding an option that fits your style!

 

Perhaps someone here can answer for me... is the Softex in all 5th gen 4runners or just the facelift models? I have a 2012, and I'm trying to figure out if I'm running Softex or Leather? Thanks!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/katzkin-leather-for-your-tacoma.313544/

This might help If you're interested in katzkin.

 

X2 on the Katzkins. Had them in my Tacoma, and the fit and feel is awesome. Had them 6 years, and they still looked close to new.

 

Old thread but meh...

I specifically got a basic sr5 for the cloth seats because i didn't like softex. Not breathable. Felt like neoprene to me.

FYI, upholstery shop should be able to redo seats in whatever you want. My Highlander had some smelly cloth thanks to previous owner. I had a shop redo it in perforated leather non-OEM color on all 3 rows plus matching door inserts for roughly $1000 but that was maybe 6 years ago. Pricing likely more now.

 

I actually like the Softex and so far everyone that's ridden in it has liked it as well. My wife has leather in her Mazda CX-9 and it seems that leather gets "worn in" or something. Not sure the right description but it's not as nice as when it was new, that's for sure. I did notice that my back got sweaty, presumably from the breathing issue, but it's kind of like those people that don't get offended until someone tells them they should be offended.....I didn't think twice about it. I did notice that somehow I turned on the heated seat yesterday so I don't care for how easy that can happen. It's not a button on the dash that you actually have to push, you can accidentally roll that switch just moving around in the truck.

 

Katzkin told me they couldn't replace the fake leather on Toyota seats?

 

Clazzios are great in my opinion, I have had them on my Tacoma for 5 years and my 4Runner almost 2 years. They still look brand new and they look better than OEM, just use some leather upholstery cleaner conditioner on them once a month. They are cheaper than Katzkin and you can install them yourself in a day (your hands and forearms will hurt for a couple days from pulling them tight). The only drag is they take 8-12 weeks for custom orders. The other good thing if you damage them they can replace the section you damaged. Heated seats still work also. I put a set over my mother-in-laws softtex on her new RAV4 limited and she loves them, she got lighter colors so her seats aren’t so hot in the New Mexico sun.

 

Same here. Holds up better than Ford's premium leather in my old platinum150

 

I love the Softex. Very durable and easy to clean. I live in Dallas so I know about heat. Nothing is going to be cool in TX or FL.

 

2006 I rented a Ford expedition in Vegas.
Had real A/C built in the seat..no pun intended...that was cool

 

Leather and cooled / heated seats was worth an extra 50 points here in Deming...already had multiple triple digit days before mid June.

 

I ordered my Wet Okoles the very day I bought my '20. Love them.

 

Im in and out of my mgm orp around 14 times a day and travel 1-2 miles so it never cools off and the seat instantly generates back sweat so im damp all day...so old school taxi beads. Drove today 90 out and with all windows down i actually felt air behind by back for the 1st time in forever. I hate putting this on a 40k

zip tie install takes 1 minute going to hot all week so will update Later this week. This one i think was $17. They have high end for $60. So its a permeant fix I may drop the $60