Softex vs cloth

We have a ‘37 Fleetwood in the family with wool upholstery.

 

Cmon now…next you’re gonna tell me that rich corinthian leather is just regular run-of-the-mill leather. It’s not! It’s rich and corinthian!

 

There are lots of options that Toyota could have gone with that lie on the spectrum between the SR5 fabric and Softex. There’s perforated vinyl. There are very open polyester weaves like those used in the 50’s and 60’s. And then there’s the swamp-ass inducing Softex we all know and love. Which, truth be told, is perfectly appropriate for such a utilitarian vehicle.

 

I thought Softtex was more like material wet suits are made of rather than the old school vinyl.

 

I think it’s more along the lines of high density “foamified” vinyl with a fabric backing.

 

Yeah softex has an almost paper-thin neoprene/rubber feel to it. Like a bicycle inner tube but thinner. It stretches, unlike the thick 70’s and 80’s vinyl. Remember how that 70’s stuff used to get stiff in cold temps? Softex doesn’t really do that.

I wish I had a 3’ x 3’ piece of softex to play around with. I’d like to poke it with a knife, pencil, etc, just to test the limits of it’s durability. It’s kind of a neat material. I’m curious to know what the limits are and what it looks like after lol. I’m always afraid I’m gonna pierce it with a nail or pen in my pocket or something. Hasn’t happened yet!

 

I loved cloth on my SR5 to be my preferred choice when it comes to comfort both winter and summer. Sadly 4runner don't have heated seats option with cloth. I also love the butt hugging feeling vs not grippy feeling on softex. But 4runner cloth seems to be on the thinner side compared to old Toyotas I have experienced back in Sri Lanka/Asia.

My next choice would be leather except when it's too hot or cold. With all the holes on 4runner leather seats I don't think it's good for outdoor activities.

Thinking about how dirty my seats get in out door activities, not only dog and my kid sometimes I have no clue how much dirt my pants get. It's so easy to clean with a wet cloth. For hot summer days or cold winter days softex is the worst.

 

LUXURY vinyl, as they like to say on those HGTV shows.

 

Not just texas. I am hot in MA as well! I think softex is just too hot period. Compared to leather, I am usually sweating way more and its not because of the AC -- it blows just fine.

Maybe I am just too hot

 

I don't mind either. The Tacoma I just recently had was cloth and I liked it just fine. My Camry and now 4R both have black softex. It's not real leather, but given the choice i'd still take the softex over cloth. Mainly because it's easier to clean and doesn't easily absorb dirt/liquid/smell if you spilled something on them. My Camry is pushing 5 years old in Jan. and they still look new (and probably feel better than new after breaking in). The Camry seats are perforated, which is nicer than the non-perforated in the 4R.

I've driven in a number of straight swamp-ass pool-liner vinyl seats in my day day, and softex is definitely not in the same league as seats of old. Obviously they can still get hot as shit, but feel much more premium and dont induce sweating like ones I remember.

The new cloth seats in the LC looks like a classic 80s-90s Toyota cloth. I hope to see to see it in person (eventually).

 

Surprised you guys are complaining about the heat of Softex. It is supposed to breathe better than real leather. I sold a car with black leather when bought 4runner and the leather was so much hotter in Texas heat.

https://mycarmakesnoise.com/general/disadvantages-of-toyota-softex/

 

Softex is a thermoplastic polyurethane material. Thermoplastic polyurethane's key attributes are abrasion resistance, elasticity, flame retardant, microbial resistance, as well as ultraviolet ray and oil and grease resistance. Most auto vinyl seats are made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). Thermoplastic polyurethane is better than PVC in softness and elasticity. For the same strip stretching, thermoplastic polyurethane can be stretched to twice the length, while the PVC can hardly be stretched, and it will break directly; Not only that, thermoplastic polyurethane will rebound after stretching, while PVC basically cannot.

 

I cannot even imagine how bad black leather would be during the summer then. I don't find that these seats breathe at all.

I love how they look and clean up, but they are overly warm year round (especially on a long trip).

 

I've definitely considered buying a sheepskin from Costco for a seat cover. To me it's not the heat, but the lack of breathability on the softex. Worth it for cleanup, though.

I miss my 2nd gen taco sport seats with the 3d mesh texture; those were comfy in all temps.

 

Where is dusty?

 

Hmmm, can’t tell if that website is written by bots. Some weird phrasing and statements in that one.

Well, at least I know softex is popular in races. But it sucks that if I carry passengers, I’ll have to keep changing my interiors.

Also, don’t use gasoline products on softex!!!!

 

My 2nd gen has the houndstooth fabric on the seating surface and after 33yrs it still is in good shape…..but the vinyl sides have deteriorated. I have actually swapped the driver/passenger front seat bases and put the worst sides toward the console.

 

Where’s Waldo? I was probably typing this in the AM so my brain wasn’t on which doesn’t change later in the day either.

 

I'm going back to cloth in my next 4runner. Softex was the only option for my ORP, but I'm so tired of my back sweating against the seat during the hot summer months. It looks nicer than cloth and is easier to keep clean, but definitely not as comfortable in my opinion.

 

You will likely have the same issue again. Have you tired some of the high end seat covers?

I initially felt the Softex felt like it didn't breath much, but now with 75k of seat break-in I don't notice it anymore. I wouldn't downgrade my choice for cloth seats.

 

This thread reaffirms my decision to get a base SR5 with cloth seats.

I use the tried and true method of using a beach towel as a temporary seat cover to protect the seat, in the event that I may have dirt on my backside.

I do like cloth especially during high and low temperature operations. I think it looks good too.

 

We are in Florida and held out for a TRD Off-road so we could get cloth. My wife will not sit on Black Leather or Softex while wearing shorts in August Florida heat. We wear shorts 12 months a year down here.

 

You’ve gotta get the TRD logo embroidered on the towel.

 

I will be among the few and say I hate Softex and much prefer the cloth seats. I've had both. Softex gives me swamp ass and back unless it's like 25 degrees out. Cloth is always comfortable and breathable. In fact I would go so far as to offer anyone who is local a trade, my Softex heated for your cloth....

 

Could have also got a limited so you get ventilated seats and remote start. Nice options for the female variety.

 

Didn't have this issue with my previous cloth 4th gen. Haven't tried a seat cover yet as I can't stand the look.

 

I'm in line right behind you.

 

Swamp-ass is definitely a concern for me.

 

Well to be fair I run hot anyway. I can't sit in a regular old office chair without leaving a snail trail when I get up. ... but having said that, the issue is way exacerbated by the Softex.

 

I wouldn't mind cloth if they came with the heated option. But my softex does hold up better to my never ending shed monster.